Non Touristy Things to Do in Myrtle Beach: 21 Secret Spots Locals Want You to Know About

The Grand Strand may be famous for neon boardwalks, bustling piers, and souvenir shops, but tucked between the crowds are Myrtle Beach hidden gems that most visitors overlook. These quieter escapes show off the coast’s natural beauty, rich history, and laid-back charm.

For many travelers, the overload of arcades, chain restaurants, and beach traffic makes it hard to find truly memorable moments. Even spots like Garden City Beach and Pawleys Island, while beautiful, have become magnets for the same crowds you’re trying to avoid.

We get it—vacations shouldn’t feel like navigating theme park lines or fighting for a patch of sand. That’s why seeking out non touristy things to do in Myrtle Beach is the real way to experience its authentic side.

From hidden gardens and historic plantations to local seafood shacks and secret nature trails, this list takes you off the beaten path without sacrificing fun. Keep reading, because these 21 discoveries will completely change the way you explore Myrtle Beach!

Off the Beaten Path—and Into the Wild

Myrtle Beach State Park

Tucked just south of the main strip, Myrtle Beach State Park feels like a reset button for the senses. The Sculptured Oak Trail winds through maritime forest—one of the last in the area—while the fishing pier stretches into calmer waters than you’ll find downtown.

Picnic tables, nature programs, and wide-open beach make it a favorite for families who don’t want to sacrifice convenience for quiet. It’s no exaggeration to say that Myrtle Beach State Park offers the best of both worlds.

Brookgreen Gardens

A short drive south lands you at Brookgreen Gardens, where sculpture, history, and nature live in perfect harmony. This 9,000-acre preserve features stunning live oak alleys, historic rice fields, and one of the most impressive botanical collections in the Southeast.

Add a pontoon boat ride through the old waterways and a peek at the Lowcountry Zoo, and you’ve got a full day of adventure. It’s no wonder this spot tops the list of hidden gems in Myrtle Beach for culture and calm.

Huntington Beach State Park

Step into coastal wilderness at Huntington Beach State Park, where three miles of pristine shoreline meet salt marshes filled with herons, egrets, and even the occasional alligator. Birders love the observation decks, while families can explore Atalaya Castle, a Moorish-style mansion that feels deliciously out of place on the Carolina coast.

Hike the trails, try surf fishing, or just claim your own stretch of sand away from the resort noise. For anyone who equates vacation with natural beauty, Huntington Beach State Park is a must.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

If spotting wildlife makes your heart race, Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge will have you grabbing binoculars. This sprawling refuge covers swamps, rivers, and bottomland forests, providing habitats for dozens of species.

Kayak through blackwater creeks or hike the trails while keeping an eye out for swallow-tailed kites soaring overhead. It’s the kind of place where bird watching turns into a full-on adventure.

Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens

At Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens, wooden boardwalks carry you over salt marshes that smell faintly of sea air and wild grasses. You’ll pass shaded oak groves, a family cemetery dating back to the Revolutionary War, and quiet benches that practically beg for a mid-walk snack break.

With 114 acres of trails and marsh views, it’s the kind of place you stumble upon once and brag about forever. For anyone craving peace after Myrtle Beach’s chaos, Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens delivers it in spades.

Cherry Grove Beach

Head north to find Cherry Grove Beach, a quieter alternative to the main tourist hubs. The wide shoreline here is perfect for family picnics, and the historic Cherry Grove Pier doubles as both a fishing hotspot and a front-row seat for sunsets.

Locals love it for its laid-back vibe, away from the crowds and chaos of central Myrtle Beach. If you want to say you’ve seen the best of North Myrtle Beach, start right here.

Waites Island

Reaching Waites Island means boarding a kayak, boat, or horseback ride across the sandbars, but the payoff is worth it. As one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in the area, it delivers windswept dunes, wide beaches, and the kind of solitude you didn’t think possible near Myrtle Beach.

Local guides often lead eco-tours that highlight sea turtles, wild horses, and delicate ecosystems. If you’re chasing that wild, unpolished beauty, nothing says off the beaten path Myrtle Beach like this untouched island.

History, Mystery, and Things That Go Bump on the Tour

Hopsewee Plantation

At Hopsewee Plantation, you can wander through one of the oldest rice plantations still standing along the North Santee River. The main house, built in the 1730s, is a perfectly preserved reminder of colonial South Carolina history, right down to the hand-hewn cypress beams.

Guided tours bring you through the stately home, two original slave cabins, and sprawling grounds that whisper centuries of stories. Don’t skip the River Oak Cottage Tearoom, where sweet tea and Southern biscuits make history taste even better.

Ghost, Pirates & Historic Families Trolley Tour

The Ghost, Pirates & Historic Families Trolley Tour whisks you through Murrells Inlet with a mix of spooky folklore and fascinating heritage. Local guides spin tales of shipwrecked buccaneers, haunted cemeteries, and powerful families who shaped the area.

The experience is equal parts eerie and educational, offering a lighter alternative to stuffy museums. It may not feature a castle with arches and courtyards, but its legends are as intriguing as any tale of Moorish style grandeur.

Art, Oddities, and a Little Bit of Day Drinking

First Friday Art Walk (Downtown Myrtle Beach)

During the monthly First Friday Art Walk, downtown transforms into a lively hub of creativity. Local businesses throw open their doors to host painters, musicians, and photographers, making it one of the most accessible cultural events in the Myrtle Beach area.

