Families who stay at kid-friendly hotels in Myrtle Beach have never had more relaxing, enjoyable vacations. Chants of “I’m bored” quickly give way to cheering when children discover the resort’s colorful, looping water slides or flashing arcade games. Explore all of the best family hotels in Myrtle Beach to find the right mix of kid-friendly activities and parent-pleasing amenities for your vacation. Not only are Myrtle Beach family resorts applauded for their impressive selection of things for young children to do, but these hotels feature awesome water features to keep tweens, teens, and adults entertained too. The endless variety of themed splash pads, water slides, lazy rivers, pools, hot tubs, and areas to lounge are the reasons guests choose these top kid-friendly hotels time and again. Myrtle Beach family resorts also offer activities for kids and adults to enjoy on dry land. Take a break from the pools and spend time together playing at the on-site playgrounds, game rooms, and arcades offered at some of the best kid-friendly hotels. Myrtle Beach weather is perfect for enjoying outdoor games, like giant lawn checkers or chess, mini golf, shuffleboard, or cornhole, and these resorts also host live events for families, including DJ pool parties, trivia, and kids’ crafts too. The best Myrtle Beach family resorts offer many spacious suite styles to choose from, so you’ll have no problem finding an oceanfront hotel room or three-bedroom condo to sleep your crew comfortably. In-room amenities vary from fully equipped kitchens to spacious balconies to Murphy beds for extra sleeping space. Take advantage of year-round hotel deals offered at top Myrtle Beach family hotels to get the room you need at a great, affordable price. Next time you’re planning a trip to Myrtle Beach with your children, check out this list of the best kid-friendly resorts in the area:
Handicap beach access points in Myrtle Beach and nearby cities make spending the day on the sand a reality for locals or visitors with limited mobility. The communities in the Grand Strand strive to be accommodating vacation destinations for all travelers, so you’ll find a variety of handicap-accessible beaches with parking and amenities, plus convenient paid and free beach wheelchair rentals up and down the Myrtle Beach coastline. After selecting your hotel, it’s time to start planning which events you’ll attend and what attractions and beautiful beaches you’ll check out. Use our detailed list of beach accesses to decide where you’ll venture, and learn how to find beach wheelchairs near the best Myrtle Beach resorts to make your stay in the Grand Strand a success. Finding Handicap Beach Access Nearby Don’t wait until you’re in the Grand Strand to search for ‘handicap beach access near me’ and hope your resort is nearby. Locating the accessible beaches in Myrtle Beach before your visit allows for extra planning to reserve your beach wheelchair rental, find parking, and inquire about any other details that will make your vacation go smoothly. Luckily, there are many public beaches in South Carolina with handicap access points, including those in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and the Horry County beaches, so anyone with limited mobility has a nice selection of places to visit. We’ve highlighted the accesses below to make finding a spot near your resort or hotel easier so everyone in your party may enjoy a day on the sand. Consider contacting specific municipalities before arriving to confirm the type of accessibility, such as what locations offer ramps versus beach mats. Handicap Beach Access in Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach has 114 beach accesses, and more than 30 of them are wheelchair accessible and include a mix of ramps and fully accessible amenities. These handicap beach accesses throughout Myrtle Beach afford easier navigation when you want to spend time on the shore: Beach Wheelchair Rentals in Myrtle Beach While beach-going wheelchairs are no longer offered through the city, there are many third parties in the area who can provide the equipment you need. Many wheelchair rental companies will deliver and pick up your equipment right from your resort. Even though loaning these isn’t free, the services are convenient and give you more options, such as motorized wheelchairs. Handicap Beach Access in North Myrtle Beach Travelers visiting or staying in North Myrtle Beach will find wheelchair-accessible beach access points throughout this city’s coastline as well. There are 48 wheelchair beach accesses in North Myrtle Beach, and five of these are outfitted with beach mats for even easier transport. The city keeps a list of these locations on their website, and we’ve included them below for the Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Windy Hill neighborhoods. Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances Near Cherry Grove: Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances Near Ocean Drive: Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances Near Crescent Beach: Wheelchair-Accessible Entrances Near Windy Hill: Beach Wheelchair Rentals in North Myrtle Beach North Myrtle Beach has an impressively convenient beach wheelchair rental program. The city offers free beach wheelchairs to visitors staying at North Myrtle Beach hotels or anyone who wants to spend a day on the sand using a wheelchair. The service is available Monday through Friday at the Beach Services Warehouse or by calling (843) 280-5684. Reservations are encouraged and may be made up to one year in advance. Beach wheelchairs may be reserved for up to a week at a time. Delivery and pickup are available in the summer for