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While it’s famous for its laid-back beach vibes and 60 miles of pristine coastline, there’s another reason Myrtle Beach is a must-visit. Beyond the surf and sand is a vibrant arts-and-culture scene that’s deeply rooted in Lowcountry life. The South Carolina destination, also known as the Grand Strand, spans from Georgetown in the south to Little River in the north. Located within are 14 distinct communities, each with its own creative vibe expressed through its museums, galleries, gardens, music, dance, and nightlife.
Read on to see why this beach within reach is a haven for aficionados of all kinds—from fine-art lovers to dancing queens.
Fine art is widely celebrated.
If it’s a pictorial smorgasbord you seek, feast your eyes on the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, one of the most notable visual-arts museums in the state. Here, 11 rotating galleries exhibit artworks that include paintings, textiles, sculptures, photography, video, ceramics, and collages. There’s also a permanent exhibition of local Southern artists. And should inspiration strike, you (and your kids) can hone your skills at one of the museum’s art or pottery classes.
Your dance card will be full.
One of the many interesting facts to file about Myrtle Beach: It’s the home of the shag, the official state dance of South Carolina since 1984. If you’re unfamiliar, the steps are similar to those of the jitterbug, but with a Southern-style swing and a slower pace to match the relaxed beach lifestyle. Introduced in the 1930s, the dance quickly grew in popularity until shag clubs and competitions sprouted along the Grand Strand. Today you can still see die-hards busting a move at Fat Harold’s Beach Club on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, which is keeping the tradition alive and well on its sawdust-sprinkled dance floor.
The greenery is anything but garden-variety.
The natural beauty is not limited to the beach. Take Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, which combines flora and fauna and structural art spread across 9,000 acres. Stroll through the nation’s first public sculpture garden, home to more than 2,000 works by 430 artists; amble under the shade of 250-year-old live oak trees; or take a walk through the zoo and wildlife preserve, where native animals like red wolves and foxes roam. (All of the animals here were either born in captivity or have sustained injuries that left them unable to survive in the wild.)
It strikes a harmonious note.
Have an ear for classical music? The Long Bay Symphony will set your stay to the tone of Brahms, Bach, or Beethoven. Founded more than 35 years ago, this is the official symphony of the Grand Strand; musicians in the professional orchestra, the youth orchestra, and various ensembles take to the stage to perform 25 to 30 concerts each season. If contemporary music is more your speed, don’t miss a Pops Series show, which features a rock band with vocalists performing tracks from contemporary artists.
There’s a walk to remember.
Some 13 miles south of the heart of Myrtle Beach is the charming fishing village of Murrells Inlet, renowned for its half-mile-long boardwalk, the MarshWalk. Follow the rhythm to hear free live music nightly at any of the 11 bars and restaurants lining the way, such as Dead Dog Saloon, Bubba’s Love Shak, or Wahoo’s Fish House. This area is also known as the seafood capital of South Carolina, so sampling some of the Lowcountry’s most treasured cuisine is a must. Tuck into Wicked Tuna for its epic iteration of shrimp and grits, or sample fresh-off-the-boat seafood with golden-brown hush puppies at Drunken Jack’s.
You’ll feel the beat on every street.
Whether your jam is rock, soul, country, contemporary, or classic, the live-music scene in Myrtle Beach creates an inspired soundtrack everywhere you turn. North Myrtle Beach is home to the Alabama Theatre, founded by the band Alabama. Catch concerts from chart-topping acts like The Temptations and The Beach Boys, or see “Iconic,” the venue’s musical revue, which takes visitors on a melodic time warp through the history of music itself. Broadway at the Beach, a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, also has a host of clubs and restaurants with live music that never sleeps. And the Boardwalk, a 1.2-mile-long promenade in the downtown area, offers free evening family concerts as well.
It’s all immersive.
Stretching from Little River in North Myrtle Beach to Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island is the Myrtle Beach Arts & Gallery Trail, a visual journey running along the coast with more than 100 ways to experience the area’s art scene—through museums, galleries, and public art pieces. At the Little River Waterfront, you’ll find loads of local color. Check out Patio’s Tiki Bar & Grill, known for its Reuben sandwich. Nearby is the Wishing Tree at Vereen Historical Memorial Gardens, with its hanging oyster shells that shimmer in the sun: According to legend, your wish will come true if you hang one from the tree’s limbs. Whether or not that’s true, the display is worth seeing.
Head to VisitMyrtleBeach.com to plan your trip to this arts and culture hub.
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