Things to Do in Myrtle Beach with Kids — A Local's Day Plan
Ripley's Aquarium ->
I'd start your day here, right when we open at 9am. The Dangerous Reef tunnel is the moment everyone remembers — you ride a slow walkway while sharks, rays, and sea turtles glide directly overhead — but give yourself at least two hours, because the jellyfish gallery, the stingray touch pool, and the penguin march all deserve time. If you want to skip the crowds, come right at open or after 5pm; the middle of the day is busiest, especially in summer. We're on Celebrity Circle, right at Broadway at the Beach.
The Sloth Encounter ->
If your kids love animals, this is the one add-on I tell families not to skip. It's a 45-minute, expert-guided experience: a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for our animals, then time inside Sloth Valley during Rico and Cleo's feeding. It runs select days at 9:10am and 1:00pm, requires aquarium admission, and you'll want to check in 20 minutes ahead — an early start pairs perfectly with the morning session.
The Hangout ->
This is the go-to family spot near the aquarium — it's right on Celebrity Circle, just steps from our entrance, so it's an easy walk for lunch. The kids love the outdoor foam parties and the birthday-table celebrations, and the smothered snapper and shrimp plates are what I order. It opens at 11am and fills up fast in season, so go early or grab a reservation.
Anderson Park ->
This is the spot most visitors walk right past, and I wish they wouldn't. Head south along the boardwalk from the SkyWheel and you'll find shaded benches, porch swings looking out over the ocean, and direct beach access — the perfect place to decompress after a busy day of attractions. Best part: the boardwalk linking it back to the aquarium area is flat, stroller-friendly, and completely free, so it doubles as the easiest way to tie your whole day together.
Broadway at the Beach ->
This is the hub I send every family to — and you'll pass through it more than once. Built around a central lake, it holds 20+ restaurants, dozens of shops, WonderWorks, mini golf, and nightlife, all walkable, and it's where Ripley's Aquarium, the Sloth Encounter, and The Hangout all sit. Parking is free, it's open year-round, and it stays lively well into the evening, so it works as your anchor whether you're starting your day or winding it down.
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach ->
End your day here. It's about a mile south along the boardwalk — a 187-ft Ferris wheel with sweeping ocean views, and the gondolas are enclosed and climate-controlled, so it's comfortable even on a cool evening. Time it for sunset: that's when the views are best and the kids are usually ready to wind down. It stays open until midnight if you'd rather ride after dinner.
👋 Hi, I'm Sarah — I've run Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach for over a decade, and I've helped thousands of families find their perfect day on the Grand Strand. So here's the one I'd actually plan for yours: it starts with sharks gliding overhead in our Dangerous Reef tunnel and a sloth feeding just steps away, then opens into the whole neighborhood around us — lunch at The Hangout, the shops and rides of Broadway at the Beach, a flat, stroller-friendly boardwalk stroll to the porch swings at Anderson Park, and a sunset spin on the SkyWheel to close the day. Six stops, all walkable or a short hop apart. 🎁
About the Author
Sarah M. · GM and Local Host · Ripley's Myrtle Beach · Myrtle Beach, SC.
Hi, I'm Sarah M., General Manager and Local Host at Ripley's of Myrtle Beach. After more than a decade welcoming families through our doors, I know this stretch of the Grand Strand better than most — and I love helping visitors plan a day that feels like more than just a stop at the aquarium. Explore my other guides for the best of family-friendly Myrtle Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you need at Ripley's Aquarium with kids?
Plan for at least two hours, and closer to three if you've got little ones who like to linger. Between the Dangerous Reef shark tunnel, the jellyfish gallery, the stingray touch pool, and the penguin march, there's plenty to fill a relaxed morning without anyone feeling rushed.
Is the Sloth Encounter at Ripley's Aquarium worth it?
If your kids love animals, yes — it's the one add-on I tell families not to skip. It's a 45-minute, expert-guided experience with a behind-the-scenes look at how we care for our animals, then time in Sloth Valley during Rico and Cleo's feeding. It runs select days at 9:10am and 1:00pm, requires aquarium admission, and you'll want to check in 20 minutes early.
What's the best time to visit Ripley's Aquarium to beat the crowds?
Come right at 9am when we open, or swing by in the late afternoon — the middle of the day, roughly 11am to 3pm, is the busiest stretch, especially in summer. An early start also lines up perfectly with the morning Sloth Encounter.
Where should we eat near Ripley's Aquarium with kids?
The Hangout is my go-to — it's right on Celebrity Circle, just steps from our entrance. The kids love the outdoor foam parties and the birthday-table celebrations, and the smothered snapper and shrimp plates are what I order. It opens at 11am and fills up fast in season, so go early or grab a reservation.
What free things can we do near Broadway at the Beach with kids?
Head to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and walk south to Anderson Park — porch swings overlooking the ocean, shaded benches, and direct beach access, all completely free. The boardwalk connecting it back to the aquarium area is flat and stroller-friendly, so it doubles as the easiest way to tie your whole day together.
Is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk stroller-friendly?
Yes — the stretch connecting Broadway at the Beach down to Anderson Park is flat and easy to push a stroller along the whole way. It's the most scenic and low-stress way to get between attractions with little ones.
Is Ripley's Aquarium a good rainy-day activity in Myrtle Beach?
It's my top pick for a rainy or very hot day — it's entirely indoor, and between the shark tunnel, touch tanks, and Sloth Valley, kids stay happily busy for hours. Broadway at the Beach around it also has WonderWorks and plenty of covered space, so you can build a full weatherproof day without going back to the car.
What's a good one-day plan in Myrtle Beach with kids?
Start at Ripley's Aquarium right at opening — add the Sloth Encounter if your kids love animals — then walk over to The Hangout for lunch. Spend the afternoon at Broadway at the Beach with WonderWorks, the shops, and mini golf, then stroll the boardwalk south to Anderson Park to decompress, and finish with a sunset ride on the SkyWheel.