Whether you're here on vacation or live in the area, there is so much to do on the Grand Strand when the sun isn't shining.
Updated July 3, 2024
Here are our picks for the best places to spend your time when rain is in the forecast.
#1 Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Ripley's Aquarium is one Myrtle Beach tourist attraction that lives up to the hype. The aquarium is not huge but it's very well curated with several interactive elements tucked into every nook and cranny and tons of fun facts about every animal and habitat - including Sloth Valley! An annual pass is $89.99 for an adult, $69.99 for a child 6-11, and $35.99 for a child 2-5. A day pass is $39.99 for an adult, $26.99 for a child 6-11, and $12.99 for a child 2-5. So if you come to the aquarium three times, you've more than paid for the pass. One of the most exciting things for little kids is seeing the mermaid dive show at Ray Bay, which consists of one or two mermaids swimming around to a catchy soundtrack, waving and blowing bubble kisses. There's two indoor playgrounds and other interactive play areas to let the kids burn some energy. During the busier summer months, evenings are the best shot of a less crowded experience. Check out our full blog post with our top tips.
#2 Wonderworks
We passed by "the upside-down house" (as our kids call it) so many times, but we were not prepared for how much fun we found once we finally entered. General admission ($33.99 for adults, $26.99 for kids 5-12 and seniors 60+) includes over 100 interactive exhibits, laser tag, the indoor ropes courses, and XD Theater. You can also purchase just the outdoor ropes course, just the zipline, or the Soar+Explore combo of both. The website says to allow at least 3-4 hours, and we more than second that. There's so much to do, from the laser-tag arena, to the 6-D Extreme Motion Ride, to the glow-in-the-dark ropes course (which our kids stayed on for 45 minutes alone). That being said, there is plenty of fun to be had for everyone in each of the six zones (extreme weather, physical challenge, light and sound, space discovery, Imagination Lab, and Wonder Art Gallery)... even if it's just watching a loved one do something crazy like lay on a bed of nails. Your ticket is good for the whole day so you can also leave and return as you please. Check out our full blog post with our top tips.
#3 Stars and Strikes
We had such an awesome time at Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Centers now located at Coastal Grand Mall. There's an amazing arcade, laser tag, axe throwing (for ages 10 and up), and augmented reality bowling that's truly unlike anything else in Myrtle Beach. And robots even deliver your food! You can get HALF PRICE augmented reality bowling, laser tag, axe throwing, and arcade games from open to noon AND from 9 p.m. to close on Sundays as well as all day on Wednesdays. They also have an Unlimited Tuesday Special that's $15.99 per person: Option 1: Unlimited augmented reality bowling and free shoe rental; Option 2: Unlimited video game play; Option 3: Both bowling and video game play for $29.99. And you can add unlimited laser tag and VR experiences to your package of choice for $5.99 per person. Bowling prices include up to 6 people per lane and shoes are included. The prizes in the arcade are literally the best we've ever seen, and you can get some awesome stuff for not a lot of tickets. One of the employees described it as the Chick-fil-A of arcades.
#4 Player's Choice Quarter Arcade
We turned a dreary gray day into a super fun family afternoon at Myrtle Beach Mall. First we headed to Player's Choice where we checked out over 50 arcade games that are all only a quarter to play. After playing for over an hour and dropping a whopping $7, we headed over to Ellie Bean's Mini Donuts for some treats ($4.50 for an 8 pack and 50 cents for toppings) before splurging $10 for some animal rides around the mall on Zippy's Animal Rides. 10/10 would recommend.
#5 Day Trip to Museum of Coastal Carolina & Ingram Planetarium
Across the state line you’ll find the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, which are located just 10 minutes down the road from each other in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and Sunset Beach, NC, respectively. The Museum of Coastal Carolina has themed galleries—Changing Tides, Waterways, Sea Shore, Ocean Reef, Coastal Plain, and Barrier Island—with dioramas and exhibits about the natural history, environment, and culture of the Coastal Carolinas. We were pleasantly surprised by the size and scope of the museum—especially the variety of interactive displays. We spent around 2 hours exploring, but the kids didn’t want to leave! Ingram Planetarium’s full-dome theater offers a variety of family friendly shows that cater to all age groups, along with laser music shows. All shows, which last approximately 20-30 minutes, are followed by a live space science and star presentation. Admission to the museum or planetarium separately are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+), $8 for children (ages 3-12), and free for kids 2 and under. The two locations feature a combination ticket that’s perfect for families, with admission to one planetarium show and one all-day admission ticket to the museum. Check out our full blog post with our top tips.
