2025 recognitions reinforce the Grand Strand’s position as one of America’s most desirable coastal regions
Those of us who love Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand can add more reasons to the list. Myrtle Beach is entering 2026 with a slate of special accolades and national recognitions received throughout the year that underscore the region’s long-lasting popularity as a place to live, work and visit. By continuing to capture national and international attention, the Grand Strand remains firmly positioned as a leader in travel, hospitality and community development.
“We’re heading into 2026 with meaningful momentum,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of Visit Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “The recognition that the Myrtle Beach area continues to earn reflects the significant work and collaboration happening across our community from product development to customer service to strategic marketing. Accolades matter, but more importantly, they signal a destination that is constantly improving and delivering consistent excellence to visitors and residents alike.”
Myrtle Beach appeared on numerous national “best-of” lists in 2025, including:
- TripAdvisor’s Top Beach Destination & 3rd Overall City in the U.S. for Summer Travel
- Islands magazine’s America’s Favorite Getaway for 2025
- Yahoo! Life’s Best U.S. Beach Destinations for Families
- World Travel Index’s No. 2 East Coast Beach Town to Visit in the USA
- LinkedIn’s Top Cities on the Rise
- Redfin’s Best Places to Live in South Carolina
- Fodor’s Most Colorful Small Towns in America
- Travel + Leisure’s Best Places to Retire in the U.S.
- Southern Living’s Best Places to Retire on the East Coast
North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach were both included on Go Banking Rates’ 2025 list of the 17 Safest and Wealthiest Southern Retirement Towns.
Additionally, Murrells Inlet made the list of 10 Friendliest Little Towns on the Atlantic Coast and Pawleys Island as one of 10 Quirky Little Towns in South Carolina, both by World Atlas.
Many of the region’s businesses also brought home significant honors, including:
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR): Best Resort Airport in the U.S., USA TODAY Readers
- Prestwick Country Club: South Carolina Golf Course of the Year, SC Golf Course Owners Association
- Crown Reef Resort: Best Family Resort on the East Coast, Forbes
- Hook & Barrel: No. 1 Casual Dining Restaurant in the U.S., TripAdvisor Travelers
- Anto’s Pizza Romana & Italian Market: 1st Place for Focaccia, Pizza World Cup
- Aspen Grill: Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator
- O.A.K. Prime: Recommended Restaurant, Michelin American South Guide
Myrtle Beach also made the shortlist among top international destinations for the City Nation Place Awards, further reinforcing the region’s presence in high-level destination marketing and place-branding conversations.
Likewise, Visit Myrtle Beach garnered major industry recognition of its own, earning awards for excellence in meetings and group services, digital media production, strategic marketing and destination storytelling. These honors reflect continued progress in how the destination communicates its identity, engages audiences, and elevates the Myrtle Beach brand across traditional and emerging platforms.
Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach, earned two notable distinctions, Content Marketer of the Year from the Content Marketing Institute and Hospitality Partner of the Year from the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association, affirming both his leadership in innovation and impact within the local hospitality community.
Coastal Carolina University's Center for Applied Civic Leadership honored Jimmy Gray, president of Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, for his steadfast leadership in driving the region's prosperity and in advocating for community development efforts, especially in transportation and infrastructure.
“These recognitions reinforce the strength and resilience of the Grand Strand,” Pivarnik said. “As we move into 2026, our focus remains on elevating the resident and visitor experience, collaborating with our partners, and telling the Myrtle Beach story with clarity, creativity and purpose.”
