Guide to Meetings & Events in

Myrtle Beach

New & Coming Soon to Myrtle Beach

• A $30 million renovation at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort will be completed this summer. The 255-room hotel is getting a new pool deck, a brewhouse and an event lawn with fire pits. The property has more than 61,000 square feet of meeting space.

• A dual-branded Marriott will open this summer. The new Springhill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott will replace the Breakers Resort's Pirates Cove and Palmetto buildings. The Grand Strand property will have an oceanfront pool deck, a lounge area with fire pits and a lazy river.

• Holiday Inn Club Vacations also is building a new resort on the Grand Strand. Scheduled to open in 2024, the hotel will have 152 villas, private cabanas and an activity lawn.

• Myrtle Beach has long been a rewarding place for golfers and recent renovations at Pine Lakes Country Club have underscored the destination’s appeal to groups looking to spend time on the links. New features include Sunday Bermuda grass greens, part of a refurbishment that’s restoring the greens to their original size and expanding the total putting surface area from 103,000 square feet to 124,000 square feet. The club is home to a restaurant, the Robert White Pub, as well as the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame.  

• “You Belong at the Beach,” the destination’s campaign that showcases Myrtle Beach’s positioning as “the beach,” may seem focused on leisure travelers, but the sun-soaked message aplies to the meetings segment, too, according to Bob Harris, executive vice president of group sales at the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our recent brand refresh is meant to drive responsible travel and repeat visitation to one of America’s most beloved beach destinations, and that includes meeting planners and those traveling for conferences and business meetings,” he said. “From the destination’s expanded non-stop flight options and the abundance of lodging and meetings facilities to suit any group, to the variety of excursion activities and exciting outdoor dining spaces, we aim to show meeting planners why their next event belongs at the beach.” The new campaign, which includes a vibrant and inclusive “brand anthem” video, aims to highlight the many reasons that visitors and meeting planners choose Myrtle Beach.

• Attendees will find even more Instagram-worthy moments in Myrtle Beach with the opening of new gallery space at Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the famed chain of eye-catching exhibits. The new rotunda gallery, which is dedicated to Hollywood memorabilia, includes a number of decidedly different items, including the engineering console used in multiple Star Trek movies, a portrait of actor Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson made from cigar ashes and a life-sized statue of Marilyn Monroe made from more than $1 million worth of shredded U.S. bills. 

• The Huntington Beach State Nature Park has opened a new, $1.2-million nature center. The facility features a classroom, exhibit space with live animals and a birding area where visitors can view the region’s more than 300 bird species. The 2,500-acre park also has a sandy beach, picnic shelters, campgrounds and extensive trails for hiking and bicycling.  

• The Homewood Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Coastal Grand Mall has debuted. The 105-room property has a 600-square-foot meeting room, business center, fitness center and outdoor swimming pool. Accommodation options include suites with kitchenettes, and breakfast is complementary.  

• Kingston Resorts is investing in upgrades to two of its Myrtle Beach hotels. A $20 million renovation is already complete at the 387-room Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, with a new open-air event space among the new additions. The company is pumping $30 million into upgrades at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, with a completion date in 2022. New features will include a new pool deck, bar with garden terrace, children’s water park and lawn area that can be used for games and other events.  

• The Polynesian Oceanfront Hotel has debuted near the city’s top group‐friendly attractions and meeting spaces. The  property has two pools (one outdoor and one indoor), a pet‐friendly policy and accommodation options including efficiency units with full kitchens, making it an attractive choice for budget‐conscious attendees traveling with family members.

• There are plenty of ways for groups to enjoy Myrtle Beach while maintaining social distancing. Among them are Broadway at the Beach, a 350-acre site with dining and attractions, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, which is lined with shops and restaurants along its 1.2-mile span, and Brookgreen Gardens, a picturesque site where attendees can tour botanical gardens and learn about Lowcountry history.   

• Among the city’s newer venues to offer active excitement for groups is Big Air Trampoline Park. The 40,000‐square‐foot venue offers trampolines, indoor zip lines, ninja training course and a “shark cage” that challenges delegates to ride a mechanical shark. Groups of up to 300 attendees are accommodated.

• Planners can infuse their events with local flavor at Tidal Creek Brewhouse that has a craft kitchen with full menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Groups can make use of on‐site audiovisual equipment for presentations, as well as indoor and outdoor space for private events.

• Downtown Myrtle Beach is gearing up for growth, and meeting planners may find some interesting new options as a result. The latest example of the neighborhood's ongoing revitalization is the new Arts & Innovation District, an ambitious development slated to debut in 2022. Among the additions will be a new cultural arts center and theater in 2022. The venue, a partnership between the city and Coastal Carolina University,  will offer an art gallery and a 300‐seat theater.

• The former Long Bay Resort has reopened as the Grande Cayman Resort, following a multimillion-dollar renovation that includes new façade, updated lobby and guest rooms and new carpeting, flooring and lighting. The property offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools and 1,710 square feet of meeting and event space.

More Event Venues

• Groups can mix with "celebrities" — or at least some very lifelike representations of them — at the Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center, located at Broadway at the Beach. NASCAR champions, movie stars and musicians are just a few of the figures here. 

• The  Funplex Myrtle Beach amusement park has rides, a bar and casual restaurant. Among its fast-paced attractions are Sky Velocity, which provides guests with an opportunity to experience weightlessness, Up and Overboard, which sends riders through the air upside down, and Mach Fun, billed as the tallest 360-degree flying jet ride on the market. 
 
• Myrtle Beach is an ideal destination for water-based activities, and one especially attractive option for groups is Barefoot Queen Riverboat Cruises. The company offers sightseeing and three-course dinner cruises along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway aboard a 70-foot, 135-passenger wooden vessel. The riverboat has heated and air-conditioned interior decks and three outdoor deck spaces.

• Atalaya Castle is an impressive structure built by philanthropist Archer Huntington in the 1930s to serve as his winter residence. The 30-room “castle,” graced with Spanish and Moorish architectural details, became part of Huntington Beach State Park in 1960 and was named a national landmark in 1984. Group event spaces include multiple courtyards and studios, and rentals include free park admission for attendees. 

• Attendees can experience history at Freewoods Farm, a “living farm” museum dedicated to the contributions and lives of Black farmers. Located in the community of Burgess, the 40-acre venue represents life on a small farm between 1865 and 1900. The facility offers a variety of educational presentations, including visits to a wetlands preserve.

• The Asher Theatre is more than an entertainment venue: the facility also hosts conferences and private events. The theater offers a 350-seat auditorium and VIP lounge, as well as six conference rooms housed in a separate wing. The theater’s featured act is James Stephens III, who blends comedy, celebrity impressions and music in his show, “Man of a Thousand Faces.”

• The picturesque Little River area is home to Twelve 33 Distillery, an outfit that sources ingredients from local farmers for its handcrafted spirits. Guests are served the native potables in the distillery’s 3,000-square-foot tasting room, which accommodates up to 200 guests. Smaller groups are accommodated in the 550- square-foot “hidden” speakeasy.

• Groups can take part in Myrtle Beach’s vibrant pub at 44 & King, a venue that serves southern comfort food and locally-sourced drinks within a friendly pub ambiance. Surrounded by majestic live oak trees, the pub is available for buyouts of up to 160 people Beer lovers can savor locally crafted quaffs from South Carolina breweries including Ghost Monkey, Revelry Brewing and Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company, while those who prefer cocktails can sample drinks made with local potables like Dixie Vodka, Six & Twenty Heirloom Rye Vodka, Striped Pig Gin and Mountain Peak Espresso Rum.  The menu features southern and Lowcountry specialties, such as fresh okra, shrimp and sweet potato grits and barbecue brisket. 

• Kingston Resorts, a development that includes the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and Embassy Suites by Hilton, offers attendees superb wellness and fitness facilities. The Landing, the spa and fitness center, offers five treatment rooms and a VIP lounge for groups, as well as racquetball courts, an indoor pool, sauna and studios for yoga and Pilates. Guests can also make use of two sand volleyball courts and four pickleball courts. The three golf simulators and putting green are also available to participants looking to perfect their swing, and the venue’s fire pit and bar area allow for end-of-day socializing.

• THEBlvd, one of the destination’s newest entertainment and retail attractions, continues to add new group-friendly venues. Among the latest to open at the 55,000-square-foot complex is Banditos Cantina, a revamped version of a popular local Mexican restaurant. Groups of up to 300 can make use of the space for private events for a Banditos Taco Party with “deconstructed” tacos and traditional buffets with favorites like adobo chicken, grilled sirloin and cheese quesadillas. The eatery is decidedly modern and artsy, with large, Mexican-inspired wall murals and colorful tiles, as well as impressive ocean views.

• With roots that date back to 1944, The Bowery has a long history of entertaining visitors. Groups of up to 500 can enjoy the lively ambiance at this casual venue, where the popular country music group Alabama once served as the house band. A country music group called The Bounty currently holds that title; they  perform  six nights a week, with guest bands joining the stage on Sundays. An array of thick burgers (including the 8th Wonder, a one‐pound Angus beef hamburger with lots of toppings), chicken wings and hefty sandwiches are among the menu options at this jamming spot.

• Broadway at the Beach, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, continues to add group-friendly restaurants to its vibrant roster. Among the newest this year is Bar Louie, a self-described “gastrobar” with a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches and flatbreads, complemented by a range of craft cocktails and local beers. To satisfy their sweet tooth, visitors can pop into the Doughnuttery, a family-owned donut shop, and Tipsy Scoop, an ice cream shop where the sweets are infused with liquor; both businesses recently opened inside the giant candy store called It’sugar.

• The Rivertown Bistro, located in the historic district of nearby Conway, features seasonal fare by locally-renowned chef Darren Smith. House specialities like vegetable dashi bowls and chargrilled parmesan shrimp scampi combine southern traditions with creative twists and locally-sourced ingredients. The eatery offers a private dining room that accommodates 36 guests.

• The Myrtle Beach Sports Center, adjacent to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, hosts tournaments and group sports events. The complex includes eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts and a large multi-screen video wall, and can seat up to 2,000 spectators on telescopic bleachers. The facility hosts court sports including gymnastics, wrestling, pickleball, table tennis and more. The venue also can host trade shows and includes an elevated mezzanine and an indoor/outdoor café.

Extending Your Trip in Myrtle Beach

• Market Common is a retail and entertainment development that occupies the former site of the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base and the Myrtle Beach Army Air Field. The venue offers a free, one-hour military history tour for groups of 20 or more, which highlights the venue’s role in U.S. history. The facility is home to a variety of retail establishments and several group-friendly eateries, including 810 Billiards & Bowling, which complements its American menu with activities that range from darts to glow-in-the-dark miniature golf.

• The Myrtle Beach Art Museum, set in a building that dates to 1924 near the Long Bay Golf Club, features permanent and temporary exhibits that include antique maps, historical prints and works by southern artists. Groups of 10 or more can arrange private tours of the galleries; small groups (under 10) can take a pottery class at the museum’s Lineta Pritchard Pottery Studio, which offers six pottery wheels, glazing stations and a kiln room.

• Creeks and critters: Nature-loving groups should consider a visit to Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,100-acre sculpture garden and wildlife preserve near Murells Inlet. The work of more than 350 sculptors is on display here, an artsy complement to the flora that thrives in what was once the grounds of four former plantations. From March through November, groups can enjoy pontoon boat rides along the property's creeks, as well as private group tours with guides who explain the history of the gardens. Planners can set up a "meet the animals" program at the on-site Lowcountry Zoo, which is home to native animals like alligators, grey foxes, owls and white-tailed deer.

• The Arts Grand Strand, a not-for-profit organization that promotes creative endeavors on Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, has teamed up with 18 galleries and three culturally enlightened restaurants to create the new Grand Strand Art Trail. The route can be followed independently or as part of an organized group outing. Among the venues are the Franklin G. Burroughs–Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum and the Rice Museum, where exhibits highlight the history and culture of South Carolina’s Georgetown County in the historic Old Market Building. Participating restaurants include the aptly named Art Burger Sushi Bar, which offers rotating exhibits of local artists, and the Collectors Cafe & Gallery, where the sizeable gallery provides a backdrop for a menu of Mediterranean cuisine; dining rooms accommodate 10 to 70 guests for private events.

Getting Active & Outdoors

• For a decidedly unique take on Myrtle Beach team building, consider a visit to WonderWorks, a 50,000-square-foot education and entertainment attraction that specializes in hands-on experiences. While the venue is clearly a big draw for families with children, it can also be a fun place to engage meeting and incentive groups with fast-paced activities including laser tag, scavenger hunts, zipline and glow-in-the-dark ropes course with 28 challenges. The venue also has  meeting space and catering services.

• SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, the observation wheel that soars 187 feet above the coastline, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by completing a major renovation that includes a new wheel structure, new lighting system and redecorated interiors and exteriors on all 42 gondolas. The attraction has also debuted a new, early morning Rise and Fly sunrise flight that includes coffee, pastries and a 30-minute ride to watch the sun come up. SkyWheel offers discounted group packages for groups of 15 or more, as well as a VIP gondola experience complete with Ferrari leather seats and glass-bottom floor.  

• Myrtle Beach provides myriad opportunities for water-based excitement. Blue Wave Adventures offers a variety of excursions aboard its 40-passenger boat. Among the possibilities are four different dolphin experiences, including morning dolphin watch tours, a premium dolphin experience that allows participants to sit on inflatable tubes so they’ll be closer to the dolphins and two private charter options. Morning and early evening are generally the best times to view the magnificent marine life.

