Here in London, summer always seems to fade just as it begins to feel properly warm. The long evenings shorten, the air cools, and suddenly autumn feels just around the corner. It often makes me think about places where summer still feels intense and unmistakable. Much of the United States truly experiences a real summer. Temperatures climb, the humidity settles in, and daily life begins to revolve around water, shade, and air conditioning. In many parts of the country, summer means heading to the coast.
That is why I was so excited to meet my family in Virginia and take a road trip down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Certain trips feel quintessentially American. Spring break in Florida, celebrating the Fourth of July in New England, and spending the first weeks of summer along the beaches of the Carolinas all belong firmly in that category. Myrtle Beach has become one of the most famous destinations for that kind of classic summer holiday.
Each year, roughly 14 million visitors arrive in the Myrtle Beach area. The town sits along the Grand Strand, a sixty-mile stretch of sandy Atlantic coastline that includes several seaside communities. Warm ocean currents and a favourable coastal climate help keep temperatures high well into the summer months, making it an ideal beach destination. Visitors come not only for the sand and water but also for the long list of activities that surround it. Mini golf courses, boardwalk arcades, seafood restaurants, amusement rides, and nature parks all contribute to the area’s appeal.
The Road Trip South
After a few relaxing days in Virginia, we began the drive south. I grew up making similar road trips along the East Coast, so long drives immediately bring back memories of childhood holidays. There is something comforting about watching the scenery change through the car window as you travel between states. Forests slowly turn into farmland, roadside markets appear more frequently, and the air grows noticeably warmer.
One of the most recognisable signs that you are heading south is the series of billboards advertising South of the Border, a famously kitschy roadside attraction located just over the North Carolina and South Carolina state line. The advertisements start appearing hundreds of miles away and count down the distance with increasingly ridiculous slogans. Even though the attraction itself is a relic of mid twentieth century road culture, it remains a beloved tradition for anyone driving this stretch of highway.
We made several roadside stops during the drive. Small markets along the highway sell fresh produce, and it felt impossible to resist buying watermelon and local peanuts along the way. As soon as we crossed further into the South, we also made an essential fast food stop at Zaxby’s. The chain is known for its fried chicken and signature dipping sauces, and for many people it is a classic taste of Southern road trip culture.
By the time we finally arrived in Myrtle Beach, the atmosphere had shifted completely into holiday mode. The salty air, the distant sound of waves, and the sight of beach shops and seafood restaurants immediately set the tone for the days ahead.
Day 1: The Beach and the Boardwalk
Since the entire purpose of the trip was to spend time by the ocean, our first day naturally began at the beach. Myrtle Beach is often associated with crowds, but the reality is more spacious than many visitors expect. The coastline stretches for miles, and Myrtle Beach itself connects to other seaside towns along the Grand Strand. Because of that continuous stretch of sand, it is usually possible to find a comfortable spot without being surrounded by people as long as you walk a little further down the shoreline.
The beach itself is wide and gently sloping, with soft sand and long rolling waves coming in from the Atlantic. Families spend the day swimming, building sandcastles, and setting up umbrellas along the shore. We brought a packed lunch and enjoyed it while watching the tide slowly move across the sand.
Later in the afternoon, we headed toward the centre of Myrtle Beach to explore the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Boardwalks are one of my favourite features of American seaside towns because they feel both nostalgic and lively at the same time. Many of them were originally built during the early twentieth century as places where visitors could stroll along the coast, enjoy ocean views, and visit entertainment venues along the way.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk continues that tradition. Ice cream stands, souvenir shops, snack stalls, arcades, and amusement rides line the wooden walkway. The towering SkyWheel Ferris wheel rises above the shoreline and offers sweeping views across the Atlantic. The arcades immediately caught my attention. My youngest brother Victor and I stepped inside and spent a good amount of time moving from one classic game to another. The flashing lights, electronic sounds, and slightly nostalgic atmosphere made it easy to forget how much time had passed. By evening, we were more than ready for dinner.
Since we were in South Carolina, I wanted to try something that represented traditional Southern cooking. We decided on Simply Southern Smokehouse, a restaurant known for its generous buffet of home-style dishes. The menu includes barbecue meats, sweet potatoes, corn, potato salad, biscuits, and other classic comfort foods. Desserts such as peach cobbler and banana pudding complete the meal.
The food was hearty and comforting, exactly what you want after a long day at the beach.
Day 2: Huntington Beach State Park
Although I had visited the Carolinas several times before, I had rarely planned specific places to visit. This time, I arrived with a short list of restaurants and parks that I wanted to explore.
