Myrtle Beach, South Carolina continues to grow as a family and vacation destinations in the US, attracting approximately 20 million visitors annually. Last year it was rated among the thirty most affordable US vacations for families by Yahoo Finance. Here’s some of latest information on new tourism developments in the region.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS

Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Myrtle Beach

The City of Myrtle Beach and Coastal Carolina University have purchased property for a new cultural arts center and theatre in downtown Myrtle Beach. The space will include a 300-seat theatre, art gallery, reception area, dressing rooms and rehearsal space. It will be used for performing arts classes by CCU students as well as a venue for hosting up to 30 productions per year. Construction will begin in 2021 and the theatre opens spring of 2022.

The Carolina Opry Theater

The Carolina Opry Theater will be celebrating their 35th season in 2020. Director and producer, Calvin Gilmore is offering a calendar of live theatre, ballet, comedy, magic and concerts. Tribute concerts for the Bee Gees, Prince, the Eagles and Led Zeppelin and ABBA are on the schedule.

Gateway Galleria Mixed-Use Complex Coming to Ocean Boulevard

Downtown Myrtle Beach will be getting a mixed-use complex, called the Gateway Galleria, with three floors dedicated to downtown condos and a level of retail shops, restaurants and bars. Space will be dedicated to fitness and the beachfront lifestyle, and the completion date is yet to be announced.

Huntington Beach State Park Nature Center

Huntington Beach State Park is building a new nature centre to replace the one destroyed in a lightning strike fire three years ago. It will offer a birding area, a classroom and an exhibit area with live animals, with a proposed opening of spring 2020.

Myrtle Beach Mall Plans for The District

The Myrtle Beach Mall is proceeding with its plans for ‘The District,’ which will include new waterfront restaurants, sports bars, shopping areas, clubs, and a boutique hotel with a promenade and garden in the middle. Construction date is TBD.

Bruce Munro at Brookgreen Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens will play host to a major exhibition by British artist Bruce Munro. The Southern Light exhibit will feature seven works of art in light and mixed media, each designed for the natural garden rooms where they will be installed. The illuminated installations will consist of tens of thousands of components placed throughout the sculpture gardens and arboretum. The exhibit will run from April 8 – September 12, 2020.

American Surf Parks

Myrtle Beach will soon be home to a man-made surf park, called American Surf Park, where a surfing lagoon will generate up to 1,000 waves per hour, with waves between 2-6 feet in height. The development will also include an amphitheatre to accommodate up to 15,000 people. American Surf park is planning to open its doors by 2021.

Ripley’s Aquarium Autism Designation

Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach became the first South Carolina business to become a Certified Autism Centre, with requirements that staff members complete autism sensitivity and awareness training to develop better communicate to engage with guests with sensory needs and their family members, as well as safety concerns and protocols. The aquarium has designed specialized programs for guests with autism and other sensory disorders such as a Sensory Friendly Days, Sensory Friendly Camps and more.

Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse

Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse will part of the Ripley’s Aquarium’s expansion, featuring an African penguin habitat with floor-to-ceiling viewing glass and a 360-degree crawl tunnel for guests to waddle through.

Big Air Trampoline Park

Big Air Trampoline Park is opening a location in Myrtle Beach in early 2020.with more than 20 attractions for guests of all ages, including jumping courts and climbing walls, with technology to gamify trampoline-based attractions. Other in-park experiences will include Cosmic Nights on weekends, and Toddler Time on weekday mornings, and a parents’ lounge, with free WiFi and a food and drink menu.

AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION

Myrtle Beach Airport Taxiway Project

Myrtle Beach International Airport will be restoring its taxiway which takes airplanes from the terminal to the runway. Pavement rehabilitation has started on Taxiway A and will take about a year to complete, with most of the work being done at night.

CULINARY

Grand Strand Brewing Company

Grand Strand Brewing Company will be opening in Nance Plaza, with plans to produce a variety of handmade beers to served in the taproom. Construction plans also call for a small, on-site commercial kitchen where local chefs and restaurants can prepare food to pair with the craft beer selection. The venue is expected to open by summer 2020.

Crooked Hammock Brewery

Barefoot Landing will be getting a restaurant and backyard beer garden. Crooked Hammock Brewery features a cook-out menu, craft beer and indoor/outdoor seating for more than 500 guests with firepits, games and a bar overlooking the lake. The pet-friendly venue is scheduled to open spring 2020.

The Avenue at Broadway at the Beach

Two new culinary options are open at Broadway at the Beach. Bar Louie is a gastro-bar serving shareable chef-inspired food, craft cocktails and local beers. Melt is an artisan sandwich and pizza restaurant, with a brick wood-fire pizza oven.

44 & King

44 & King opened in April 2019 and has been serving comfort food with a Southern flair. The pub also offers 16 beer taps, six wine taps and specialty cocktails made by a mixologist.

Twelve 33 Distillery

Little River just opened the Twelve 33 Distillery. The name is a reference to December 1933, when alcohol prohibition ended in the US. The spirits are produced by hand, using mostly local ingredients from the Carolinas. The selection produced includes rum, vodka, gin and bourbon. Twelve 33 also features a VIP hidden speakeasy designed to look like you stepped back into 1933.

Tidal Creek Brewhouse

Tidal Creek Brewhouse will soon be a community-focused craft brewery and kitchen. Construction began in December 2019 and the new brewhouse is expected to open in Myrtle Beach’s Market Common in spring of 2020.

HGTC International Culinary Institute Achieves Leader Status

The International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach Fowler Dining Room has achieved Smart Catch Leader Status by the James Beard Foundation, which partners with chefs and other leaders to work toward a better food world. The foundation supports the culinary community to advocate for causes that make a positive change in the world now and for the next generation.

Sea Captain’s House

The Sea Captain’s House will undergo major renovations in early 2020, including creating a more open dining environment for guests. The new space will also include new paint and décor, a new bar in the Chart room that will open up the outside bar, and a new Sushi bar inside.

EVENTS

Carolina Country Music Festival New Artists

The Carolina Country Music Fest will return for its sixth year to Myrtle Beach from June 4-7, 2020 with performances by Luke Combs, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

The Myrtle Beach Bowl is coming to Brooks Stadium at Coastal Carolina University in 2020 and will be shared by Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, and the Sun Belt. ESPN will own, operate and televise the game. The three conferences will participate in the game four times each from 2020 to 2025.

LODGING

Springhill Suites and Courtyard Marriott

Springhill Suites and Courtyard by Marriott will replace the recently demolished Breakers Resort on Ocean Boulevard. The new oceanfront resort will stand 26 stories tall and include rooftop amenities, including outdoor seating and fire pits and a ground-level pool and lazy river. Plans for the property are in development and approval.

Polynesian Hotel

The Polynesian Hotel suffered damage by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 and has been closed since then, but having undergone renovations will be reopening in 2020.

Grande Cayman Resort

The former Long Bay Resort is under renovation and will open as Grande Cayman Resort. Guests can expect indoor and outdoor swimming pools, lazy river, water slides, hot tubs and a kiddie play area, as well as, onsite restaurants and bars, including the recently renovated Ocean View Café. Opening spring 2020.