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5 days in Myrtle Beach with kids

The extra days trade more ticket queues for a river town, a working-history farm and a northern beach community. Short museum visits alternate with outdoor space and lunch.

5 daysFamilies with kidsBalanced paceMid-range
Day 1

Lowcountry gardens and a quieter beach

Drive south once, combine two neighboring outdoor stops, and finish with an easy waterfront dinner area.

Drive south to Murrells Inlet; allow 35–50 minutes each way from central Myrtle Beach, plus local transfers
Open day route
Morning09:30

Brookgreen Gardens

1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Mix sculpture gardens, shaded paths, and the Lowcountry Zoo rather than trying to cover the entire property. It gives different ages something to notice without feeling like a formal museum day.

Time
3 hr
Cost
$$
Hours
Daily 09:30–17:00; entry gates close at 16:30. Special-event hours vary. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Download the current garden map and choose two areas before arriving—the grounds are larger than they look.

Afternoon14:00

Huntington Beach State Park

16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Use the beach and short nature trails as the unstructured half of the day. The causeway is also a good place to look for birds and alligators from a safe distance.

Time
2 hr
Cost
$
Hours
Daily 06:00–18:00, extended to 22:00 during daylight saving time. Atalaya has separate hours. Visitor information

From the previous stop: About 5 minutes by car

Worth knowing: Bring water shoes, towels, and bug spray in the car even if swimming is not the main plan.

Evening17:30

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

4025 Hwy 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

Walk a manageable section of the marshfront, watch the boats, and choose dinner based on the shortest wait rather than locking the family into another schedule.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to walk; dinner $$–$$$
Hours
Public boardwalk; restaurant hours vary Visitor information

From the previous stop: About 15 minutes by car

Worth knowing: Ask for a text-message waitlist, then use the boardwalk while your table is being prepared.

Day 2

Sea life, play time, and a flexible evening

Start with the aquarium and lunch in the same complex, then drive to The Market Common for playground time.

Walk between the aquarium and lunch; drive to Savannah’s Playground and park again
Open day route
Morning09:30

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

1110 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Start early for the underwater tunnel and interactive exhibits. Allow breaks so younger children can enjoy the visit without rushing past everything.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
$$$
Hours
Open daily; closing time changes seasonally Visitor information

Worth knowing: Check for timed tickets and feeding schedules before choosing your arrival time.

Midday12:30

Broadway at the Beach

1325 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Choose lunch and one small attraction rather than attempting everything. This is deliberately a buffer for shopping, snacks, or a break back at the hotel.

Time
2 hr
Cost
Free to enter; food and attractions vary
Hours
Complex hours vary by business and season Visitor information

From the previous stop: The aquarium is inside the same complex

Worth knowing: Set a per-child souvenir or attraction budget before walking through the complex.

Afternoon16:00

Savannah’s Playground

3600-3640 Emmens Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Let kids move freely after the structured aquarium visit. The inclusive playground has distinct areas for different ages and abilities.

Time
1 hr 15 min
Cost
Free
Hours
May–September 08:00–20:00, Tuesdays from noon. Shorter hours in other months; check current park notices. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 15–25 minutes by car to The Market Common, plus parking

Worth knowing: There is limited shade in some areas, so late afternoon is more comfortable in warmer months.

Day 3

Beach morning and the classic Boardwalk

Keep the morning loose, then use the oceanfront attractions as optional choices rather than obligations.

Drive from the state park to oceanfront parking, then walk between the Boardwalk and SkyWheel
Open day route
Morning09:00

Myrtle Beach State Park

4401 S Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575

Begin with sand, the fishing pier, and a short nature walk. The park setting is easier to manage than combining beach time with the busiest Boardwalk blocks.

Time
2 hr 30 min
Cost
$
Hours
Day-use hours vary seasonally Visitor information

Worth knowing: Pack a simple breakfast or early lunch and leave before the hottest part of the day.

Afternoon14:30

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

1st Ave N to 16th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Walk only the section that suits everyone’s energy, stopping for an arcade, snack, or ocean view instead of treating the full promenade as a required march.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free to walk
Hours
Public promenade; business hours vary

From the previous stop: Allow 15–25 minutes by car, plus time to find oceanfront parking

Worth knowing: Photograph your parking-zone number; nearby blocks can look very similar on the return walk.

Evening17:00

SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

1110 N Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Use the enclosed gondolas for one classic family view of the coast. If weather or energy is poor, skip it without disrupting the rest of the day.

Time
45 min
Cost
$$
Hours
Seasonal hours and weather closures apply Visitor information

From the previous stop: On the Boardwalk route

Worth knowing: Check visibility and wind before buying tickets; sunset slots are popular.

Day 4

Conway beyond the beach

Meet the region through a compact museum, riverside lunch and a separate living-history farm.

Central Myrtle Beach → Conway → farm → Myrtle Beach; allow 40–60 minutes outbound in traffic.
Open day route
Morning10:00

Horry County Museum

805 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526, USA

Choose the local-history rooms and freshwater aquarium rather than expecting children to read every display.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free
Hours
Tuesday–Saturday; check holiday notices. Visitor information

Worth knowing: Plan this day Tuesday through Saturday, not Monday.

Midday12:15

Conway Riverwalk

2nd Avenue and Elm Street, Conway, SC 29526, USA

Walk a manageable stretch beside the Waccamaw River and use downtown Conway for an unhurried family lunch.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free; lunch extra
Hours
Outdoor visit in daylight; access can change after flooding. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 10 minutes to relocate, then take the lunch break here.

Worth knowing: Keep children close at the river and check flood closures.

Midday14:15

L.W. Paul Living History Farm

2279 Harris Short Cut Road, Conway, SC 29526, USA

Explore the farm buildings and everyday tools that explain rural family life, with demonstrations only when scheduled.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Free
Hours
Tuesday–Saturday, normally 9am–4pm. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 20–25 minutes by car from downtown Conway.

Worth knowing: Call first if a particular demonstration matters to the children.

Day 5

North Myrtle Beach at a smaller scale

Pair a real play break with local history and a pier visit; this is not another packed attraction day.

McLean Park → local museum → Cherry Grove; return south after the pier.
Open day route
Midday12:30

North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum

799 2nd Avenue North, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, USA

Look for fishing, beach-music and community displays that give the resort communities a story beyond the sand.

Time
1 hr
Cost
Free
Hours
Tuesday–Saturday, normally 10am–4pm. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 10 minutes by car plus lunch near Main Street.

Worth knowing: Eat lunch before the visit; keep the gallery session short.

Midday14:30

Cherry Grove Fishing Pier

3502 North Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, USA

Walk over the ocean to watch anglers and compare the shoreline; fishing equipment is not required for a visit.

Time
1 hr 30 min
Cost
Low; parking extra
Hours
Check current pier hours and storm restrictions. Visitor information

From the previous stop: Allow 15–25 minutes north by car and time to park.

Worth knowing: Check walking admission and parking separately before arrival.

Before you decide

Questions about this trip

Are the added days expensive?

Conway's county museum and farm advertise free admission, as does the North Myrtle Beach museum. Budget separately for food, driving, parking and pier access.

Does this need a rental car?

The Conway museum and farm are at different addresses, and North Myrtle Beach is another day's drive. A car is considerably simpler with young children.

Can we move the days?

Yes. Put the Conway and North Myrtle Beach museum days on Tuesday through Saturday, then use a coast day around closures and weather.

Official visitor information

Use these operator and visitor pages to confirm tickets, opening times and access for your dates. Details checked .

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