Exploring the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Welcome to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, where ocean breezes, neon lights, and non-stop entertainment collide.

This 1.2-mile stretch along the Grand Strand is the heart of downtown Myrtle Beach, packed with thrilling attractions, classic beach eats, and unbeatable ocean views. Feel the salt air as you stroll past arcades, street performers, and the scent of fresh funnel cakes.

Whether you're riding the SkyWheel, grabbing a drink at a beachfront bar, or enjoying its nightlife, the Boardwalk is a must-visit.

And the best part? You’re just minutes away when you stay at hotel BLUE, your oceanfront escape with a swim-up bar and lazy river. Book your getaway now and make the most of your Myrtle Beach adventure!

 

About the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

The “Heart of Myrtle Beach,” or the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, is a beloved attraction along the stunning Grand Strand, which is open year-round. This massive entertainment district spans a length of 1.2 miles, stretching from 14th Avenue North Pier and winding down through Plyler Park to the 2nd Avenue Pier.

Although the Boardwalk has been updated over the years, it was first constructed back in 1936. Its rich history, displayed through the various attractions, shops, and restaurants, thoroughly speaks for itself.

Today, it is the hub of local and tourist activity, offering enough to keep any visitor busy for an entire day.

Getting There

Myrtle Beach is well-connected by major highways, including U.S. Route 17 and Highway 501. During your stay at hotel BLUE, you’ll only be a 5-minute drive from this fantastic family fun spot! Once there, you’ll find ample paid street and garage parking options.

Boardwalk Rules

• Bicycle Restrictions: Bicycles are restricted to the exact dates and times as dogs.


• Recreational Transport: Skateboards, rollerblades, and skates of any kind are not permitted on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

 

Sections of the Boardwalk

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade is not your average boardwalk. Instead of just a straight wooden street meandering along the oceanfront, you’ll find separate sections with their own character, just waiting to immerse you in coastal fun.

Plyler Park

The northernmost section, home to Plyler Park, is a great place to enjoy a festival or show. This is where Ocean Boulevard's popular Hot Summer Nights events are held, and it’s a great spot to relax with some greenery and oceanfront views. This is where you’ll find the iconic SkyWheel.

8th Avenue

Extending from Plyler Park to 8th Avenue North, you’ll find a more traditional carnival-like atmosphere that we associate with boardwalks today. There’s a lot of fun to be had with many nostalgic games available for you and your family to play.

2nd Avenue

Finally, a peaceful open area leading to the 2nd Avenue Pier rounds out the southern end of the Boardwalk, where you can slow down and walk along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Best Restaurants on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

With ocean views, live music, and an energetic atmosphere, the boardwalk is the perfect place to grab a bite. Whether you're craving fresh seafood, a laid-back beach bar, or a legendary local joint, the Boardwalk has something for everyone. Here are the top spots to check out:

1. RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar

One of the newest and largest oceanfront restaurants in Myrtle Beach, RipTydz, combines a casual beach vibe with an upscale rooftop experience. Enjoy fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and breathtaking ocean views from multiple levels, including an open-air rooftop bar.

2. The LandShark Bar & Grill

A classic beach bar right next to the SkyWheel, LandShark is known for its island vibes, frozen drinks, and fresh seafood. Sip a margarita as you take in the ocean view or dig into a signature LandShark Burger.

3. Hurricanes Daiquiri Bar & Grill

Hurricane’s tropical-themed spot is famous for its colorful daiquiris and lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to cool down with a frozen drink and snack on shareable appetizers like nachos or wings.

4. Sharkey’s Oceanfront Restaurant

For casual beachside dining, Sharkey’s delivers with great seafood, cocktails, and a laid-back patio setting. Try the fish tacos or a refreshing mojito while watching the waves roll in.

5. The Bowery

A Myrtle Beach institution, The Bowery has been serving up cold beer and live music since 1944. Once home to the band Alabama, this bar is known for its rowdy honky-tonk atmosphere, pub food, and Southern hospitality.

6. Mad Myrtle’s Ice Creamery

No trip to the Boardwalk is complete without a sweet treat! Mad Myrtle’s serves up hand-scooped ice cream, milkshakes, and classic boardwalk favorites like funnel cakes and fried Oreos.

