How Many Days Are Enough in Myrtle Beach?
Planning enough days in Myrtle Beach for attractions, plus reserving time to relax can be a challenge during a short vacation, but it isn’t impossible. When you’re itching to travel, beautiful, vibrant South Carolina is a winning choice in any season. But before you commit, you’ll need to decide how long to make your getaway.
Most vacationers agree that three to five days is an ideal trip length for anyone visiting Myrtle Beach, but how long you stay depends on how many attractions you’re aiming to see, how much time you’ll set aside for relaxing on the beach, and your trip budget. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning traveler, making an itinerary for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is the first step in deciding how long to visit. Our travel plans for three, five, and seven days will help make your decision easier. Consider these different itineraries and then book an oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach and get ready for fun, for however long you stay.
Myrtle Beach 3-Day Itinerary
When planning a three-day itinerary in Myrtle Beach, flying versus driving might get you into town earlier to help stretch your time to fit everything in. Many resorts give confirmed guests access to the amenities, even if the room isn’t quite ready. Use this time to check out the pool, sunbathe, or enjoy the beach, instead of waiting in the lobby. Even though three days in Myrtle Beach seems short, it is still long enough to hit up many of the main attractions and reserve some time for relaxing to make it a refreshing, worthwhile trip. And when you leave areas unexplored, you’ll always have a reason to return.
Hotels
Hotel location is everything when you’re in Myrtle Beach for only three days. Look for hotels near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk so you can explore the area on foot while soaking up the sunshine. Pop into beachfront bars on the Atlantic and browse some of the best Myrtle Beach gift shops in town without wasting precious time waiting on rideshares or getting the lay of the land behind the wheel.
Attractions
Many of the must-see attractions are fairly quick experiences so you can fit in several each day without feeling trapped in a whirlwind. A ride on the iconic SkyWheel Ferris wheel takes only 20 minutes but it is one of the best photo spots in Myrtle Beach. Visiting the Boardwalk and the beach can fit into any itinerary, and a timed activity, like a two-hour Jet Ski rental, lets you have fun without committing an entire vacation day.
Dining
If you found a must-try eatery while researching restaurants in Myrtle Beach, by all means make an effort to check it out. But don’t be afraid to take a relaxed approach to dining. Grabbing meals at hotel restaurants in Myrtle Beach is time-saving and convenient, and the area resorts offer all kinds of delicious eats, from bar-and-grill bites to divine seafood. For evening cocktails, jump-start your night at the bar in your Myrtle Beach hotel.
Myrtle Beach 5-Day Itinerary
Since a five-day trip to Myrtle Beach gives you a little extra time, check into your hotel and then check out of work mode before diving into vacation activities. Pour yourself a drink and enjoy the view from your oceanfront patio. If an evening out in Myrtle Beach is on the books, a little pre-party downtime will come in handy.
Spending five days in Myrtle Beach is enough time for adventurous vacationers to try new experiences and explore the area without running out of things to do. Plus, you can plan outings during low-key times to avoid crowds and lines.
Hotels
Staying at any of the Myrtle Beach hotels on the strip for a five-day trip gives you easy access to the beach and all the best things to do. Plus, these properties are jam-packed with amenities. Families love the kid-friendly resorts in Myrtle Beach because the water parks provide easy entertainment, and couples looking for fun appreciate the hotels with swim-up bars and cocktail lounges.
Attractions
With a five-day itinerary, you’ll have a long enough stay in Myrtle Beach to take your time savoring new sights and experiencing exciting local destinations. Make plans to visit the SkyWheel, Boardwalk, and attractions you’d fit into a shorter trip, plus enjoy a few longer excursions. Consider any of the live animal attractions in Myrtle Beach; these take a few hours each, but they’re outings you won’t find back home. Or dedicate a day to cruising the waterways in a rented pontoon boat in Myrtle Beach to experience life like a local.
Dining
There are tons of excellent restaurants within walking distance of hotels so meals can be spontaneous and you always have time to stop for ice cream or a nightcap. If you’re planning to splurge on dining most days, consider booking one of the Myrtle Beach hotels with free breakfast to save some dough and start your mornings fueled up for busy vacation days.
Myrtle Beach 7-Day Itinerary
Seven days is enough time in Myrtle Beach to create the ultimate itinerary and cross some big adventures off your bucket list. Whether you want to go on an hours-long dolphin cruise or learn a new skill, you’ll have plenty of time to check all these must-dos off your list. While it might be tempting to fill your days from sunup to sundown, remember to leave some downtime in your week to check out the resort’s pools or get your fill of beach time.
Hotels
When you’re staying in the Grand Strand for a week, look for Myrtle Beach hotel deals to help balance your lodging budget without sacrificing amenities or views. If a comfortable hotel bed, an oceanfront view, and a resort pool are all you need, you’ll have no trouble finding accommodations. The variety of upscale and budget-friendly hotels with suites in Myrtle Beach gives you plenty of options for places to call home during your week-long getaway.
Attractions
A seven-day stay in Myrtle Beach lets you tackle all the must-see attractions, plus embrace activities that locals love, like surfing, fishing, and dancing. Consider checking out the best fishing spots in Myrtle Beach or hopping aboard a fishing charter for an unforgettable half- or full-day out to sea. Find surf lessons in Myrtle Beach to learn to ride the waves or visit the dance clubs in North Myrtle Beach to learn the area’s signature dance: The Shag.
Dining
Eating out is often a highlight of vacations, especially when the food is delicious, fresh, and authentic. Luckily, the restaurants in Myrtle Beach are exceptional. Have fun taste-testing the casual, formal, and all-you-can-eat venues that line Restaurant Row. Explore places to dine on the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk and choose a new cocktail lounge in Myrtle Beach to visit each evening. Eating out can add up, so make use of your suite’s kitchen for quick meals and cheaper snacks.
