The Myrtle Beach area — known by many in the United States as just "The Beach" — is a great destination for Canadian snowbirds, families and couples. 

The Myrtle Beach area is the jewel of South Carolina and is nestled along the mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States. With 100 kilometers of beautiful beaches and mild temperatures, the Myrtle Beach area is a great place to spend a winter getaway.

From the first moment you arrive here, you’ll feel like this is where you belong. Because this isn’t just any beach. It’s The Beach. Known lovingly as The Grand Strand, we are one destination made up of 14 unique communities, connected by a shared passion.

From beautiful beaches to 90 golf courses, there are plenty of outdoor activities for snowbirds to enjoy in Myrtle Beach.  You’ll also find two state parks nearby that boast some of the best bird watching and views in South Carolina, along with delicious food and reasonably priced comfortable accommodations. It sounds like you belong at The Beach!

Local Snowbird Community

Myrtle Beach offers events and festivals throughout the snowbird season, with many notable holiday events extending from November through December that feature light displays, holiday shows, parades and more. Areas like Barefoot Landing and Broadway at The Beach feature extraordinary shopping, entertainment, and dining options that are perfect for snowbird gatherings.

Each March, the Myrtle Beach area welcomes our Canadian friends for Can-Am Days, “Canadian American Days” to experience the area during the holiday break. This year, Can-Am Days will be March 11 - 19, 2023.

There are special offers and deals available to snowbirds from January to April, ranging from lodging special offers to discounts at restaurants and attractions.

Getting to Myrtle Beach

Flying

For snowbirds who want to fly to Myrtle Beach, there are connections available through U.S. airports into Myrtle Beach International Airport on Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air, available from select U.S. border city airports, including Detroit, MI, on Spirit Airlines and Albany and Newburgh/Stewart, NY on Allegiant Airlines - Visit our website for up-to-date information.

Driving

Most snowbirds will likely drive to Myrtle Beach as it is an easy drive from Ontario and Quebec with several major highways taking you directly to the area.

You can find drive times from Canada on the Visit Myrtle Beach website:

https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/plan/international-travelers/canadian-travelers/

Weather

The Myrtle Beach area has over 215 sunny days a year with the occasional afternoon showers to cool off the hottest parts of the day. The climate is considered sub-tropical, with mild temperatures year-round and clear skies for viewing sunrises each morning.

*Air temperatures based on 30 years of data (1981–2010) in degrees Celsius.

Terrain and Landscape

With 100 kilometers of wide-open coastline and 14 coastal communities, there is no shortage of fun, outdoor activities for snowbirds to enjoy in the Myrtle Beach area along the Atlantic Ocean in sunny, South Carolina. You can choose from kayaking in saltwater marshes, strolling through gardens or just relaxing on the beach with a good book.

The Myrtle Beach area is home to six different beaches as well as two state parks - perfect for exploring various trails, spotting wildlife and birdwatching.

Accommodations and Where to Stay

From condo resorts and brand-name hotels to beach houses and RV parks, the Myrtle Beach area offers a wide variety of long-stay, affordable accommodation choices for snowbirds. Choose from over 157,000 accommodation units in the Myrtle Beach area – more than Las Vegas, NV!

• Oceanfront Hotels and Resorts: A wide variety of hotels are available to suit your needs, from budget travelers to laidback luxury. Many hotel and resort options are oceanfront, offering unending ocean views and gorgeous amenities to enjoy your entire trip!
• Beach Houses: Beach homes have always been the popular choice for comfort, convenience and overall familial charm. If you are looking for a home away from home, a beach house is a perfect option. With houses available throughout most of the 14 communities of the Myrtle Beach area, you can choose from quiet areas to houses in the middle of all the fun.  
• Condo Vacation Rentals: Rent your home away from home during the fall, winter and spring months, in one of our many beautiful condo resort suites or condominiums, featuring a full kitchen, living room, and choice of multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, overlooking the stunning beach. 
• Pet-Friendly: Myrtle Beach is for your furry friends too! Many accommodations are pet-friendly throughout the Myrtle Beach area, making traveling with your pet a breeze. The fall and winter months are also the perfect time to bring your pet to The Beach with lower temperatures and relaxed beach rules.
• Campgrounds: Whatever your camping preferences or needs, the Myrtle Beach area offers year-round opportunities to relax at a campsite and enjoy the beautiful breeze and the sand between your toes. There are plenty of campground options offering beachfront community living with pools, comfort stations, and attractions for campers with RVs or small motor homes, perfect for an extended getaway.
• Real Estate: The Myrtle Beach area is consistently ranked as one of the top affordable destinations to own a beach property, with options in all price points ranging from condos to beach houses. For more information on purchasing, please visit the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce’s website.

You belong at The Beach for your long-stay getaway where the warmer weather will welcome you with open arms and true Southern Hospitality!