#6 ripley's crazy golf
Ripley's Crazy Golf is unlike any other mini golf course in the area - and it's climate controlled so it can be played yearround, rain or shine! This course is also perfect for the people in your party who love a good selfie. It's bright and (literally) glowing. The holes throughout the 3 levels are super creative (we're talking Plinko, Tetris, Skee-Ball, pool) and there is a surprise around every corner. This course is also included with the Ripley's Ultimate Fun Pass and can be packaged with other Ripley's attractions. It's $16.99 for 12+, $14.99 for kids 3-11, and free for kids under 2. Check out our list of the top mini golf courses in Myrtle Beach.
#7 ripley's Illusion Lab
We've visited nearly all of the Ripley's attractions in Myrtle Beach thanks to our Ultimate Fun Pass, and the Illusion Lab is one of our faves because you get to set your imagination free while learning cool things along the way. It's very interactive and will get you questioning everything around you. It's a small space that packs a punch, and it also has some of the most unique photo opps in the area. It has the same vibe as WonderWorks but on a much smaller scale. It's $16.99 for adults, $14.99 for kids 3-11, and free for kids 2 and under, but the best value will come from bundling it with other Ripley's attractions or getting the Ultimate Fun pass if you're local.
#8 The Hangout's pirates & princesses breakfast
If you're here during the summer months, this is the most reasonably priced meal and a show you're going to find... and it's FUN! This swashbuckling breakfast adventure is filled with dances, games, and a hunt for treasure. The All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast includes a platter of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and breakfast potatoes. The price is $19.99 for adults, $8.99 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 & under. There are two shows daily at 9 and 10 a.m, June 15 – August 15. There's also a fun indoor slide and cool photo ops. Check out our full blog post with our top tips all about the Hangout.
#9 Fun Warehouse
This place definitely lives up to its name and it has fun activities for all ages. There's roller skating, inflatables, go karts (when it's not raining), a two-story PlayPort for kids, laser tag, VR games, mini-bowling, and an arcade all under one roof at Fun Warehouse. You can choose individual activities for $13.25, or you can get "The Power Pack" which includes four activities for $32.75, or you can do an All-Day Pass for $50.
#10 EDVENTURE Children's Museum
EdVenture children's museum is perfect for families with kids in the 0-7 age range. Engaging, hands-on exhibits, programs, and events make learning fun. Kids can go "grocery shopping" at Publix, cook up a meal at the Cafe exhibit, visit the Doctor's Office and Dentist Office, and fix a car at the Auto Works exhibit. The Space/ Flight exhibit features a rocket climbing structure, mission control station, flight simulator, airways wall tubes, and more. Children can watch their drawings come to life at the Draw Alive interactive exhibit. The Wind Tunnel & Maker Space exhibit features a functioning wind tunnel for flight experiments, and a fully equipped maker space to inspire problem solvers of all ages. The Lite Brite & LEGO Mural has a functioning Lite Brite wall, and a LEGO Mural masterpiece to inspire creatives of all ages. There's also a toddler "beach" play area for kids 3 and under. Kids and adults are $10, and kids under 2 are free.
#11 Horry County Museum
The FREE Horry County Museum located in downtown Conway features a variety of exhibits focused on the history of this region. The Freshwater Aquarium, which details aquatic life in our local rivers and lakes, was featured on Animal Planet’s hit reality show “Tanked.” The natural history exhibits features the American Alligator, American Black Bear, and more animals (a huge favorite for the kids). There are exhibits that explores the military's role in Horry County history, the heritage and impact of Native Americans, the history of Horry County beaches, a beautiful area focused on textiles, a photography gallery, and more. If you have littles with you, head to to the library next door for crafts and the scavenger hunt!
#12 Big Air Trampoline Park
The Myrtle Beach area has two trampoline parks, and our kids love them both. Big Air has trampoline dodgeball courts, slam dunk courts, ninja-warrior courses, launch pads, foam pits, a massive freestyle court, Warped Wall climbing wall with a slide, and more. We love the log roll, zipline, "Shark Cage" (like a rodeo bull but it's a shark), and Valo Jump augmented reality where you appear on a screen and play games as you jump. You can jump for one hour for $19, 2 hours for $26, and all day for $30. There are also a variety of annual pass options available.
#13 Sky Zone Trampoline Park
We opted for the pass to Sky Zone because it's perfect for rainy days and the price was right. It's only $19.99/month for one child and $9.99/month for siblings, and you get 90 minutes of jump time and including 1 Buddy Pass each month. General admission is $21.99 for 90 minutes, $29.99 for an all-day pass, and $34.99 for a week pass. Sky Zone has lots of freestyle jump trampolines, Air Court to play basketball, dodgeball, Skyjoust, toddler zone, and warrior course. The kids love jumping into the massive foam pit, pretending they're in the circus playing around on the silks, and trying all of the indoor rock climbing routes.
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