Myrtle Beach, the fastest-growing city in the nation, offers a wealth of opportunities for frugal fun along its 60-mile Grand Strand. While the area is renowned for its glitz and glamour, visitors can tap into a variety of free and low-cost activities, from beach access to cultural experiences. The following guide explores how to enjoy Myrtle Beach's delights without a significant financial outlay, focusing on activities that are free or available at minimal cost.
Free Beach Access and Activities
One of the primary free attractions in Myrtle Beach is its extensive coastline. There are 60+ miles of wide-open beaches where time on the sand comes free of charge. Visitors can engage in numerous frugal ways to while away the sunny days, from bodysurfing to throwing a Frisbee to reading, picnicking, or relaxing under the shade of an umbrella. To prepare for a day of free fun and sun, it is recommended to reference the South Carolina Beach Access Guide, which allows users to scan the amenities map and swim advisories. There are numerous beach stores in town to grab any extra accoutrements needed for a beach day.
For those who require a beach-going wheelchair, two Grand Strand communities, Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach, offer these for free. Additionally, hunting for shells and shark teeth is a time-honored tradition for beachgoers of all ages. With 60+ miles of uninterrupted coastline, there are plenty of chances to get the hang of spotting these tiny fossils, and there’s a trick to knowing what to look for.
Low-Cost Pier Visits and Entertainment
Visitors can explore The Pier at Garden City, located eight miles south of Myrtle Beach. This pier offers various free or low-cost activities, including fishing, listening to live music, strolling for sea views, playing arcade games, or singing karaoke. While the onsite cafe’s hand-dipped ice cream and ice-cold drinks may require opening the wallet, the 668 feet of over-the-ocean views and live tunes come free for the taking. The pier is most famous for its constant stream of anglers and musicians.
Free Cultural and Historical Experiences
Myrtle Beach provides opportunities for free cultural and historical exploration. The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is one such destination. Additionally, visitors can travel back in time for free at the Horry County Museum and L.W. Paul Living History Farm. Start inside the museum, where exhibits focus on the human and natural history of Horry County, one of the largest counties in the eastern United States. Then head outside to experience Myrtle Beach life on a “one-horse farm.” Replicating the period from 1900-1955, visitors can peek inside the kitchen with its wood-burning stove, learn about curing meat and sourcing fresh water, and make friends with the family mule.
Outdoor Exploration and Bike Trails
For those yearning to be out in nature, Myrtle Beach’s bike trails provide plenty of natural beauty and distance from the sounds of city life. From boggy marshes to windswept dunes, the trails never cross the same backdrop twice. With the region’s bounty of greenways and boardwalks, getting on two wheels and exploring is safe and easy. Spots like Huntington Beach State Park, with 26 miles of trails, or the East Coast Greenway—bikers can access the epic 3,000-mile route near Carolina Forest—offer extensive opportunities for exploration. Tip: Many area hotels offer bike rentals, and there are also dedicated spots to rent bikes if your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t come with wheels.
Free Opportunities for All Ages
Myrtle Beach offers free opportunities for all ages. One such activity is hunting for shells and shark teeth, which is a time-honored tradition for beachgoers of all ages. Another is the sugar rush at Sugar Life Ice Cream, where a few dollars and a little sweetness goes a long way. Choose a goody from a selection of ice cream flavors, novelty candy items, bulk bins, and various other sweet treats, including old-fashioned candy and a local classic: salt water taffy.
Free and Low-Cost Community Resources
While the provided source material focuses primarily on free activities, it is important to note that community resources can provide access to free items. For example, the Myrtle Beach Freecycle program allows members to give and get free furniture, household items, books, food, baby stuff, clothes, and more. This platform operates on a give-and-request basis, where users post an item, choose a recipient, arrange pickup, and repeat. It serves as a community resource for those looking to acquire items without cost.
Conclusion
Myrtle Beach offers a diverse range of free and low-cost activities for visitors seeking frugal fun. From free beach access and cultural experiences to outdoor exploration and community resources, there are numerous ways to enjoy the area without a significant financial outlay. By referencing the South Carolina Beach Access Guide, exploring piers, visiting museums, utilizing bike trails, and engaging with community programs like Freecycle, visitors can tap into how fun being frugal can be along the Grand Strand. While some activities may require minimal spending for extras like ice cream or candy, the core experiences are accessible to all.