• Planners can kick their events into high gear at the Myrtle Beach Speedway, the legendary race track that attracts some of NASCAR’s biggest names. Groups can receive training from a crew chief before getting behind the wheel for a fast‐paced run around the track. The 40‐acre venue also has a variety of rental options for private events, including a 9,000‐seat grandstand, an amphitheater and private suites.

• Pack the swimsuits: Track Family Fun Park recently added a new Blaster Boats attraction, equipped with water cannons for lively “battles” that drench all participants. The park, located in North Myrtle Beach, also has two elevated electric go-kart tracks and a game arcade. Finish off the night with a dinner at The Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood, a restaurant adjacent to the park with 11 dining rooms and capacity for 1,000 guests, as well as an  antique nautical collection.

• Myrtle Beach is often singled out for its superior golf venues; the region ranked highly in Golfweek’s recent list of the “Best Courses You Can Play.” Top winners in the area include the Dunes Golf & Beach Club, a Robert Trent Jones signature course with its own oceanfront pool and beach. Group facilities include a ballroom that accommodates 500 guests for cocktails as well as two additional banquet rooms, each of which can host up to 75 attendees. Also ranking high is the picturesque Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, set on a former rice plantation graced with giant oak trees and Spanish moss. The club’s unique venues include the Caledonia Fish Shed, which has a gazebo and picnic tables for events of up to 75 people. The Inlet Sports Lodge, meanwhile, has a 1,600-square-foot outdoor courtyard and an 850-square-foot indoor club room that accommodates 75. And for an especially scenic setting, consider Azalea Row, which can host up to 400 guests in an open-air setting lined with soaring oaks.

• Go fishing: Voyager Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Cruises runs half-day fishing trips offering the opportunity to catch mackerel, barracuda and sea bass. Private sport fishing charters are available aboard six-passenger and 20-passenger vessels. Calabash Fishing Fleet has a 130-passenger ship named the Atlantic Star, complete with climate-controlled cabin and restroom, which is available for private fishing charters as well as festive cruises.

Myrtle Beach Excursions

• Groups can enjoy an in-depth look at the destination with Myrtle Beach History Tours, which offers trolley and “step-on” tours around the region. Its “Myrtle Beach History, Movies and Music Trolley Tour” highlights how Myrtle Beach became a hot spot starting in the mid-20th century, while the “Myrtle Beach Area Ghosts, Pirates and Historic Families Trolley Tour” showcases the fascinating ghost stories in the nearby fishing community of Murrells Inlet. Military history tours that include a catered reception at Tupelo Honey, one of the city’s most popular southern restaurants, can also be arranged.  

• Football fans will find lots to love at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a sports-themed attraction at the Broadway at the Beach shopping and entertainment complex. The venue’s new exhibit, Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, features more than 200 items that document the history of the sport. Prized artifacts on display include rare memorabilia, photos and documents from the facility’s archives, including the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy and a 1917 ball used by Jim Thorpe.   
 
• Alligator Adventure (https://alligatoradventure.com), an animal park located at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, is home to a diverse array of fauna, including mountain lions, ostriches, turtles, hyenas, snakes, crocodiles and gators.

• Hopsewee Plantation, a former rice plantation that dates to 1740 and birthplace of Thomas Lynch, Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, offers groups a variety of experiences. Attendees can experience an English tea service at the River Oak Cottage Tea Room, basket-weaving workshops and guided tours, including one that focuses on the experiences of slaves at Hopsewee. Planners can also arrange catered meals featuring cuisine by gourmet chef Raejean Beattie, who specializes in Lowcountry dishes.   

• Head to Conway, a town graced with oak-lined streets and a historic downtown that's perfect for strolling, shopping and dining. One of the best introductions to the town's rich history is provided at the Horry County Museum, which is set in a 1905 former school that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Its exhibits include textiles, vintage military gear and an aquarium filled with local marine life. Nearby, the affiliated L.W. Paul Living History Farm recreates life on a one-horse family farm from the first half of the 20th century.

• Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach has become the first Certified Autism Center in South Carolina. The designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, requires that staff members complete autism sensitivity and awareness training, to help them better deal with the safety and communication needs of visitors who have autism. The facility has also debuted programs for guests with autism, including Sensory Friendly Days and Sensory Friendly Camps. In addition, Ripley's Aquarium recently announced that it will open a new attraction called Penguin Playhouse in early 2020. The exhibit will house African penguins and feature large viewing windows. The aquarium, which has a maximum capacity of 3,200 for buyouts, offers a number of group‐friendly experiences, including diving with sharks, stingray encounters and overnight programs that includes accommodations in the Dangerous Reef Tunnel, a 340‐foot acrylic structure that is offers memorable views of the giant tank filled with sand.

