Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach is defined by how much it packs along one stretch of South Carolina coast. The heart of the action centers on the mile-long oceanfront boardwalk, a bustling downtown strip home to the SkyWheel, classic amusement rides, and the sprawling Gay Dolphin gift shop. Beyond the sand, the destination functions as a massive entertainment hub. Visitors can hop between Broadway at the Beach’s lakeside shops, the open-air Barefoot Landing along the Intracoastal Waterway, and the manicured, upscale streets of The Market Common. For a change of pace, the southern edge of the area offers quiet natural retreats, including the sculpture-filled paths of Brookgreen Gardens and the preserved Lowcountry shoreline and Moorish-style Atalaya castle at Huntington Beach State Park.