🌴 Top 5 Vacation Spots for Myrtle Beach Residents (From Grande Dunes to Market Common)
🌴 Top 5 Vacation Spots for Myrtle Beach Residents (From Grande Dunes to Market Common)
Living in Myrtle Beach — whether you’re in Grande Dunes with its picturesque waterfront and golf views, within the scenic canals of Barefoot Resort, or in the vibrant Market Common district with its shops, parks, and restaurants — means you’re already in a prime vacation locale. But even residents here love to escape the everyday now and then and explore other parts of the Southeast (and beyond) for sun, culture, adventure, or simply some much-needed R&R.
Here are five favorite vacation destinations that locals from the Grand Strand frequently choose.
1. 🌊 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Just a few hours south of Myrtle Beach lies Hilton Head Island, a classic beach escape known for its serene atmosphere and natural charm. With 60 miles of sandy coastline, bike trails, top-notch golf courses, and beautiful waters ideal for swimming and kayaking, Hilton Head is perfect for a long weekend or week-long vacation. Families and couples alike love the mix of outdoor activities and quiet beach time — a refreshing contrast to Myrtle Beach’s hustle during peak summer months.
Locals often make the drive for:
Long bike rides along scenic trails
Dolphin-watching cruises and water excursions
Relaxed oceanfront dining
2. 🏖 Outer Banks, North Carolina
For a more laid-back and wide-open beach experience, the Outer Banks of North Carolina are hard to beat. Stretching along narrow barrier islands, places like Nags Head offer expansive beaches, historic lighthouses, windswept dunes, and peaceful seashores that feel far removed from the everyday.
Myrtle Beach residents — especially those in Grande Dunes and Barefoot Resort who appreciate coastal landscapes — often go here for:
Unique coastal experiences like sandboarding at Jockey’s Ridge
Small-town charm and seafood eateries
Awakened nature with wild horses roaming parts of the islands
3. 🌴 30A Beaches, Florida
The coastline known as 30A in Northwest Florida (homes like Rosemary Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach) has become a favorite for more scenic, quieter beach vacations. This stretch features crystal-clear water, picturesque beach cottages, and walkable towns full of local art shops, great cafés, and seaside views — quite different from the Grand Strand but equally relaxing.
Why locals love 30A:
Breathtaking sunsets and Gulf waters
Walkable beach towns with great culinary scenes
Activities for both families and adult retreats.
4. 🏙 Charleston & Kiawah Island, South Carolina
If history and culture are part of your ideal vacation, the historic city of Charleston and nearby Kiawah Island make for an unforgettable trip. Charleston’s cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and restaurants steeped in Lowcountry cuisine make it an excellent choice for a culture-rich getaway. Just a short drive away, Kiawah Island blends luxury resorts with nature-filled beaches and championship golf — perfect for those who want a bit of everything.
Highlights include:
Historic downtown tours and carriage rides
Beachfront luxury and nature trails on Kiawah
World-class food scenes and harbor views.
5. 🏝 Surfside Beach & Garden City, South Carolina
Sometimes the best vacation is close to home. Just south of Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach (famously known as “The Family Beach”) and neighboring Garden City Beach provide quieter stretches of shore, fewer crowds, and access to great local restaurants and beach activities that appeal to families and couples alike.
These spots are perfect for:
Laid-back beach days with lifeguards and clear water
Local seafood and casual eateries
Short, affordable beach holidays that feel far away without the long drive.
🧳 Final Thoughts
From laid-back beach vibes to historic streets and island life, residents of Myrtle Beach — whether your base is in Grande Dunes, Barefoot Resort, or the Market Common area — have many wonderful vacation destinations to choose from. Some are perfect for family trips, others for romantic getaways or adventure-filled excursions.
No matter where you go next, you’ll bring back memories — sandy toes, seafood dinners, and maybe even a new favorite beach sunset.
Living in Myrtle Beach — whether you’re in Grande Dunes with its picturesque waterfront and golf views, within the scenic canals of Barefoot Resort, or in the vibrant Market Common district with its shops, parks, and restaurants — means you’re already in a prime vacation locale. But even residents here love to escape the everyday now and then and explore other parts of the Southeast (and beyond) for sun, culture, adventure, or simply some much-needed R&R.
Here are five favorite vacation destinations that locals from the Grand Strand frequently choose.
1. 🌊 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Just a few hours south of Myrtle Beach lies Hilton Head Island, a classic beach escape known for its serene atmosphere and natural charm. With 60 miles of sandy coastline, bike trails, top-notch golf courses, and beautiful waters ideal for swimming and kayaking, Hilton Head is perfect for a long weekend or week-long vacation. Families and couples alike love the mix of outdoor activities and quiet beach time — a refreshing contrast to Myrtle Beach’s hustle during peak summer months.
Locals often make the drive for:
Long bike rides along scenic trails
Dolphin-watching cruises and water excursions
Relaxed oceanfront dining
2. 🏖 Outer Banks, North Carolina
For a more laid-back and wide-open beach experience, the Outer Banks of North Carolina are hard to beat. Stretching along narrow barrier islands, places like Nags Head offer expansive beaches, historic lighthouses, windswept dunes, and peaceful seashores that feel far removed from the everyday.
Myrtle Beach residents — especially those in Grande Dunes and Barefoot Resort who appreciate coastal landscapes — often go here for:
Unique coastal experiences like sandboarding at Jockey’s Ridge
Small-town charm and seafood eateries
Awakened nature with wild horses roaming parts of the islands
3. 🌴 30A Beaches, Florida
The coastline known as 30A in Northwest Florida (homes like Rosemary Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach) has become a favorite for more scenic, quieter beach vacations. This stretch features crystal-clear water, picturesque beach cottages, and walkable towns full of local art shops, great cafés, and seaside views — quite different from the Grand Strand but equally relaxing.
Why locals love 30A:
Breathtaking sunsets and Gulf waters
Walkable beach towns with great culinary scenes
Activities for both families and adult retreats.
4. 🏙 Charleston & Kiawah Island, South Carolina
If history and culture are part of your ideal vacation, the historic city of Charleston and nearby Kiawah Island make for an unforgettable trip. Charleston’s cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and restaurants steeped in Lowcountry cuisine make it an excellent choice for a culture-rich getaway. Just a short drive away, Kiawah Island blends luxury resorts with nature-filled beaches and championship golf — perfect for those who want a bit of everything.
Highlights include:
Historic downtown tours and carriage rides
Beachfront luxury and nature trails on Kiawah
World-class food scenes and harbor views.
5. 🏝 Surfside Beach & Garden City, South Carolina
Sometimes the best vacation is close to home. Just south of Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach (famously known as “The Family Beach”) and neighboring Garden City Beach provide quieter stretches of shore, fewer crowds, and access to great local restaurants and beach activities that appeal to families and couples alike.
These spots are perfect for:
Laid-back beach days with lifeguards and clear water
Local seafood and casual eateries
Short, affordable beach holidays that feel far away without the long drive.
🧳 Final Thoughts
From laid-back beach vibes to historic streets and island life, residents of Myrtle Beach — whether your base is in Grande Dunes, Barefoot Resort, or the Market Common area — have many wonderful vacation destinations to choose from. Some are perfect for family trips, others for romantic getaways or adventure-filled excursions.
No matter where you go next, you’ll bring back memories — sandy toes, seafood dinners, and maybe even a new favorite beach sunset.