After checking in, head to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for an easy first stroll—about 1½ hours is enough to take in the oceanfront promenade, arcades, souvenir shops, and the wide beach without tiring yourselves out. Start near 2nd Avenue North and walk south toward Myrtle Beach State Park as far as you like, keeping a light jacket handy because March breezes can feel chilly even when the sun is out. Downtown parking is mostly metered or paid lots, generally around $2–5 per hour; wear sneakers rather than sandals if you plan to cover much ground.
Walk or drive a few blocks along Ocean Boulevard to SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, beside Plyler Park. The enclosed gondolas make this a good March activity, and late afternoon usually gives you both daylight and the first glow of the coast at dusk. Allow about 45 minutes, including the queue; tickets commonly run roughly $20–25 per adult, though prices and operating hours vary seasonally, so check the day’s schedule before setting out. Afterward, drive about 10–15 minutes inland via Kings Highway to Broadway at the Beach; parking is free, but the complex is spread out, so note where you leave the car.
Spend the early evening at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, where the tropical galleries, moving walkway through the ocean tank, and penguin exhibits offer a warm-weather break if the coast turns windy or rainy. Plan on about two hours and expect admission to be approximately $40–50 per adult, with online tickets sometimes cheaper; hours often extend into the evening, but verify before arrival. Finish at The Hangout Myrtle Beach, a short walk away within Broadway at the Beach, for a relaxed dinner with live music and family-friendly entertainment. Budget about $20–35 per person before drinks and tip, and expect a wait at peak dinner time—put your name down early, then browse the surrounding shops while you wait.
Start early at Myrtle Beach State Park, arriving around 8:30 a.m. The drive from central Myrtle Beach takes roughly 15–20 minutes south via Ocean Boulevard or Kings Highway; parking is usually easiest before midmorning, with a small daily admission fee—about $8 for adults, less for children and South Carolina residents. Walk the shoreline and the park pier for about two hours, bringing your shell bag, camera, sunglasses, and a light windbreaker. March mornings can feel brisk even when the sun is bright, and the pier may be breezy. Check the pier’s current access and fishing-shop hours before leaving, as seasonal schedules can vary.
Late morning, continue to the Myrtle Beach Art Museum area near the park for about an hour of rotating regional and coastal-focused exhibitions. Confirm the museum’s opening time before setting out, since March hours and exhibition schedules can be limited; admission is often free or modestly priced. Afterward, drive about 10 minutes north to The Market Common, where parking is plentiful and free. Set aside two relaxed hours to browse the shops and follow the landscaped paths around the lake—an easy place for a coffee break or casual lunch without adding another major stop.
Head north toward Sea Captain’s House in central Myrtle Beach in the late afternoon; allow 15–20 minutes by car, with extra time during dinner traffic. Aim for an early dinner around 5:00 p.m. to improve your chance of an oceanfront table and avoid the busiest wait. Expect roughly $30–50 per person for a seafood dinner, before drinks and tip. The restaurant is known for its classic beachfront setting and Lowcountry-leaning seafood menu, so this is the night to wear your dressy-casual outfit. After dinner, take a short stroll along the nearby shore if the wind is comfortable, but keep the evening unhurried—March temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.
Begin at Cherry Grove Beach around 9:00 a.m., when the beach is usually peaceful and the March light is beautiful. Walk north toward the inlet for roughly 1½ hours, keeping a windbreaker handy—this stretch can feel chilly even on a sunny day. Parking is generally available in public lots and marked street spaces near North Ocean Boulevard; expect roughly $10–20 for paid parking, depending on the lot and season. After the walk, continue to Cherry Grove Fishing Pier, where a 45-minute visit gives you a good look at the classic wooden pier and the inlet views without turning the morning into a full fishing outing. Pier access and fishing fees vary, but budget about $3–10; check the posted hours before setting out, as March opening times can be weather-dependent.
Drive about 15 minutes inland to Tidewater Golf Club for an afternoon tee time. This is a scenic, moderately demanding course with marsh, waterway, and wooded holes, so reserve ahead—March is a popular golf month and tee times often run about $80–150, including applicable cart fees. Plan on roughly four hours for the round, and bring the packed golf accessories, a light layer, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes. The clubhouse is the easiest place for a quick snack or drink afterward; otherwise, leave a little time to freshen up before dinner.
Finish at Greg Norman Australian Grille in Barefoot Landing, about a 15-minute drive from Tidewater Golf Club. Request a table overlooking the water if available, and plan on $35–60 per person before drinks and tip; the dress code is polished casual, making the packed dressier outfit appropriate. Dinner usually works best with a reservation, especially on a March evening, and Barefoot Landing has ample parking for a relaxed arrival. Afterward, take a short stroll along the illuminated waterfront before heading back to Myrtle Beach.
Arrive at Barefoot Landing around 9:30 a.m. and give yourself about two hours to wander its boardwalks, ponds, small gardens, and open-air shopping areas. It’s a relaxed start to the day, with plenty of benches and water views rather than a tightly packed sightseeing route. Most shops generally open around 10:00 a.m., though hours vary by season; parking is free and plentiful in the surrounding lots. From central Myrtle Beach, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by car via Kings Highway and Barefoot Landing Drive. Bring a light jacket—the walkways can feel breezy in March—and check the venue’s calendar for any seasonal closures or adjusted hours.
Stay at Barefoot Landing for Alligator Adventure, one of the area’s best rainy-day-friendly attractions. Plan about 1½ hours to see the alligators, crocodiles, snakes, turtles, and other reptiles; much of the exhibit space is indoors or sheltered, making it a good complement to the outdoor morning. Admission is typically in the roughly $25–35 range for adults, with seasonal hours and prices worth confirming before you go. Afterward, take a leisurely lunch break at one of the restaurants within Barefoot Landing rather than moving the car—this keeps the day easy and leaves time for the coast later.
