Things To Do & Local Attractions
Golf, beach activities, shopping, and rainy day fun near Barefoot Resort
“Is There a Boardwalk Like Virginia Beach?”
Great question, and one we get a lot! Yes — the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade is a real 1.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk (from Pier 14 at 14th Ave N to the 2nd Ave Pier) with the SkyWheel, shops, and street performers. It's about a 15–20 minute drive south, in Myrtle Beach's main tourist district — not walkable from our townhome. We're in North Myrtle Beach, a quieter, more residential area a bit north of the hotel strip — but the Boardwalk makes for a fun half-day trip.
Golf — You're in the Right Place
Barefoot Resort is home to four championship golf courses, all with resident/guest access (public fee applies):
- Norman Course — designed by Greg Norman
- Fazio Course — Tom Fazio design, par-71, European-style
- Dye Course — Pete Dye's longest and toughest here, ranked among Golf Digest's top public courses in America
- Love Course — designed by Davis Love III
Also worth the drive: Tidewater Golf Club (Golf Digest Top 100 Public Course) and Eagle Nest Golf Club (Little River). Book tee times in advance during peak season.
Mini Golf
North Myrtle Beach calls itself the "Mini Golf Capital of the World." Hawaiian Rumble (volcano-themed) and Black Pearl Mini-Golf (pirate theme + arcade + ice cream) are local favorites.
On the Water
- Barefoot Marina (2051 Bridge View Ct, right in the resort) — rent bowriders, center consoles, deck boats, jet skis, and pontoons
- Kayaking & paddleboarding on the Intracoastal Waterway near Barefoot Landing
- Parasailing & charter fishing — several seasonal operators along the Grand Strand; ask us for a current recommendation
On Land: Walking, Biking & Fitness
Walking, Hiking & Nature Trails
- Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens (Little River) — a peaceful 118-acre nature preserve with shaded walking trails, a boardwalk over Intracoastal marshland, live oaks, and birdwatching; free admission
- East Coast Greenway — a paved multi-use path running right through Barefoot Resort, great for an easy morning or evening walk from the neighborhood
- The beach itself is one of the best walking spots — hard-packed sand along the whole North Myrtle Beach shoreline is popular for long walks and sunrise strolls
Bike Rentals & Trails
- North Strand Beach Service and Surf City Surf Shop both rent beach cruiser bikes by the day or week — convenient for exploring Barefoot Resort and the Greenway
- The East Coast Greenway (Barefoot Resort segment) is a flat paved path, ideal for an easy ride right from the neighborhood
- Cherry Grove and Ocean Drive have wide, bike-friendly beach access roads and boardwalks, popular for cruising in the early morning before crowds arrive
Fitness & Beauty
- Planet Fitness (3379 Hwy 9 E, Little River) offers day passes for guests who want a full gym while on vacation
- Diva Nails & Spa and Noire Nail Bar (near Barefoot Landing) are popular local options for manicures, pedicures, and waxing
Major Attractions & Distances
- Barefoot Landing — less than 1 mile, essentially next door — shops, restaurants, House of Blues, Alabama Theatre, free ICW docking — Close to the Townhome
- Main Street / Ocean Drive — ~10–15 min drive
- Cherry Grove — ~10–15 min drive
- Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & SkyWheel — ~15–20 min drive south — Worth the Drive
- Broadway at the Beach (incl. Ripley's Aquarium) — ~20–25 min drive
- Tanger Outlets (Hwy 17) — ~10–15 min
Family Activities
- Broadway Grand Prix — go-karts, mini golf, Skycoaster, arcade — Great for Families
- 810 Billiards & Bowling — bowling, billiards, bocce, ping pong, full bar
- Pin Point Indoor Pickleball & Golf — Little River, indoor courts + simulators
- North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex (150 Citizens Circle, Little River) — playgrounds, splash pad/water play area, walking trails, and a 25-acre lake; free and open daily 6:30am–7pm
- Sunset tip: grab a waterfront table at Barefoot Landing (or ice cream from Sweet Molly's Creamery) and watch the sun go down over the Intracoastal — a favorite easy evening for our guests
Rainy Day in North Myrtle Beach
- 810 Billiards & Bowling — bowling, billiards, arcade games
- OD Arcade & Lounge — open late daily
- Nexus VR Arcade — virtual reality
- K1 Speed North Myrtle Beach — indoor go-kart racing
- North Myrtle Beach Area Historical Museum — local history
- Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach
- Tanger Outlets or Barefoot Landing shopping
Shopping & Groceries
- Barefoot Market & Cafe — 4920 Village Hill Dr — closest option, within the resort
- Publix (1576 Hwy 17 N) — full-size grocery store a few minutes away, guest favorite for the deli and bakery
- Walmart Supercenter — one-stop shop for groceries and vacation essentials on Hwy 17
- Food Lion — convenient smaller grocery option closer to Barefoot Resort
- Boulineau's Foods Plus — local institution since 1948
- Barefoot Landing & Tanger Outlets — boutique and name-brand shopping nearby
Check Reviews Before You Go
Restaurants, hours, and attractions change, so we recommend a quick check on Yelp before heading out — especially during peak season. As a rule of thumb, we generally stick to places rated 4 stars or better with 100+ reviews.
