Visit Myrtle Beach in the Off-Season

If you have never considered booking a trip to Myrtle Beach during the winter months, we think it should be at the top of your list! Kidding Around’s Melanie is going to tell you why a trip to the coast of South Carolina in the off-season is not only a fun vacation, it’s a budget-friendly one.

If you are looking for a fun and affordable family vacation with plenty of activities to keep you busy, Myrtle Beach is the place!

*Accommodations and a media pass were provided by Visit Myrtle Beach for the purpose of this guide, however, all opinions and words are that of the writer.

Going To Myrtle Beach, SC In The Winter

Why would you plan a trip to the beach, and never actually go to the beach? It’s a funny thing to consider, but I’m going to give you a bunch of reasons why a trip to one of South Carolina’s most popular coastal destinations is a great idea during the winter!

Having spent the majority of my life near the ocean, I can assure you that there are plenty of things to do near the ocean that don’t involve the ocean! Myrtle Beach is a great example of that. All of those extra things you like to do while you are on a summertime beach vacation are still available in the winter.

The most alluring reason to book a trip in the winter is the savings. Because of the high volume of rooms in Myrtle Beach, the room rate in the off-season is drastically reduced. Where you might spend hundreds of dollars for a resort with indoor water features away from the coast, the same type of fun can be found for a fraction of the price, along with all of the fun Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Where to Stay: Myrtle Beach Resort In The Off Season

Depending on when you plan to take your off-season trip, there are a few things to consider when you book accommodations. One thing we heard from readers when we polled them about trips to Myrtle Beach in the off-season, was making sure your hotel pool is really “indoor”.

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The Grande Cayman

My kids and I stayed here on our most recent trip, and we had so many things planned, we didn’t get to take full advantage of the resort amenities! The resort boasts 10+ pools, with a partially indoor set of pools, a lazy river, and hot tubs. The kid’s waterpark and waterslide are separate from the rest of the pool areas, so keeping an eye on little ones is easier. Because none of the pools here are completely enclosed, I wouldn’t recommend a stay here in the colder months if a dip in the pool is an expectation on the trip.

The parking garage makes coming and going from your room easy, and you won’t have to haul tired children through the hotel and onto elevators. The hotel has a restaurant, a lounge, and a Starbucks coffee shop in the lobby which makes grabbing a bite to eat easy.

The room we stayed in at The Grande Cayman Resort had a small kitchen area that included a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a sink. One of the features I always love to see in hotels is a dining table. Our room had a full-size table and four chairs, along with a walk-out patio and chairs to enjoy coffee in the morning. Our room was spacious, had hard flooring which I prefer over carpeting in hotels, and comfortable beds. A feature that I have never seen before was the resort’s virtual assistant. I got a text from “Ivy”, and if I needed something like new towels, garbage service or information it was just a text message away.

Captain’s Quarters Oceanfront Resort | Hotel BLUE Myrtle Beach Resort

This family of resorts is one of my family’s favorites. They share accommodations and by bouncing back and forth between resorts, your whole family can have a trip suited to them!
Captain’s Quarters amenities include 15 water features, a kid’s splash park, an arcade, a bowling alley, special weekend activities, and more. Hotel BLUE amenities include a swim-up bar, an indoor lazy river, a Cafe, and a Starbucks in the lobby. Both locations have indoor, and completely enclosed water features, making a dip in the pool ok, any time of year.

Off Season Things to Do In Myrtle Beach

There is so much to see and do in Myrtle Beach! Activities you probably always think “oh we should do that!’ during a beach trip, but then never get around to, you can do now! This fall we took a trip to the beach, and never once stepped foot on the sand. We packed our time there full of fun, and you can too!

Ripley’s Aquarium at Myrtle Beach

The 2-story aquarium is home to over 10, 000 animals. Everything from sharks to penguins, and the elusive mermaid. Ripley’s Aquarium is conveniently located within the Broadway at the Beach entertainment and shopping complex, so you could easily spend an entire day of fun in this one location.

Expect to spend at least two hours visiting the aquarium, longer if you plan on adding one of the additional experiences to your visit. If you have a fan of mermaids in your family, be sure to make note of that days visit times in front of the Ray Bay Reef. The mermaids will make an appearance in the tank, and then afterward will pose with fans.

The aquarium is completely indoors, and is perfect for a day when it is too cold, or rainy to do outdoor things. The Ripley’s Aquarium also has special Holiday events like visits with Santa, Drive-in Movies, a Holiday Festival of Trees, and more.

Broadway At the Beach

Broadway at the Beach boasts 350-acres of shopping, dining, and entertainment in one convenient location. Aquariums, celebrity chef restaurants, surf shops, fireworks and more will keep your family busy all day. The added benefit of free parking will make this a favorite spot for all the members of your family. Some popular spots to check out are:

Seasonal events are listed on the Broadway at the Beach Event Calendar, and include things like Santa visits and more.

Medeival Times Dinner Show

There are several different dinner show-style attractions in Myrtle Beach, and something for everyone. One of the most popular is the Medieval Times show. The show includes horse riding knights, jousting, an appearance by the queen, and more during the 2-hour long experience.

Other Dinner shows in Myrtle Beach include: Pirates Voyage (ask about the Christmas Show), and Polynesian Fire.

The Sky Wheel

The sixth highest Ferris wheel in the US provides riders with amazing views of the beach and the boardwalk area. A ride on the Sky Wheel is fun no matter what time of year it is. Check the Sky Wheel Website for special events like Sunrise rides that include breakfast, and the Winter Wonderland at the Beach attraction set up in the square next to Sky Wheel.

Kidding Around Readers Recommend Off-season Travel To Myrtle Beach

Kristina Michelle Owenby Green stayed at the Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark: Myrtle Beach Family Resorts

Laura Jones stayed at the Mar Vista Grande

Kidding Around’s Kristina recently stayed at the Westgate Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, and had a great time!

Spending The Holidays at the Beach

Using the winter break from school as a chance to go away is becoming more popular. Some families even use a vacation away from home during Christmas as a clutter-free way to celebrate in lieu of an avalanche of gifts on Christmas morning. Breaking away from tradition might be scary for some readers, but my kids and I went to Orlando one year and woke up in a hotel room Christmas morning; we had a blast.

There is a guide to Holiday Experiences in Myrtle Beach that you can enjoy. Here are some fun holiday activities mentioned by readers.