You’ve made it to Myrtle Beach and you’ve got three (or more) glorious months to bask in the warmth and sunshine! But you can only do that for so long before you need a little something else to do.
So here are some ideas for FREE and cheap activities that snowbirds might enjoy over the winter months in Myrtle Beach. If you find something I missed, please leave a comment below.
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Attractions
The Hollywood Wax Museum in Myrtle Beach is the only wax museum in the country devoted entirely to celebrity figures. Click here for tickets and discounts.
The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, the 187-foot oceanfront ferris wheel, has 42 enclosed temperature-controlled gondolas. Click here for tickets and discounts.
WonderWorks is an indoor “amusement park for the mind” that’s fun for all ages. Click here for tickets and discounts.
Bowling
710 North Myrtle Beach: This establishment has bowling, gaming (ping pong, bocce ball, cornhole, and darts are FREE), a restaurant, and a bar. Click here for bowling rates.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: This center has bowling, an arcade, a snack bar, and a lounge. Click here for bowling rates.
Surfside Bowl: This center has bowling, an arcade, entertainment, and a bar & grill. Click here for bowling rates.
Classes
Base Recreation Center offers a number of dance classes throughout the winter:
- Ballroom Dance: Classes are on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Practice is held from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. Cost: $10 per class.
- Line Dance Lessons: Classes are on Mondays. The beginner’s class starts at 2:30 p.m. The intermediate class starts at 3:30 p.m. Each class is $3 per person (or $5 for two classes).
- Shag Dance Lessons: Classes are on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Practice is held 6 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: $10 per class.
Base Recreation Center offers guitar lessons with Steve Marino every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by appointment. Classes are in one hour sessions beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. Cost: $10 per class. You must have your own guitar. Call 843-918-2380 for an appointment.
Chapin Memorial Library holds knitting and crocheting classes in the second floor meeting room every Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Learn basic knitting and crocheting skills or get help with an existing project. Bring your own supplies.
Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium offers fitness classes with drop-in rates:
- Active Aging Fitness Class: This class is designed to keep seniors fit. It combines strength training, balance, and cardio. The class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per class, or you can buy a 24-visit punch card for $55.
- Beginners’ Yoga: A full-body fitness program in a casual setting that moves slowly through a series of yoga poses to help you develop strength, flexibility, and balance. The class is on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Cost is $10 per class, or you can buy a 24-visit punch card for $50.
- Gentle Yoga: Take this class as you transition into from Intro to Yoga to a more advanced yoga class. The class is on Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Cost is $10 per class, or you can buy a 24-visit punch card for $50.
- Tai Chi: This mind and body exercise class takes place each Monday from 9 to 10 a.m. Cost is $10 per class, or you can buy a 24-visit punch card for $50.
Pepper Geddings Recreation Center has water aerobics classes that are open to snowbirds. Classes are held in the shallow end of the pool, so no swimming skills are needed. Drop-in fees are $10, or get an 18-visit punch card for $55:
- Hydroaerobics: This is a low impact, fast paced aerobic program designed to improve heart-lung capacity, flexibility, and muscular strength. The class meets from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Aqua Surge: This class is a great, low-impact way to focus on improving your muscle tone and cardio; it’s designed for all levels. The class meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Noon to 12:45 p.m. Water shoes are strongly recommended, but not required.
Entertainment
The Horry County Library has FREE games, clubs, craft activities, and more. Click here for the schedule.
La Belle Amie Vineyard holds weekly music and wine events on Wednesdays and Saturdays (they often have bonfires during the winter); many of them are FREE. Click here for the schedule.
Myrtle Beach has tons of miniature golf courses. Prices average around $8 for adults. Click here for coupons.
Games
Play Mahjong at the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium at Noon every Thursday. Cost is $1. Bring your own board.
Base Recreation Center has a number of FREE and cheap games that snowbirds are welcome to play:
- Chess and checkers from 6 to 8 p.m. every Monday. It’s FREE to play, and they also offer FREE coffee.
- Senior Bingo every Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to Noon. Players are asked to bring a prize valued at $1 to play.
- Canasta every Wednesday at 10 a.m. It’s FREE to play.
- Pinochle every Tuesday at 5 p.m. It’s FREE to play.
- Pool on Monday through Friday all day. It’s FREE to play.
- Table Tennis every Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $2.
Happy Hour
Tip: Always ask about Happy Hour deals before you’re seated; some restaurants only offer Happy Hour discounts if you’re sitting in the bar area.
Click here for detailed information on Myrtle Beach Happy Hours.
Movies
Base Recreation Center offers FREE movies for adults and seniors on Fridays at 3 p.m. Soft drinks and popcorn are available for $1 each.
The Chapin Memorial Library shows FREE Friday Films every Friday at 1:30 p.m. Popcorn is served, and you can bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. Click here for the schedule.
A lot of Myrtle Beach movie theaters offer discounts on movies and/or concessions, depending on when you go and whether or not you’re a rewards member.
Museums
The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum has both permanent and rotating exhibits. It also has interactive educational and creative programs for people of all ages. Admission is FREE; donations are appreciated.