an additional charge. If you plan to pick up your rental, note that an SUV, van, pickup truck, or similar vehicle is required for transport. Handicap Beach Access in Surfside Beach Surfside Beach has 36 beach access points, 4 of which are wheelchair accessible. If you want to enjoy a quieter beach day, this town is a great option. You’ll find wheelchair access near these beach entrances: Beach Wheelchair Rentals in Surfside Beach The town of Surfside Beach has a beach wheelchair program that makes loaners available through the city. The police department maintains a fleet of beach wheelchairs for public use and these are free to borrow as long as you are a resident, a property owner, or you’re staying in the town of Surfside Beach. Renters must call the police department at (843) 913-6368 Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to arrange the rental. Handicap Beach Access in Horry County There are about 14 miles of public beaches along the Grand Strand managed by Horry County’s Public Works Department. For handicap access to the beach, visit the county’s Nash Street location south of Springmaid Pier near the Myrtle Beach State Park. If there is another beach you’d like to visit, inquire with the county about what accessible features are available for specific locations, as many amenities, such as restrooms, are offered seasonally. Beach Wheelchair Rentals in Horry County Visitors going to one of the unincorporated beaches of Horry County may request beach wheelchairs on a first-come, first-serve basis. To use this free service, call (843) 381-8000 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or email beachwheelchair@horrycounty.org. There are a limited number of beach wheelchairs and the rental period may be reduced to two days during peak seasons in Myrtle Beach. Reservations may be made up to one month in advance. Handicap Parking in South Carolina While most beach accesses have designated handicap parking spaces, it is also helpful to know that the state of South Carolina allows any vehicle to park free at any public-operated parking meter so long as they display any of the following license tags or valid hang tags: Handicapped, Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, or Medal of Honor. If a beach lot happens to be full or if there is no lot available, you may be able to find a metered spot near the access of your choice. Looking for a hotel near a wheelchair-accessible beach? Here are a few
See all the things to do in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and discover why this family-friendly coastal town is growing in popularity. Traveling just 20 minutes south of Myrtle Beach will bring you to this oceanfront city that’s near lively nightlife, attractions, and shopping. While the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is a well-known stop for anyone in the area, far fewer people are aware of the things to do in Surfside Beach. If you’re headed this way from your Myrtle Beach hotel, use this handy list of the 10 best things to do in Surfside Beach to get the most out of your time in South Carolina:
Review the Myrtle Beach umbrella rules to know which tents, shades, and canopies are allowed on the local beaches before you head out for fun in the sun. When you’re ready to hit the beach, knowing where and when you can use certain shades and beach canopies can save you a lot of hassle and even help you avoid fines for violations. Ordinances passed in 2014 for shading device policies in the Grand Strand limited the use of umbrellas in an effort to improve emergency personnel and lifeguards’ visibility of the water’s edge (beachgoers benefit with better views, too). Most of the earliest guidelines have been amended and adjusted in the years since to better balance visitors’ needs and safety concerns but now most Myrtle Beach rules have been set since 2021. Being aware of the restrictions before lugging gear down to the sand will make sure your beach day isn’t a bust and keep you out of trouble from using the wrong shade style. If you don’t have equipment that meets the city or county specs, local umbrella and chair rentals can simplify your beach setup and provide the approved gear right at your oceanfront hotel. These convenient guidelines address the use of beach cabanas, canopies, and tents in Horry County and within the city limits of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Sunset Beach. No need to lose out on time in the sun because you’re sorting through ordinances and regulations—we’ve done the legwork for you: Horry County Beach Umbrella Rules Beachgoers visiting Horry County beaches are allowed to use umbrellas as long as they fit within the size and style requirements determined by the county. Beach umbrellas in Horry County must be equal to or smaller than 7 feet 6 inches in diameter and must match the description of an umbrella (a collapsible circular shade consisting of a natural or synthetic fabric stretched over hinged ribs radiating from a central pole). While other beaches have flexible rules that relax in the off-season, Horry County’s regulations remain constant year-round. Canopies, tents, or shade structures that are not traditional beach umbrellas, including Sport-Brellas and Shibumi Shades, are not allowed on any Horry County beach at any time. The only exceptions to the umbrella rules are small pop-up or blow-up cabanas that do not exceed 4 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, to use for infants and very small children. The placement and use of beach umbrellas must also adhere to these beach rules: If you’re thinking about having a beach wedding with a party tent or canopy, you will need to obtain