What to do in Myrtle Beach while house and pet sitting

If you're wondering what to do in Myrtle Beach during your house and pet sit, the good news is you'll be spoiled for choice. With miles of beautiful beach to explore, celebrity-designed golf courses to play and plenty of fun amusements to discover, it's easy to see why Myrtle Beach South Carolina is so popular with visitors. 

Landing a house and pet sit in this gorgeous location gives you the opportunity to explore like a local. And, if you're left in charge of a dog, you'll have a four-legged friend to make it all the more fun. 

From delicious restaurants to exciting attractions, here are some of our favourite places to visit in Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach attractions

We think these are the best things to do in Myrtle Beach, especially if you want to explore the lush scenery of South Carolina and meet the local wildlife.

1. Myrtle Beach State Park: This sprawling coastal woodland sits to the south of the city's public beach and is the perfect place to get away from it all. There's a small entry fee, but it's worth it. There are trails to wander, picnic pavilions for al-fresco lunches and a mile of undeveloped beach. There's also a nature education centre where you can learn about the park's native animals. Dogs are allowed in, as long as they're kept on a leash. Remember to keep them off the beach from 10am 'till 5pm during summer (May 1 through Labour Day in early September). 

2. The Carolina Opry: Take in a show at the Carolina Opry, one of the best live venues in Myrtle Beach. It was the first dedicated music venue to open in Myrtle Beach back in 1986, and although it now has some competition, it still boasts a lively calendar of Broadway-quality shows. Its Christmas Special – which runs from the 1st of November through the 2nd of January – is particularly legendary. Whatever time of year you visit, it's well worth booking in. The two hour long show runs six nights a week and features a lively mix of singing, dancing and comedy.

3. Brookgreen Gardens: Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve where you can appreciate the lush natural scenery of the South Carolina Coast. This former rice plantation is home to hidden pathways and forest trails. You can take a boat tour along the creek and learn about the gardens' history as a rice plantation.

Free things to do in Myrtle Beach

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a good time in Myrtle Beach, as these fun free attractions prove.

1. Myrtle Beach: We couldn't write about things to do in Myrtle Beach without mentioning the beach itself. This ten-mile long stretch of sand is considered to be the heart of South Carolina's Grand Strand. It's free to visit, if you're in the mood for a spot of sunbathing. The waves are mild and great for swimming. Great news for dog sitters: pooches are allowed on the beach from Labour Day (early September) until April 30. During the rest of the year, you can bring your four-legged friend down to the sand before 10am and after 5pm.

2. Broadway at the Beach: This popular shopping and dining district is home to some of the best things to do in Myrtle Beach with a wealth of theatres, restaurants and specialty shops. It's divided into themed areas like New England Fishing Village, Charleston Boardwalk, Heroes Harbour and Caribbean Village. While attractions like the Hollywood Wax Museum and WonderWorks cost money to enter, it's free to stroll around Broadway at the Beach and soak up the lively atmosphere.

3. Fishing from the piers: Whether you're an experienced angler or have never tried your hand at fishing, the piers in Myrtle Beach are the perfect spot to cast your line. Most of the piers are free to visit, although there is a $1 fee for all-day access to Surfside Pier. Worth a special mention is Apache Pier, the longest wooden fishing pier on the East Coast. It has a fully-stocked tackle shop where you can pick up bait and rent a rod. If you're not into fishing, buy an ice cream and just soak in the views. 

Fun things to do in Myrtle Beach

The best way to make magic memories is to try your hand at these fun things to do in Myrtle Beach.

1. Mt. Atlanticus Miniature Golf: Forget Myrtle Beach's championship golf courses, the sheer novelty of Mt. Atlanticus is sure to keep even the most avid golfer entertained. It has a total of 36 holes to tackle, split over two courses: the Conch and the Minotaur. As you work your way through the holes, you slowly ascend, finishing at the 75-foot peak, where you can enjoy a glittering view of the Atlantic Ocean. Dramatic waterfalls and caves make this lushly planted tiki-themed mini golf course truly spectacular.