 

Things to Do at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

A trip downtown to the boardwalk and promenade will bring breathtaking views and an array of exciting activities. Truly, this lively stretch of boardwalk offers something for everyone.

1. Ride the Skywheel

The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is a legendary landmark in the area and the centerpiece of the magnificent Myrtle Beach Boardwalk! It is the number one place to find sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The whole family will enjoy a trip around this observation wheel, where enclosed air-conditioned gondolas take you on a journey up and around the giant wheel.

2. Visit the Many Ripley’s Attractions

Family fun is in full swing at the four Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attractions along the boardwalk and promenade. Scattered along the boardwalk, you’ll find Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, a live-action haunted house with real actors, and Ripley’s Mirror Maze, which challenges visitors to navigate a labyrinth of endless reflections and glowing lights.

As if that weren’t enough, the traditional Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium will have you cringing and gazing in awe at some of the strangest (and most unbelievable) things you've ever seen!

Last but not least is Ripley’s Crazy Golf and Illusion Lab. Think elevated miniature golf with vibrant indoor glow-in-the-dark course featuring unexpected and interactive challenges like loops and selfie-worthy shots.

Nearby, Ripley's Illusion Lab delves into the fascinating world of optical, photographic, and interactive illusions, designed to trick the eye and engage the mind with brain-teasing exhibits that encourage active participation and memorable photo opportunities.

3. Explore the Nightmare Haunted House

Beware that this evening's enjoyment comes at the price of total and complete darkness! But what’s a good boardwalk without a Nightmare Haunted House?

Step inside this frightening spot, where locals and tourists alike have been getting the daylights scared out of them since the 1980s! Themed around a zombie invasion, we hope you make it out of the world of the undead in one piece!

4. Play Games at Fun Plaza

Welcome to the best arcade on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk! Pop in to try your hand at the ever-popular skeeball, or maybe pinball is more up your alley. Whatever your personal favorite is, you’ll hear the whirr of the games a mile away and come running.

5. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at the Free Fall Thrill Park

If you're looking for heart-pounding thrills, Free Fall Thrill Park is the place to be. This high-intensity amusement spot on the Boardwalk features rides that launch, drop, and spin you into an adrenaline-fueled frenzy.

• Sling Shot – The ultimate catapult ride, the Sling Shot hurls riders over 300 feet into the air at speeds reaching 120 mph. The moment of weightlessness at the peak? Absolutely terrifying.


• Air Strike – A high-speed spinning pendulum that flips and twists riders in every direction. Get ready for upside-down views of the ocean as you rotate 360 degrees at dizzying speeds.


• SkyFall – Experience the ultimate free fall as you’re slowly lifted over 170 feet in the air before plummeting straight down. The sudden drop is pure adrenaline from start to finish.

6. Go Fishing from a Pier

Photo Credit: Keith Hall Photography

Come for the delicious seafood, hand-crafted drinks, and magnificent beachfront views...stay for the fishing! With two choices of piers on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade, there’s plenty of room to cast a line!

Pier 14 is a beautiful concept, a blend of restaurant meets fishing pier. Stocked with a full-service bait and equipment rental gift shop, you’ve got just about everything you need on hand! The Pier 14 Restaurant and Lounge is also an excellent choice for fine dining and a spectacular view.

Or, if you’re on the south side of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, try catching the evening's main course at the popular Wicked Tuna at 2nd Avenue Pier. Located in the heart of the bustling Downtown Myrtle Beach, it's a must-visit destination for any beach-goer.

The pier offers a unique opportunity for visitors to stroll 900 feet out over the Atlantic Ocean, getting an unparalleled view of both the endless turquoise waves and the stunning city skyline behind them.

7. Find Gifts at the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove

You’re bound to find a souvenir or gift for everyone at the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, the largest and oldest gift shop in the Myrtle Beach area! With seven floors of local crafts and souvenirs, you’ll have your vacation shopping done in no time.

 

Explore the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade

After a day of exploring the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk—whether it's riding the SkyWheel, catching live music at The Bowery, or indulging in a classic boardwalk treat—you'll see why this stretch of oceanfront excitement is a must-visit.

When it’s time to unwind, hotel BLUE is just minutes away, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and fun with its oceanfront pool, seasonal swim-up bar, and lazy river. Book your stay today and keep the Myrtle Beach adventure going!