The spectacular Brookgreen Gardens are a highlight for visitors to Myrtle Beach and the area has a number of other attractions on offer to delight children and the whole family. The fascinating, interactive Children’s Museum, the incredibly popular Ripley Aquarium and the Grand Cirque spectacle at the Palace Theatre ensure that you’ll have plenty of things to see during your visit.

Brookgreen Gardens
Brookgreen Gardens are a stunning attraction and one of South Carolina’s truly magical places to visit. Developed on the site of several former rice plantations, these spectacular gardens were the inspiration of Archer Huntington, a Virginia shipbuilder and his wife, the sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.

The gardens boast the largest collection of American sculpture to be found in North America. As much a part of the garden as the trees, flowers and topiary, the marble, metal and stone sculptures seem organic. You could spend a few days exploring the 9000-acre preserve – and your admission ticket will be valid for 7 days. Special events are scheduled on selected summer evenings. Phone: +1 843 235 6000; website: www.brookgreen.org

Children's Museum of South Carolina
If you’re looking for a bit of intellectually-stimulating activity for the children after all the amusement parks and water rides, this museum is just the place to visit. It was created for kids from 1 to 11 years and features many interactive displays where youngsters can learn how things work. Features include: a science lab, a dentist’s office, a doctor's examining room and a kiddie ATM. Phone: +1 843 946 9469; website: www.cmsckids.org

MagiQuest
Upon entering MagiQuest, you choose a magic wand and the journey of fantasy begins. You’ll learn to harness your wand’s powers as you explore the 20,000 square foot kingdom and test its power on more than 250 different sites. You can gather gold, rescue a unicorn, battle a goblin king, return jewels to a princess and battle the mighty red dragon.
Phone: +1 843 913 9460; website: www.magiquest.com

Palace Theatre
Le Grande Cirque is a high-energy spectacle staged at the Palace Theatre. It’s been voted the best live family show on the Grand Strand, featuring a cast of more than 50 world-class acrobats, jugglers, and theatrical performers from around the world. Phone: +1 800 905 4228; website: www.palacetheatremyrtlebeach.com

Ripley's Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium is considered one of the best in America and is the most visited of South Carolina’s attractions. You’ll be surrounded by huge, menacing sharks as you travel through the 750,000 gallon tank, known as ‘Dangerous Reef’. Most of the habitats are saltwater, but there is a freshwater exhibit of the Rio Amazon, which features aruana, pacu and piranhas. It’s a good idea to plan on spending at least half a day here, enjoying the many exhibits. One of the most popular features is Rainbow Rock, with its thousands of brilliantly coloured Pacific Ocean fish. Children can get involved at the Sea-for-Yourself Discovery Center, an interactive, multimedia playground while diving shows and marine education sessions are scheduled hourly.
Phone: +1 843 916 0888; website: www.ripleysaquarium.com

Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is an entertainment complex covering more than 350 beachfront acres. Huge numbers of shops, restaurants, theatres, nightclubs and award-winning attractions surround a 23-acre lake located at the centre of the action in Myrtle Beach. You’ll also find various hotels here, so if you choose, you can stay in the middle of all the excitement.

Feel like a NASCAR star
Try your skills on custom car tracks, as the little ones head to the Beginners Circle for the kid-sized rides. Those making it to through the Qualifier of Young Champions track can move up to the challenge of the Gatorade Family 500 and on to the slip-sliding Intimidator. Phone: +1 843 918 8725

Make a splash at a water park
Myrtle Waves Water Park is South Carolina’s largest, and features slides with twists, turns and fun for all ages. It’s a cool way to spend a hot summer day and an alternative to the beach. In addition to its 30 rides, there’s a special children’s area complete with fully-qualified lifeguards.
Phone: +1 842 448 1026; website: www.myrtlewaves.com

Take the family to an amusement park
Enjoy the fun and thrills at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion. There are rides for the kids, South Carolina's largest wooden roller coaster, video games, a teen nightclub, specialty shops, sidewalk cafés and an oceanfront arcade.
Phone: +1 843 913 5200: website: www.mbpavilion.com

Tee off at the best courses in the US
Enjoy a leisurely game while you enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Atlantic coast. This is the world’s seaside golf capital, with many visitors returning year after year just to play here on the 100 plus championship courses spread out over the countryside.