- Yelp: Top-Rated Restaurants in North Myrtle Beach
- Yelp: Top-Rated Things To Do in North Myrtle Beach
⭐ More Guest Favorites — Activities & Attractions
Every link below opens Google Maps with directions starting from the townhome.
Alligator Adventure
Wildlife • Family — ⭐ 4.4+/5 — 🚗 ~3 mi / 7–9 min
Lost Treasure Golf
Mini Golf • Family — ⭐ 4.5+/5 — 🚗 ~4 mi / 8–10 min
Alabama Theatre
Live Shows • Music — ⭐ 4.0+/5 — 🚗 ~3 mi / 7–9 min
Great Escapes Kayak Expeditions
Kayaking • Paddleboarding • Nature — ⭐ 4.9+/5 — 🚗 ~5–7 mi / 10–15 min
J & L Kayak Tours
Kayaking • Paddleboarding — ⭐ 5.0/5 — 🚗 ~6–8 mi / 12–18 min
Kokopelli Surf Camp
Surf Lessons • Paddleboarding — ⭐ 5.0/5 — 🚗 ~6–8 mi / 12–18 min
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Ferris Wheel • Sunset • Ocean Views — ⭐ 4.4+/5 — 🚗 ~15 mi / 25–30 min
Pair it with a sunset walk on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and dinner — a great evening out.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Dinner • Live Show • Family — ⭐ 4.3+/5 — 🚗 ~11 mi / 20–25 min
Medieval Times
Dinner • Horses • Jousting — ⭐ 4.2+/5 — 🚗 ~16 mi / 25–30 min
Hollywood Wax Museum
Indoor • Family • Rainy Day — ⭐ 4.1+/5 — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
WonderWorks
Interactive Science • Family • Indoor — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Myrtle Beach State Park
Beach • Nature • Fishing Pier • Trails — ⭐ 4.4+/5 — 🚗 ~19 mi / 30–35 min
Huntington Beach State Park
Beach • Wildlife • Nature • Atalaya Castle — ⭐ 4.7+/5 — 🚗 ~28 mi / 40–45 min
One of our best "worth the drive" picks for nature lovers.
Brookgreen Gardens
Gardens • Sculpture • Wildlife • History — ⭐ 4.6+/5 — 🚗 ~28 mi / 40–45 min
Myrtle Beach Safari
Wildlife • Animals • Unique Experience — ⭐ 4.9+/5 — 🚗 ~20 mi / 30–35 min
Blackbeard's Pirate Cruise
Boat Ride • Family • Adventure — ⭐ 4.8+/5 — 🚗 ~8 mi / 15–20 min
Fish Finder Fishing Charters
Deep Sea Fishing • Private Charters — ⭐ 5.0/5 — 🚗 ~7 mi / 12–15 min
Dolphin / Wildlife Cruise
Dolphins • Boat Ride • Wildlife — Highly Rated — 🚗 ~7 mi / 12–15 min
Wheels of Yesteryear
⭐ More Guest Favorites — Shopping
Every link below opens Google Maps with directions starting from the townhome.
Coastal North Town Center
Shopping • Restaurants • Services — 🚗 ~4 mi / 8–10 min
Surfwood Shopping Center
Local Shopping • Restaurants • Services — 🚗 ~4 mi / 8–10 min
North Strand Plaza
Local Shopping — 🚗 ~5 mi / 10–12 min
Tanger Outlets Hwy 501
Outlet Shopping • Major Brands — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
The Market Common
Lifestyle Shopping • Restaurants • Entertainment — 🚗 ~18 mi / 30–35 min
Pacific Beachwear
Beachwear • Souvenirs — 🚗 ~5 mi / 10–12 min
Earthbound Trading Co.
Gifts • Jewelry • Clothing — 🚗 ~2.5 mi / 6–8 min
Vera Bradley Outlet
Bags • Gifts • Accessories — 🚗 ~5 mi / 10–12 min
Hope Taylor & Company
Boutique • Women's Clothing — 🚗 ~5 mi / 10–12 min
Seasalt Boutique
Boutique • Women's Clothing — 🚗 ~5 mi / 10–12 min
House of Blues Gear Shop
Music Merchandise • Gifts — 🚗 ~3 mi / 7–9 min
Broadway T-Shirt Co.
Souvenirs • Beachwear — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Surfwear • Beachwear • Gifts — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Kids • Gifts • Family — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Cariloha
Clothing • Island Lifestyle — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Crabby Jack's General Store
Souvenirs • Gifts • Beach Items — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Byrd's Famous Cookies
Cookies • Gifts • Souvenirs — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
A Silver Shack
Jewelry • Gifts — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min
Coastal Outfitters Pro Shop
Golf • Outdoor • Apparel — 🚗 ~12 mi / 20–25 min