What's New Across South Carolina's Grand Strand
The Myrtle Beach area is welcoming a wave of new attractions this fall, giving families even more ways to play, dine and explore across the destination. Baby penguins have debuted at Ripley’s Aquarium, three new dining and entertainment venues have opened, all featuring family-friendly duckpin bowling, and a brand-new restaurant is now open at Broadway at the Beach.
“No matter the time of year, there’s something new to discover across our coastal playground,” said Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach. “The variety found throughout our 60 miles of coastline and 14 communities, paired with longtime favorites, fall festivals and beautiful weather, makes this an ideal season to get out and explore all the Myrtle Beach area has to offer.”
Welcoming The Lucky Seven
Some of the smallest new arrivals are drawing the biggest attention. Seven African penguin chicks have recently hatched at Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, drawing national attention from Good Morning America and others. Nicknamed the “Lucky Seven,” the playful penguins belong to a critically endangered species and will be protected at the aquarium’s Penguin Playhouse. Opened in 2020, the exhibit features floor-to-ceiling windows and a crawl-through tunnel that gives families an up-close view as the colony swims, waddles and socializes. Live feedings and expert-led encounters also provide a unique opportunity to learn about the birds. Beyond the penguins, the aquarium is home to hundreds of marine animals ranging from sharks and stingrays as well as two resident sloths.
Duckpin Bowling Featured at 3 New Hot Spots
Duckpin bowling is also making a splash across the Myrtle Beach area with three new venues adding a combined 34 duckpin lanes this year. With smaller bowling balls and shorter pins, duckpin offers families a fun twist on the traditional bowling experience.
Twelve duckpin lanes are part of the newly opened Alley Oops North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s first location of the Maryland-based concept. Built for family game night on a grander scale, the entertainment venue also features virtual reality and arcade games, an outdoor mini-golf course, and a 30-foot video wall that anchors the restaurant and sports bar. The casual coastal menu ranges from crab cakes, seafood and steam pots to burgers and playful treats like funnel cake fries.
The newly opened District at Captain’s Quarters Resort adds eight high-tech duckpin lanes as part of the resort’s indoor entertainment complex. Bowlers can choose from 30 different games and formats that can transform a traditional frame into everything from poker-inspired challenges to animated games featuring the bowlers themselves. The District also includes an arcade and redemption center and a restaurant and bar, and is open to resort guests and the public.
Fourteen lanes of duckpin have also opened at Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown Myrtle Beach, which celebrated its official grand opening in September with an appearance by the celebrity chef himself. The dining and entertainment destination is the first of its kind in the state, and also features more than 100 arcade games, a tiki-style bar, a gift shop and a full-service restaurant featuring some of Fieri’s signature favorites like Cheeseburger Trash Can Nachos.
Big Fish Restaurant Now Open at Broadway at the Beach
The region’s culinary scene also continues to expand. Now open at Broadway at the Beach is Big Fish Myrtle Beach, a new concept from the local restaurateur behind Murrells Inlet favorites Dead Dog Saloon and The Claw House. The seafood restaurant and oyster bar features coastal-inspired décor, a sports bar, 30 televisions and a covered entertainment deck for live music overlooking Lake Broadway. Menu options range from oysters, lobster rolls and seafood boils to fried chicken, burgers, and fish and chips.
From new penguin arrivals and dining experiences to fresh places to play and explore, the latest additions to the Myrtle Beach area give families even more opportunities to enjoy the fall season across America’s favorite beach. Learn more at VisitMyrtleBeach.com.