2. Fishing charters: Myrtle Beach is right on America's Atlantic Coast, making it a popular departure spot for deep-sea fishing vessels. This is the next step for fishing fans. There are lots of charters available, some offering short half-day trips while others offer all-day excursions out to the Gulf Stream in search of elusive creatures like tuna and mahi-mahi. Most charters include professional equipment, tackle and licenses. 

3. Dolphin Cruises: Dolphin watching tours take you to natural feeding spots, so you can see these intelligent creatures frolic in their natural habitats. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in pods, so on each tour you'll get to watch as 10-30 dolphins leap and splash in the waves. During the trip, look out for other creatures like sea turtles and sharks. The view back to the golden stretch of South Carolina coast is pretty spectacular, too.

What to do in Myrtle Beach with pets

As so many Myrtle Beach attractions are in the great outdoors, there are lots of things you can do with pets. These dog-friendly attractions are also worth checking out.

1. Barefoot Landing: If you're wondering what to do in North Myrtle Beach, this pet-friendly lakeside entertainment destination is an excellent choice. Pets are welcome, as long as you keep them on a leash. Most of the restaurants here will let you dine with your dog by your side in their outdoor seating areas. Enjoy an al-fresco meal with your pooch at destinations like Bully's Pub, Wild Wing Café, TBonz and Johnny Rockets. Pop into the Faux Paws Dog Shoppe and pick up gourmet treats for your pet, as well as novelty T-shirts. There's even a photo opportunity.

2. Bruster's Real Ice Cream: If you're in the mood for a sweet treat after a lazy day on the beach, head to Bruster's Real Ice Cream. As well as at least 24 freshly-made ice cream flavours for human customers, they also offer a free doggie sundae to four-legged friends. To make it extra special, the pet sundaes are garnished with crumbled dog biscuit. 

3. Barc Parc: There are two dedicated dog parks in Myrtle Beach – Barc Parc South and Barc Parc North. They're both fenced in so you can happily let your pooch off the leash to run and play. Barc Parc South is the largest and original. It has its own lake that dogs can splash and swim in. There are walking trails to enjoy, and doggie fountains so your pooch can quench their thirst. There are also plenty of free poo bags available – just in case you forget to bring any.

Best restaurants in Myrtle Beach: Food and drink

There are lots of places to eat in Myrtle Beach, from laid-back Italian trattorias and kitschy American diners to fancy bistros. If you're looking for a bite, these are some of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach.

1. The Fowler Dining Room: If you're looking for something a little different for lunch, this restaurant – run by the International Culinary Institute – has you covered. Students from the school try their hand at a variety of cooking techniques, so the menu often changes to feature different styles of fine dining. Food is often sourced from local suppliers and farms, too, so it's a fab place to find local flavour.

2. Angelo's Steak and Pasta: Home to the "Greatest Steaks in the Universe" (according to its marketing), Angelo's is a Myrtle Beach staple. As well as perfectly aged USDA-certified hand-cut steaks, the restaurant is also famous for its all-you-can-eat Italian buffet. This features authentic Italian dishes made from secret family recipes. Don't miss out on the dessert cart, either, laden with crisp cannoli and creamy tiramisu.

3. Captain Benjamin's Calabash Seafood Buffet: If you're a seafood fan, you can't miss a trip to this nautical-themed restaurant. The buffet is stacked high with delights like fresh oyster, coconut shrimp and fried scallops, but the standout dish has to be the huge Alaskan king crab legs.  

Are you ready to house and pet sit in Myrtle Beach?

As you can see, there's no shortage of things to do in Myrtle Beach. This laid-back seaside resort is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors or unwind with some fun attractions. 

If we've got you interested in taking a trip to South Carolina's Atlantic Coast, check our latest house and pet sitting assignments to find your home-away-from-home in Myrtle Beach.