If you’re planning a visit to South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is one of the hottest tourist destinations in the state. However, if you want to avoid too many crowds, the city of North Myrtle Beach is right next door, and it has tons of fun and excitement for everyone. So bring the kids, and be sure to visit one of these 12 attractions.
810 Billiards and Bowling
1105 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Who doesn’t love bowling? This spot was formerly called 710 Bowling, alluding to the infamous “7-10 split” that is the bane of pro bowlers everywhere. Now the number 8 signifies that you can play pool here, too, along with many other games.
As an entertainment destination, you could wind up spending hours here without realizing it. Here’s a quick rundown of the games and attractions you can find at 810:
- Bocce Ball – This old-school game allows you to test your throwing skills.
- Ping Pong – Play singles or doubles and create your own tournament-style game.
- Board Games – Make it a family game night with classics like Jenga, Connect 4, Yahtzee, and more!
- Cornhole – This game has become pretty popular in recent years, and you can practice throwing here.
- Air Hockey – This is the ultimate competitive arcade game.
- Skeeball – Have you mastered your throw to get the most points?
- Basketball – Nothin’ but net!
- Pinball – Are you the next Pinball Wizard?
In addition to games, 810 has an extensive food menu, including burgers, pizza, wings, and even salad. No matter the size of your family, there’s something entertaining for everyone.
Alligator Adventure
4604 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Usually, when people think of alligators, they picture places like Florida or Louisiana. South Carolina has its share of the cold-blooded reptiles, and here you get to see them up close. However, you’ll see a lot more than alligators at Alligator Adventure. This amusement park has a wide array of animals, including:
- Bobcats
- Cassowaries
- Flamingos
- Kookaburra
- Frogs
- Snakes
- Ostriches
- Hyenas
- Macaws
And more! You’ll also see more than one type of alligator here. The park has an albino alligator, as well as Chinese Gators, crocodiles, and caimans. There are also two massive reptiles that you have to meet during your visit – Bob and Utan. These big boys are sure to make a sizable impression on you and your little ones. Just don’t get too close!
Another thing to do while you’re at Alligator Adventure is to see one of their live shows. You can watch them feed the crocs and Gators, touch them up close, or handle live snakes. These shows are not for the faint of heart.
Barefoot Landing
4898 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Don’t worry – you don’t have to walk around barefoot when visiting this open-air marketplace full of shops, restaurants, and dining. Barefoot Landing is the premier entertainment destination in North Myrtle Beach. If you’re not sure what you want to do in the North Myrtle Beach area, start at Barefoot and see where the adventure takes you. Speaking of adventure, Alligator Adventure is located in the landing, so don’t forget to stop by.
There are far too many places here to list them all, so we’ll cover some of the highlights you can find along the boardwalk:
- House of Blues – Music lovers will appreciate the live bands and old-school atmosphere.
- Hollywood Heroes and Villains – Movie lovers can find all kinds of memorabilia and gear to show off which team they’re part of – heroes or villains.
- Toy Kingdom – It will be pretty hard to pull the little ones out of this store, so it’s up to you whether you want to open that can of worms or not.
- River City Cafe – This local hotspot has some of the best burgers in all of North Myrtle Beach. The inside is also decorated with funky pieces, and the floor is covered with peanut shells.
- T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station – Here, you can meet live rescued tigers. We’ll dive more into this spot later on.
- Wild Wing Cafe – If you love chicken wings, you have to check out this spot. Best of all, it sits on the water with excellent views to accompany your meal.
Barefoot Landing also hosts various events and holiday festivals, so be sure to check out their calendar before your visit.
Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf
3210 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Miniature golf is an excellent choice for things to do with kids North Myrtle Beach. In fact, there are nine different interactive mini golf course options in the city alone. However, since we can’t discuss all of them (that would be a whole other list), we’ve narrowed our search to two. The first is Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf which, according to their website, is the number one PGA-ranked course in the world.
While we can’t verify that claim, we can say that Hawaiian Rumble is an impressive spot to play. The name itself comes from the massive volcano in the middle of the park. Every 20 minutes, visitors are treated to an eruption, which adds some pomp and circumstance to the whole experience.
Another reason we like Hawaiian Rumble is that it has two sister golf courses. So, if you and the family want to play all day long, you can buy a pass to hit every location. All told, there are five unique courses, each with stunning landscaping and props to make the game much more fun and exciting.
Once you’re done with golf, you can hit the batting cages or the mini arcade at Hawaiian Rumble. As with 810 Billiards, you and your kids can spend hours here without getting bored.
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
5611 Heritage Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Since this is a nature preserve, you might expect it to be on the outskirts of town. However, Heritage Shores is nestled in the heart of North Myrtle Beach – a hidden paradise that allows you and the family to escape the tourists and the hustle and bustle of modern life. Even better, this preserve is on an island, so you get gorgeous views no matter where you’re standing.