The North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum collects, interprets, and displays artifacts and images related to life in the northeast corner of Horry County, SC. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for seniors (60+); $3 for kids (5-12).
Nightlife
Base Recreation Center holds Senior Dances on select Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m. throughout the winter. Cost is $7 per person. Here’s the 2018 schedule:
- Saturday, January 6
- Friday, January 12
- Friday, January 19
- Friday, January 26
- Saturday, January 27
- Saturday, February 3
- Friday, February 9
- Friday, February 23
- Saturday, February 24
- Saturday, March 3
- Friday, March 9
- Friday, March 16
- Friday, March 23
- Saturday, March 24
Here’s a list of popular Myrtle Beach nightclubs. The discounts listed below exclude special events.
2001 Nightclub offers FREE admission to all ladies before 9:30 p.m. Or get FREE admission for you and one guest with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
The Bowery: Get FREE admission for you and up to three guests with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Crocidile Rocks: Get FREE admission for you and one guest with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Duck’s Nightclub: Get FREE admission with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Malibu’s Surf Bar: Get FREE admission for you and one guest with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Oz Nightclub: Get FREE admission for you and one guest with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Senor Frogs: Get FREE admission for you and one guest with the Ultimate Myrtle Beach Discount Card.
Shopping
Admission to the Broadway at the Beach complex is always FREE, although there is a fee for the attractions. They also put on a lot of FREE events like concerts and family-friendly shows. Click here for upcoming events.
As with Broadway at the Beach, admission to the Barefoot Landing complex is always FREE, but there’s a fee for the attractions. This complex also puts on a lot of FREE events throughout the year.
The Market Common is a shopping and dining complex that has everything from upscale shops and restaurants to ice cream and pizza.
If you’re looking for a shopping mall, try Coastal Grand Mall, Myrtle Beach Mall, or Inlet Square Mall.
There are two Tanger Outlets locations in Myrtle Beach: one on Highway 17; and one on Highway 501.
Shows
There are tons of great shows in Myrtle Beach. Here are some reasonably inexpensive options (Click on the links below for tickets and discounts.):
Comedy Shows
Other Budget-Friendly Theaters/Shows
Atlantic Stage: Puts on quality theatrical productions of classical, contemporary, and new works.
Beach Party Musical 60s Tribute Show: Travel back in time to the 1960s and get your groove on! Tap your feet and sing to your heart’s desire to your favorite 60s bands and artists including The Beatles, The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Ray Charles, The Mama’s & the Papa’s, The Monkeys, The Doors, and many more.
Blacque N’ Blublay: A journey through the musical classics, including Candy Man, My Funny Valentine, Cry Me A River, and more. Inspired by the greats—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble.
Motor City Musical: Offers a lively tribute to Motown, featuring old-time classics ideal for guests of all ages to enjoy.
Pure Magic: An unbelievable show for the whole family filled with magic, amazement, and illusions.
State Left Theatre Company: The newest community theater company in Myrtle Beach; they specializie in “creating excellent, intimate works that everyone can enjoy.”
Discounts on Popular Myrtle Beach Shows
These are the pricier shows, but some of them offer relatively decent winter discounts (click on the links below):
The Carolina Opry: A unique variety show with a cast of 36 performers in a two-hour show filled with fun and laughter for the whole family.
Legends in Concert: Offers an exciting lineup of tributes of today’s and yesterday’s greatest musical legends.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament: From jaw-dropping jousting acts and exciting swordplay, epic fight choreography, and a delicious four-course meal, this one-of-a-kind dinner show keeps guests entertained from start to finish.
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater: During a three-course meal, a fake murder takes place, and guests are in charge of determining who the killer is.
ONE the Show: Family-friendly entertainment featuring everything from country, gospel, Broadway, pop and rock music, to side-splitting comedy routines.
Time Warp: Featuring some of the best music and dancing of the 60s, 70s and 80s, Time Warp offers a high-energy show filled with special effects, elaborate costuming, state-of-the-art multimedia screens, and more.
Thunder and Light Starring All That!: The nationally-known clogging group All That!, a multi-million dollar laser light show, and the magical illusions of Brandon and Hannah Wagster all rolled into one variety show.
World Famous Gospel Brunch: Offers both traditional and contemporary gospel songs and praises, and an all-you-can eat buffet.
Sports
Play pickleball at the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Walk-in fee is $5 for adults (18-54); $3 for seniors (55+); FREE for members.
Play volleyball at the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium from Noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Walk-in fee is $5 for adults (18-54); $3 for seniors (55+); FREE for members.
Need More Free and Cheap Things to Do in Myrtle Beach? Try these posts:
- FREE and Cheap Winter Fun in Myrtle Beach
- FREE and Cheap Myrtle Beach Events Calendar
- FREE and Cheap Things to Do in Myrtle Beach This Weekend
- Always FREE in Myrtle Beach
- Best FREE or Cheap Things to Do in Myrtle Beach
- FREE or Cheap Kids Activities in Myrtle Beach
For Myrtle Beach restaurant coupons, click on our 
