Episode #31: Myrtle Beach, SC with Kids: 2-Day Family Itinerary + Must Do Activities
Myrtle Beach with Kids: 2-Day Family Itinerary + Best Things to Do
The Perfect Ending to Our 9 States in 9 Days Road Trip
If you’re looking for a fun, easy, family-friendly beach destination that has something for everyone…
👉 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina should absolutely be on your list.
After a busy, fast-paced road trip (listen to Episode 28 for the full itinerary, Episode 29 for Washington, D.C., and Episode 30 for Virginia’s Historic Triangle), this was the perfect place for our family to slow down, play, and just be together.
We spent 2 days in Myrtle Beach with our kids, and it was the ideal mix of fun, relaxation, and memorable experiences.
Our 2-Day Myrtle Beach Itinerary with Kids
Day 1: Travel + Pool Night
We drove from the Outer Banks (North Carolina) to Myrtle Beach—about 5.5 hours, making it our longest drive of the trip.
After checking into our hotel (a Marriott Vacation Club / Sheraton property), we kept the evening simple:
Quick dinner (grilled cheese + fruit)
Indoor heated pool time
Early night to recharge
💡 Tip: After a long travel day, don’t overplan. Let the kids burn energy and reset.
Day 2: Go-Karts, Mini Golf + Broadway at the Beach
We gave our kids a choice for the day…And they chose FUN. They didn’t want any more museums or ‘learning’ and we totally got it.
Broadway Grand Prix
This ended up being one of their favorite experiences.
What we loved:
Multiple go-kart tracks for different ages
Rides and attractions
Tickets that lasted all day (great value!)
Mini Golf (A Myrtle Beach MUST)
Myrtle Beach is basically the mini golf capital—and it’s such an easy win for families.
We played a round and it was the perfect mix of:
Friendly competition
Laughing with the kids
Low-pressure fun
💡 If you skip mini golf… did you even go to Myrtle Beach? 😉
Lunch at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Located at Broadway at the Beach, Paula Deen’s is a great spot for lunch or dinner.
This was such a fun and delicious family meal.
What to know:
Family-style, all-you-can-eat
Kids are very affordable ($8–$12)
Adults ~$25 depending on entrée selections
Favorites:
Fried chicken
Ribs
Fried fish
Mac & cheese
Candied yams
Fried okra
👉 Come hungry—you’ll leave FULL.
Exploring Broadway at the Beach
This area is a destination all on its own. There is so much to do here!
Things to do:
Shopping
Rides + attractions
Ferris wheel
Entertainment
We walked around, explored, and then headed back to the hotel for downtime before returning for nighttime go-karts (yes—worth it!).
Day 3: Airboat Adventure + Beach Time
Even though we checked out, we still had a full day before our flight.
This was one of the most unique experiences of the trip. We booked through Plantation River Tours and had a great experience.
What to expect:
1-hour airboat ride
Backwater views with moss-covered trees
Wildlife spotting
We saw:
Ospreys
Eagles
And even a baby alligator that swam right up to our boat!
💡 Tip: It’s LOUD—use the provided headphones, especially for younger kids.
Lunch at The Claw House
Recommended by our tour guide—and it did not disappoint.
What we ordered:
Crab nachos
Fish & chips
Flounder (kid-approved!)
Plus—large aquariums inside kept the kids entertained.
Beach Time
We ended the day with classic Myrtle Beach vibes:
Kids swimming + playing in the sand
Relaxing on the beach
Ice cream truck moment (you know the one 🎶)
💡 The weather here was much warmer than our Outer Banks stop—huge win.
A Full-Circle Memory
Before heading to the airport, we made one last stop at Build-A-Bear Workshop at Broadway at the Beach.
This was extra special because it was the SAME location I visited as a kid over 25 years ago.
I made my very first bear there—and still have her. It was so fun to be back there and now share the moment with my whole family.
Heading Home
We wrapped up our trip with a late red-eye flight back to Las Vegas…
And just like that, we completed our 9 states in 9 days road trip.
And Myrtle Beach?
Was the perfect way to end it.
More Family-Friendly Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
If you have more time, here are some must-do activities:
🎡 SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
🐠 Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
🚶♀️ Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
🐬 Dolphin watching tours
🏴☠️ Pirate dinner shows
💦 Water parks + resort pools
⛳ Endless themed mini golf courses
Top Tips for Visiting Myrtle Beach with Kids
✔ Let your kids help choose activities (it made a HUGE difference)
✔ Plan at least one “chill” day
✔ Look for all-day passes for better value
✔ Build in downtime (hotel + pool time matters!)
✔ Mix structured activities with free play (beach time!)
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