Five Great Ways to Spend Rainy Days on the Grand Strand

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People come to the Grand Strand for fun in the sun, but there are also plenty of good times to be had when the weather doesn't cooperate. Guests at North Beach Plantation can stay on the resort and enjoy a wide range of indoor activities, like the indoor pool and lazy river and the on-site Cinzia Spa. But for those who prefer to go off property and explore all the great indoor activities the Myrtle Beach area has to offer, here's a list of our favorite rainy-day pastimes on the Strand:

  • Art Galleries/Museums: Add a touch of class and culture to your vacation experience by visiting local art galleries and museums. The Franklin G. Burroughs–Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach is located in a renovated beach house near Springmaid Pier and features touring displays as well as standing local exhibits. Market Common is a short distance away and offers several art galleries, like the Seacoast Artists Gallery. For the little ones, the Children’s Museum of South Carolina provides a fun and educational way to spend the day playing and learning.
     
  • Attractions: The beach may be the Grand Strand's biggest draw, but there are lots of back-up plans when rain intervenes. Head south to Myrtle Beach to check out some of the area's top indoor attractions, like Ripley's Aquarium, WonderWorks and Hollywood Wax Museum, and spend hours exploring while you wait for the weather to improve. Barefoot Landing, located just across Highway 17 from North Beach, has the Alabama Theatre and House of Blues for those who love live music and entertainment.
     
  • Bowling: North Myrtle Beach is home to a new bowling alley like none other on the Strand. 710 Bowling Center takes the sport to the next level with high-tech lanes and scoring, a state-of-the-art arcade, and a surprisingly sophisticated restaurant with dishes that go far beyond the typical bowling-alley lineup. Craft beers and a full bar in the nightclub allow patrons to enjoy a cocktail while they play and dance.
     
  • Dancing: When it rains in North Myrtle Beach, folks flock to the dance clubs on Ocean Drive to take part in a rhythmic local ritual called the Carolina Shag. The South Carolina state dance was founded at these same clubs back in the mid-1900s, and shaggers of all ages return to slide and glide across the sawdust and sand-covered dance floor. Fat Harold's, Duck’s, OD Lounge and the Spanish Galleon are among the hot spots for shagging in the Horseshoe district. Regulars are always happy to teach newcomers the moves, and several clubs also play beach, country, rock, and rhythm and blues for those with diverse musical tastes.
     
  • Shopping: Nothing brightens up a rainy day like a little retail therapy, and North Beach guests are surrounded by lots of shopping opportunities. In addition to Barefoot Landing, the nearby Myrtle Beach Mall and Tanger Outlet Stores North provide cover while you move from store to store. On the north end, the new Coastal North Town Center features several new outlets, and there are lots of mom-and-pop shops in between. If you are up for a trip to Myrtle Beach and beyond, add Broadway at the Beach, Coastal Grand Mall, Market Common, Inlet Square Mall and the Pawleys Island Hammock Shops to your list of shopping destinations.

Of course, you can always ride out the rain in the comfort of your luxurious room at North Beach Plantation and enjoy the many award-winning amenities. When it comes to having fun in any kind of weather in North Myrtle Beach, we have you covered.