Finding things to do for free in Myrtle Beach isn’t a hurdle you’ll worry about because this family-friendly destination has no shortage of cheap entertainment. While visiting the beach is the ultimate budget-saving activity for most (putting aside new swimwear and beach chair rentals) this area offers plenty of activities, entertainment, and attractions that don’t charge admission or require tickets to enjoy.

Since your vacation budget often dictates how many days are enough in the Grand Strand, finding free things to do in Myrtle Beach keeps your spending in check so you can extend your getaway or add a few expensive outings to your plans. When you combine a wallet-friendly itinerary with a savvy lodging choice, like a hotel with low or no deposit or a property lauded for its value-priced rooms, you’ll have enough funds to create a fun-filled, memorable getaway. Since zoos are one attraction you won’t find offered for free in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you’ll appreciate saving where you can to afford the admission at a wild animal attraction or two. 

One mistake adults make is assuming free activities in Myrtle Beach are offered only for kids. This city features plenty of venues with free live entertainment or sightseeing adventures to fill your downtime, without spending a dime. So, go ahead and book a Myrtle Beach hotel for a girlfriends’ getaway, golf trip, or anniversary trip at a romantic resort in the Grand Strand and complete your itinerary with loads of worthwhile things to do, including some freebies.

When it’s time to finalize your vacation, look for hotel deals and check out this list of free things to do in Myrtle Beach to plan a getaway that’s on point and within your budget:

The number of North Myrtle Beach activities for kids, adults, and the entire family can easily fill a vacation itinerary of any length. Contrary to popular belief, North Myrtle Beach is more than just an extension of its namesake city to the south. This beach town has its own distinct character and offers a long list of attractions you won’t find elsewhere.  

North Myrtle Beach is a top destination for families for more reasons than its desirable hotels. The mild weather and sunny days make outdoor adventures a breeze, and the attractions for kids in North Myrtle Beach take the stress out of entertaining little ones, letting parents relax, too. With a seemingly endless list of things to do with kids in North Myrtle Beach including mini golf, beach days, watersports, amusement parks, and child-friendly festivals, your biggest challenge will be deciding which activity to do first. 

Nor will adults be bored in this city: Downtown North Myrtle Beach on Main Street provides a lively atmosphere with shops, restaurants, clubs, and venues that frequently host concerts, family-friendly festivals, and nightlife activities. When paired with a visit to Barefoot Landing and an upscale suite in a luxury Grand Strand resort, your couples getaway will be one to remember.

Once you’ve found the perfect resort for an adults-only or family trip, find things to do in North Myrtle Beach on this list to take care of your entertainment:

If you’re wondering where to play golf in Myrtle Beach, you’ll find more than 90 courses to choose from for both championship-level and casual golfers. The mild winter weather along the coast allows anyone to golf comfortably in Myrtle Beach in December, January, and February; most 50-degree days are a respite for anyone arriving from subzero temperatures.

Known as the golf capital of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is famous for golf because the city offers a wealth of courses designed by legends of the sport, from Jack Nicklaus to Arnold Palmer. Any golf fanatic likely has one or more of these courses on their wish list, but the golf course architect isn’t the only deciding factor. A good golf course for you depends on your play style and skill level. 

Examine the course rating and slope rating to get an idea of the difficulty, and if you need more guidance, use our suggestions below to find out where to golf in Myrtle Beach:

Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach for Beginners

Novices aren’t relegated to playing only mini golf courses in Myrtle Beach (even though the area’s putt-putts are highly recommended for downtime). If links with wide fairways and fewer sand traps and water hazards are your wish, Myrtle Beach can deliver. The Grand Strand is home to many highly playable courses with enough challenges to keep the game interesting. Even if your group includes a mix of beginners and scratch golfers, these courses provide successful outings for every skill level, including beginners:

Beachwood Golf Course

This golf course offers a friendly layout that won’t bore anyone. The course is known for its helpful staff and even more helpful practice greens, chipping area, and practice bunker to ready any out-of-practice golfer for teeing off. Casual golfers looking for something out of the ordinary should consider Beachwood’s nighttime golfing experience, which features glowing tee boxes, golf balls, pins, and holes.

Arcadian Shores Golf Course 

This golf club near Restaurant Row in Myrtle Beach is known for its difficult yet friendly play that affords anyone a good day on the greens. The carefully placed lakes, elevated greens, and contoured fairways provide challenges anyone can appreciate. Arcadian Shores’ convenient location near oceanfront hotels in Myrtle Beach makes this course a regular stop for locals and visitors.