Attractions and Sights

The Beach is the place where you can let loose, be you, and go with your own flow. Snowbirds can find new adventures and cherish old memories with friends and family. While there are so many reasons to visit Myrtle Beach, we wanted to help narrow it down to ten for snowbirds traveling from Canada!

The Beach

The best place to start. White sand, salty ocean waves, and warm sunshine are what the beach is all about here along the Grand Strand. With 100km of beaches, you can choose which beach is your favorite – from quiet, relaxing beaches to a beach in the middle of the fun. Walking on the beach is a must-do activity, whether you are soaking in the sunshine or getting some fresh air. And when family comes to visit, everyone can enjoy the beach with lifeguards on duty at many locations, soft waves perfect for boogie boarding, and wide-open sand begging for a sandcastle. There’s a beach chair waiting for you with your name on it! 

Golf Courses

We know Snowbirds love golf and Myrtle Beach offers 90 golf courses ranging in difficulty, so we can almost guarantee that there is a course for everyone to enjoy. Many of these golf courses have been designed by golf legends, such as Arnold Parmer and Greg Norman, and offer unmatched views of saltwater marshes, the Intracoastal Waterway, or magnificent oak trees. Choose to become the master of one golf course or see how many courses you can cross off your list – the tee times are endless!

Mini Golf

Myrtle Beach not only has golf, but it also has over 50 miniature golf courses in all types of themes! See who can hit a hole-in-one through a jungle one day, and then through a volcano the next. Rain or shine, Myrtle Beach’s indoor and outdoor mini golf courses offer a fun activity for a break from the beach—and a great excursion when the grandkids come to visit.

The SkyWheel

The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is a breathtaking attraction and the pride and joy of the Boardwalk. For those not afraid of heights, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of our fair city’s skyline.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Take a break from the beach for some retail therapy! With options ranging from local boutiques to large outlet malls like the Tanger Outlets, you can really shop ‘til you drop. Check out Broadway at the Beach, Barefoot Landing, or The Market Common for specialty stores, along with restaurants, breweries, movie theaters, and attractions that will entertain you throughout the season.

Explore The Great Outdoors

It is easy to get outside and explore the beautiful natural surroundings of the Grand Strand when the weather is perfect! Paddleboard through the protected creek in Murrells Inlet or kayak and birdwatching through saltwater marshes at Huntington Beach State Park. You can also bike along the Waccamaw Neck Bikeway, which is approximately 16km. If you’re up for a thrilling adventure, you can also hop aboard a jet ski and cruise around the Intracoastal Waterway.

Small Coastal Towns

There are 14 charming communities that make up the Grand Strand, all with their unique vibes. Take a day to explore these towns and experience small-town America and the welcoming hospitality. Drive just up the road to Conway, SC where you will find the Horry County Museum, filled with the history of the region, as well as quaint shops and restaurants along the iconic Riverwalk, a boardwalk on the Waccamaw River.

Dazzling Entertainment

There’s always a live show to enjoy in the Myrtle Beach area! With classics like the Alabama Theatre and The Carolina Opry, every show you see will feature world-class performers. Enjoy dinner and a show at Pirates Voyage or Medieval Times when family comes to town. See the stars of today and yesterday at Legends in Concert, a show that brings the music experiences of your favorite performers to life! Many of these theaters perform multiple shows a day as well as feature holiday-themed shows in November and December. Myrtle Beach also features an excellent Art Museum that offers rotating art exhibits from popular artists from around the world.

Rich History

The Grand Strand offers a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. Travel back in time at Hopsewee Plantation, located just south of Myrtle Beach in Georgetown, SC. Hopsewee Plantation, built in the mid-1700s, was the birthplace of Thomas Lynch Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Explore The Bowery, an intimate live music venue and pub, right off the iconic Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, to learn where the band, Alabama, began their career as a world-famous country band. Then, in the heart of Myrtle Beach, explore Charlie’s Place, a former nightclub that was owned by Charlie Fitzgerald and his wife Sarah, where famous musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday performed their music.

Lowcountry Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens

Located on the grounds of Brookgreen Gardens, the Lowcountry Zoo offers a variety of wildlife to observe and an educational experience all in one! The Lowcountry Zoo is home to several different types of local Lowcountry animals, including otters, foxes, alligators, and more, plus different species of local birds!

