Myrtle Beach Boardwalk

Imagine a stroll along the endless azure of the Atlantic, where the salty breeze mixes with the scent of fresh pastries and seafood. This is exactly the atmosphere of the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk—the vibrant heart of the resort city of Myrtle Beach in the USA. This picturesque 1.6-kilometer boardwalk harmoniously combines classic wooden decking with a modern promenade area.

The boardwalk is considered the focal point of the Grand Strand tourist area. It is literally bursting with life: dozens of restaurants, cozy bars, and shops are concentrated here. The main visual landmark is the famous 56-meter-high SkyWheel, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the ocean, especially stunning in the rays of the setting sun.

This place is ideal for both romantic walks at dusk and active family vacations. The promenade is integrated into the overall coastal infrastructure, offering easy access to pristine sandy beaches and numerous amusement parks, making it a must-visit for any tourist in the region.

You can contact the administration or find up-to-date information about events on the promenade through the city's official channels.

The main pleasure here is the classic promenade experience. You can take a leisurely stroll, watching the surfers and the rolling waves, or rent a bicycle to ride the entire distance with the wind in your hair. Thrill-seekers should definitely visit the SkyWheel—it's not just an attraction, but a chance to see the coast from a bird's-eye view, which is especially impressive in the evening when the city lights up with thousands of lights.

For families with children, the boardwalk offers plenty of activities: from arcades and mini-golf courses to climbing walls. Very close by are major entertainment zones such as the Family Kingdom amusement park and the Myrtle Waves water park, where you can spend the whole day. Gastronomy lovers will find many restaurants here specializing in fresh seafood and traditional American fast food.

In the evening, the atmosphere changes: street performers often appear on the boardwalk, and bars fill with live music. It is the perfect time to have a picnic on the beach or simply enjoy dinner overlooking the darkening ocean, listening to the sound of the surf and watching the night lights.

Getting to this popular recreation area is easy. The nearest Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is located just 5–10 kilometers from the coast. A ride by taxi, shuttle, or rental car takes about 10–15 minutes. Additionally, the city is connected to other regions by Greyhound bus services.

If you are traveling by car from nearby towns like Little River or Georgetown, follow the scenic US-17 or A1A highways that run along the ocean. It's worth noting that during the height of the tourist season, parking lots near the boardwalk fill up quickly and are usually paid, so experienced travelers try to arrive early.

For those staying in central hotels of well-known chains, the walk to the boardwalk will take between 5 and 15 minutes. This is a great way to enjoy the sea breeze before even reaching the main promenade.

The history of these places began long before the arrival of the first tourists. The Long Bay lands were originally inhabited by the Waccamaw tribe. With the arrival of Europeans in the 18th century, attempts were made to grow tobacco and indigo here, but the sandy soil proved not very fertile for agriculture, which eventually shaped the region's future as a resort.

A new chapter began in 1900 when the Burroughs & Collins company built a railroad here to transport timber. It was then that a contest was held to name the settlement, and the name 'Myrtle Beach' won—after the wax myrtles growing abundantly here. By 1901, the first hotel, the Seaside Inn, had opened, and oceanfront plots of land were sold for just $25.

The real heyday of the boardwalk came in the mid-20th century. Between the 1920s and 1940s, tourism became the backbone of the local economy: pavilions, amusement parks, and the first golf courses were built. Today's boardwalk is the result of decades of evolution from a wild shore into a modern entertainment center, becoming the heart of the famous Grand Strand coast.

For a leisurely walk along the entire length of the promenade, a short photo session, and some time to contemplate the ocean, 1–2 hours is usually sufficient. This is enough time to soak up the atmosphere and browse a couple of souvenir shops.

If you plan to ride the SkyWheel, have dinner at one of the seafood restaurants, and perhaps spend some time on the beach itself, it's better to set aside half a day or even a full day. An evening stroll, when the boardwalk blossoms with neon lights, deserves a special spot on your schedule.

The boardwalk itself, as a public space, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This allows you to enjoy the sea sunrise in silence or take a late walk under the stars.

However, keep in mind that most shops, cafes, and attractions operate on their own schedules—usually from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM or midnight, especially during the summer season. The SkyWheel traditionally welcomes guests from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Before visiting a specific establishment, it is recommended to check its official website for current opening hours.

The boardwalk is in the epicenter of the action, and exploring it can easily be combined with visits to other interesting locations. The surrounding area offers a wide selection—from water parks to unusual museums—allowing you to create a packed itinerary for several days.