Azalea Sands Golf Club

Anyone staying at a hotel in North Myrtle Beach should take advantage of having this beautiful golf course in their backyard. Azalea Sands offers six tee boxes for a variety of skill levels and a casual, welcoming clubhouse. You won’t see a condo or home lining these secluded links, just 18 holes of immaculate greens dotted with bunkers, lakes, and trees.

Golf Courses for Intermediate Golfers in Myrtle Beach

While you may not be ready for The Dunes Golf and Beach Club—the course most recently selected to host the Grand Strand’s PGA tournaments and arguably the best golf course in Myrtle Beach—you’ll find plenty of challenging links throughout the city. 

For risk-reward seekers and golfers with a firm grasp on mechanics and club selection, the intermediate courses in Myrtle Beach allow for successful holes while still leaving plenty of room for error. Consider booking a hotel in Myrtle Beach with a hot tub in the room, as you may need extra recuperation after a few days out on the links. Even so, playing these golf courses in Myrtle Beach offers challenges most are happy to accept:

Myrtle Beach National King’s North Golf Course

The MB National King’s North designed by Arnold Palmer is one of the must-play golf courses in Myrtle Beach, especially for long-time fans. With a par 5 designed to stop gamblers in their tracks and many features to test player precision, the King’s North course frequently sits atop the best-of lists. Stop by the clubhouse to view the tribute to Arnie featuring golf clubs and other memorabilia.

Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club

A signature Jack Nicklaus design, Pawleys Plantation is one of the most arduous places for average players. Shotmakers are rewarded on this course as play winds mercilessly through a maritime forest and wetlands. The back nine holes are some of the most memorable in Myrtle Beach because the accuracy required to play them takes a skilled hand. 

Prestwick Country Club

This par 72 course offers 18 challenging holes surrounded by a dense pine forest and plenty of water hazards. Prestwick features the look and feel of a private club, but it is open to the public. The masterful Dye design is a beauty to see and a worthy opponent for any golfer. The six sets of tee boxes accommodate many skill levels.

Planning a Golf Trip to Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a fantastic golf destination because this city offers more courses than anywhere else in the US and the countless courses within close proximity to hotels on the strip make planning golf trails and multiple days of play a cinch. 

Start by selecting a Myrtle Beach hotel with a golf package as your home base. These resorts staff a dedicated golf department to help you choose which courses to play and make arrangements for tee times. But bringing your own list of must-play Myrtle Beach golf courses helps the team match your dream experience with your skill level and budget.

Where To Rent Golf Clubs in Myrtle Beach

Whether you’re out of room for your clubs or you’ve decided to hit the links on a whim, getting your hands on golf equipment is easy in Myrtle Beach. Golf clubs throughout the Grand Strand loan equipment to players on a first-come, first-serve basis. Always call ahead to confirm rental availability, especially if you have specific needs, like left-handed or women’s clubs. If you’re in Myrtle Beach to golf at several courses, renting clubs at each individual course may become tiresome—and expensive. Instead, look into local golf club rental companies that offer loaner sets at reasonable daily or weekly rates.

Playgrounds and parks in Myrtle Beach offer free or cheap, family-friendly entertainment via their climbing structures, trails, picnic areas, and sports courts. Few activities are cheaper than visiting a city park in Myrtle Beach because these recreational spaces are free to use, and the area’s state parks charge less than $10 per person.  You’ll enjoy quality family time outside, without spending a fortune, and your kids get to let loose where it’s safe and encouraged. 

When you’re looking for playgrounds, Myrtle Beach city parks feature a variety of equipment and structures, plus green spaces to accommodate everyone from kids to canines and adults. Myrtle Beach is home to more than 40 parks which include a mix of playgrounds, memorial sites, and dog parks, and there are two state parks in the vicinity. Three parks with newer playgrounds in Myrtle Beach include Futrell Park, Gardens by the Sea, and Chapin Park, which were all renovated within the last couple of years.  And nearly every Myrtle Beach playground offers grassy areas for picnics and playing, and several parks include shelters and benches for sitting in the sun or shade. 

While the kid-friendly hotels in the Grand Strand offer endless entertainment, taking a respite from the bustling pool deck or shoreline at a Myrtle Beach playground can be a welcome break, especially during the busy season. And these parks are for grownups, too: The trails, sports courts, and benches are ideal for adults and couples who want to relax or exercise.

If you need a break from the pool or the beach, consult our handy list to find great parks and kid-friendly playgrounds in Myrtle Beach: