Myrtle Beach, SC: Latest 2021 Developments in Attractions, Dining, Lodging & Flights
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Myrtle Beach, S.C. (October 2021) – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, continues to safely welcome visitors to its 60 miles of stunning coastline. New attractions, accommodations, dining options, and more are enhancing the experience in 2021. Visit Myrtle Beach and partners urge responsible travel—check the Healthy Travel section on VisitMyrtleBeach.com for the latest COVID-19 updates. Here's the newest on regional tourism developments.
ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS
Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Myrtle Beach
The City of Myrtle Beach and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) have agreed to purchase property for a new cultural arts center and theater in downtown Myrtle Beach along Highway 501. Features include a 300-seat theater, art gallery, reception area, dressing rooms, and rehearsal space. It will host CCU performing arts classes and up to 30 city productions annually. Construction starts in 2021, with a spring 2022 opening.
Myrtle Beach Mall Plans for The District
The Myrtle Beach Mall is advancing a $150 million redevelopment into "The District," featuring waterfront restaurants, sports bars, shopping, clubs, a boutique hotel, promenade, and garden. Visit mymallmyrtlebeach.com for details.
Tanger Outlets of Myrtle Beach
Tanger Outlets (Hwy 501 and Hwy 17) opened new top brands in spring 2021, including Sea Everything, Paradise Wine Company, Crabby J’s Arcade, Travis Mathew, and Haven’s Marketplace. Details at tangeroutlet.com.
American Surf Parks
South Carolina's first man-made surf park, American Surf Park, features a lagoon generating up to 1,000 waves per hour (2-6 feet). Additional amenities: amphitheater (15,000 capacity), surf school, restaurant, brewery. Construction begins late 2021; opens spring 2023. Info: surfworks.com/myrtle-beach.
The Hangout
Broadway at the Beach's new Entertainment District venue, The Hangout, offers seasonal seafood, burgers, tacos, live music on indoor/outdoor stages, and scratch-made dishes. Under construction at the southeast corner. Visit thehangout.com.
Funplex Amusement Park
Steps from the beach on 14th Ave. N., Funplex Myrtle Beach features seven tropical-themed rides, a bar, restaurant, and North America's first 360° interactive jet simulator, "Mach Fun." More: amusementtoday.com.
Alabama Theatre 2021 Concert Schedule
Celebrating 28 years, the Alabama Theatre hosts guest artists like Brian Regan, Josh Turner, Easton Corbin, Jeannie Robertson, Home Free, Righteous Brothers, plus new acts Slim Chance and Shawn Pittman. Details: alabama-theatre.com.
Brookgreen Gardens Red Wolf Exhibit
Fundraising ($250,000) supports a four-acre red wolf habitat in Lowcountry Zoo, housing breeding pairs via the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan. Visit brookgreen.org.
Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center
A $1.2 million new nature center replaces the one lost to fire, with birding area, classroom, exhibits, and live animals. Funded by Friends of Huntington Beach. Info: southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach.
SkyWheel Upgrades
For its 10th birthday, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach got a new structure, refurbished 42 gondolas, and advanced lighting for dynamic shows. Reopened May 2021.
Hot Jersey Nights Christmas Special
Grand Strand's newest holiday show blends Frankie Valli hits with classics like Jingle Bells. Four top vocalists deliver hits including "Oh What a Night."
Le Grand Cirque 2.0
Broadway at the Beach and Dublin Worldwide Productions present death-defying acrobatics June 1–October 3. Tickets: cirquemb.com or broadwaytheatermb.com.
The Waccamaw Indian People: Past, Present, and Future
Horry County Museum exhibit (April 27, 2021–January 2022) showcases Waccamaw history via artifacts, stories, hands-on displays. Created by CCU students.
Pro Football Hall of Fame, “Gridiron Glory”
Opens early July at Broadway at the Beach with 200+ artifacts tracing NFL history. Visit hofmyrtlebeach.com.
Pine Lakes Country Club Renovation
"The Granddaddy" (opened 1927) renovated greens/bunkers May–July 2021; clubhouse reopens with events, happy hours. pinelakes.com.
L.W. Paul Living History Farm
Junior Programs teach 1900–1955 farm life. Open Tue–Sun, 9am–4pm, free. horrycountymuseum.org.
Surfside Beach Pier Reconstruction
Post-Hurricane Matthew rebuild withstands hurricanes; includes restaurant. Completes July 2022. surfsidebeach.org/pier.
AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Myrtle Beach Airport Taxiway Project
FAA-funded Taxiway A rehab ensures FAA compliance and growth. Night work minimizes disruption. flymyrtlebeach.com.
New Flight Routes with Southwest Airlines
Ten new nonstops from MYR starting 2021: Baltimore (May 23, 3x daily), Chicago-MDW (2x), Nashville (2x), Dallas-DAL (May 29, 2x weekly), Pittsburgh (5x), Atlanta (June 6, daily), Columbus-CMH (5x), Indianapolis (5x), Kansas City (2x), St. Louis (2x).
New Flight Routes with United Airlines
From May 28: Cleveland, St. Louis; May 29: Milwaukee.
New Flight Routes with Delta Airlines
April 17: Minneapolis/St. Paul; May 8: Boston.
New Flight Routes with Frontier Airlines
April 12: Denver, Trenton; April 13: Islip, Philadelphia; June 10: Providence, Miami; June 11: Buffalo; June 12: Portland, ME.
New Flight Routes with Spirit Airlines
May 6: Kansas City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Columbus, Charleston, WV.
CULINARY
Due South at 72nd
In Grande Cayman Resort, this southern-infused spot offers oceanfront dining akin to Sea Captain’s House.
Grand Strand Brewing Company
Downtown taproom with craft beers, commercial kitchen for food pairings. Opened March 2021 with outdoor seating.
Crooked Hammock Brewery
Barefoot Landing's all-ages spot: beers, cookout food, seating for 500+, games, pet-friendly. CHBMyrtleBeach.com.
Mojo’s Marina Bar & Grille
Murrells Inlet waterfront: seafood, southern dishes, mojitos. mojosmarina.com.
DinoLand Cafe
Jurassic-themed with animatronics; ribs, dino-burgers. dinolandcafe.com.
Drift: A Coastal Eatery
Breakfast/lunch (7am–3pm): Eggs Benedict, octopus, salmon bowls.
Fried Chicks
Delivery-only: chicken & waffles variants via DoorDash, etc.
Abundance
Fine dining with French-influenced modern cuisine by Chef Joseph Palmitessa. Opened April 2021.
LandShark Bar & Grill
Barefoot Landing: beach food, live music, pirate play area.
Earth Cafe
Organic, vegan/gluten-free breakfast/lunch on Kings Hwy.
Nola’z New Orleans Dueling Piano Bar and Eatery
Cajun eats, dueling pianos near Boardwalk.
EVENTS
Carolina Country Music Festival New Artists
June 9–12, 2022: Luke Combs, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, etc. carolinacountrymusicfest.com.
LODGING
Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott
Ocean Boulevard dual-brand: 26 stories, rooftop, pool, lazy river. Spring 2022. brittainresorts.com.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Apartment-style near beaches, attractions, airport. hilton.com.
Kingston Resorts
$50M renovations: new pool deck, Brewhouse, waterpark by early 2022. kingstonplantation.com.
Ocean Lakes Family Campground
50th anniversary office upgrades in 2021. oceanlakesfamilycampground.blogspot.com.
Ocean Escape Condos by Landmark Resort
New 2-3BR condos with amenities. VacationMyrtleBeach.com.
South Bay Inn and Suites to become Homewood Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
Winter 2021 remodel/rebrand with family amenities.
Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation Pool Deck Renovation
Starts Sept 2021; completes May 2022 with event space.
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The Grand Strand—from Little River to Pawleys Island—offers 60 miles of beaches, entertainment, hospitality, and golf for the perfect vacation.
