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Plan a Weekend Trip to Myrtle Beach: Your Getaway Guide

10/22/2025

Need a quick break to reset and recharge? A weekend trip to Myrtle Beach is the perfect mini-vacation. Stay at Holiday Pavilion Resort on the Boardwalk, where dining, entertainment, and oceanfront fun are just steps away.

To make the most of your short escape, we put together this guide with our top suggestions for the perfect Grand Strand getaway that will keep you entertained from start to finish. Pack your bags and let us help plan your weekend trip to Myrtle Beach around the time of year, local attractions, seasonal events, and best places to eat and shop. We’ll try to make the weekend last as long as we can … but like they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

The Best Time To Visit Myrtle Beach

For beach lovers, the best time to visit Myrtle Beach is between June and August. This is the peak season when you’ll experience warm sands, refreshing water, and the vibrant bustle of summer in full swing.

Fall (September to October) and spring (April to May) shoulder seasons bring mild weather, fewer crowds, and lower hotel rates—ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway. Outdoor festivals, arts events, and live music add plenty of charm.

But don’t overlook Myrtle Beach in the offseason! Holiday lights, festive events, and mild coastal weather make it a fun wintertime retreat. From Christmas shows to New Year’s celebrations, there’s still plenty to do.

Where To Stay on a Weekend Trip to Myrtle Beach

When time is short, staying near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and downtown area makes it easy to experience the best of the city. This lively stretch along the oceanfront is the hub of activity, filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions that are all within walking distance.

Whether you’re drawn to the energy of live music and festivals, the convenience of oceanfront dining, or the simple pleasure of strolling the boardwalk, this central location keeps you close to everything you’ll want to do on a weekend trip.

What To Do on Your Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway

Finding activities for the entire family is easy enough in this coastal paradise. A playground for kids and adults, Myrtle Beach offers shows, music, games, museums, attractions, and a notable selection of oddities. You’ll find plenty to do on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk all year long—and it’s just a few short steps from our pool deck.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Attractions

No weekend getaway is complete without time on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, where you’ll find some of the area’s most iconic attractions:

  • Myrtle Beach SkyWheel: Soar nearly 200 feet above the ocean for breathtaking views
  • Pier 14: A scenic fishing pier with oceanfront dining
  • Second Avenue Pier: Another great spot for fishing, photos, and casual eats
  • Ripley’s Moving Theater: A 5D movie experience with motion seats and special effects
  • Ripley’s Haunted Adventure: A spine-tingling, year-round haunted house for thrill seekers
  • Free Fall Thrill Park: Amusement rides that will get your adrenaline pumping
  • Plyler Park: A central gathering spot for festivals, live music, and family-friendly events

Along with these highlights, the Boardwalk is lined with arcades, restaurants, bars, and gift shops—making it the perfect hangout during your Myrtle Beach weekend trip.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk View

Myrtle Beach Seasonal and Weekend Events

Myrtle Beach hosts an abundance of entertainment options, no matter the time of year. Here are some events to plan your weekend trip around for each season:

Winter

Spring

  • Brookgreen Gardens Spring Arts Festival: Local artists and performers showcase their work in a stunning garden setting
  • Ocean Drive Music Festival: Beach music and dancing by the ocean
  • Sun Fun Festival: One of Myrtle Beach’s longest-running traditions with parades, live music, and games
  • Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival: Sample bites from dozens of regional food trucks

Summer

Fall

Myrtle Beach Attractions for Adults

If you’re on a weekend getaway with your significant other or hanging out with friends, there’s lots to do for adults. Consider a romantic dinner cruise for two on The Barefoot Queen or a paint-and-sip workshop with Wine & Design. Looking to learn something new? Get your groove on and head to Fat Harold’s Beach Club, where you can learn The Shag—South Carolina’s signature dance—or just enjoy a drink and good food.

Family Attractions in Myrtle Beach

Outside of the beach, which is its own attraction here, you’ll find adventures big and small for you and the kids. Explore the Boardwalk’s biggest hits, including:

Venture beyond downtown to Broadway at the Beach, which offers a variety of age-appropriate entertainment options:

  • WonderWorks: A hands-on science museum packed with interactive exhibits
  • Ripley’s Aquarium: Get up close with sharks, jellyfish, and colorful sea life
  • TopGolf: A high-energy golfing experience that’s great for older kids and teens
  • Dino Park: Step back in time with life-size dinosaurs and interactive exhibits.
  • Hollywood Wax Museum: Pose with lifelike wax figures of your favorite stars

Visiting on a budget? We’ve got you covered with all the free things to do in Myrtle Beach!

