Published October 14, 2026Updated October 18, 20265 min readBeach

Things to Do Near Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals

Myrtle Beach rentals are mostly family beach trips. From mid-October the water parks are done for the year, but the state parks, gardens, aquarium and Boardwalk attractions keep going. This guide lists 6 activities that fit that kind of trip, with what we could confirm about each one from mid-October into winter. Every detail comes from the operator’s or managing agency’s own website, checked on October 14, 2026. Seasons and hours change, so confirm before you go. Still choosing where to stay? Start with the Myrtle Beach neighborhood guide. For meals, see where to eat near Myrtle Beach rentals.

Quick answer

Brookgreen Gardens is open daily, with late hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Huntington Beach State Park and its Atalaya house are open daily. Myrtle Beach State Park’s trails close from November through January for maintenance. BnB Search is a rental directory, so the list is not ranked and shows no prices or ratings.

Open in late fall

Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, Myrtle Beach State Park, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach and Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach list fall or year-round operation on their official sites. See each card for the dates we found.

With kids

Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, Myrtle Beach State Park, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach and Alligator Adventure describe family or kids’ activities on their sites. Height or age rules apply at some, as noted on the cards.

Outdoors and scenery

Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya and Myrtle Beach State Park are outdoor options. Conditions change fast in this season, so check alerts on the day.

Bad-weather backups

Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach are mostly indoors.

Activity details and sources

Each card shows what the official site says about the season from mid-October onward, checked October 14, 2026.

Brookgreen Gardens

Where: 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet (off US 17 Bypass, between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island)
What it is: Sculpture gardens with an animal collection, talks, tours and family programs. Pets are not allowed, except trained service animals. Daytime tickets cover seven consecutive days.
Mid-October onward: Open daily 9:30 AM–5 PM, with extended hours until 8 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For daytime admission the gates close at 4:30 PM. A Children’s Imagination Walk runs Saturday, October 24, 11 AM–3 PM.
Who it suits: Families with kids, and couples looking for a slower day.
Website: www.brookgreen.org · Source: www.brookgreen.org

Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya

Where: Grand Strand
What it is: A sweeping Grand Strand beach that the park describes as pristine and wide open. The park manager points visitors to the causeway for wildlife watching and to Atalaya, the former home of Anna and Archer Hyatt Huntington.
Mid-October onward: The park is open 6 AM–6 PM daily, extended to 9 PM during Daylight Saving Time. Atalaya is open 9 AM–4 PM daily (5 PM during Daylight Saving Time), but it hosts large events and may close for them. Parking is limited, and the park may close temporarily when full on weekends and holidays.
Who it suits: Families who want a nature beach and a bit of history.
Website: southcarolinaparks.com · Source: southcarolinaparks.com

Myrtle Beach State Park

Where: Myrtle Beach
What it is: A state park with a fishing pier, picnic shelters and trails.
Mid-October onward: Part of the pier is closed 6–11:30 AM on Saturday, October 17 for the annual Take a Kid Fishing event. All trails close from November through January for maintenance and construction. Parking is first-come, first-served.
Who it suits: Families with kids who want to try pier fishing.
Website: southcarolinaparks.com · Source: southcarolinaparks.com

SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

Where: The Boardwalk, Myrtle Beach
What it is: A 200-foot observation wheel on the Boardwalk. Riders get four revolutions in a private gondola, and it also runs sunrise flights.
Mid-October onward: Its site sells daytime, sunset and night rides. Check the site for the hours on your date.
Who it suits: Families with kids, and couples who want a sunset view.
Website: skywheelmb.com · Source: skywheelmb.com

Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach

Where: Myrtle Beach
What it is: A large aquarium in Myrtle Beach.
Mid-October onward: Its site showed hours of 9 AM–9 PM on the day we checked. Hours vary by date.
Who it suits: Families on a rainy or windy day.
Website: www.ripleyaquariums.com · Source: www.ripleyaquariums.com

Alligator Adventure

Where: US 17 at Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach
What it is: A reptile park next to Barefoot Landing. Its site calls it one of the largest facilities for reptile life in the world.
Mid-October onward: Its site does not show hours. Call (843) 361-0789 before you go.
Who it suits: Families with animal-loving kids staying near North Myrtle Beach.
Website: www.alligatoradventure.com · Source: www.alligatoradventure.com

What this guide does not cover

We have not covered mini golf, go-karts, shows and dinner theaters, fishing charters, Broadway at the Beach as a whole, or Barefoot Landing shops. We could not confirm late-season schedules on their own sites. Brookgreen’s holiday lights are not covered yet. Alligator Adventure is listed, but its site does not show hours.

Tips

Late fall is a shoulder season: some places run reduced days, and winter openings depend on snow and weather.
Check the operator’s site or call the week of your trip, especially before a long drive.
Use the Myrtle Beach hub map to see which rentals are near the places you plan to visit.

FAQ

What is open near Myrtle Beach rentals from mid-October?

Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya, Myrtle Beach State Park, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach and Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach list fall or year-round operation on their sites. Dates were checked on October 14, 2026 and can change.

Does BnB Search rank these activities?

No. BnB Search is a vacation rental directory. This is an unranked list of activities whose details we confirmed on official or operator websites, and it shows no ratings or prices.

Hotels, resorts and lodges in our Myrtle Beach directory

Each of these listings has a BnB Search page that links to the property’s own website or its managing company’s site. The list is alphabetical, not ranked, and shows no ratings.