You can stroll with a coffee in one hand and a fresh sketch in the other while chatting with artists who actually live and work along the Grand Strand. Cap off the evening with something unexpected and watch a free improv performance at the Long Bay Theatre.

Vintage Market Days

Happening a few times a year at the Myrtle Beach Sports Center, Vintage Market Days brings antique dealers, artisans, and food vendors together under one roof. Expect to see everything from repurposed farmhouse furniture to delicate handmade jewelry and one-of-a-kind art.

It’s less flea market, more curated treasure hunt, and the vibe is upscale but welcoming. For anyone exploring the Grand Strand, this is a must-stop for souvenirs with actual personality.

Sundays on the Plaza (Nance Plaza)

The open-air energy of Sundays on the Plaza fills Nance Plaza at downtown Myrtle Beach once a month with food trucks, families, and good vibes. Regional and local bands take the stage, filling the air with upbeat tunes that pair perfectly with a breezy evening stroll.

The event is free, family-friendly, and a great way to mingle with locals who love their city. If you’re craving live music without the bar scene, this plaza delivers.

La Belle Amie Vineyard

Tucked into the countryside just north of the beach, La Belle Amie Vineyard at 1120 St Joseph Rd, Little River offers wine tastings shaded by old oaks and punctuated with live music on festival weekends. Visitors sip muscadine and fruit wines while wandering the peaceful grounds, a surprising slice of rural charm minutes from the coast.

This is the sort of escape that proves vacations can be both relaxing and memorable without neon lights or crowded piers. For anyone chasing Myrtle Beach off the beaten path, this vineyard is pure perfection.

The Market Common & Valor Park Farmers Market

A few miles from the boardwalk, The Market Common feels like its own small town within the city, full of boutique shops, local restaurants, and open-air events. On Saturdays, Valor Park comes alive with a farmers market offering handmade crafts, artisanal foods, and vibrant produce.

The walkable design of the neighborhood makes browsing easy, and it’s a refreshing break from high-rise hotels. With tree-lined paths and nearby parks, it’s a great excuse to stroll Myrtle Beach’s best urban nature trails.

Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum

Inside the quirky Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum, flashing lights and retro sounds take you straight back to the glory days of arcades. Instead of just looking at machines behind glass, you get to play them—from 1970s classics to modern marvels.

The nonprofit setup means every quarter goes toward restoring more machines, so your fun fuels a good cause. It’s easily one of the best non touristy things to do in Myrtle Beach if you want nostalgia with a side of excitement.

Franklin G. Burroughs–Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

Housed in a converted beach house with ocean views, the Franklin G. Burroughs–Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is as charming as it is thought-provoking. Exhibits rotate often, spotlighting everything from contemporary photography to traditional Southern art.

Admission is free, which makes this cultural stop as accessible as it is enriching. No wonder it consistently ranks among the top hidden gems along the coast.

New South Brewing

A laid-back vibe defines New South Brewing, where small-batch craft beers are poured inside a no-frills warehouse space. Locals flock to 1109 Campbell St. for IPAs, stouts, and seasonal flavors that change faster than the tides.

Tours show off the brewing process and usually end with generous samples that encourage lingering. Pairing a pint with freshly caught bites nearby proves beer and fresh seafood were meant to be enjoyed together.

Taste-Tested by Locals (and Honestly, They Know Best)

Big Mike’s Soul Food

Few places serve comfort quite like Big Mike’s Soul Food at 504 16th Ave N, where collard greens, fried chicken, and mac and cheese arrive in heaping portions. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it a go-to for travelers who want more than chain dining.

Plates are hearty enough to share, though you’ll be tempted to guard your own like treasure. Just like finding the perfect beach cottage among dozens of vacation rentals, a meal here feels like striking gold.

River City Café

At River City Café, burgers come stacked high, the walls are covered in quirky decor, and there are peanuts to crack while you wait. With multiple locations around town, it’s a casual classic that locals still claim as their own.

The massive menu makes it easy to find something for every appetite, from adventurous eaters to picky kids. For visitors exploring hidden gems Myrtle Beach, this joint proves good food doesn’t need a fancy setting.

Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Market

The laid-back atmosphere at Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Market has made it a staple for oyster roasts and fresh fish for decades. Picnic tables, cold drinks, and steaming trays of shellfish set the stage for a true Carolina seafood feast.

Regulars love that it feels tucked away, even though it’s easy to reach from the main strip. Just like the quiet beauty of maritime forests, Bimini’s gives you a taste of something authentic and enduring at 930 Lake Arrowhead Rd.

Murrells Inlet MarshWalk

The energy of the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk hits you as soon as you step onto the boardwalk lined with seafood joints and waterfront patios. Boats bring in the day’s catch just yards from your table, so shrimp and oysters couldn’t be fresher.

Live bands keep the vibe lively at sunset, turning dinner into a mini-festival. If you’re after that “I ate where the locals eat” bragging right, nothing beats the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk.

Ready to Discover More Beyond the Sand?

The coastline is just the beginning, and the real magic lies in the Myrtle Beach hidden gems most travelers never see. From quiet gardens to fresh seafood shacks, the joy of uncovering non touristy things to do in Myrtle Beach is that every day feels like a new adventure.

Planning your trip is easier than ever when you lock in vacation packages through Tripster that bundle savings with flexibility. You can secure the best deals on Myrtle Beach attractions, shows, and hotels, making it simple to enjoy both popular spots and secret escapes.

When you decide to visit Myrtle Beach, balancing the classics with the hidden corners creates a trip that feels personal and unforgettable. Don’t just go where everyone else does—find your own path and make this beach trip extraordinary!

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