Are you heading to Myrtle Beach for this year's family vacation?
Tourists flocking to Myrtle Beach can look forward to plenty of sunshine and hot weather. But, as with most humid climates, this area is home to above average rainfall.
In fact, Myrtle Beach receives an average of fifty inches of rain per year. This is nearly twelve more inches that the average rainfall for the rest of the United States.
That being said, it's always a good idea to have pre-planned activities that are fit for the rain. Fortunately, Myrtle Beach is home to year-round attractions that have the ability to make even the rainiest of days fun.
From a world-renowned pinball museum and aquarium to a famous outlet center and art museum, it's safe to say that there's something for everyone in Myrtle Beach.
If you're planning a trip to Myrtle Beach, you're going to want to ensure that you familiarize yourself with these rainy day activities in Myrtle Beach. We're uncovering seven of the best family-friendly activities.
1. Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum
If you're looking to experience the number one Myrtle Beach attraction on Tripadvisor, then look no further.
The Pinball Museum is famous in South Carolina and attracts locals and tourists alike. Stepping foot into the museum, you'll be automatically transported back to the 1980s!
The museum is home to the largest collection of public pinball machines in South Carolina. What separates this pinball collection from others is the fact that these pinball machines are functional and visitors can actually play with them.
If you're not exactly a pinball fanatic, fear not. The Pinball Museum is also a fun place for non-pinball enthusiasts to spend the afternoon. The Museum also has a number of other games available for enjoyment. For a complete list, click here!
Not only is this option fun for the entire family, it's also extremely affordable at only $12 for each hour of play. Rather than having to purchase tokens for each machine, all machines are accessible throughout the hour. Remember, this is an extremely popular attraction. That being said, you may be subject to wait times.
Here, all workers are volunteers and feel passionate about the incredible environment in which they have created as well as the children's charity they support. This is a labor of love that has been carefully crafted to perfection.
The museum is located at 607 N 27th Ave in Myrtle Beach near the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and is only four blocks from the ocean.
2. Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
Are you looking to get in touch with your artistic side?
If so, why not spent the afternoon perusing the Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum?
This art museum is considered to be one of the finest museums in all of South Carolina. It also happens to be located in a stunning retrofitted home that has been converted to a tasteful event space.
Visitors can look forward to a collection of exhibitions, interactive displays and creative and educational programs. Based on the programs that exist at the time, visitors can expect these programs to be age appropriate and cover a wide variety of topics and collections.
If you plan ahead, you can look to arrange to take a guided tour of the exhibits. If you're lucky, you might even get a chance to meet the artist themselves! For a list of current exhibitions, click here.
Because this museum is not large in size, it makes it easy to view the entire gallery in a timely manner and to genuinely enjoy the entire experience. Visitors can also look forward to an oceanview tea room as well as a much-celebrated gift shop.
Best of all? There is no specified entrance fee! Visitors can choose to donate whatever amount they see fit. This allows the art museum to be an affordable day spent with family and friends.
3. Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach
Have you always had in on your bucket list to witness a tribute band? How about the likes of Elvis Presley and The Beatles? Or, what about Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe?
While we may no longer have the option of watching these legends perform in the flesh, these tribute performances offer the next best thing! As it turns out, a taste of live entertainment just might be the best method of brightening up a rainy day.
Legends in Concert is internationally acclaimed to be a fantastic show and experience. Fun for all ages, this gives families the perfect setting for witnessing an unforgettable show.
Not only does every performer look the part, they've also perfected the natural voices and dance routines of the stars they pay tribute to. If you never got the chance to see these stars first-hand, a rainy day in Myrtle Beach is the perfect occasion to finally make this dream come true.
Of course, there are countless tribute performances throughout the country. But, Legends in Concert has truly stood the test of time for thirty years. It has also been awarded the best tribute show and has been praised by critics everywhere.
Guests can look forward to singing along the all of the classic hits. This is truly one of the best, family friendly experiences in Myrtle Beach!
Shows take place on an almost daily basis and prices range depending on the show. For added reassurance, tickets should be purchased in advance.
4. Ripley's Aquarium
If you're looking for an attraction that's really going to resonate with the kids, you're going to want to check out Ripley's Aquarium.
Here, visitors get the experience the depths of ocean life from a safe distance. Whether you're interested in the wide variety of fish that are home to the ocean, looking to come face-to-face with a shark or study the beautiful underwater environments, there's something for everyone.
You can even take it one step further and dive with sharks or have a sleepover in the company of the sharks! These are unique experiences that kids are certain not to forget.
Visitors can also look forward to an educational experience. The employees at the aquarium are trained professionals that are well equipped in their knowledge of marine life. You can learn about conservation, zoological practices and even learn more about their sea turtle rescue and release programs.
Tickets start at $24.99 for children and $34.99 for adults. However, there are specialized and discount passed available to retirees and seniors, students and those affiliated with the arm.
5. Tanger Outlet Center
Looking to strike a deal and knock some items off your shopping list?
As much as we look to spend the majority of our time on vacation outdoors, a rainy day makes for a great excuse to get some shopping done. Whether you're in search for yourself or for gifts to bring home, why not shop at a discounted price?
The Tanger Outlet Center in Myrtle Beach carries incredible stores from clothing and shoes to households and electronics. Here, shoppers can look forward to a wide variety of major brands being represented at discount prices.
These are brands such as Adidas, Banana Republic, Gap, Under Armour, Polo and more!
Sure, these items may be last year's inventory, but there's no denying the incredible variety available and at prices that you simply just can't beat. The outlet center is also home to a good variety of restaurants and food courts making it easy to spend the afternoon.
Pro tip: seek to arrive as early as possible. This helps to beat the crowds not only indoors, but also when it comes to finding a parking spot! You can also pay $10 to become a lifetime Tanger Club Member which provides you with plenty of worthwhile coupons for your shopping experience.
Unlike some major outlet malls, Tanger Outlets in Myrtle Beach has been praised for their pleasant and overwhelmingly clean environment. It's also had a major upgrade within the last few years making it not just an attractive indoor space, but also easy to navigate for shoppers.
Tanger Outlets has two locations in Myrtle Beach that are located on Highway 17 as well as Highway 501.
6. WonderWorks
If you happen to be feeling adventurous, why not work up the courage to head to Myrtle Beaches favorite educational amusement park?
WonderWorks is home to over 50,000 square feet of entertainment. Not only is the area known for their fun and exciting attractions, it's also a fun and exciting educational experience for kids.
Here, kids can learn about science, natural disasters, space, and art. It's safe to say that this is certainly a fun way to learn without sitting in the classroom!
For the more adventurous, rest assured there are plenty of tasks at hand. Visitors can look forward to a glow-in-the-dark ropes course, zip line, laser-tag arena, and a 6D extreme motion ride.
Generally, the whole exhibit takes about 3-4 hours to get the full tour and experience. However, once a guest pays their initial fee, they can spend as much time inside the park as they would like.
You can also leave the attraction and come back that same day. One ticket allows you entry throughout the entire day. This means you can leave for a quick lunch break if you'd like to stray outside of the park.
However, the park is home to a restaurant that serves common dishes such as pizza, sandwiches and more. There is also a fully stocked bar for adults!
Tickets start as low as $18.99 for children and $28.99 for adults
7. Wheels of Yesteryear
Calling all vintage car enthusiasts!
If you're looking to really blow your mind with some of the coolest cars you've ever had the privilege of laying your eyes on, you're going to want to check this out.
Wheels of Yesteryear is a car museum that opened to the public in 2009. Originally, the 100 cars in the collection belonged to one sole owner. However, he decided to open his collection for the enjoyment of the public.
Here, visitors come from all over the globe to bear witness to this incredible collection of vintage and muscle cars. This allows visitors to be up close and personal with a collection of cars that many of us have only seen in the movies. You can even look forward to seeing the famous car from the legendary Joe Dirt movie!
Even for those that are self-professed car enthusiasts, it's only natural to enjoy the simple trip down memory lane such a place brings to its visitors. This car museum is especially popular with the older population that enjoys seeing cars from their youth!
As for tickets, adults can expect to pay a flat fee of $10.00 whilst children's tickets cost $7.00.
Rainy Day Activities in Myrtle Beach
On top of its 32,000 residents, Myrtle Beach attracts nearly 14,000 tourists on a yearly basis.
Not only are the beaches and weather patterns some of the best in the world, Myrtle Beach is also home to some incredible all-weather attractions. This is why so many visitors choose to buy vacation homes in Myrtle Beach!
Whether you're a music junkie, looking to get some serious shopping under your belt or get in touch with your artistic side, there's certainly something for everyone.
While most flock to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, these rainy day activities in Myrtle Beach help to make any day fun and exciting. And, because Myrtle Beach is home to above average rainfall, it's always beneficial to keep these indoor attractions in mind.
If you're looking to learn more about Myrtle Beach and what it can offer you, be sure to visit our blog. See you soon!