Myrtle Beach's Best Kept Secrets

Fall at the Beach and other Local Favorites

Myrtle Beach is known as a city of local secrets. We're asked time and time again about secret restaurants, secret shortcuts, secret great places to eat, and the ever popular question "What's for free?"

Besides hush puppies, Grissom Parkway and sweet tea, the best kept secret is the Grand Strand in September and October. With an average air temperature of 77 degrees and an average water temperature of 73 degrees in October, Myrtle Beach gets an A+ rating from the locals. The slow-moving traffic and congested roads have given way to pleasant scenic drives. Enjoy warm days without the humidity and cool nights for a slow stroll on the moonlit beach. Take advantage of "Early Bird Specials" at your favorite local restaurants where waiting in line is just a memory. And perhaps best of all, you can visit with us longer because many hotels are offering fantastic discounts.

Local "Secrets" for Free or Inexpensive Entertainment!

How about our main attraction - 60 miles of white sandy beach, know as the Grand Strand. Start your day early enough to see the sunrise and take a picture. Search for shells and shark teeth before the beach gets crowded.

Broadway at the Beach is a great opportunity to spend money, but there is a lot there for your enjoyment that doesn't cost a penny. Ride the Miss Broadway water taxi from one end of Lake Broadway to the other, feed the fish and ducks, enjoy the large play area, or just sit a rocking at The General Store and take a load off your feet!

The Children's Museum of SC presents interactive exhibits and programs in an environment where kids can touch, explore and play while learning about their world. Located at 2501 North Kings Highway right next to Myrtle Square Mall on the ocean side of the Office Depot building.

Waccatee Zoological Farm is located within 500 acres of private, carefully preserved, wooded property. To quote Kathleen and Archie Futrell, "We simply love animals - and we always have. We are not interested in a concrete jungle. The interest shown by local people, and by church and school groups, have helped us decide to open Waccatee to the public."

Visit Our Two Nearby Beachfront State Parks!

Myrtle Beach State Park is located at 4401 South Kings Hwy. just north of The Myrtle Beach Resort. Take a picnic lunch and spend the day! Fishing pier, small store, cabins, picnic tables, hiking trails, and camping. 843-238-5325 ($3. adults)

Huntington Beach State Park is one of the finest best bird-watching sites on the East Coast. It is also the site of the historic castle "Atalaya" which is listed as a National Historic Landmark. A prestigious juried arts and crafts festival attracts thousands of visitors to the park each September. The wide sandy beach offers lots of opportunities for shelling. Located 3 miles south of Murrells Inlet on US Highway 17, across from Brookgreen Garden. 843-237-4440 ($5. adults)

Get familiar with a few of our free city parks!

The Bark Park, located off Mallard Lake Drive at the site of the former Air Force Base is a very popular dog run park.

Chapin Park at 16th Ave. and N. Kings Hwy has picnic tables, play equipment and some lovely shade trees.

McLean Park at 2nd Ave south in North Myrtle Beach has an in-line skating rink, playground, picnic area, baseball field and tennis courts.

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