When you think of a beach boardwalk, images of the glory days of Atlantic City or Coney Island probably come to mind. You can probably still envision the carnival games, food vendors, and barkers loudly selling their beachwear, trinkets, games, and rides. Close your eyes, breathe deep, and you can probably smell the funnel cake, cotton candy, and hot dogs mingling with the warm, salty air. Do I hear Seagulls?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is home to a relatively new attraction that is becoming one of its most distinctive and recognizable draws: The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Built in 2010, you’ll find this well constructed, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing walkway to be a defining character to the heart of the Grand Strand.
Ranked in the top ten of many review sites, magazines, and publications, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk holds its own when compared to the staples in Atlantic City, Coney Island, and Ocean City. Travel and Leisure named Myrtle Beach the number 2 boardwalk in the country, based on the fantastic entertainment and food options. There’s something for everyone here, where modern entertainment mixes with the classic Grand Strand nostalgia of yesteryear.
Originally 1.2 miles long, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk has been extended beyond 18th ave North to accommodate newer resorts. Along with the boardwalk, downtown Myrtle Beach area hosts great shops, restaurants, hotels, rides, attractions, and entertainment. The Famous Myrtle Beach Skywheel is nestled perfectly as the centerpiece of the boardwalk and features Jimmy Buffet’s Landshark Bar and restaurant. Here are some of the best features:
The Bowery is one of the most legendary establishments in South Carolina. Since 1944, it has been delighting visitors and locals alike with country and southern rock. This longtime honky-tonk bar is a country music icon and is best known for hiring the world famous super group, Alabama as their house band. This place takes you back to the “glory days” of Myrtle Beach, before high rises dominated the landscape.
Peaches Corner is a MUST VISIT on your boardwalk experience. This place is older than the CITY of Myrtle Beach! The best way to describe their burgers and dogs is “PERFECT”. Since 1937, Peaches has helped define Myrtle Beach as one of the best food destinations on the East Coast.
Second Avenue Pier allows visitors to venture farther out into the Atlantic Ocean than anywhere else on the Grand Strand without taking a boat or plane. This pier gives guests the rare chance to stroll 900 feet out over the ocean waves and get a spectacular view of both the sea and the city skyline back on dry land. By day, this wooden walkway is a hub of activity as anglers fish the deeper waters in hopes of hooking a big one. Depending on the season, sea bass, flounder, Spanish mackerel and trout are among the species regularly caught from the pier. As the southernmost point of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Second Avenue Pier is only a short stroll from Plyler Park, where free concerts are held throughout the summer months, as well as all the great shopping, dining and attractions.
Gay Dolphin Gift Cove has been one of the most recognizable locales in Myrtle Beach since 1946. Calling itself “The Nation’s Largest Gift Shop”, you’ll find not only typical beach items, but the most unique gifts ranging from fine art, collectibles, jewelry, toys, and the largest collection of Shark teeth and ocean finds in the south. Located at 910 North Ocean Blvd, The Gay Dolphin should be on everyone’s vacation to-do list!
These are just a few of the great attractions, restaurants, and fun things about the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Classic T-shirt shops, arcades, pizza joints, Ripley’s theater, Candy shops, Bandito’s, the Fun Plaza Center, and more can be found at this iconic boardwalk.
Jason Coker is originally from the metropolis of Burlington, NC and is passionate about vacation rentals. Having served on the front lines of a premier vacation rental company, Jason has a great understanding of all aspects of this fantastic industry. An aficionado of music, sports, and all things geeky, Jason spends his free time performing music, grilling out, and relaxing with his son, daughter, and lovely wife, Amy.
