Dozens of Myrtle Beach attractions and events cater to families traveling with kids. Their appeal touches every age, even the tiniest vacationers. With sixty miles of sandy beaches, a population of 26,600, and 13.8 million visitors each year, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina remains one of the most family-friendly vacation spots in the eastern United States.
Huffman Helicopters 3000 South Kings Highway. 843-828-0341.
Youngsters will get the thrill of their life as they view Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas from the air. This helicopter ride is a family experience memorable at any age, even soothing the littlest rider to sleep.
Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach 1325 Celebrity Circle. 843-916-0888.
Youngsters can touch fish, hold horseshoe crabs and explore the hands-on multimedia playground and educational resource center. The whole family will see marine life up close in an 87,000 square foot aquarium. Even infants and toddlers will delight in the array of multicolored Pacific fish.
Mirror Maze 4910 Highway 17 Bypass N, North Myrtle Beach. 843-663-2700.
Wander endless hallways lined with thousands of mirrors that allow kids to see multiple reflections of themselves. Special mirrors distort images making kids and adults look wide and wide ones look tall.
Myrtle Waves Water Park 3000 Mr. Joe White Avenue (10th Avenue N near Broadway at the Beach). 843-918-8725.
All children love to play in water and at South Carolina's largest water park, no salt or sand gets in their eyes. The bigger ones will take great pleasure in the rides and slides.
T.I.G.E.R.S. Preservation Station 4898 South Highway 17, North Myrtle Beach. 843-361-4552.
In this natural setting, children are invited to observe, touch and feed tigers, primates and other endangered jungle animals.
Childrens Museum of South Carolina 2501 North Kings Highway. 843-946-9469.
An entire world is at a child's fingertips. At CMSC, kids from early childhood to ages 11-12 engage in hands-on science, history and math activities, and even get to stand inside a life-size bubble.
Family Kingdom Amusement Park 300 South Ocean Boulevard. 843-626-3447.
Family fun by the sea. Bumper cars, a carousel and a miniature locomotive are among the rides that will appeal to younger children.
Family Kingdom Water Park across the street from Family Kingdom Amusement Park. 843-626-3447.
Two splash pools with rain trees, waterfalls and eight kiddie slides will provide kids with hours of pleasure.
Waccatee Zoological Farm 8500 Enterprise Road. 843-650-8500.
This privately-owned, nature-themed zoo features over one-hundred species of animals such as camels, zebras, kangaroos and birds. Feed the animals, explore one and a half miles of winding trails, and then enjoy a family picnic.
Myrtle's Market Mr. Joe White Avenue at Oak Street. 843-918-1000.
Children love the excitement, the colors and the sounds while investigating and tasting the fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, cakes and other homegrown and homemade products found at this farmer's market.
Alligator Adventure Highway 17 at Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach. 843-361-0789.
The sight of alligators, snakes, frogs, tropical birds and other creatures will captivate the kids. Youngsters can learn about reptiles, see alligators being hand-fed, and even touch a snake.
Teddy Town Barefoot Landing, 4898 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach. 843-361-1712.
A child creates a stuffed animal friend, dresses and names it, and takes it along on the rest of the vacation trip, then back home to live with him or her. Comes complete with birth certificate.
Hard Rock Park 211 George Bishop Parkway. 843-236-7625.
Geared for all ages, this park offers multiple opportunities for kids to take part in hands-on activities, including crafts, water play, guitars of course, and Kid's Rock State Park.
Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium 901 North Ocean Boulevard. 843-448-2331.
Kids will marvel at carefully selected galleries of characters with clever animations. Attractions for every age.
Pavilion Nostalgia Park Broadway at the Beach, 1325 Celebrity Circle. 843-913-9426.
Rides for all ages, including Tea Cup Kiddie Ride, Motorcycle Kiddie Ride and Pirate Ship Kiddie Ride. Children will delight in the melodies of the German Baden Band Organ.
Great American Riverboat Company 8500 Enterprise Road. 843-650-6600.
Ride the triple-decker Jungle Princess through natural low country surroundings. Fresh air, snack bars and a lazy summer afternoon create an ideal setting for families with kids of every age.
Franklin G. Burrough-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum 3100 South Ocean Boulevard. 843-238-2510.
Drawing locals and travelers, the museum features KidsArt on second and fourth Saturdays. Kids create their own arts and crafts.
Myrtle Beach Imax 3-D Theatre 843-448-4629.
The Imax theatre screen is forty-five hundred times larger than a television and features documentaries and movies such as Harry Potter, The Polar Express and, of course, every kid's favorite, dinosaurs. Infants will sleep comfortably in a parent's arms.
Pirateland Family Camping Resort 5401 South Kings Highway. 800-443-CAMP.
A kiddie pool and waterfall, "lazy river", and supervised children's activities are among the many offerings at this 40-year old family campground.
SeaMist Resort Hotel 1200 South Ocean Boulevard. 843-448-1551.
Fifteen acres of comfort and family fun including all kinds of water fun. Mini water slides, kiddie wading pool, a water swing and a "lazy river" will entertain kids for hours, as will a castle play station and mini-golf.
City of Myrtle Beach Chapin Memorial Library 400 14th Avenue N. 843-918-1275.
Books, computers and everything else found in a library, including a children's section and year-round story times for kids, 4-months through 5 years.
Myrtle Beach Trolley. Travel & Tour offices at 2604 Highway 9E in Little River. 843-734-0444.
A trolley-like bus goes back and forth on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach and takes passengers as far north as Broadway at the Beach. Kids love riding on these open buses, and parents appreciate the chance to sit and look around while someone else does the driving."
International Kite Fest at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion.
Sponsored by Kligs Kites, 1215 Celebrity Circle. 843-272-5768. This exciting and colorful March event sees free kites go to the first 300 children.
NASCAR Speedpark 1820 21st Avenue North. 843-918-8725.
Every little kid who's ever seen Dad or Mom watching NASCAR races on television is going to share in their joy at this opportunity to be in a race car setting. There are birthday parties, bumper cars, and even the opportunity to meet real NASCAR drivers.
Myrtle Beach State Park 4401 South Kings Highway. 843-238-0107.
Three-hundred and twelve acres, cabins for overnight stays, and the freedom of the outdoors... all this is sure to please every kid in the family. There's a beach, too, for swimming and fishing.
Ice Castle Theatre, 2924 Fantasy Way. 843-236-2200.
Kids and adults of every age will thrill to ice skating shows such as Halloween on Ice and Christmas on Ice.
The Carolina Opry 8901 Highway 17. 800-987-9852.
Opry shows are a hit with all ages and teach kids about every kind of music while they have lots of fun.
Dixie Stampede 8901-B Highway 17 North. 800-433-4401.
Children of every age are welcome at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Show which features music, live animals, amazing lighting and pyrotechnics. Under-threes eat free from parent's plate if seated in Mom or Dad's lap.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 1251 21st Avenue North. 843-918-6000.
What kid doesn't like the excitement of baseball, cheering crowds and popcorn? The whole family can watch Myrtle Beach's very own baseball team.
Kidz Inc. 6303 North Kings Highway. 843-497-5439.
Little kids will delight in this indoor playground, great for a rainy vacation day. Lots of opportunity for physical activity and creativity.
With so many choices when traveling with kids in Myrtle Beach, Mom and Dad will be able to select destinations to suit their children's individual tastes. Top on most people's lists will be a trip to the beach. After that, they'll find plenty to entertain the kids, including those six and under, for every minute of their Myrtle Beach vacation.