• Murrells Inlet is another noteworthy destination for groups looking for a fun day trip. Once a simple fishing village, Murrells Inlet has become a favorite with nature lovers thanks to its wide variety of outdoor activities. Groups can enjoy everything from kayaking to parasailing, jet skiing to banana-boat riding.

• Groups can take a trip back in time with a visit to Pawleys Island, an Atlantic coast barrier island that measures less than four miles. Once a summer getaway destination for pre-Civil War rice planters, it's now a historic treasure with a laid-back island vibe. The Pawleys Island Historic District, which appears on the National Register of Historic Places, is home to 12 original residences, some of which date to as early as 1780. A variety of shops, stores and restaurants provide additional diversions. To appreciate the island's natural beauty, consider an outing with Black River Outdoors, which runs guided kayak eco-tours, swamp tours, fishing trips and private birding tours.

Top Restaurants in Myrtle Beach

Among top spots to grab a bite in Myrtle are:

1. The Melting Pot - American, fondue
2. Pop Pop's Pit BBQ - American, BBQ
3. Cafe Old Vienna - German, Austrian
4. Villa Romana Italian Restaurant - Italian
5. Luigi's Tratoria - Italian
6. Toscana Italian Kitchen - Italian
7. Sun City Cafe - Mexican
8. Ciao Restaurant - Italian
9. SoBaya Japanese Bistro - Japanese, sushi
10. Johnny D's Waffles & Benedicts - American

Among must-try eateries in the region are: 

•  RipTydz, located on the boardwalk near the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach observation wheel, offers seating for 500. The menu features fresh seafood as well as steaks, craft beers and creative cocktails.

• Planners can make use of multiple private dining areas at Wicked Tuna, which has locations in Myrtle Beach and nearby Murells Inlet. Indoor and outdoor seating and event space is available at both venues, and the menu focuses on local catches of grouper, mahi mahi, snapper and sea bass. 

• Chow down on low-country comfort foods at either of two outposts of the Croissants Bistro & Bakery. Fresh, locally grown produce figures heavily in the menu here, with specialties like shrimp and grits, bananas foster French toast and a turkey pretzel club sandwich.

• Sea Captain’s House, an oceanfront restaurant with multiple dining rooms and an outdoor deck, has launched a new live webcam that offers a glimpse of the lovely water views that await diners when they return. The venue’s catering menu features low-country specialties that range from hush puppies and oysters on the half shell to shrimp and grits and fried chicken.

• Hook and Barrel makes the most of Myrtle Beach's coastal location, with fresh seafood choices like steamed shrimp by the pound, Myrtle Beach paella, "angry clams" made with cherry bomb peppers, and oyster stew, which is prepared in front of patrons.

• Planners can inject their program with culinary holiness at the Parson's Table, a restaurant and bar set in the historic former home of the Little River Methodist Church in the town of Little River. The venue's main dining room dates to 1855, with eye-catching décor that includes a gorgeous chandelier and stained-glass windows from a Baptist church in Mullins, South Carolina. Today, patrons worship appetizers like local fried green tomatoes and oysters Rockefeller with spinach, bacon, heavy cream and Tabasco. Entrée specialties include slow-roasted prime rib au jus, as well as shrimp and chicken curry.

• For a sophisticated and scenic dining event, consider the SeaBlue Restaurant & Wine Bar, a stylish venue on Grand Strand that makes good use of French cooking techniques to craft a menu of contemporary American fare. Chef Kenneth Norcutt's most favored creations include boneless airline chicken breast served with pheasant cognac sausage, and SeaBlue-style filet prepared with haricot vert and asiago potato gratin, finished with 12-year-aged balsamic vinegar.

Featured Meeting Venues

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Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Guest Rooms - 400

Meeting Rooms - 39

Largest Conference Room - 100,003 sq. ft.

Total event space - 245,000 sq. ft.

Room Rate Range - $117-$245

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Embassy Suites Oceanfront Resort

Guest Rooms - 255

Meeting Rooms - 30

Largest Conference Room - 14,520 sq. ft.

Total event space - 61,165 sq. ft.

Room Rate Range - $191-$291

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First Class

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Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort

Guest Rooms - 387

Meeting Rooms - 24

Largest Conference Room - 14,400 sq. ft.

Total event space - 56,579 sq. ft.

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