Myrtle Beach, SC Is the Perfect Family Vacation Destination (And We Can Prove It)
By Jennifer C. Williams, LCPC, PMH-C
CARE Pillars: Curiosity, Adventure
We have a rule in our family.
Summer means a road trip. And for us, that road trip almost always ends in our most favorite destination!
Myrtle Beach.
There is something about this place. The energy, the options, the way it manages to feel like a real vacation without requiring a passport or a second mortgage. If you’ve been on the fence about Myrtle Beach as a family destination, let me make this easy for you.
It is absolutely worth it. Every time.
Where We Went
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city in South Carolina, and it is one of the most family-friendly destinations on the East Coast. For families coming from the DMV, New York City, or anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic region, it’s a straight shot down I-95 a very doable road trip with kids.
We love summer road trips on the East Coast, and Myrtle Beach is a favorite because of how much it offers. Adults, kids, toddlers, nobody is bored. I mean it. You will not hear “I’m bored” once you arrive.
What We Loved
There is genuinely something for everyone.
This is not an exaggeration. Myrtle Beach has beaches, of course. But it also has amusement attractions, live entertainment, a boardwalk, putt-putt, water parks, arcades, and more restaurants than you could eat at in a week. It is a destination where parents can actually enjoy themselves while the kids are fully engaged too.
Our favorite spots:
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
A Myrtle Beach classic. The boys were fascinated from the moment we walked in. Weird science, optical illusions, record-breaking oddities. Kids ask questions in this place nonstop. That’s a win.
Broadway at the Beach
This is the entertainment hub of Myrtle Beach. Shopping, dining, attractions, and events all in one walkable area. It’s great for an evening out when you want variety without having to drive from place to place. The boys loved walking around and taking it all in.
The WonderWorks Museum
Science meets fun in the best possible way. The WonderWorks building looks like it’s been flipped upside-down, which already has kids intrigued before they walk through the door. Inside, it’s hands-on activities, science exhibits, and interactive experiences that work for a wide age range.
Pirates Voyage Dinner Show
This was a highlight. Full pirate show, dinner included, and the boys were completely locked in the entire time. If you are looking for a one-stop evening experience that entertains kids AND feeds everyone, Pirates Voyage delivers. Book in advance because it fills up.
The Hangout
We absolutely loved going to The Hangout. The Hangout at Broadway at the Beach brings beach-party energy (for adults and kids) indoors, with live music, a sandbox play area for the kids, a foam party, and food that keeps everybody happy from lunch through sunset.
And of course, the beach.
At the end of every busy day, the beach is there. There is something that no attraction can replicate about your kids running toward the ocean for the first time. Or the fifth time. It never gets old.
What’s Great for Kids (By Age)
Toddlers (ages 1-3):
The beach itself is perfect for this age. Waves, sand, buckets and shovels, simple and endlessly entertaining. The boardwalk is stroller-friendly. WonderWorks has some sections that work well, but the dinner show may be harder for very young toddlers to sit through.
Little Kids (ages 4-7):
This is the sweet spot age for Myrtle Beach. Everything engages them. Ripley’s, WonderWorks, the arcade games along the boardwalk, the beach, the pool. Plan for full days and build in rest time.
Elementary Kids (ages 8-11):
They’ll have strong opinions about everything they want to do, luckily there’s enough here to keep them engaged for a full week without repeating anything.
Tweens (ages 12+):
Broadway at the Beach gives older kids some independence within a safe, walkable environment. The dinner show still works at this age. The beach never stops working.
CARE Connection:
Myrtle Beach feeds the Curiosity and Adventure pillars deeply. From the science of WonderWorks to the history and storytelling at Ripley’s to the physical freedom of the ocean, this destination keeps curious, active kids fully engaged.
The TEA for Parents ☕
Everything you need to know before you book.
It’s a Certified Autism-Friendly Destination.
This is the piece of parent tea I want leading this section. Myrtle Beach is a certified autism-friendly destination in the United States. Many of the attractions are trained and prepared to support families with children on the spectrum. As a mental health professional and a mom, this matters enormously to me and I know it matters to a lot of families reading this. You will be able to have fun on vacation and watch the joy it brings to your child.
Getting There From NYC or DC
Myrtle Beach is a straight drive down I-95 for families in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. From the DC/DMV area, expect roughly 7-8 hours. From NYC, closer to 10-11 hours. We love the road trip because it becomes part of the experience. We play Eye Spy, Name That Song, and yes, we absolutely use tablets too. Both work. No guilt.
Food and Dining
Food choices are never a problem in Myrtle Beach. The restaurant variety is genuinely impressive. From casual beachside spots to sit-down family restaurants to fast food for the nights you just need something quick. Broadway at the Beach alone has dozens of options. You will not struggle to find something everyone wants to eat.
Budget Level
Myrtle Beach works across all budget levels, which is one of the reasons we keep going back. You can do a full week on a tight budget (free beach, affordable eats, one or two paid attractions) or you can go bigger with dinner shows, water parks, and upscale dining. It scales with you.
Budget level rating: ☀️ to ☀️☀️☀️☀️ depending on how you build your trip. Mid-range for a family of four doing 2-3 attractions plus dining: expect $200-400 for the activity portion of a trip, separate from accommodation.
Best Time to Go
Summer is peak season and the energy is unmatched, but it’s also the most crowded and most expensive. Late May and early September offer similar weather with significantly smaller crowds and lower accommodation rates.
What to Skip
Skip anything that promises to be “the best” attraction but has reviews that are years old. Myrtle Beach evolves constantly. Check current reviews before you commit to a paid attraction.
Bonus Tea:
Broadway at the Beach has free parking and free admission to walk around, you only pay for specific attractions. Go in the evening for the best atmosphere.
Quick Trip Stats
LocationMyrtle Beach, South Carolina
Drive from DC/DMV7-8 hours
Drive from NYC10-11 hours
Beach Access Free (public beaches throughout)
Autism Certified Yes
Stroller FriendlyYes (boardwalk and most attractions)
Food Options Extensive
Budget Range$ to $$$$ (scales with your choices)
Best Age Range All ages
SONshines Rating☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ / 5
Would We Go Back?
Without question. We already are. The boys talk about Myrtle Beach year round.
Myrtle Beach has become our summer tradition for a reason. It has the energy of a big destination without the complexity of international travel. It has the beach. It has enough variety that a week flies by. It also has something that a lot of travel destinations miss, it genuinely welcomes all families, including families with children who need additional support.
If you have been considering Myrtle Beach and needed someone to tell you to just book it: consider this your sign.
Follow Along
Watch our Myrtle Beach reel on Instagram at @sonshines_and_playtime. And tell us in the comments, have you been to Myrtle Beach? What’s your favorite spot?
Before your next adventure…
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