Known as the hub of the Grand Strand, a 60-mile string of beaches along the Atlantic coast, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a popular destination for groups looking to host their next gathering in a place with warm weather, wide beaches and a variety of things to do. While the city itself has over 500,000 square feet of meeting space, the best part about meeting in Myrtle Beach is the activities available to attendees once the workday ends.
With endless opportunities for entertainment, camaraderie and fun, here are five offsite activities in Myrtle Beach that will get your group excited about your next meeting in South Carolina.
Brookgreen Gardens
Located just 13 miles south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet sits the 9,100-acre Brookgreen Gardens, a sculpture garden and wildlife preserve. Brookgreen Gardens was founded in 1931 by Archer Milton Huntington, one of the wealthiest men in America at the time, who established the property to preserve, exhibit and protect the flora, fauna and American figurative sculptures in the area.
There are a number of opportunities for groups to tour and experience the gardens. Group rates apply to 20 or more paid adults and include one-day admission to the sculpture gardens, the Lowcountry History and Wildlife Preserve and the Lowcountry Zoo.
There are also multiple tours specifically designed for groups to enjoy, including the Creek Excursion Boat Rides, a tour of the property’s creeks only accessible via The Springfield, a 48-foot pontoon boat able to seat up to 48. The excursion is only available from March through November and includes a tour guide who will share information about the tidal creeks, surrounding land and the significant history of the colonial rice plantations that once made up Brookgreen Gardens.
Other tour options for groups include a private guided group tour around the gardens, special topic group tours around the garden (such as horticulture, sculpture or history), group lunches and a live interactive “Meet the Animals” program.
[Related: 5 Teambuilding Ideas on the Beach for Your Next Event]
Ripley’s Aquarium
Located in the Broadway at the Beach shopping center and entertainment complex is Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach, one of three aquariums in the country from Ripley Entertainment. The 80,000-square-foot aquarium contains mesmerizing wildlife exhibits, including the Rio Amazon, Ocean Wonders, Tropical Rainforest, Planet Jellies and more. The aquarium also features a 330-foot Dangerous Reef shark exhibit with sharks, giant sawfish, a green sea turtle and over 14,000 fish swimming in the 750,000-gallon exhibit.
The aquarium also offers options for groups, including a full after-hours buyout of the venue. Other after-hours offers include the “Sleep with the Sharks” program, where groups of between 10 and 120 can experience late-night aquatic-themed activities and the chance to spend the night in the aquarium.
Golf Offerings
Myrtle Beach is often called the “Golf Capital of the World” due to being home to over 90 championship golf courses and 50 miniature golf courses. But for meeting planners looking to offer a unique golfing experience to their group, look no further than PopStroke, a new mini-golf concept backed by Tiger Woods and the first of its kind in South Carolina.
PopStroke is a technology-infused golf-entertainment concept featuring two 18-hole putting courses along with lively food and beverage options and other outdoor games. PopStroke offers group bookings for 12 or more as well as full venue buyouts and customizable packages.
[Related: Fun Golf Games to Spice Up Group and Tournament Programs]
Another golf-themed activity for groups to enjoy in Myrtle Beach is Topgolf. With tons of unique golf games to choose from and a variety of amenities to enjoy including a rooftop terrace with firepits, climate-controlled hitting bays, HDTVs in every bay and a sports bar and restaurant, Topgolf is the perfect outing for your next meeting or event in Myrtle Beach.
Topgolf also offers a number of private event spaces, the largest of which is the indoor Chairman’s Suite and the outdoor patio area, each able to accommodate up to 120 attendees. Topgolf also offers a full venue buyout option, able to accommodate events for up to 1,000 attendees. The venue also offers catering packages for groups as well as unique event enhancements like a live leaderboard or a Topgolf Pro able to provide swing tips and group lessons. Topgolf also offers unique teambuilding packages able to accommodate up to 204 attendees and designed to help build trust and cooperation within a team.
Myrtle Beach Beer Trail
The Myrtle Beach Beer Trail is a location-based digital passport that will allow participants to “check in” at the area’s best beer and brewery destinations across the Grand Strand. Complete with 10 great breweries, tons of amazing bars and more than 2,000 restaurants, your attendees will have a blast exploring all of the great food and beverage options Myrtle Beach has
to offer.
Nights at Nance Concert Series
Located in the Arts and Innovation district, Nance Plaza provides a weekly fall concert series every Thursday throughout September and October. The free music series features performances by regional bands and is great for any groups planning a fall exhibition in Myrtle Beach. Nance Plaza is also located near Grand Strand Brewery and other popular Myrtle Beach attractions.
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Hickey’s InterActive Adventures
Hickey’s InterActive Adventures is an indoor interactive theme park in Myrtle Beach that provides the perfect backdrop for a corporate outing. The 37,000-square-foot complex features a variety of attractions including escape rooms, laser tag and virtual and augmented reality games designed for both kids and adults. The venue features flexible event space, onsite group event coordination and an easy reservation process that will make holding your next corporate event or celebration a breeze.
Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Spanning over 250,000 square feet in downtown Myrtle Beach, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is more than a beautiful venue to host your next meeting or convention. As one of the largest convention centers in the southeast region, MBCC has over 100,000 square feet of column-free event space that can be divided into three sections and can accommodate a wide range of floorplans. With halls featuring 35-foot ceilings and drive-in access, logistics are easy to accomplish for planners, exhibitors and production companies.
MBCC also features a 17,00-square-foot Grand Ballroom with advanced lighting controls and 24-foot-tall ceilings, able to accommodate up to 1,000 attendees. The convention center also features 17 meeting and event rooms across two levels, including a 30,000-square-foot Events Plaza ideal for hosting teambuilding, dining or other events. The convention center is also connected to the AAA Three-Diamond Sheraton Myrtle Beach hotel, featuring 400 guest rooms, a fitness center and an indoor heated pool.