Drive south about 15–20 minutes to Apache Pier in Arcadian Shores, using Kings Highway and the local access roads; parking is generally available near the pier, though a small admission or fishing-pier fee may apply. Spend an hour walking above the surf and watching for seabirds, keeping sunglasses and a windbreaker handy because the end of the pier is noticeably cooler and windier than shore. For dinner, head to Brass Anchor Restaurant, a casual seafood spot nearby. Allow roughly $20–35 per person before drinks and tip, and call ahead in March to confirm evening hours, since coastal restaurants sometimes adjust schedules outside peak season. This is a good night for the dressy-casual outfit from your packing list, though the atmosphere remains relaxed.
Leave North Myrtle Beach around 7:30 a.m. via US-17 South; allow 45–60 minutes, plus a little extra for weekday traffic. Brookgreen Gardens opens at 9 a.m. and is best enjoyed early, before the paths warm up and tour groups arrive. Plan roughly three hours for the sculpture gardens, Live Oak alleys, and Lowcountry grounds; admission is typically around $20–25 for adults, with timed or seasonal offerings varying, so check the official calendar before setting out. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water and sunscreen, and keep a light jacket handy—the gardens can feel cool and breezy in March. Parking is free and close to the entrance.
Drive about 10 minutes south on US-17 to Huntington Beach State Park, where the daily vehicle admission is generally about $8 per adult. Spend around two hours walking the beach, scanning the marsh edges for herons and shorebirds, and visiting the grounds around Atalaya, the former winter home of the Huntingtons. The park usually stays open into the early evening, but check current hours before leaving; March weather can change quickly, so pack the windbreaker from your day bag and use polarized sunglasses for birding. Bring a snack or have a late lunch before arriving, since food options inside the park are limited.
From the park, it is roughly a 15-minute drive south to the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Arrive around 4:30 p.m. for an easy one-hour stroll along the salt marsh, when the light is softer and the fishing boats begin returning. The boardwalk is free, and nearby lots can fill toward dinner, so use marked public parking and avoid blocking restaurant access. Finish at Wicked Tuna for fresh seafood and marsh views; budget about $30–50 per person before drinks, and expect a dinner wait during popular sunset hours. A reservation or early arrival around 5:30 p.m. is the safest bet, especially on a Friday.
Arrive at Pawleys Island Beach around 9:00 a.m. and settle into an unhurried 1½-hour walk along the wide, uncrowded shoreline. March mornings can be breezy even when the sun is bright, so bring the windbreaker, sunglasses, water bottle, and a small shell bag; wear sneakers if the sand is damp or uneven. Public beach-access parking is limited and varies by access point, so use a signed public lot or access near the island’s main roads rather than parking in residential areas. There is generally no admission for a beach walk, but observe posted parking and seasonal beach rules.
Drive about 10 minutes north on Ocean Highway (US-17) to Hammock Shops Village, where you can browse beneath the live oaks for roughly 1½ hours. This is a pleasant place for Lowcountry crafts, clothing, home goods, and small specialty shops, though individual opening times vary—many shops begin opening around 10 a.m. Grab a coffee or light snack if needed, and keep the reusable shopping bags handy. Parking is free in the village lots, but avoid leaving valuables visible in the car.
After shopping, take an easy one-hour drive through the Pawleys Island Historic District, using the quieter residential lanes near Pawleys Island Creek and the older cottage-lined roads. This is best treated as a scenic wander rather than a formal attraction: drive slowly, stop only where parking is clearly permitted, and respect the private homes. Allow a little unscheduled time afterward for a bookstore, a waterfront pause, or simply enjoying the island’s famously relaxed pace. For dinner, head to Chive Blossom Café; its Lowcountry-focused menu makes it a good dressy-casual stop, with about $25–45 per person before drinks and tip. Check the current evening hours and reserve ahead if possible, since March service can follow a reduced seasonal schedule.
After the drive back from Pawleys Island, arrive in central Myrtle Beach around 9:00–9:30 a.m. and begin at the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum. It’s a particularly good rainy- or windy-day stop: admission is typically around $15–25 for unlimited play, and you can spend about 1½ hours moving between classic and newer machines. Check the museum’s Sunday opening time before leaving, as hours can be seasonal. Parking is generally easiest in the surrounding commercial lots; keep the car here rather than trying to move it immediately.
Late morning, drive roughly 10 minutes inland to the Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center, a small but meaningful museum focused on local African American education and community history. Allow about an hour and expect a more personal, appointment- or limited-hours-style visit than a large public museum, so confirm Sunday access ahead of time. Afterward, make the short drive to Broadway at the Beach; this is a good point to return a rental car if needed, though rideshare is practical for the rest of the day.
Spend the afternoon wandering Broadway at the Beach without trying to cover every shop. Browse the stores, pause for a snack or coffee, and follow the paths around the lake—two hours is enough for a relaxed final afternoon. Bring the reusable shopping bags from your packing list, and keep a light jacket handy: the open waterfront can feel cool in March even when the sun is out.
Finish at LandShark Bar & Grill, where the outdoor-facing setting and casual menu make an easy last dinner. Budget roughly $20–35 per person before drinks and tip; arrive around 5:00–5:30 p.m. for a better chance at a comfortable table, especially on a Sunday evening. If you still have a late departure or airport drop-off, avoid lingering too long after dinner and allow extra time for US-17 traffic and rental-car return logistics.
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