South Carolina is known for its beautiful coastline. It is a popular destination all summer long! So when you head to the beach how do you decide North Myrtle Beach vs. Myrtle Beach when picking the best place for your relaxing vacation? We recently came back from North Myrtle Beach so we thought we’d give you our thoughts to have the best chance at picking the best place for you this summer vacation.
Where are North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach?
As you can see, both towns are located right on the water. Above you can see that North Myrtle Beach is much smaller than Myrtle Beach. This is something that can be experienced when you go to both towns. Below we will explore the towns, but their proximity means that you can stay in one town and fully experience the other.
Which is better North Myrtle Beach or Myrtle Beach?
There are several criteria when considering where to stay for a vacation. Since North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach are known for their beaches that will be the most important consideration for a beach trip. Additionally, you’ll want to consider budget-friendliness, activities, and restaurants.
The Beaches:
This is the most important thing to consider when comparing North Myrtle Beach vs. Myrtle Beach. As someone who grew up in Florida the first two things I noticed was that the water was cooler than expected and it has many more waves. Granted the ocean was much warmer than Boston. The water does feel warmer as you get used to it unlike in Boston.
So which beach is better? Depends on what you’re looking for in your beach experience!
North Myrtle Beach:
It is much quieter. There are not that many people on the beach. Additionally, the city keeps the beach clear from seaweed. There are also many hotels right off the beach, when they’re full those areas can be very packed with people. Finally, we found that there are a lot of shells on the beach. Many people are searching for shells plus it can be a little sharp on your feet when walking.
Myrtle Beach:
It is called “Dirty Myrtle” for a reason. The city does not clean up the seaweed on the beach which is the first dirty aspect. Additionally, Myrtle Beach is so busy that it gets dirty from people leaving their trash behind. There is so much going on in Myrtle Beach which makes it a fun place to stay. The Pier on the beach and the many different entertainment shows make the beach fun and full of people.
So, which do you choose? We prefer North Myrtle Beach because we like quieter, calmer beaches. We like having the space to spread out on the shore and swimming without running into people. For fun activities on the water, you can drive down to the Myrtle Beach pier. Luckily, they are next-door neighbors so it is easy to drive, or even walk, to each.
PRO TIP: You can bring your dog to the beach year-round. There are some time restrictions on the times in the summer, but it’s great fun if your pup likes to swim.
Restaurants:
When we travel to the beach like this we prefer to stay at an Airbnb and cook mostly at home. However, you are still on vacation so you don’t want to cook all that much. Plus going out for breakfast or brunch is one of my favorite meals to eat out.
Myrtle Beach has a long list of restaurants serving up a variety of cuisines. If you want to savor the genuine taste of a home-cooked Southern meal, there is nothing like North Myrtle Beach. For all the foodies, North Myrtle Beach has “Restaurant Row” for all the dining options. You will not go without a new favorite meal! Some of our favorite places include Blueberry’s Grill, Barefoot Landing, and Buoys on the Boulevard.
A great place for coffee is Native Joe’s. They make delicious ice cream blended with coffee which is a must-have! I got the Death by Chocolate with decaf. They also have a drive-thru. Another great place is Krispy Kreme Donuts when the hot and ready sign is on. We got some one morning and there truly isn’t anything like it.
Activities:
Of course, beach vacations may include more than just lounging on the beach or going for a swim. There are many activities that can be done on or near the ocean. Each town also offers off-beach activities.
Both Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach offer plenty of outdoor beach activities. There both offer paragliding and kayaking. There are also kayaking and paddle-boarding options (but not on the beach). Additionally, both towns have boat rentals. You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas if you don’t have access to your own.
Each town has many other family-friendly activities as well. North Myrtle Beach has about a billion mini golf courses. Both towns have world-renowned golf courses. North Myrtle Beach is leaner when it comes to entertainment and activities. Although you can find plenty of fun at Barefoot Landing. Myrtle Beach has plenty of activities, especially around the Boardwalk and Broadway at the Beach. Myrtle Beach also has far more nightlife than North Myrtle Beach.
Places to Stay
North Myrtle Beach boasts clear skylines with an obvious lack of skyscrapers. The town may feel a little outdated, but when you walk into resorts and AirBnBs they are much more modern than expected. The resorts offer state-of-the-art amenities within walking distance. They have expansive layouts.
Myrtle Beach has a lot more development than its counterpart North Myrtle Beach. Due to this, you will find a lot more resorts in Myrtle Beach. The resorts are newer with a lot of modern amenities and expansive layouts. There are also many options for AirBnB just like North Myrtle Beach. As a larger town with more notoriety, there are plenty of options in Myrtle Beach.
Thinking about adding Charleston to your beach vacation? Charleston Vs. Myrtle Beach
Budget Friendliness
North Myrtle Beach is a lot more budget-friendly than Myrtle Beach. Although they are about 20 minutes apart, the notoriety of Myrtle Beach makes it a more expensive place to stay. From the restaurants to the hotels on average, it will cost more to stay in Myrtle Beach. Many people choose to stay in North Myrtle Beach and then make the drive south in order to get to the restaurants, activities, and entertainment. Remember though, that both the towns are still touristy, beach towns will make them more expensive than other towns in South Carolina.
FAQ: N. Myrtle Beach vs. Myrtle Beach
Is there a difference between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach?
There are many differences when comparing North Myrtle Beach vs Myrtle Beach. Most important is the vibe difference between the two towns. North Myrtle Beach is quieter, almost like a beach retirement community. This makes it less crowded on the beach and cheaper to stay. Myrtle Beach, however, is far more popular so there are a lot more activities and entertainment options.
Which part of Myrtle Beach is best?
The best, most popular part of Myrtle Beach is the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has so much to offer for all people. They have some really fun amusement rides, an arcade, a mirror maze, and even a haunted adventure. It gives you great rainy-day options should your beach day get rained out. There are also several places to eat at or near the Boardwalk. Given that it is such a popular place the town also hosts many different festivals at the Boardwalk area. Everything from a Seafood Festival to Holiday Festival in December. It is popular year-round.
Is North Myrtle Beach worth a visit?
Absolutely! It is a quiet town with many miles of quiet beaches. There are also so many good ice cream parlors that are incredibly necessary on a warm summer day. In North Myrtle Beach, you’ll find “Restaurant Row” where you’ll find some of the best homemade Southern food! In terms of activities, you’ll find many water activities, mini golf, and even LuLu’s (a fun entertainment center). Plus its close proximity to Myrtle Beach means you can enjoy all the fun activities they offer.
Final Thoughts about North Myrtle Beach vs Myrtle Beach
Going to the beach is such a fun summer (or year-round) activity. We love heading to the water and swimming as much as possible over the summer. You truly cannot go wrong when selecting a beach town for vacation. Once you consider your priorities, make a choice, and have fun! We are slower-paced people who prefer a quieter, emptier beach which is why we headed to North Myrtle Beach. Then again we have never really been the nightlife people, we are more of a take-a-walk down the beach to get ice cream kind of people. Plus our dog LOVED going to the beach and it’s easier to take her to places that are less crowded.