Culture and Entertainment

The Beach offers snowbirds a variety of cultural and entertainment options to enjoy during your winters with us, including:

• Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum – The Myrtle Beach Art Museum features rotating galleries of both nationally and regionally known artists, creating art in various forms, while Long Bay Symphony offers beautifully orchestrated performances throughout the year.
• Arts & Gallery Trail – Myrtle Beach Arts and Gallery Trail is a unique tour through The Beach’s arts scene for snowbirds to enjoy.  Explore 14 unique communities and visit iconic areas such as historic downtown Conway to the newly-minted Arts & Innovation District of Myrtle Beach. Throughout this tour, you’ll find great galleries, unique museums and art-filled attractions as well as oceanfront sculptures, alleyway murals and secret underground passages filled with art.
• Long Bay Symphony – The Long Bay Symphony has been the premier professional orchestra in the Myrtle Beach area for over 30 years. This 70-member symphony performs throughout the year beginning in September.
• Horry County Museum – The Horry County Museum and L.W. Paul History Farm in Conway, SC focus on the history, pre-history, and natural history of Horry County and features exhibits, outreach programs, and weekly and special events.  L.W. Paul History Farm recreates life on a family farm between 1900 and 1955 and invites visitors to experience the way of life during that time period in the Myrtle Beach area.

Food and Dining

Did you know that the Myrtle Beach area has over 2,000 restaurants to choose from? Ranging from eclectic international cafes to downhome comfort food and traditional buffets, The Beach has a unique food scene that snowbirds will love to explore.

Each dining experience is met with a heaping helping of southern hospitality for a friendly dining experience like no other.

Toward the northern end of the Grand Strand, North Carolina-style Calabash is the cuisine of choice, with its traditional lightly-breaded, fried seafood meals.

In the southern end of the Grand Strand, visitors will come into the heart of the Lowcountry, where chefs utilize local ingredients like stone-ground grits, shrimp, blue crab, grouper, country ham and fresh produce.

Or visit Murrells Inlet, called the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina” for the many boats that bring fresh seafood to the local restaurants. Take a stroll along the MarshWalk and take in the beauty of the saltwater marsh at the many outdoor dining locations.

From January to April, restaurants and attractions offer excellent special deals for guests that include dining earlier for a discount, offers just for Canadian travelers, and off-season discounts.

Festivals and Events

Myrtle Beach has a number of festivals and events that take place annually during snowbird season. Some highlights include:

• Mid-November – Annual Dickens Christmas Show and Festivals Week
• Late November – Annual South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, Myrtle Beach Convention Center
• Select dates from late November thru December – Nights of A Thousand Candles Brookgreen Gardens, countless lights, warm cider and holiday music
• Mid November thru December – Winter Wonderland at The Beach, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
• Jan. 21, 2023 - Classic Stones Live: Rolling Stones Tribute at the Carolina Opry
• Jan. 29, 2023 - Storytellers: Preserving Traditions performed by the Long Bay Symphony
• Mid February – Annual Carolina Master Chorale Valentine Concert
• March Break – Annual Canadian, American Days Festival - Cultural, Sporting and Family Events for All Ages throughout the Grand Strand
• Mid March – Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
• End of March – Myrtle Beach Food Truck Festival

Find these events and more on The Beach’s Events Calendar.

Sporting Events

Snowbird sports fans can check out the following sporting events:

• Myrtle Beach Invitational College Basketball tournament – The Annual Myrtle Beach Invitational is played in Mid-November at the HTC Center on the campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. The 2022 Myrtle Beach Invitational is an eight-team, 12-game bracketed tournament. 
• Myrtle Beach Bowl – In mid to late December, two college football teams will compete to win the annual Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Shopping

The Myrtle Beach area offers several unique shopping experiences – from shopping mall complexes to entertainment hubs and boutiques. Find exactly what you are looking for – indulge in one of the area's upscale retail stores at the Market Common or enjoy outdoor shopping complexes like the popular Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. Bargain hunting is made easy here, too, with two Tanger Outlet locations offering tons of different name-brand stores to choose from.

1. Tanger Outlets
2. Barefoot Landing
3. Broadway at The Beach
4. The Market Common
5. Hammock Shops Village
6. Coastal Grand Mall

Fitness and Outdoor Recreation

Myrtle Beach provides snowbirds with many options to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors over the Fall, Winter and Spring:

Take a Yoga Class on the Beach or Brewery

Many places around the Grand Strand offer yoga on rooftop spots or in a grassy area at a brewery or open-air restaurant.

Enjoy a Kayak Tour

Excellent kayaking excursions can be found all along the Grand Strand, with some of the most popular being on the north end, out of Cherry Grove, and the south end, out of Murrells Inlet. Whether 2-hour or half-day, any kayaking excursion allows for excellent exercise and enjoying the nature around you. 

Visit Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens is primarily an outdoor attraction, featuring the largest outdoor collection of American sculptures in the world. Set on the site of 9 former rice plantations, the sculpture, gardens, and massive oak trees are breathtaking. You could stroll around the gardens for hours or sit and read on a peaceful bench. 

Try Your Luck Fishing

Be it in the surf, from a pier, or on a fishing charter, fishing is a safe and fun activity for snowbirds to enjoy in Myrtle Beach. If you’re a beginner, we might suggest a small, guided charter where you can learn the ins and out’s of the sport. If this isn’t your first catch, there are plenty of places to purchase a fishing license, bait and tackle along the Grand Strand, including piers and state parks. 

