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Myrtle Beach, S.C. (January 2021) – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, continues to safely welcome visitors to its 60 miles of gorgeous coastline, now boasting new attractions, accommodations, dining options, and more for 2021. Visit Myrtle Beach and its partner organizations continue to remind travelers to visit the destination responsibly and created a Healthy Travel section on VisitMyrtleBeach.com with the latest COVID-19 updates and mandates. The following is the latest information on new tourism developments in the region.
Activities & Attractions
Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Myrtle Beach
The City of Myrtle Beach and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) have entered into an agreement to purchase property that will be turned into a new cultural arts center and theater in downtown Myrtle Beach. The center will be located in what is now three properties in the downtown area of Myrtle Beach along Highway 501. The space will include a 300-seat theater, art gallery, reception area, dressing rooms, and rehearsal space. It will be used for performing arts classes by CCU students as well as allow the city to host up to 30 productions per year. Construction is expected to begin in 2021 with the theater opening in the spring of 2022.
Myrtle Beach Mall Plans for The District
The Myrtle Beach Mall is proceeding with its $150 million redevelopments for a new retail and restaurant space. Named “The District,“ current plans include new waterfront restaurants, sports bars, additional shopping areas, clubs, and a boutique hotel. Renderings also include a promenade and garden in the middle. A construction date has not yet been set. Additional details can be found at MyMallMyrtleBeach.com.
American Surf Parks
Myrtle Beach will soon be home to South Carolina’s first man-made surf park, called American Surf Park. The park’s surfing lagoon will generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, with waves between 2-6 feet in height. The development will also include an amphitheater to accommodate up to 15,000 people. Preliminary renderings of the park have been completed and the building is expected to begin in 2021.
The Hangout
Broadway at the Beach will add a new restaurant, retail, and entertainment venue to its Entertainment District called The Hangout. The new venue is currently under construction at the southeast corner of the property. The Hangout will become a new gathering place for great food and family fun, offering seasonal seafood dishes, beachside burgers, sandwiches and tacos, appetizers, and sides made from locally sourced ingredients prepared from scratch in a world-class hi-tech kitchen designed to handle thousands of diners daily. It will also offer live music year-round both on indoor and outdoor stages. The Hangout is scheduled to open in 2021. For more information, visit TheHangout.com.
Le Grand Cirque 2.0
Broadway at the Beach will team up with Dublin Worldwide Productions USA to bring Le Grand Cirque 2.0 to Myrtle Beach in summer 2021. The jaw-dropping visual feast of breathtaking group acrobatics features an international cast of artists handpicked from around the world for their death-defying abilities and precision skills. Le Grand Cirque 2.0 will set up its 850-seat, fully air-conditioned tent in the southeast corner of Broadway at the Beach from June 1 to October 3. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CirqueMB.com.
Big Red Bus SC
Big Red Bus SC provides a one-of-a-kind experience for guests who are looking for a unique tour of the Myrtle Beach area. As South Caroline’s first registered double-decker bus, this fun adventure is home to an array of tours that pay homage to the Grand Strand’s unique characteristics. Big Red Bus SC is creating new tours to accommodate all interest levels, including the Real Estate Tour that is set to debut in 2020. This ride around town will give visitors a first-hand look into the beautiful neighborhoods that make up Myrtle Beach. Click here for more information: BigRedBusSC.com/tours.
Funplex Amusement Park
Conveniently located just a few steps from the beach on 14th Ave, the Funplex Myrtle Beach is designed for families and thrill-seekers alike. The new tropical-themed park will be lined with palm trees, feature seven rides, a walk-up bar, and a restaurant. This attraction will also feature “Mach Fun”, the tallest, interactive 360° jet simulator ride on the market, and the first-of-its-kind in North America. The park is expected to open in Spring 2021. Find out more here.
Alabama Theatre 2021 Concert Schedule
The Alabama Theatre celebrates its 28th year with new famous Guest Artist Concerts throughout 2021 (in addition to the Theatre’s signature productions) including Little River Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, Comedian Brian Regan, Josh Turner, Easton Corbin, Humorist Jeannie Robertson, Home Free, Righteous Brothers, and many more. The Alabama Theatre also introduced a new comedic juggler, Slim Chance, and musician, Shawn Pittman. Slim is a self-proclaimed sophisticated, juggling hillbilly who never misses a beat. Shawn is a self-taught violin virtuoso who started his career at the age of 11 and has performed all over the United States even playing for George W. Bush! For more information visit, Alabama-Theatre.com.
Brookgreen Gardens Red Wolf Exhibit
Brookgreen Gardens has started a fundraising campaign to help protect the most endangered wolf in the world – the red wolf. The $250,000 campaign will fund a new four-acre habitat in Brookgreen’s Lowcountry Zoo to allow a pack of red wolves to live safely in their natural environment. The zoo will house two breeding wolf pairs in cooperation with the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, a program designed to oversee the population management of an endangered species in captivity and enhance their conservation in the wild. For more information visit Brookgreen.org.
Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center
Huntington Beach State Park opened a new nature center after their previous center was destroyed in a lightning strike fire three years ago. The new nature center is a $1.2 million investment and features a birding area, a classroom, and an exhibit area with live animals. Money for the new nature center’s exhibits was donated by several small groups and individual private donations to the Friends of Huntington Beach State Park group. For more information, visit SouthCarolinaParks.com/Huntington-Beach.
SkyWheel Upgrades
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach will undergo a major makeover in early 2021 to celebrate the iconic attraction’s 10th birthday. The SkyWheel makeover will include a new wheel structure, refurbished interiors and exteriors of its 42 gondolas, and most noteworthy, a new state-of-the-art lighting system allowing for more dynamic light shows.
Aviation & Transportation
Myrtle Beach Airport Taxiway Project
Due to a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) will be restoring its taxiway. The taxiway, which takes airplanes from the terminal to the runway, has begun pavement rehabilitation on Taxiway A and will take about a year to complete as part of the Horry County Department of Airports’ multiyear, multiphase project to restore its runway system. This project will keep the airport in compliance with FAA standards and prepare MYR for continued aircraft operational growth in the years to come. The project will not interfere with flight operations as most of the work will be done at night. For more information, visit FlyMyrtleBeach.com.
Culinary
Due South at 72nd
Located inside the brand new Grande Cayman Resort is Due South at 72nd, a not-to-miss restaurant with southern-infused food. Known as the “sister restaurant” to Sea Captain’s House, Due South at 72nd boasts a relaxing atmosphere along Ocean Blvd. One of the best-kept secrets in Myrtle Beach, this new spot is the perfect place to enjoy great food and an exciting selection of beverages.
Grand Strand Brewing Company
The two-story building that fronts Nance Plaza in the soon-to-be-revitalized downtown area will be home to Grand Strand Brewing Company. The brewery plans to produce a variety of handmade beers to be available in its taproom. Construction plans also call for a small, on-site commercial kitchen where local chefs and restaurants can prepare food to pair with the craft beer selection. Grand Strand Brewing Company is planning to open by spring 2021.
Crooked Hammock Brewery
A new brewery is open in Barefoot Landing featuring a restaurant and backyard beer garden. Crooked Hammock Brewery brings to life an all-ages backyard escape that features craft beer, indoor/outdoor seating for more than 500 guests, firepits, hammocks, a playground for kids, bocce ball courts, corn hole, and a bar that is set over the lake. Crooked Hammock Brewery’s restaurant will open in spring 2021 with a menu that will feature backyard cookout-inspired food such as burgers, oak-smoked baby back ribs, giant Bavarian pretzels, and savory sides such as jalapeno and cheddar cornbread, all in a pet-friendly environment. There is also a food truck on the premises! For more information visit CHBMyrtleBeach.com.
Mojo’s Marina Bar & Grille
Mojo’s Marina Bar and Grille is a new Murrells Inlet, a waterfront restaurant that opened in late 2020. Guests can enjoy panoramic views of the inlet while sipping a freshly made mojito and selecting from the restaurant’s diverse menu, ranging from local seafood to delectable southern dishes. For more information, visit MojosMarina.com.
