Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach for First-Time Visitors
There is a reason people return to Myrtle Beach year after year. Your first trip can include everything from early mornings on the sand and classic Boardwalk attractions to amusement park rides, shopping, seafood dinners, and some of the best ocean views along the Carolina coast.
With so much to see and do, knowing where to start can feel like a challenge. The good news is that many of Myrtle Beach’s most iconic experiences are close together, especially when you stay in the heart of the action at Bay View Resort.
If this is your first Myrtle Beach vacation, these are some of the experiences worth putting at the top of your list.
Spend Time on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
For a first-time visitor, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is one of the best places to get a feel for the city. Stretching for a little over a mile along the oceanfront, the Boardwalk is lined with attractions, arcades, restaurants, shops, and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view. You can browse for souvenirs, grab something to eat, play a few arcade games, or simply walk beside the ocean and see where the afternoon takes you.
One of the best parts for Bay View Resort guests is just how easy it is to enjoy. The resort is located directly along the Boardwalk, so this classic Myrtle Beach experience begins just outside your stay.
Take a Ride on the SkyWheel
It is hard to picture the Myrtle Beach skyline without the SkyWheel.
Located along the Boardwalk, this nearly 200-foot-tall observation wheel takes riders high above the oceanfront in enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas. From the top, you can take in sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, the beach, and the surrounding city.
It is a fun first-day activity because you get to see Myrtle Beach from an entirely different perspective. Ride during the day for bright coastal views or head over in the evening when the Boardwalk lights up.
Explore Broadway at the Beach
You could easily spend an entire afternoon or evening at Broadway at the Beach.
This massive entertainment district brings together restaurants, shopping, attractions, rides, and entertainment in one destination. Depending on your vacation style, you can browse the shops, find somewhere for dinner, try an attraction, or simply walk around and see what catches your attention.
Broadway at the Beach is especially convenient for groups because everyone can find something they enjoy. There are family attractions, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and plenty of opportunities to turn a quick visit into several hours of fun.
Best of all, it is only about 2.5 miles from Bay View Resort, making it an easy addition to your vacation itinerary.
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium
While you are at Broadway at the Beach, make time for Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.
The aquarium is home to sharks, penguins, sloths, and other animals, making it a great option for families or anyone looking for a break from the sun. It is open year-round, so it is also an easy activity to keep in mind for a rainy afternoon.
Myrtle Beach has plenty of high-energy attractions, but the aquarium gives you a chance to slow things down while still doing something memorable.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Your first trip to Myrtle Beach would not be complete without leaving plenty of time for the reason you came in the first place.
Some of the best vacation days are the simplest ones. Grab a spot on the sand, take a swim in the Atlantic, walk along the shoreline, and enjoy having nowhere else you need to be.
Staying at Bay View Resort makes it easy to fit beach time into your schedule. You can start your morning beside the ocean, head out to explore Myrtle Beach for a few hours, and come back whenever you are ready for another walk along the water.
Do not feel like every day needs a packed itinerary. A Myrtle Beach vacation is just as much about slowing down as it is about seeing the sights.
Ride the Rides at Family Kingdom
For a little classic seaside fun, head to Family Kingdom Amusement Park.
Located less than a mile from Bay View Resort, Family Kingdom has been part of the Myrtle Beach experience since 1966. The oceanfront amusement park features more than 30 rides, including the historic Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster, along with plenty of family and kid-friendly options.
There is something especially nostalgic about spending an evening riding amusement park rides with the ocean just beyond them. It is an easy way to add a little excitement to a family vacation without traveling far from the resort.
Leave Time for Classic Myrtle Beach Fun
Not every memorable vacation moment has to come from one of the area’s biggest attractions.
Part of the fun of visiting Myrtle Beach for the first time is discovering all of the smaller experiences along the way. Play a round of mini golf, stop for ice cream after dinner, browse a beach shop, find a local seafood spot, walk out onto a pier, or spend an evening exploring Ocean Boulevard.
Myrtle Beach is built for vacations where you can mix planned activities with plenty of spontaneous stops. Some days might be packed with attractions, while others might turn into nothing more than a long beach day followed by dinner and a walk along the Boardwalk.
That variety is part of what makes the destination so much fun to explore.
Make Bay View Resort Your Myrtle Beach Home Base
Bay View Resort puts you directly along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and close to some of the destination’s most recognizable attractions. And, Bay View offers indoor and outdoor water amenities that make it easy to build in downtime even on the busiest vacation itinerary. Book your stay at Bay View Resort today!
