What To Do in Myrtle Beach on a Rainy Day
Make the most of a rainy day in Myrtle beach with entertaining things to do indoors that make waiting out a popup shower or storm more fun. If you’ve caught a rare drizzly day or a downpour’s in the forecast, you won’t have to sit in your hotel suite while the weather passes. There are tons of things to do in Myrtle Beach to make rainy days some of the most entertaining.
Rain can be a blessing in the Grand Strand because it gives you an excuse to experience all the best indoor activities, like shopping, going to the movies, and exploring the local museums. Visitors joining us at the end of summer will find these attractions especially useful, as it typically rains the most in August in Myrtle Beach, but nearly every month sees a few showers. They don’t last long, so you won’t have to prepare for an all-day soaker, but keeping a few rainy-day activities on the sidelines never hurts. If you need a rain jacket, you can find one at a sporting goods store or even a local boutique to stay dry going to and from the activities you have planned.
When it rains in Myrtle Beach, take advantage of the occasion and get in some quality time with your family or friends. Pose with your favorite celebrities at Hollywood Wax Museum, experience a natural disaster at WonderWorks, or knock down pins at the local bowling alley. Whether you’re here for a group trip, a family vacation, or a couples getaway, there are plenty of places to visit to make the best of bad weather.
Rather than feeling out of sorts about what to do when it rains in Myrtle Beach, you need only to look around! Myrtle Beach offers kid-tested, family-approved indoor entertainment options surrounding the local resorts and hotels. We know you know what to do in the Carolina sunshine—watersports, swimming, and sunbathing—so here’s what to do in the rain in Myrtle Beach:
Go Shopping
Shopping in Myrtle Beach is a serious sport. There are two Tanger Outlets locations, the Coastal Grand Mall, Market Common shops, Inlet Square Mall, several flea markets, and dozens of beachwear stores. The Boardwalk is home to tons of novelty and gift stores, too. Stop by the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, where you can easily spend an hour browsing through shells, souvenirs, gifts, jewelry, housewares, and more.
See a Theater Show
When it’s overcast, check out a matinee or evening show at one of the many great theaters in Myrtle Beach. The Carolina Opry Theater stages all the biggest shows, including Calvin Gilmore’s Carolina Opry and Time Warp. Just up the road in North Myrtle Beach you’ll find the Alabama Theatre, home to a brand-new show, Iconic. Legends in Concert features some of the hottest tribute artists from around the country and the GTS Theater is known for its family-friendly magic and comedy shows.
Explore Broadway at the Beach
When the rain begins, head to Broadway at the Beach to enjoy many attractions, restaurants, and shops. This area is great when it rains because you’ll have to walk only short distances to get from one store or eatery to the next. Visit Dino Park for an afternoon of fun, or stop off at Dave & Buster’s for a day at the arcade. If it’s not too wet, choose a ride or two at Pavilion Park.
Play at Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center
The Hollywood Wax Museum is a newer attraction in Myrtle Beach that is making rainy days way more fun. The complex is home to three amusements: Wax Museum, Hannah’s Hall of Mirrors, and Zombie Outbreak. Grab a prop and pose with lifelike wax statues of all your favorite movie stars. Older kids will love this scary-yet-fun experience. Hannah’s Hall of Mirrors is wacky fun for all ages and a fun activity rain or shine!
Eat, Drink, and Shop at Barefoot Landing
If you’re staying at a hotel in North Myrtle Beach you’re sure to pass by Barefoot Landing. Check out the boutiques to find the perfect souvenir for your trip or a gift for someone back home. Indulging in any of the fantastic eateries in this area is a must. You’ll find ice cream shops, a brewery, a winery, and a mix of casual and fine-dining restaurants to make passing the time during the rain a highlight of your vacation.
Observe the Sea Life and Sloths at Ripley's Aquarium
A must-do activity on a rainy (or sunny) day in Myrtle Beach is a trip to Ripley’s Aquarium. This top-rated attraction is one of the best places to see live animals in Myrtle Beach. A glide path through a shark tunnel is the centerpiece of this attraction. Visitors get to observe sharks, sea turtles, fish, and all kinds of sea life. Another favorite is the Indo-Pacific exhibit, which features thousands of colorful tropical fish that are fun to spot along the coral reef. This aquarium is also home to a penguin colony, and the recently opened Sloth Valley lets you come face to face with Rico and Cleo, a pair of two-toed sloths.
Wait Out the Rain at the Movies
Whether you’re staying at an oceanfront hotel or someplace inland, you can bet there will be a movie theater nearby. There’s nothing better than catching an awesome blockbuster to kill time on a rainy day. Many of the area malls are home to movie theaters, so you can shop before or after a show and really make a day of it. If you want to take a road trip while waiting out the drizzle, head to Conway to catch a movie in the recently updated theater there. This cinema and one at The Market Common feature affordable movies for kids that make excellent entertainment for a rainy morning.
Learn and Play at Area Museums
The Grand Strand features several museums to make a rainy day fun. EdVenture Myrtle Beach is ideal for families with young children. They offer plenty of interactive exhibits based around learning, role-playing, and exploring. The Myrtle Beach Art Museum changes exhibits frequently, and admission is free. The South Carolina Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are also worth checking out. And, if you’re up for a day trip, the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is an awesome, immersive experience. Admission gets you access to three historic ships, an aircraft carrier, historic aircraft, and a three-acre Vietnam experience.
Challenge Your Mind at WonderWorks
It’s hard to miss the upside-down building at Broadway at the Beach known as WonderWorks. This fun museum of the mind is made of up six Wonder Zones, including natural disasters, a physical challenge zone, lights and sounds, space discovery, an imagination lab, and an illusion art gallery. Some of the rides and experiences here have height restrictions, but there are plenty of other areas for kids of almost any age to enjoy.
Try Your Luck at Bowling
Some of the bowling alleys in Myrtle Beach have really upped the ante to become popular hangouts. 810 Billiards & Bowling is a perfect example of this. They serve upscale food and offer tons of games and things to do during the rain in Myrtle Beach. Enjoy challenges from bowling and bocce ball to foosball, and ping pong, or play games in the arcade. You’ll find 810s in three convenient Grand Strand locations. And if you venture south of Myrtle Beach, one of the best things to do in Surfside is bowling at their 32-lane alley.