DinoLand Cafe
Step into a land full of Jurassic creatures at DinoLand Cafe, a full-service restaurant with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, fiery dragons, Ice Age mammoths, and more. This one-of-a-kind dining experience opened on August 24 in central Myrtle Beach. Children and adults alike can enjoy a variety of meals that won’t disappoint, including lava mountain ribs and dino-burgers, to name a few. Learn more at DinolandCafe.com.
Drift: A Coastal Eatery
A new breakfast eatery has opened along the Grand Strand. Drift a Coastal Eatery will be open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. In addition to serving up brunch classics like Eggs Benedict and Avocado Toast, more unique menu items include Spanish-Grilled Octopus and a Salmon Power Bowl.
Fried Chicks
Heidi’s Corner Restaurant Group opened a new restaurant concept called “Fried Chicks,” which is a virtual, delivery-only restaurant serving Fried Chicken and Waffles. The Fried Chicks menu includes their staple item – Fried Chicken and Waffles but also includes fun variants like Fried Chicken and Grits, Crab Cakes and Waffles, and Fried Chicken and Waffle Nachos. The delivery-only restaurant is now taking orders on DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, and ezCater.
Events
Carolina Country Music Festival New Artists
The Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) 2020 has been postponed until 2021. The sixth annual CCMF will take place in Myrtle Beach from June 10-13, 2021. The festival will feature more than 30 of the industry’s biggest stars. Performers include Luke Combs, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, and many more! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit CarolinaCountryMusicfest.com.
Lodging
Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott
A new dual-branded offering by Marriott is coming to Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Boulevard. The new Springhill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott property will replace the recently demolished Breakers Resort near 21st Avenue North. Renderings show the new oceanfront resort will stand 26 stories tall and include rooftop amenities, including outdoor seating complete with fire pits. Additional outdoor amenities include a ground-level pool and lazy river. Plans for the property are in development and approval. Full completion of the project is scheduled for the spring of 2022. Learn more here.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Homewood Suites by Hilton boasts apartment-style living near the beautiful beaches in the Grand Strand. Just three miles from the Atlantic Ocean, this property is located in close proximity to the area’s premier attractions and activities, in addition to being five-minutes away from the Myrtle Beach Airport and fifteen-minutes from five golf courses. For more information, click here.
Kingston Resorts
Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, located along Myrtle Beach’s beautiful and spacious Grand Strand, has been transformed with a $20 million renovation. This 387-room oceanfront destination offers a stunning new open-air gathering space. The transformation continues with a $30 million renovation to Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort that will be complete in early 2022. The oceanfront is being reimagined with a new pool deck, Brewhouse with a garden terrace, a multipurpose lawn with games and fire pits, and a children’s waterpark. This ambitious project refreshes a legacy on the Grand Strand and advances it to the next level. Learn more here at KingstonPlantation.com.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground
Celebrating 50 years in 2021, Ocean Lakes Family Campground is kicking off its anniversary celebration with renovations and expansions to its Main Office. The renovations will provide a more personal and comfortable experience when checking into Ocean Lakes, featuring a new gift shop and seating area for guests while they wait to check-in. The renovations are slated to be completed in 2021. Learn more at OceanLakesFamilyCampground.blogspot.com.
Ocean Escape Condos by Landmark Resort
Ocean Escape Condos by Landmark Resort is now open and features brand-new, second-row condos, just steps from Landmark Resort’s main building. One of the newest accommodation options in Myrtle Beach, Ocean Escape is home to two and three-bedroom condos with new appliances, furniture, bedding, flooring, and more. The new condos come equipped with free Wi-Fi, full kitchens, spacious living space, and more. With many of the accommodation units sleeping up to 10 people, there’s plenty of space for the entire family. And, families will enjoy additional nearby amenities including indoor/outdoor pools, lazy river, whirlpool, hot tub, swim-up bar, restaurants, an arcade, and seasonal entertainment and activities. For more information visit VacationMyrtleBeach.com.
Download the PDF of the full release here.
The Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island, comprising 14 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions, Southern hospitality, and world-class golf, the Myrtle Beach area presents the quintessential vacation experience.