Where To Eat on a Weekend in Myrtle Beach

Where To Eat on a Weekend in Myrtle Beach

A day on the beach or at the pool works up an appetite! We highly recommend strolling the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk to grab a bite at any of our favorite restaurants, including some with beautiful oceanfront views. A few of our top picks at the Boardwalk include:

Broadway at the Beach

Located just a short, two-mile drive from our Myrtle Beach Resort, you’ll find the popular Broadway at the Beach, a fantastic family-friendly pavilion with restaurant options for even the pickiest eaters. 

The Market Common

Still hungry? Check out the restaurants at The Market Common, a 10-minute trip from the Boardwalk. You’ll find a variety of eateries from boutique cafes and delectable bistros to upscale pizzerias and casual oyster bars.

Here are some more of our favorite places to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on your weekend getaway to Myrtle Beach.

Breakfast

Myrtle Beach has a long reputation for some of the best mom-and-pop pancake and waffle houses around. Find plenty of delicious, diner-style breakfast spots just a few miles away, including Myrtle Beach landmarks Harry’s Breakfast Pancakes and Hot Stacks Pancake House on King’s Highway. The Grand Strand also includes more upscale options, like Drift or Croissants Bistro & Bakery, for families looking for more contemporary menus and atmospheres. 

Lunch

Hit the pause button and grab a bite along the Boardwalk at one of the area’s top spots: ART Burger Sushi Bar. We also love noshing in front of the ocean at Moe Moons, and we recommend popping into Oceanfront Bar & Grill for one of their famous foot-long hot dogs.

Dinner

Day’s end also finds us at ART Burger Sushi Bar, a great choice if the kids want a cheeseburger but you’d prefer nigiri. If you have older kids, consider saddling up for satisfying bar food at Duffy’s at The Bowery (home of country band Alabama) or the lively 8th Avenue Tiki Bar. For a casual sit-down atmosphere at one of the most popular oceanfront restaurants in Myrtle Beach, choose Pier 14 for your big night out.

Best Shopping on a Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway

No Myrtle Beach weekend trip is complete without some shopping! From quirky boardwalk shops to expansive outlet malls, the Grand Strand has something for every type of shopper—and most of these are close to the Holiday Pavilion Resort.

  • Stroll the Boardwalk and discover the exciting shops it has to offer. Our favorites include IT’SUGAR and the historic Gay Dolphin Gift Shop.
  • Broadway at the Beach also offers some of the best shopping from big beach brands and local artists.
  • Only five miles south, The Market Common is a luxe outdoor shopping center with storefronts including Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, Southern Living, Bijuju, Orvis, and Uncommon Chocolatier.
  • Myrtle Beach is home to two Tanger Outlet locations (Highway 17 and Highway 501), both offering a huge selection of national brands at discounted prices. These open-air centers also feature dining spots, making them a convenient stop if you want to spend a few hours browsing.

Plan a Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway at Holiday Pavilion

As a preferred oceanfront resort right on the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Holiday Pavilion Resort is within walking distance of dozens of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. We pride ourselves on being Myrtle Beach’s only AAA Three Diamond Resort on the Boardwalk. We make it our mission to have you planning your next vacation with us before this one is even over.

While you may not get to do everything you want in one weekend, the good news is you’ll have a solid reason to plan your next weekend getaway in Myrtle Beach. Look for our special offers throughout the year to secure great deals on rooms or family vacation packages in Myrtle Beach. We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!

Myrtle Beach Weekend Getaway FAQs

Is a weekend enough time to visit Myrtle Beach?

Yes! A weekend is enough time to experience many of Myrtle Beach's top attractions, relax on the beach, enjoy great restaurants, and explore the Boardwalk. While you won't be able to see everything the Grand Strand has to offer, a two- or three-day trip is perfect for a quick getaway. Staying near the Boardwalk helps you make the most of your time by keeping many attractions within walking distance.

What is the best area to stay for a weekend in Myrtle Beach?

Downtown Myrtle Beach and the Boardwalk are among the best areas for a weekend getaway because you'll be close to popular attractions, oceanfront dining, shopping, and entertainment. Staying in a centrally located oceanfront resort allows you to spend less time driving and more time enjoying your vacation.

What can you do in Myrtle Beach in two days?

In two days, you can relax on the beach, ride the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, stroll the Boardwalk, visit Broadway at the Beach, enjoy fresh seafood, and experience attractions like Ripley's Aquarium or WonderWorks. If you're visiting during a festival or seasonal event, you can easily build your itinerary around it.

What is the best time of year for a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach?

Spring and fall are excellent times for a weekend getaway thanks to comfortable temperatures, smaller crowds, and lower hotel rates. Summer offers the warmest beach weather and the widest variety of events, while winter is ideal for holiday shows, seasonal lights, and a quieter coastal escape.

Do you need a car for a weekend in Myrtle Beach?

Not necessarily. If you stay on or near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, you can walk to many restaurants, attractions, and the beach. A car can be helpful for visiting places like Broadway at the Beach, The Market Common, or other communities along the Grand Strand, but it's not required for a fun weekend getaway.