Visiting the Myrtle Beach Area in a Wheelchair
Myrtle Beach is a popular area in North Carolina that families and spring breakers alike flock to for vacations. Having family in the area, it is also a place that I visit frequently. I will give you all of my tips regarding where to stay, eat and what to do if you are planning on visiting the Myrtle Beach area in a wheelchair.
Getting to Myrtle Beach
You can either fly to Wilmington, North Carolina or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to begin your stay. No matter which airport you use, however, plan on renting a vehicle as there is no good public transportation.
The other option is to drive to get here. This will allow you to have your own adapted vehicle to get around and explore all that the area has to offer.
Where to Stay in the Myrtle Beach Area in a Wheelchair
Most people would be tempted to stay in Myrtle Beach at a hotel overlooking the ocean. However, Myrtle Beach can be crowded and when I looked online, most of the hotels that claimed to be wheelchair accessible, really were not suited for the differently abled.
In addition, although Myrtle Beach does have some beach wheelchairs you can sign out, there are very limited accessible entrances. They also do not have the accessible mats available.
My suggestion would be to stay just north at Ocean Isle Beach. This beach is less crowded and I was able to find truly accessible accommodations using Trip Advisor.
Ocean Isle Beach also has free beach wheelchairs you can sign out (although they are not motorized, so you will need someone to assist you) through the police office which is located just before the bridge to get onto the island. There are also marked accessible entrances to the beach and beach mats that take you over most of the loose sand (but not all of the way to the water).
An alternative place to consider staying is Sunset Beach. This is also an island that has accessible beach entrances and beach wheelchairs (both motorized and nonmotorized) that you can rent for a fee.
Where to Eat Near Myrtle Beach
If you like seafood, then while you’re in the area make sure to visit the town of Calabash. You can see the shrimp boats come in and drop off their catch, which you can buy fresh from the market stand there or eat in one of the many restaurants.
Two of my favorites are Beck’s and Ella’s. Located side by side and run by the same family, these two restaurants offer similar menus and prices. They are also very popular with locals, so it’s advised to make reservations in the peak seasons.
In terms of accessibility, both are wheelchair friendly, but I have to give a slight edge to Beck’s as their bathrooms are more easily accessible.
What to Do in the Myrtle Beach Area in a Wheelchair
There are a lot of tourist options in the area, but there are also some less crowded places. The nice thing is that there’s a little bit for everyone! Here is my list of some of my favorite things to do in the area.
1. Go to the Beach!
Well, this is an obvious one. It would be hard to visit a beach town without actually going to the beach. As I mentioned earlier, I would recommend visiting either Ocean Isle or Sunset Beach as they offer a fair number of accessible beach entrances, rubber mats to make it easier for people with limited mobility and beach wheelchair rentals.
While there, be on the lookout for shells, such as sand dollars, sea biscuits (if you’re really lucky) and other varieties. You may even see a horse-shoe crab on shore. Also, keep your eyes peeled on the water and you might spot some dolphins!
2. Check out an Aquarium.
There are two great aquariums in the area. The first is located right in Myrtle Beach and is Ripley’s Aquarium. Here you can go through a sea tunnel with sharks swimming all around you, get up close and touch horse-shoe crabs, sting rays, and even jellyfish. Staff are great at helping you get the most out of your experience here.
For an extra cost, you can also choose to do a South African Penguin encounter. I notified staff ahead of time that I would be using a mobility device and they made sure to bring their most bonded penguin so they could sit next to me with the penguin in their lap. I was able to pet him, watch him play and learn so many interesting facts about the species. It was very accessible and fun.
The second aquarium is located near Fort Fischer. A short ferry ride will take you to the town and there are signs to help you find the aquarium. If you are on a budget, this aquarium is almost half the cost of Ripley’s.
It features a two-story tank with sharks and eels, touch tanks where you can encounter sting rays, horse-shoe crabs, and a nocturnal shark from Madagascar. Outside of the aquarium, there is also a display of robotic dinosaurs that move and make sound as you approach.
Both aquariums are very accessible with ramps and elevators throughout between floors. Both offer accessible parking and bathrooms. Either one would be a great choice to visit during your stay.
3. Brookgreen Gardens
Located near Myrtle Beach, these gardens offer a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Your pass is good for seven days, so you can choose to try to squeeze everything into one visit, or break it up throughout a weeks’ time.
The gardens are a mixture of local flowers and plants with beautiful sculptures. Pathways throughout are flat and either paved or small gravel. Signs are available to describe the flora and fauna as well as the statues.
In addition to the gardens, there is also a history trail, small zoo, boat ride and butterfly conservatory. Boat tours sell out quickly, so make sure to get your tickets early. If you purchase the tickets for the boat onsite, be aware that I was not able to find an accessible entrance to the visitor center where they are purchased. Tickets were sold out when I visited, so I also cannot comment on how accessible the boat is.
The history trail is a dirt pathway that takes you to different locations where you can press a button on a speaker box which will then tell a story about what it was like being a slave on that plantation. There are also overlooks and remains of old buildings from that time period.
The small zoo offers a chance to see local wildlife and has paved or dirt pathways throughout. There is also an accessible restroom in this area.
The butterfly conservatory is only open at certain times of the year and unfortunately was closed when I visited so I cannot speak to its accessibility.
Overall, accessibility was mostly good at this beautiful place. If you enjoy art and nature, mixed with a little history, then this is a great place to visit.
4. Sky Wheel
This large wheel is an iconic site of Myrtle Beach and is located along its boardwalk. It offers a great view of the beach/ocean as well as some of the city. The individually air-conditioned cars make it a great option no matter what time of year you visit.
Some of the cars are also wheelchair accessible. Staff will lift one of the seats in the car and put a temporary ramp in place so you can roll right in.
There are also wheelchair accessible restrooms available here.
5. Attend a Turtle Talk
During the summer at Ocean Isle Beach’s community center, a volunteer group offers educational talks on sea turtles. They will let you know about the two species found in the area as well as the challenges they face in the wild. Their website also usually lists the number of turtle nests on the beach and where to find them, along with estimates on when the nests may hatch.
If you are visiting the area in the months of late May- early September, you may be lucky enough to see a nest hatch! This is truly a magical experience and one you’ll never forget. It’s also another reason why staying in the area is a good idea.
Volunteers will likely be at the nest to make sure the turtles are safe and to collect data (like how many hatched and how many eggs were laid).
6. Moore’s Creek Battlefield
Moore’s Creek is a revolutionary war battlefield site that was a significant turning point in the war. It is also the last battle in which a longsword was used.
In short, the British promised the Scotsmen that if they fought for them, they would get land in the new world. The Scotsmen were used to fighting with longswords and it was their weapon of choice…. which was essentially bringing a knife to a gun fight and they were slaughtered.
This place is considered a national historic battlefield and is easily visited by people of all abilities. The visitor center has an accessible film to watch as well as a small display you can tour. Accessible restrooms are also located here.
There is a rubber-like path that surrounds most of the battlefield making it very accessible. There are two very short spots along the path that are sandy. I was able to navigate these areas with no problem in my mobility scooter, but manual wheelchair users may need some assistance in these areas.
Along the path are interpretive signs and you can still see the mounds that patriots used as a defensive barrier. There are also some monuments on both sides.
In addition to the actual battlefield, there is a short dirt path that talks about the role long-needle pine trees played in the area. My mobility scooter had no problems doing the path and it was interesting to learn some new history.
7. Ingram Planetarium
The Ingram Planetarium near Sunset Beach is a great place to spend a rainy day or an evening. There is a flat entrance and the building is wheelchair accessible.
Shows and times will vary based on season and time of day so check the website or call for details. They also offer a moon adventure escape room on the second Sunday of each month.
8. See a show
There are several notable places you can catch a show, such as the House of Blues, Carolina Opry etc. Sometimes big headlines names will perform here and sometimes local bands. Schedules are available on the venue’s websites.
While I have not gone to any shows yet, both venues are listed as wheelchair accessible.
9. Shop till you drop!
There are two great options if you would like to do some outdoor souvenir shopping…. Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. Both of these places are much more than just shopping however, as there are a plethora of restaurants and other touristy activities.
Broadway at the Beach is the plaza where Ripley’s Aquarium is located in addition to shops and places to grab a bite to eat. The pathways are either paved or a boardwalk and easily accessible. It’s also a great place to people watch.
Barefoot Landing is a similar outdoor area with shops, restaurants and other activities. In the summer, they also have fireworks shows here. This area is not as flat as Broadway at the Beach, but still easy to navigate with paved pathways and boardwalks.
Shops, activities and restaurants will vary between the two places.
10. Have a close encounter with a tiger!
Located at Barefoot Landing is the Preservation Tiger Station. During the peak summer season, people can pay to have their picture taken holding a baby tiger cub or feeding an adult tiger through the glass enclosure. You can also get your picture taken with a monkey here.
This station has a flat entry and is wheelchair accessible. Check into making reservations as in the summer, this place can get very crowded.
Do this activity at your own discretion. There has been public debate on whether such a place is ethical and in the best interest of the tigers. I’m adding it to my list as a unique option but will allow you to make up your own mind about the rest. Do your own research and decide for yourself.
Visiting the Myrtle Beach area in a wheelchair (or even without one) can be a very fun beach getaway. I hope that my tips and guide to visiting help you plan your own accessible trip! Whether you relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many other sites this area has to offer, you’re sure to have a great time.
