If you’re planning your first vacation to the Grand Strand, you may be wondering about the difference between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Are they the same place? Which area has better beaches? And, most importantly, which one is better for your vacation?
While Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach are only a short drive apart, they are two separate cities with totally different atmospheres. Myrtle Beach is known for its lively attractions, Boardwalk, nightlife, and entertainment. North Myrtle Beach offers a more laid-back beach vacation with plenty to see and do.
When you stay with Seaside Vacations, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of North Myrtle Beach while still being close enough to spend the day exploring Myrtle Beach and other areas along the Grand Strand. The right choice really depends on what you’re looking for during your getaway, so let’s take a closer look at Myrtle Beach vs. North Myrtle Beach and what makes each destination unique.
Myrtle Beach vs North Myrtle Beach: What's the Main Difference?
One of the biggest differences between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach is the overall atmosphere.
Myrtle Beach tends to be busier and puts you close to many of the Grand Strand’s best-known attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants, and nightlife. North Myrtle Beach has a more relaxed coastal feel while still offering restaurants, shopping, live entertainment, golf, water sports, and plenty of family-friendly activities.
North Myrtle Beach is made up of four communities: Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill. Each one offers its own character while keeping visitors close to everything that North Myrtle Beach has to offer.
What is Myrtle Beach Like?
If you enjoy having plenty of activities close by, Myrtle Beach may be calling your name. One of the most recognizable areas is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, which stretches along the oceanfront and is home to restaurants, shops, arcades, entertainment, and the iconic SkyWheel. Families can spend the afternoon exploring the different attractions, playing miniature golf, shopping, or simply enjoying a walk along the oceanfront.
Myrtle Beach is also known for its live entertainment options, golf courses, water parks, dining, and nightlife. There is almost always something happening, especially during the busy summer months and holidays.
For vacationers who enjoy being right in the middle of the action, Myrtle Beach has plenty to offer you.
What is North Myrtle Beach Like?
North Myrtle Beach offers a different kind of beach vacation.
You’ll still find plenty of things to do, but the atmosphere tends to feel a little more relaxed. Spend your mornings on the beach, head out for lunch, browse some of the shops, play a round of golf, or enjoy an evening of live music before returning to your vacation rental.
Popular areas such as Cherry Grove are longtime favorites for families who enjoy fishing and days by the water. Ocean Drive is well known for beach music and Carolina Shag dancing. You’ll also have easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, and waterfront activities throughout North Myrtle Beach.
For families, couples, and groups who want to enjoy the Grand Strand without staying directly in the busiest part of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach can be a great fit.
Which Has Better Beaches: Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach?
Both destinations offer beautiful stretches of South Carolina coastline, so you really can’t go wrong when it comes to spending time by the ocean. The biggest difference may be the atmosphere surrounding the beach.
Myrtle Beach puts you closer to the Boardwalk and many popular attractions, while North Myrtle Beach tends to offer a more laid-back beach experience that many vacationers are looking for.
If your perfect vacation includes packing a cooler, setting up the beach chairs, and spending most of the day with your toes in the sand before heading back to your vacation rental, North Myrtle Beach may be perfect for you.
Is Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach Better for Families?
Both can make a great family vacation destination.
Myrtle Beach offers a wide range of attractions, amusement-style activities, miniature golf courses, entertainment, and restaurants to keep the kids busy throughout the week.
North Myrtle Beach offers many of the same vacation activities while allowing families to enjoy a little more downtime between adventures.
Staying in North Myrtle Beach also means you can easily plan a day trip into Myrtle Beach whenever you’d like to visit the Boardwalk, attractions, or entertainment. When the day is over, you can head back north and settle into your vacation rental for the rest of the night.
Which is Better for Nightlife?
If nightlife is one of your top vacation priorities, Myrtle Beach has a larger concentration of bars, entertainment venues, and nightlife options.
That doesn’t mean North Myrtle Beach goes to sleep when the sun goes down. Ocean Drive is especially well known for live beach music and shag dancing, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment throughout the area.
The difference comes down to what kind of evening you’re looking for. Myrtle Beach offers more of the high-energy nightlife scene, while North Myrtle Beach tends to keep things a little more casual.
Should You Stay in Myrtle Beach or North Myrtle Beach?
So, which one should you choose?
If you want to stay close to the Boardwalk, major attractions, nightlife, and plenty of activity, Myrtle Beach may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a laid-back beach vacation while still being close enough to enjoy everything the Grand Strand has to offer, North Myrtle Beach may be the better fit.
And that’s one of the reasons so many families choose North Myrtle Beach. You don’t have to pick between relaxing at the beach and exploring Myrtle Beach. You can enjoy both during the same vacation.
Make North Myrtle Beach Your Home Away From Home
When comparing Myrtle Beach vs. North Myrtle Beach, there really isn’t a wrong answer. Both destinations offer beautiful beaches, great restaurants, family attractions, golf, shopping, and plenty of ways to enjoy the South Carolina coast.
If a more laid-back beach vacation sounds like the right fit for you, Seaside Vacations makes it easy to find a comfortable place to stay in North Myrtle Beach. Our selection of North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals includes oceanfront condos, spacious homes, and properties throughout some of the area’s most popular beach communities.
Best of all, you’ll be able to enjoy everything North Myrtle Beach has to offer while still being close enough to visit Myrtle Beach whenever you want a change of pace. Browse our North Myrtle Beach vacation rentals and start planning your next Grand Strand getaway with Seaside Vacations.
