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Planning a Trip to Myrtle Beach
Planning a trip to Myrtle Beach is as easy as selecting the right dates, booking with Monterey Bay Suites, and building an itinerary that fits your budget. But if it’s that easy, is Myrtle Beach worth visiting? In short, yes! Myrtle Beach is a top vacation destination on the East Coast, and for good reasons. The Grand Strand is home to 60 miles of sandy shoreline, countless family-friendly attractions, and award-winning golf courses. The best part, it’s also one of the most affordable vacation destinations for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
In this guide, we break down how to plan a Grand Strand vacation from booking to check-in. Let’s get started:
How To Plan a Trip to Myrtle Beach
Deciding when and where to vacation can feel overwhelming enough, and that’s before deciding what to do and where to eat. Myrtle Beach offers countless options for entertainment, dining, and lodging, which can make planning difficult for first-time visitors. That’s why we created easy-to-follow guidelines for mapping out your next seaside escape. Use these easy steps to plan a trip to Myrtle Beach:
The ideal length of time for a Myrtle Beach trip depends on how much you want to do, but usually a weekend is ideal for couples, and three to four days is usually enough for a quick trip among friends. If you’re visiting the Grand Strand for a laid-back golf or beach trip, we recommend staying for a week. This will give you enough time to try out different courses or enjoy the shore and some attractions.
The best time to visit Myrtle Beach depends on your preferred activities and crowd level. Most people prefer to plan a trip for the summer, while others opt for the less-crowded winter months. Here’s a quick way to decide which is the best season for your Myrtle Beach vacation:
Season | Crowd Level | Best For | Activities |
Winter | low | Adult couples and friends | Indoor activities, golf, and lodging discounts |
Spring | Medium to high | Group trips and families | Local attractions, festivals, golf, and outdoor fun |
Summer | High | Group trips and families | Long days at the beach, golf, and outdoor sports or concerts |
Fall | Medium to low | Adult couples and friends | Boardwalk strolls, golf, and dining experiences |
Winter weather in Myrtle Beach typically stays above freezing, with average temperatures in the high 50s and a few rainy days. It rarely snows, though you will see plenty of snowbirds in the area. Winter is a great time to visit Myrtle Beach for attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium, WonderWorks, live entertainment, and dinner theater, plus the added bonus of smaller crowds and awesome hotel deals.
Spring in Myrtle Beach offers mild weather and the return of festivals, markets, and more outdoor fun. The ocean is warm enough for a dip, and seasonal attractions along the coast like Family Kingdom Amusement Park reopen in the spring.
Myrtle Beach is at its busiest in the summer, and for good reason. Businesses are open and vacation season is in full swing, which does mean larger crowds—but more awesome things to do—in Myrtle Beach. Guests can easily build a full itinerary of festivals, live music, fireworks shows, and more, making summer one of the best times to visit Myrtle Beach.
Fall is when crowds start to taper off in Myrtle Beach. You’ll enjoy more space on the beach, at attractions, and in restaurants as families head back to start a new school year. Couples and friend groups often take advantage of this slower season for a more peaceful, but still entertaining, trip.
Planning Tip: Look for seasonal discounts at hotels and attractions so you can get the best deal possible.
Monterey Bay Suites is an ideal option for vacationers craving an oceanfront escape. This oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach offers suites with both full and partial ocean views, private balconies, and stunning water amenities. Enjoy the beautiful indoor and outdoor pool, bask in luxury beside the rooftop pool and hot tub, or unwind in the soothing indoor hot tub.
Start your day off right with a complimentary hot breakfast every morning, served cafeteria-style with daily staples and rotating offerings. Monterey Bay Suites is also home to Surf Shack Oceanfront Tiki Bar, just steps from the beach, with delectable options from refreshing cocktails to poolside munchies. Other amenities at this oceanfront resort in Myrtle Beach include a cardio center with treadmills and weights, a kids’ homework room, and on-site entertainment.
Planning Tip: Plan to stay at an oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach to prevent circling for a parking spot when you’re ready for a day on the sand.
The easiest way to get around Myrtle Beach is by car, but you won’t need to drive it too much if you book the right accommodations. If you fly into Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), you can easily rent a car for your stay. That’s one step you can skip if you drive in from out of town.
Navigating Myrtle Beach can be challenging during peak vacation times, but the beauty of a centrally located hotel like Monterey Bay Suites is that you’re steps from the beach, a short walk from attractions and restaurants, and a quick drive from the rest of the Grand Strand’s offerings.
You won’t have to worry about finding or paying for beachside parking when you stay with Monterey Bay Suites. Rather than drive around looking for a space and paying the meter, guests at Monterey Bay Suites enjoy direct beach access from the hotel.
Planning Tip: All parking meters in Myrtle Beach accept U.S. coins, some accept debit and credit cards, and some offer tap to pay.
If it’s your first time visiting Myrtle Beach, plan to visit the major attractions—the beach, the Boardwalk and Promenade, SkyWheel, Broadway at the Beach, and Calabash restaurants—in the time you have and budget accordingly. The best Myrtle Beach itineraries keep visitors busy while offering plenty of downtime to enjoy the Grand Strand’s seaside charm. Visitors with flexible schedules usually feel less stressed and get more out of their stay. We recommend planning an itinerary with several options so you can choose what feels right at the moment.