The morning began with breakfast at Johnny D’s Waffles and Bakery, a restaurant that has developed something of a reputation for its enormous selection of waffles. The menu includes both sweet and savoury options along with classic American breakfast staples. One particularly memorable dish was eggs Benedict served with crab, which reflects the coastal flavours of the region.
After such a large breakfast it took some effort to regain the energy needed for the rest of the day, but we had an exciting destination planned.
We drove south to Huntington Beach State Park, which quickly became one of my favourite places along the South Carolina coast. One of the aspects I appreciate most about the United States is the extensive system of national and state parks. These protected areas allow visitors to experience nature while also supporting conservation through entrance fees and park maintenance.
Huntington Beach State Park is especially well known for its wildlife. The park contains a mixture of sandy beach, salt marsh, and freshwater lagoons that create ideal habitats for many species. Visitors frequently spot birds such as herons, egrets, and ospreys, while the wetlands are also home to alligators and occasionally sea turtles.
Several walking trails wind through the park, including wooden boardwalks that cross over marshy lagoons. Walking along these paths feels almost like stepping into a different world. The water moves slowly through tall grasses, birds call from nearby trees, and occasionally an alligator can be seen resting quietly near the shoreline.
We returned to the park a second time later in the trip simply because wildlife sightings can change from hour to hour. Each visit offers a slightly different experience depending on what animals happen to appear.
Dinner that evening was more relaxed. Instead of going out to a restaurant, we continued one of our family traditions by buying a large batch of oysters and shucking them ourselves at the apartment.
My dad worked as an oyster shucker when he was younger, and the rest of the family developed a deep appreciation for fresh oysters over the years. Victor was slightly hesitant about the texture at first, but even he eventually joined in the fun.
Day 3: Rainy Day Activities
Our luck with the weather finally ran out on the third day. Heavy rain arrived in the morning and continued throughout most of the day. Instead of venturing outside, we spent the time indoors watching movies and playing board games together. Fortunately, the rain began to clear in the evening, which meant we could still explore one of Myrtle Beach’s most famous pastimes.
The area is often referred to as the mini golf capital of the world because it contains more than fifty miniature golf courses. These courses are rarely simple putting greens. Many of them are elaborate themed environments with waterfalls, statues, caves, and brightly coloured decorations. We chose Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf, a course that fully embraces the over-the-top nature of Myrtle Beach entertainment. Two eighteen-hole courses wind through a fantasy-themed setting filled with towers, tunnels, and tropical plants. Playing there felt slightly absurd in the best possible way, and it was impossible not to enjoy the playful atmosphere.
For dinner, we headed to Dead Dog Saloon, a family-run waterfront restaurant with a rather touching origin. The name honours beloved dogs that customers and staff have lost over the years. Photographs of pets line the walls, creating a surprisingly warm and personal atmosphere.
The menu features a wide range of casual Southern dishes, including seafood, sandwiches, burgers, barbecue, and tacos. After dinner, we continued the evening with another classic Myrtle Beach activity.
Go-kart racing has become a staple of the area, and my dad is always eager for the chance to race. Growing up watching Formula 1 certainly prepared us for a bit of competitive driving, even if the vehicles were much smaller.
Day 4: Surfside Beach
The sun returned for our final full day in Myrtle Beach. In search of a slightly quieter atmosphere, we drove south along the coast to Surfside Beach. The town feels noticeably calmer than central Myrtle Beach and has its own distinctive charm. Colourful beach houses line the streets, many with white picket fences and wide porches facing the ocean.
The beach itself is just as beautiful as those in Myrtle Beach, but with fewer crowds, which made it the perfect place to relax before the end of the trip.
For our final lunch, we stopped at a local favourite called Bubba’s Fish Shack. It ended up being my favourite restaurant of the entire visit. The restaurant specialises in Southern-style seafood served in a simple, satisfying way. One of their most popular items is the “Bubba-wich,” a seafood sandwich served on toasted sourdough bread with lettuce, red onion, and fried green tomato. We tried both the fried flounder version and the blackened grouper, and both were excellent.
The combination of fresh seafood, coastal flavours, and relaxed atmosphere made it a perfect final meal before heading home.
Looking back, the trip captured everything that makes Myrtle Beach such a beloved summer destination. Miles of sandy coastline, lively boardwalk attractions, nearby nature parks, and plenty of classic Southern food all contribute to the experience.
It felt like a perfect example of a traditional American beach holiday.
What do you think of this quintessential American holiday in the South?
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