A woman smiles and poses next to life-sized statues of Maggie, Homer, and Marge Simpson in formal attire at a Simpsons in 4D event—one of the fun things to do alone in Myrtle Beach—with a branded backdrop behind them.
|

Things to Do Alone in Myrtle Beach: A Solo Traveler’s Guide (Plus Why Off-Season Might Be the Best Time to Go)

Ahhh… “Dirty Myrtle.” Generally thought of as a party or family destination, Myrtle Beach has plenty to offer solo travelers, too. It’s the perfect easy weekend beach getaway, and it’s affordable, especially during the off-season.

I’ve written before about traveling solo to traditionally “family” or couples’ destinations, and honestly, it’s not that weird. I didn’t feel out of place being solo here.

I found Myrtle Beach to be ideal for relaxing on a beach all day and Carolina Shagging all night (I’ll explain what that means later). I visited in November, which is the shoulder season, and was lucky enough to find a place to stay just steps from the beach at a great price, and nothing was crowded. Here are some ideas for your solo trip to Myrtle Beach.

A sandy beach at sunrise or sunset with tire tracks in the sand, a few distant people walking, ocean waves, buildings along the right, and a dramatic cloudy sky with sunlight breaking through.

Escape the tourists: Go to North Myrtle Beach

The best part of Myrtle beach, is North Myrtle Beach.

I stayed a block away from Ingram Beach in North Myrtle Beach. If you want to get away from it all, North Myrtle Beach is the spot. It’s much quieter, and there’s plenty of space to relax. You can even make the beach your “office” for a day, like I did. Meanwhile, if you get hungry, there are several great restaurants nearby.

A dirt trail winds through a dense, green forest with overhanging tree branches and leafy undergrowth on both sides, creating a natural, tranquil setting.

Experience untouched nature at Ingram Dunes

999-943 Hillside Dr, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

While you’re in North Myrtle Beach, be sure to stop by this nature preserve. It’s the only one left of its kind nearby. You’ll get a glimpse of what the coastline looked like before it was developed. The trails are well-maintained, and there are signs that identify all the different trees you’ll see. Dog-friendly!

A brightly lit theater entrance at night displays a neon sign reading “Aztec” above a marquee showing “The Simpsons 4D Now Showing!” with colorful posters and a “Tickets” booth to the right.

Visit Broadway at the Beach

Getting a little touristy here, but hear me out. If you go during the off-season, the crowds will be so small you won’t even notice how touristy it is. Some highlights:

A woman smiles and poses next to life-sized statues of Maggie, Homer, and Marge Simpson in formal attire at a Simpsons in 4D event—one of the fun things to do alone in Myrtle Beach—with a branded backdrop behind them.

Adopt me please...

The Simpsons in 4D

As a lifelong fan, this was my favorite attraction at Broadway at the Beach (and a huge part of why I wanted to visit Myrtle to begin with). You can buy a Squishee, a Lard Lad Donut, and a Buzz Cola at a real-life Kwik-E-Mart. They have Duff, but it’s sparkling water, not beer. The rest of the store is filled with Simpsons t-shirts, mugs, magnets, and other things you’d expect.

The Squishee was all sugar. IYKYK

A brightly lit storefront at night displays a sign reading Kwik-E-Mart above double glass doors, with colorful cartoon posters in the windows and a Parking Only sign to the right.

Next door to the Kwik-E-Mart is the Aztec Theater, where you can see a show. The show is two mini episodes of Simpsons, and both are pretty funny. But it’s not just regular Simpsons–it’s in 4D. You will wear 3D glasses, your chair will move, and you might feel something crawl across your feet…

Two cartoon women with purple hair, identified as characters from The Simpsons, are smoking cigarettes while standing on either side of a No Smoking sign mounted on a beige wall.

Dyinggggg…

There are several Simpsons characters to pose with inside the theater and along the outside walls of the theater and the Kwik- E-Mart. Highly recommend if you enjoy Simpsons.

A building designed to appear upside down, with its roof on the ground and windows and lamps inverted, illuminated by colorful lights at night. Trees and an ice cream stand are in front.

WonderWorks: Myrtle Beach

The inside is just as interesting. Brave souls can scale obstacles three stories high (with a harness), lie on a bed of nails, experience the weightlessness of outer space, and more.

A large, brightly lit Christmas tree stands on a waterfront at night—one of the best things to do alone in Myrtle Beach—with its red and white lights reflecting vividly in the calm water below, surrounded by decorated buildings and festive lights.

Visit the Boardwalk and Promenade

Shop, eat, and chill on the beach. If you’re brave, ride the Skywheel. Bring your pup along too–dogs are allowed any time during the off-season, but there are restricted doggy hours during peak– check before you go. Bonus for me: Christmas decorations!

Learn to dance the Carolina Shag

The Carolina Shag is a type of swing dance done to beach music. It started in the 1930s and comes and goes in popularity. Fat Harold’s Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach is credited for keeping its spirit alive all these years, and they offer free lessons to this day.

Not a dancer? No worries–it’s fun to just watch the shaggers. Head over to Fat Harold’s and be entertained.

Hike and relax at Myrtle Beach State Park

This park has abundant coastline and a few nature trails. Ride a horse, swim, camp, fish, have a picnic–do it all. There is a restaurant on the beach and a pier. The cost to walk the pier is $3 and to fish is $12. The park is dog-friendly, but no pets are allowed on the pier.

Not a bad “office” view…

What to Know about Visiting Myrtle Beach During the Off-Season

Fewer crowds. Music to my ears as an introvert,

More affordable.

Temps can be a bit chilly but not the worst. You won’t be spending your days in a bikini, but I worked on the beach for part of the day and got my feet wet.

It gets dark early. Notice how many of my photos were taken at night. That’s because I worked during the day and spent nights exploring. Such is the digital nomad life.

FAQ: Solo travel to Myrtle Beach

Is it safe to travel alone to Myrtle Beach? Yes. I never felt unsafe at all!

What to pack for Myrtle Beach? If you’re going during the off-season, like I did, you’ll want layers. Hoodies, scarves, and hats are a good bet. With flip-flops.

Isn’t it weird going alone to a party destination like Myrtle Beach? Nah, not unless you make it weird. People are too busy doing their own thing to really notice if you’re alone.

Where to Stay in Myrtle Beach

I highly recommend North Myrtle Beach!

Map of where to stay in Myrtle Beach:

Final Thoughts: Solo Travel in Myrtle Beach

If you’re looking for a solo beach getaway, Myrtle Beach might be your spot. You’ll get your fill of ocean air, and if you go during the off season, it’s super affordable and not crowded at all.

Similar Posts