a Special Events Permit from Horry County. Approval for beach canopies for family reunions or other occasions may also be granted, but you will need to contact the Horry County Police Beach Patrol for more information. Any beach umbrellas in use for these approved occasions still need to follow rules for placement, hours of use, and other guidelines. Myrtle Beach Umbrella & Tent Rules The beach rules within the city limits of Myrtle Beach are similar to Horry County’s rules, with a few exceptions. The Myrtle Beach umbrella rules are seasonal, so there are times when non-umbrella shades and larger canopies may be used. The off-season begins the day after Labor Day and ends on Memorial Day. During summer months, umbrellas are the only shade items allowed for adult use and they must be confined to 7 feet 6 inches in diameter. Infant tents are also permitted year-round but must be smaller than 4 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 3 feet high. Are Shibumi Shades and Canopies Allowed In Myrtle Beach? If you arrive in the off-season you’ll notice much more lenient umbrella rules in Myrtle Beach. Canopies, shades, and tents, including various Sport-Brellas and Shibumi Shades, are permitted on the beaches of Myrtle Beach during the 9 non-summer months as long as the structures are not larger than 12 feet by 12 feet. All umbrellas and canopies, regardless of the season, must still adhere to these placement guidelines: North Myrtle Beach Tent Rules Vacationers in North Myrtle Beach will need to follow the beach rules when setting up an umbrella, canopy, or other shade structure. North Myrtle Beach tent rules are seasonal yet slightly different than the rules in Myrtle Beach, so it is important to know which municipality you’re in when setting up your beach equipment. Large tarps, canopies, and other non-umbrella devices, including Sport-Brellas and Shibumi Shades, are prohibited from use on North Myrtle Beach public beaches between May 15 and September 15. During summer months from mid-May to mid-September, umbrellas are the only approved shade beachgoers may use (aside from approved infant shades) in North Myrtle Beach. These umbrellas must not be larger than 7 feet 6 inches and the circular shade diameter cannot exceed 9 feet. An umbrella, as defined by the city, is a collapsible circular shade composed of fabric stretched over hinged ribs that radiate from a central pole. Baby tents are the only exception to umbrellas and they’re allowed year-round as long as they are used by persons 18 months or younger and they’re not larger than 36 inches high by 36 inches wide by 36 inches deep. Any shades or umbrellas in use in North Myrtle Beach must follow these placement guidelines: Surfside Beach Rules for Beach Umbrellas & Canopies Beach canopies, tents, and umbrellas are allowed on the beaches of Surfside Beach, but they must adhere to size restrictions. Umbrellas must be no greater than 7 feet 6 inches in height and have a circular shade no larger than 9 feet in diameter. Other non-umbrella shades, including tarps, canopies, Shibumi Shades, and Sport-Brellas are permitted but must not exceed 10 feet by 10 feet. All shade structures must have straight tie-downs. Baby tents are also allowed year-round. All persons using shade structures must adhere to these tent rules:
One of the great things about Myrtle Beach is that you don’t have to drag your nice beach chairs and umbrellas down to the beach if you don’t want to. During the summer season, you can simply rent a beach chair and umbrellas from the lifeguards!
Knowing the best time to book a hotel before a trip to Myrtle Beach, when to arrive, and how many days to stay will help you enjoy a great vacation for less. We understand that everyone doesn’t have the same ideas about when to take a trip and where to stay, but we also know no one wants to overpay for a vacation. Thankfully there are a few savvy tricks for booking your hotel in Myrtle Beach to save money so you have more cash to splurge on show tickets, resort upgrades, and dining out. When Is the Best Time To Book a Hotel Room in Myrtle Beach? We hear this question a lot, so we created a guide to help. Though there is no magic hour that automatically gives you the biggest discount, many reliable trends suggest that hotel rates are often higher when more people are looking, so avoid booking on evenings, weekends, and during holidays when people are off of work and out of school. While there are no guarantees this is true 100% of the time, comparing rates, shopping a variety of resorts and properties, and looking for hotel deals and special discounts, like those for service members, can help you avoid a budgeting blunder. What Day of the Week Is the Best To Book Hotels in Myrtle Beach? Are hotels cheaper during the week in Myrtle Beach? You bet. Reservations made for a weekday are almost always cheaper than for a weekend, but deciding what day is best to book depends on the length of your stay and your arrival date. How long you need to spend in Myrtle Beach really varies based on what you want to do, see, and how many beach days you need to reach the ultimate state of relaxation. If you’re undecided, make a list of the attractions you want to visit and restaurants you have to try, and then figure out how many days it’ll take to check these must-haves off your list. From there you can choose which day of the week to arrive to get the best deal for any length of stay using our tips below.
Sand adds an element of challenge to one of the sports most associated with the beach: volleyball! The great weather here in Myrtle Beach makes for a prime gathering spot with friends and family for a “friendly” game.
