North Myrtle Beach has a treasure trove of things to see and do, but some you may have to dig a little further for, which is where we come in! We’re revealing a list of hidden gems in North Myrtle Beach that may be off-the-beaten tourist paths that only locals know about – beyond the beaches, golf courses, and attractions well-known in the area. Ready, set, start treasure hunting!
McLean Park
93 Oak Drive, North Myrtle Beach
Hidden one block north of the bright lights of Main Street in downtown North Myrtle Beach and west of Ocean Boulevard, McLean Park is 10 acres of beautiful simplicity. Ducks and turtles make an appearance in the centerpiece two-acre lake that is surrounded by a paved walking path complete with a fitness trail. Locals gather here for baseball leagues on the youth field and tennis clubs on the two lighted hard-surface courts, but you’ll find the park a peaceful respite to read a book in the gazebo with benches overlooking the lake, take a deep breath from the day in the meditation garden, walk the dog, or bring the kids to play on one of the two playgrounds. During the warmer months they offer special movie showings once a month!
Waites Island
North Myrtle Beach
This is definitely one of the best-kept secrets in North Myrtle Beach! One of the last undeveloped barrier islands in South Carolina, Waites Island features more than 1,000 acres of serene beauty at the northernmost point of the state that can only be reached by land on horseback. You can saddle up at Inlet Point Plantation Stables. And when you reach the island, you can kayak or paddleboard through the salt marshes, a natural habitat for loggerhead sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins. On land, you may spot the island’s resident bald eagles, blue herons, marsh hens, osprey, ducks, and more. Waites Island was once home to the Waccamaw Native American tribe, so burial mounds, ceramics, and artifacts have also been found across the island. It was eventually claimed by its namesake, William Waites, and sold to Horace Tilghman in the 1920s, whose granddaughter, Anne, donated it to Coastal Carolina University. Today, it is protected and continues as undeveloped land to preserve its natural beauty. (Photo courtesy of South Carolina Environmental Law Project).
Heritage Shores Nature Preserve
Cherry Grove
This unique park in the North Myrtle Beach area is worth a day of discovery. Created in 2007, the oceanfront nature preserve features a series of elevated boardwalks and observation docks laid out through and around the preserve, where more than seven acres of walking paths have interpretive signage at dozens of stations describing the wide array of plants, animals, fish, and bird species that can be discovered here. The preserve is a great spot for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching. Situated on an island that extends into the Cherry Grove Marsh, regulations protect the preserve’s native state.
The Brentwood Restaurant & Wine Bistro
4269 Luck Ave., Little River
Located just a touch north of North Myrtle Beach in Little River, Brentwood is renowned for its historic charm and award-winning menus, but you may not know that it’s also known to be haunted! The Victorian home dates back to 1910 and, today (as well as numerous times over the years) guests have witnessed ghost sightings and happenings, such as a face in the upstairs window when no one else was there, multiple orbs in digital photos, a man and a woman ghost, sighing voices in the walls, getting locked in the bathroom, equipment starting by themselves, the appearance of a small child in the surveillance cameras, and more. Join The Brentwood for a three-course dinner and a ghost tour after dessert regularly held throughout the year to learn more! The hidden gem restaurant in North Myrtle Beach also offers a great menu during holidays like Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and special events throughout the year.
Joe’s Bar & Grill
810 Conway St., North Myrtle Beach
With a shout-out like, “Ask a Local,” it’s obvious that Joe’s has the confidence that they know how to feed the spirit and appetite of Myrtle Beach locals. It’s been a staple of North Myrtle Beach for more than 30 years, building a reputation on warm Southern hospitality service and the freshest seafood in a unique atmosphere. Just make yourself at home on the couch or in a seat outside at the Raccoon Cove Deck Bar. This highly-rated North Myrtle Beach hidden gem restaurant is great for date nights, special occasions, or when you just want a great seafood or steak dinner.
Local on the Water
1525 13th Ave. North, North Myrtle Beach
With local in the name of this food and entertainment venue in North Myrtle Beach, it’s a no-brainer that it’s a feeding frenzy for locals. It’s a successful combination of fresh food, cold drinks, live music, and amazing views of the Intracoastal Waterway. (An added bonus is the cool-casual Boardwalk Billy’s right next door, also known for its cozy ambiance, drinks, and awesome happy hour.) Drive your boat up and dock for dinner or just drive to the unique restaurant in North Myrtle Beach for a Lowcountry Broil, sushi, steaks, handmade pizzas, or seafood chowder.
Hoskins Restaurant
405 Main St., North Myrtle Beach
A landmark on Main Street (Ocean Drive) in North Myrtle Beach since 1948, Hoskins Restaurant is well-marked by its huge retro sign and a regular line of people out the door waiting to get a table. More than 70 years ago, Hubert and Leona Hoskins opened the doors of their family-owned not so not-so-hidden gem restaurant, and they’ve been serving Southern home-cooked breakfast and lunch menus three generations later. They have daily specials on the menu at Hoskin’s, a top favorite restaurant among Myrtle Beach locals.
Shag Dance Lessons
You may have already heard that the shag dance is the state’s dance and took some of its first steps right here on Ocean Drive, but did you know it’s still alive and well – and you can learn how to shag, too? Every Tuesday at Fat Harold’s Beach Club on Main Street, they offer free shag dance lessons at 7 p.m., and no dance partner is required. Plus, there is a full schedule of dance lessons taught by shag pros Charlie and Jackie, who are in the Shaggers & Swing Dance Hall of Fame at Fat Harold’s. To catch the real deal, make plans to attend the two shag events held each year in North Myrtle Beach by the Society of Stranders (SOS) – the Fall Migration and Spring Safari, which include free lessons, competitions, parades, parties, and plenty of family-friendly fun. Here are some North Myrtle Beach condos and hotels that cater to these special Shag Dance events.
La Belle Amie Vineyard
1120 St. Joseph Road, Little River
Tucked away in a forest surrounding an old family farm boasting vines more than 150 years old, La Belle Amie Vineyard was built in 1999 and today offers a line of muscadine wines, a full schedule of live music and festivals on the property, and a retail shop with regular tastings. Popular annual events include Dog Days of Summer, Rock ‘n Roll Saturday, a Jimmy Buffett-themed afternoon, and Winesdays on the Deck. The vineyard is located less than four miles from Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
Twelve 33 Distillery
593 SC-90 East, Little River
A husband and wife team runs this small-production handcrafted distillery just north of North Myrtle Beach and makes their spirits from grains and ingredients sourced from local farms in South Carolina, like their Spicy Three Peppers Vodka. Stop by for a tasting or a guided VIP Tour that ends in their hidden speakeasy!
North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum
The North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum opened in 2013 and provides visitors and locals with a deep look into the area’s rich history and what turned it into one of the biggest vacation destinations in the U.S. The building is the site of the former North Myrtle Beach Library and was the idea of a local businessman named Dick Hester. Explore artifacts, historical information, and so much more from areas like Cherry Grove, Windy Hill, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, Little River, Longs, and beyond! The gallery changes, and many of the displays are provided by those who grew up in the area, ranging from local seashell collections to the history of the Shag Dance.
Where to Stay in North Myrtle Beach
Condo-World has a huge selection of condos in North Myrtle Beach, SC – close to many of these hidden gems around town. Whether you’re looking for a four-bedroom oceanfront condo or a luxury beach home, there is something for any size group!
By: Ashley Daniels