This park isn’t too large, at just seven acres. So, you can spend a couple of hours walking the various elevated trails and walkways. Everyone is welcome at Heritage since these trails don’t have any significant climbs or dips. Even if someone in your party has a wheelchair, they can come along with no issues.
Beyond hiking and exploring, you can fish or kayak along the water’s edge. There’s a dedicated fishing pier where you can catch a wide array of local fish, including flounder, striped mullet, and pinfish.
Kokopelli Surf Camp
39th Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Since you’re at the beach, you have to take advantage of the water all around you. Kokopelli Surf Camp is the best spot for you and the kids to learn how to kayak, paddleboard, and, of course, surf the waves.
If you’ve never done any of these activities, you can take classes to learn how to master the waves. Or, if you’re already experienced, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards and explore the region yourself. Also, you can rent surfboards and catch as many waves as possible before the day is done.
For the best of both worlds, we recommend taking one of the guided tours. This way, you can see more of North Myrtle Beach while enjoying the water. There’s something magical about exploring nature on top of a paddleboard or inside of a kayak.
Lulu’s Beach Arcade
4984 Hwy 17 S Unit 89, North Myrtle Beach, SC
We’re heading back to our favorite spot in North Myrtle Beach – Barefoot Landing! We weren’t kidding when we said to start your family vacation there. Lulu’s Beach Arcade is one of the best locations for family fun, thanks to its abundance of video games and attractions.
What really sets this arcade apart is the massive, 48-foot-tall ropes course outside. With over 26 obstacles, both kids and adults can struggle to make it to the end. Best of all, as you make your way through the course, you get incredible views of the lake and the surrounding area. The best time to tackle the ropes is at dusk when the sky turns into a gorgeous blend of orange, red, and purple.
Ocean Park
101 S Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Now we’ve finally made it to the beach! There are many unique beaches throughout the city, but Ocean Park is an excellent starting point. You can sit and relax, go sightseeing, or you can walk along the water for as long as you like. There are tons of oceanfront retail stores and restaurants close to Ocean Park, so you can meander through the area and stop in whenever you see something that catches your eye.
Ocean Park itself doesn’t have much in the way of attractions or activities, but it’s an ideal spot to take in the beach weather and people-watch. No matter the time of year, nothing is as calming or captivating as the ocean.
North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex
150 Citizens Cir, Little River, SC 29566
Technically speaking, this spot is not in North Myrtle Beach. However, it’s right next door in Little River, and it’s called the North Myrtle Beach Complex, so it counts. As the name suggests, this building is all about sports and athletics. The big game they play here is Pickleball, complete with tournaments, classes, and team formations.
In addition to Pickleball, you can participate in other fun things like fishing, yoga, Reiki healing, tennis, and more. The complex also hosts unique activities like bridge, knitting, line dancing, Mah Jong, and arts and crafts. Basically, you can find and do anything you want to do with other people here at the Sports Complex. Be sure to check out the calendar of activities before visiting so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
The World Famous OD Pavilion
91 S Ocean Blvd, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
North Myrtle Beach has a long and storied past, and you can discover part of it here at the O.D. Pavilion Park. This spot was one of the first amusement parks in the city, and it wears that badge of honor with pride. If you’re looking for parties and festivals, the Pavilion is an excellent place to start. There’s always something happening here, and the festivities are often fun for the whole family.
Since this is an amusement park, there are also roller coasters and an arcade on-site. As far as rides go, there’s a Ferris wheel, a giant slide, a carousel, tilt-a-whirl, bungee jumping, and more. Overall, there are 18 unique attractions for the entire family, including some kiddie rides. To participate, you have to buy tickets for each ride. Most rides take about three or four tickets, but the bigger attractions will cost more. Thankfully, parking and admission are free.
Professor Hacker’s Lost Treasure Mini Golf
1705 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
If you’ll remember above, we mentioned that there are nine unique miniature golf courses in North Myrtle Beach. While this is only one of them, it’s connected with most of the other courses in the city (and surrounding area). So, if you want to spend the day or the whole vacation playing putt-putt, you can buy passes for all the sister courses nearby.
The layout and decor for this course are incredible. Examples include a massive waterfall, dinosaurs, a pirate ship, and an old mining village. In addition to golfing, this spot also has a train ride, go-kart track, and even a maze. Try not to get lost!
T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station
4898 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Last but certainly not least, we have the T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station, located in our old favorite, Barefoot Landing. As a rescue foundation, this organization helps rehabilitate tigers to be released into the wild. During their stay, though, you can meet them in person. There’s nothing like seeing one of these big cats up close – it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Seeing the tigers is only one of the attractions. The other is the safari tour, which you can take during the day or at night. This spot also houses Hercules, the massive lion/tiger hybrid that weighs over 1,000 pounds! You can meet Hercules and feed the resident elephant, Bubbles. It’s like the African Savannah but in your own backyard.