Myrtle Beach vs North Myrtle Beach: Which One Is Better for Your Beach Trip?

If you’re planning a beach trip to the Carolinas, you’ve probably heard of Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. They’re right next to each other, share the same coastline, and both promise sun, sand, and ocean breezes. But if you’ve ever stood at the border between them wondering which one to pick, you’re not alone. The truth? They’re not the same place. Choosing between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach comes down to what kind of beach day-or week-you’re after.

Myrtle Beach: The Classic Beach Resort

Myrtle Beach is the big brother. It’s got the boardwalk, the amusement parks, the high-rises, and the crowds. If you grew up watching TV shows with families laughing on piers and kids chasing ice cream trucks, you’re picturing Myrtle Beach. It’s the kind of place where you can walk from your hotel to a mini-golf course, then hit a seafood shack, then catch a live concert-all before sunset.

The beach itself is wide and clean, with soft, golden sand. The water is warm in summer, usually hitting 80°F by July. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You’ll find public access points every few blocks, and most come with restrooms, showers, and rental chairs. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is 1.2 miles long and packed with vendors, arcade games, and street performers. It’s open year-round, but summer nights are electric.

Hotels here range from budget motels to luxury resorts. If you want a pool with a waterslide, a rooftop bar, or a room with an ocean view, Myrtle Beach has it. But you’ll pay more for it. A standard oceanfront room in July can run $300-$600 a night. Parking? Good luck finding a free spot near the boardwalk after noon.

North Myrtle Beach: The Quiet Side of the Shore

North Myrtle Beach, just 10 minutes up the road, feels like a different state. No boardwalk. No roller coasters. No neon signs blinking above parking lots. Instead, you get tree-lined streets, quiet neighborhoods, and a slower pace. It’s where locals go when they want to unwind without the noise.

The beaches here are just as beautiful-same sand, same water, same Gulf Stream warmth. But there’s less foot traffic. You’ll find more families with picnic blankets and fewer groups with Bluetooth speakers. The shoreline stretches longer here, with fewer high-rises blocking the view. Some spots even feel like you’ve got a whole mile of beach to yourself.

Accommodations are mostly condos, vacation rentals, and low-rise motels. You won’t find a 30-story hotel with a spa and a nightclub. What you will find is more space, more privacy, and better value. A two-bedroom condo with a kitchen and balcony might cost $180-$350 a night in peak season. Many come with free parking and beach access right out the back door.

There’s a small boardwalk in the Cherry Grove area, but it’s more for strolling than for screaming on rides. You’ll find local seafood restaurants, bike paths along the Intracoastal Waterway, and a few quiet bars where the bartenders remember your name.

What You’ll Actually Do: Activities Compared

Let’s say you’re trying to decide where to spend your days. Here’s how they stack up:

• Family fun: Myrtle Beach wins with Family Kingdom Amusement Park, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the SkyWheel. North Myrtle Beach has mini-golf and nature trails, but no big rides.
• Water sports: Both offer kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet ski rentals. But North Myrtle Beach has calmer waters near the inlet, making it better for beginners and kids.
• Fishing: North Myrtle Beach is the clear winner. The Cherry Grove Pier is one of the longest on the East Coast-1,300 feet out into the Atlantic. You’ll catch flounder, bluefish, and even the occasional shark. Myrtle Beach has piers too, but they’re more touristy and crowded.
• Dining: Myrtle Beach has chains like Red Lobster and TGI Fridays, plus fancy seafood spots with white tablecloths. North Myrtle Beach has local favorites like The Crab Shack and Big Daddy’s, where you eat shrimp baskets on plastic tables with paper napkins.
• Nightlife: Myrtle Beach has clubs, live bands, and late-night bars along the Boardwalk. North Myrtle Beach shuts down by 11 p.m. Most places close by 10.

Who Should Go Where?

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Choose Myrtle Beach if: You want to be entertained 24/7. You’re traveling with teens who need constant stimulation. You love crowds, bright lights, and having everything within walking distance. You don’t mind paying extra for convenience.
• Choose North Myrtle Beach if: You want to relax. You’re traveling with young kids or older parents who need quiet. You’d rather cook your own meals than eat out every night. You’re looking for a real beach vibe, not a theme park.

Some people split the difference-stay in North Myrtle Beach and drive 10 minutes into Myrtle Beach for a day of rides and dinner. That’s a smart move if you want the best of both.

Price and Value: The Real Difference

Money talks. In Myrtle Beach, you’re paying for the brand. You’re paying for the location, the entertainment, the buzz. In North Myrtle Beach, you’re paying for space, peace, and authenticity.

Take a 5-night stay in July:

• Myrtle Beach: $1,500-$3,000 for a hotel room. Add $500 for parking, $400 for meals, $200 for attractions. Total: $2,600-$3,600.
• North Myrtle Beach: $900-$1,750 for a condo. Add $300 for groceries, $200 for local eats, $50 for parking. Total: $1,450-$2,300.

You’re saving $1,000-$1,500 by staying in North Myrtle Beach. That’s enough for a second trip next year.

Seasons and Crowds: When to Go

Both places get packed from late May through August. But here’s the twist: Myrtle Beach stays busy into September. North Myrtle Beach empties out by mid-September. If you want fewer people and lower prices, aim for late April, early May, or October. The water is still warm enough to swim, and the air is crisp.

Winter? Myrtle Beach has a few events and some open restaurants, but it’s mostly quiet. North Myrtle Beach feels like a ghost town. Only the locals are out walking the beach, bundled in jackets.

Final Verdict

There’s no single ‘better’ beach. Myrtle Beach is loud, lively, and full of energy. North Myrtle Beach is calm, honest, and full of soul. If you want to feel like you’re on vacation, pick Myrtle Beach. If you want to feel like you’re on a real beach getaway, pick North Myrtle Beach.

Most people who come back year after year? They start in Myrtle Beach. Then they try North Myrtle Beach. And they never go back to the crowds.