Play a Round Of Golf

Did you know that Myrtle Beach has over 90 golf courses? Our golf courses range in difficulty and offer dozens of tee times each day. Walk the course for some exercise or enjoy a game with friends all while taking in stunning water views, mossy oak trees, and lush greens! 

Lifelong Learning

There are several senior centers throughout the Myrtle Beach area that offer programs and events for snowbirds throughout the year:

• Conway Senior Center
  1519 Mill Pond Road
  Conway, SC 29526
  843-488-0421
• Grand Strand Senior Center
  1268 21^st Avenue North
  Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
  843-626-3991
• North Strand Senior Center
  120 Hwy. 57
  Little River, SC 29566
  843-399-4088
• South Strand Senior Center
  1032 10^th Avenue North
  Surfside Beach, SC 29575
  843-238-3644

Health Care and Medical Facilities

The Myrtle Beach area offers excellent healthcare options at the following facilities.

• Grand Strand Medical Center 
• Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital
• Conway Medical Center
• McLeod Health Seacoast 

Beach Accessibility

North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach offer beach-going wheelchairs for use at no cost, and there are many accessible beach access points throughout the Grand Strand.

Find the closest accessible location on the Visit Myrtle Beach website.

What's Nearby

The Grand Strand offers 14 communities and activities that are all perfect for a day excursion, each with its own vibe and experiences for snowbirds to enjoy:

1. Downtown Conway – Located about 30 minutes from central Myrtle Beach, downtown Conway is a picturesque city with plenty of history and lots of things to do. 
2. Little River – Little River is located just south of the North Carolina border and is a quirky fishing village with plenty of places to explore. Vereen Memorial Gardens offers visitors three miles of boardwalk along the scenic salt marsh and islands that overlook the Intracoastal Waterway. Enjoy an afternoon of fun on the Big M Casino boat, the Myrtle Beach area’s only gaming yacht with a variety of games to test your luck.
3. Murrells Inlet – Have a field day in the seafood capital of the Grand Strand! Murrells Inlet offers visitors so many things to do and see all year long. Spend a day at Huntington Beach State Park where you’re sure to see a friendly gator (or two) and plenty of other wildlife including birds, snakes, turtles and so much more.
4. Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach – Take a scenic cruise on the Barefoot Queen Riverboat and enjoy music and refreshments along the Intracoastal Waterway. This riverboat is located within a larger entertainment complex, Barefoot Landing, that is the perfect spot for shopping, live theater performances, and delicious restaurants. –.
5. Pawleys Island – Pawleys Island was founded in the 1700s by families who were in the rice business and is known as one of the first of our nation’s seaside resorts.

Canadian Deals and Offers

The Myrtle Beach area welcomes Canadian travelers year-round, with special deals and events during our annual Canadian American (Can-Am) Days, each January to April.

From lodging deals to special events, Can-Am Days are the perfect time for exploring the 100 km of Grand Strand's natural splendor, learning coastal culture in the 14 different communities, playing your best game of golf, and finding that perfect bite.

Find the latest information on our website:

https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/things-to-do/events/can-am-days/

Cruise Ports

Charleston, South Carolina, less than 100 miles south of Myrtle Beach, offers a cruise port for Carnival Cruise Line. Be whisked away to a vacation from your winter getaway to a tropical destination, only a short distance drive away!

Safety

For more information on traveling safely to Myrtle Beach, please visit the website:

https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/plan/visitor-resources/healthy-travel-information/

The Myrtle Beach area is known as a safe, accessible beach for all ages, however, there are several regulations and cautions to be aware of when traveling to the area. For the latest beach safety information, please check out Visit Myrtle Beach’s website:

https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/things-to-do/beaches/safety-tips/

Cost of Living

The Myrtle Beach area has long been known for its value and affordability giving visitors, especially long-stay guests like snowbirds, the ability to stretch their dollar farther to enjoy their getaway. With shopping, lodging, entertainment, and dining at an affordable cost, snowbirds won’t need to compromise on all the activities they want to plan while visiting and stay within budget

The sales tax rate in the Myrtle Beach area ranges approximately from 5 - 9%.

For more information on currency rates and banking in Myrtle Beach:

https://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com/plan/international-travelers/canadian-travelers/

LGBTQ

Everybody belongs at The Beach, and the Myrtle Beach area welcomes all visitors to our beautiful coastline!

• Community Events such as volleyball games, brewery hangs, family game nights and more! For more local events, please visit www.pridemyrtlebeach.org
• Grand Strand Pride Celebration (Each June
• Pride in the Park Festival (Each October)

See why Canadian snowbirds love Myrtle Beach: