One of the best reasons to visit a world-class family vacation destination like Myrtle Beach is the broad range of fun things to do, all within easy access. Whether you and your vacation crew are exploring a museum, enjoying nature’s beauty, treating yourself to a delicious meal or chasing thrills at an amusement park, you can rest assured that visitors of all ages can find numerous ways to have a good time here. And when vacationing on the Grand Strand, even when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to explore indoors.
Next time the South Carolina weather takes a turn for the worse and keeps you and your vacation crew off the backyard beach during your Ocean Reef Resort getaway, consider one of these great ways to have a blast despite the wet weather outside:
Rockin’ Jump — Found on North Oak Street about 12 minutes south of Ocean Reef Resort, this trampoline park is a perfect destination for those looking to expel some energy — or the kids’ energy — indoors. Attractions such as the Ninja Challenge obstacle course, the Slam Dunk Zone basketball court, the Vertical Ops rock-climbing wall and the X-Beam jousting pit will have the youngsters in your crew bouncing off the walls. Other fun areas include the air-filled Stunt Bag for safe flipping and jumping, as well as the Dodgeball Arena and the Open Jump Arena. Further, an on-site pizza parlor allows visitors to grab a bite to eat when they’re not jumping for joy. Visit rockinjump.com to learn more.
WonderWorks — Found at Myrtle Beach shopping/dining/entertainment complex Broadway at the Beach — and hard to miss in its “upside-down” building — this 50,000-square-foot “amusement park for the mind” offers an array of “edu-tainment” that the whole family can enjoy. Among the attraction’s 100-plus hands-on exhibits and activities are the Space Discovery exhibit where kids can explore replicas of an astronaut’s space suit, get in a re-created Mercury capsule or reenact a Space Shuttle landing; the Light & Sound Zone with its jump-on-the-keys giant piano and motion-activated video walls; and the Imagination Lab where visitors can create a giant Lite-Brite masterpiece or stomp invading aliens and their UFOs in a game that tasks players with saving planet Earth. Learn more at wonderworksonline.com.
Ripley’s Aquarium — Also located at Broadway at the Beach (and about 15 minutes south of Ocean Reef Resort), this attraction lets visitors see creatures from the ocean’s deepest depths, all while staying dry and at sea level. Get an up-close look at stingrays (which you can even touch), sharks, fish of the Indo-Pacific coral reef (including tang, triggerfish, rabbitfish, clownfish, angelfish and more), eels, tarpon, puffer fish, sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, sea dragons, octopuses, jellyfish — the list is practically as long as the ocean is deep. Learn more at ripleyaquariums.com.
Hollywood Wax Museum — Yet another Broadway at the Beach attraction, this museum lets you get up close and personal with some of the silver screen’s biggest stars — or their amazing likenesses, anyway. Other make-you-look-twice humanlike wax figures include top sports figures, musical icons, royalty and more, all perfect for selfie-taking. While you’re there, check out Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors and the Outbreak experience. Learn more at hollywoodwaxmyrtlebeach.com.
The Simpsons in 4D — Also found at Broadway at the Beach, this attraction is sure to delight fans of the long-running animated sitcom The Simpsons. Visitors can rub elbows with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie in a 4D lobby and theater experience, then head next door to the Kwik-E-Mart to grab a selection of treats from the show, including multiple Squishee flavors, cold Buzz Cola, heat-lamp hot dogs and Lard Lad Donuts. Get updates on the attraction by visiting si4d.com.
After your rockin’ rainy day on the Grand Strand, head back to the comfortable accommodations and wide-ranging amenities (including another rainy-day favorite — unlimited on-site DVD rentals!) found at Ocean Reef Resort to rest up for another day spent enjoying the Myrtle Beach area — rain or shine. Book your Grand Strand getaway today — and start looking forward to making some great memories on the Carolina coast!