While the beach is the biggest draw for many vacationers in Myrtle Beach, there are plenty of things to do besides the beach. If a sunburn, rainy day, or just the need for a break from sun and sand has you seeking things to do in Myrtle Beach besides going to the beach, check out these popular places to visit around town:
Broadway at the Beach
1325 Celebrity Cir., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 | 4.2 miles from Monterey Bay Suits
Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex in Myrtle Beach is home to WonderWorks, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Legends in Concert, plus tons of shopping and restaurant offerings. Broadway at the Beach hosts free fireworks shows on select nights throughout the year.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park
300 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 29577 | 5.9 miles from Monterey Bay Suits
A favorite among generations of locals and vacationers alike, Family Kingdom Amusement Park is a family-friendly amusement park in Myrtle Beach that boasts a wide range of rides, from kids-only coasters to the classic Ferris wheel and bumper cars. Have a water lover in the family? Family Kingdom’s water area is the perfect place for them to enjoy.
Barefoot Landing
4898 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 | 7.1 miles from Monterey Bay Suits
Barefoot Landing is a shopping and entertainment destination in Myrtle Beach known for its live entertainment and expansive retail and restaurant offerings, from local boutiques to celebrity restaurant chains. Barefoot Landing is a family-friendly destination in North Myrtle Beach, perfect for visiting families and groups of all ages.
It’s also important to book activities that your party will enjoy. Families and couples probably won’t want the same itineraries. Here are some of the top Myrtle Beach attractions for different types of travelers:
Best Activities by Party | ||||
| Families | Couples | Girls’ Trips | Guys’ Trips | Adventurers |
| WonderWorks | SkyWheel | Hotel Spa | Golf | Wildlife boat tours |
| Ripley’s Aquarium | Beach and pool day | Saltwater fish tour | ||
| Mini golf | Brookgreen Gardens | Tiki bar crawl | Watersports | |
| Dinner theatre | Fine dining | Waterfront restaurants | Convenient eateries | Casual food options |
At-A-Glance Trip Planning Snapshot
Let’s put it all together. Here are some sample itineraries for Myrtle Beach vacations:
Myrtle Beach Two-Day Itinerary for Couples | ||
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Myrtle Beach Three-Day Itinerary for Families | |||
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Planning Tip: Only plan one to two time-sensitive reservations per day. For example, an 8:30 a.m. tee time and a 6 p.m. dinner reservation allow for plenty of flexibility throughout the day.
Myrtle Beach accommodates vacation budgets of all kinds. Here’s a quick breakdown of what a family of four should budget per day for a Myrtle Beach vacation:
- Hotel: $150–$200
- Activities: $75–$100
- Dining: $150–$250
- Total: $375–$550
If your party size is different, simply add and subtract from that range. To keep things more affordable, plan around discounts and free activities. There are plenty of free things to do in Myrtle Beach, from visiting the actual beach to free concert series and movie nights all over town, making it easy to take a trip to Myrtle Beach on a budget.
The biggest question mark in most budgets is dining. There are a variety of restaurants in Myrtle Beach, from beachside snack shacks to fine dining. The result is several options for any budget. Here are a few highlights:
Popular Myrtle Beach Restaurant Prices | ||
$ | $$ | $$$ |
Peaches Corner: Old-school diner with classic burgers, fries, and shakes | RipTydz Oceanfront Grille & Rooftop Bar: Oceanfront tiki bar offering seafood classics and tasty cocktails | Greg Norman Australian Grille: Upscale waterfront restaurant in Myrtle Beach with exotic Australian dishes, tender steaks, and fresh seafood, plus extensive wine, tequila, and bourbon lists |
Big Mike’s Soul Food: Local favorite serving up southern-style comfort food like fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese | Beach House Bar & Grill: Laid-back restaurant with a diverse menu offering seafood, tacos, and sandwiches | Hook & Barrel: A seasonally driven restaurant in Myrtle Beach that focuses on fresh, sustainable seafood and features an award-winning raw bar |
Budgeting Tips
- Plan your excursions and activities as far in advance as possible, as some businesses grant early bird and off-season specials
- Check with your hotel for deals on local attractions
- Make use of amenities at your hotel, such as on-site entertainment and breakfast
Planning Tip: Always plan to spend more to cushion your budget.
Ready to plan your vacation to Myrtle Beach? Start with Monterey Bay Suites, an oceanfront resort in Myrtle Beach, for its perfect location, luxurious accommodations, and plenty of on-site amenities providing fun, relaxation, and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Planning a Trip to Myrtle Beach
What is the best month to visit Myrtle Beach?
The best month to visit Myrtle Beach depends on what you need from your vacation. Some vacationers swear by the quiet, slow pace of Myrtle Beach in the winter for a relaxing trip, while others plan their visit around the hottest weather to enjoy the sparkling water of the coast.
How many days do you need to see Myrtle Beach?
The more you plan, the more you can see. Most visitors take two to three days in Myrtle Beach, but we always recommend staying as long as you can to enjoy this amazing coastal town.
What is the cheapest month to visit Myrtle Beach?
The cheapest month to visit Myrtle Beach is typically during the winter months, when vacationers can take advantage of snowbird specials and spring for a more luxurious stay than during the summer.
How much is a trip to Myrtle Beach?
The cost of your trip to Myrtle Beach will vary based on many factors, from the size of your group and where you’re traveling from to the activities you choose while you’re here and where you dine. Your accommodations will also have an impact on cost, especially when taking into consideration that your hotel may come with on-site amenities that can cut activity costs for your group.
03/31/2026
Photo Ops and Instagram-Worthy Spots in Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach isn’t just a vacation destination—it’s a paradise for photographers and social media enthusiasts. From breathtaking
