A Guide to Your Girls' Getaway Weekend in Myrtle Beach

See recent posts by Kate Sitarz

For the ultimate girls’ getaway destination, you need a little bit of everything: some nightlife in case you want to go out on the town, but also some peace and quiet for real relaxation. This is a vacation, after all.

That’s why Myrtle Beach is the go-to location for girls’ weekends. It’s got live music, wineries, spas, and, of course, miles of sand. Here’s how to have the ultimate girls’ getaway weekend in Myrtle Beach.

Day 1, Evening/Night

Arrive to Myrtle Beach hungry—you’re going to want room for fresh-from-the-boat seafood. Start off south of town at Drunken Jack’s, where waterfront dining means the views are just as good as the food cooked up by the 2015 South Carolina Chef of the Year. Another option, north of the city, is The Brentwood. Here, French and low-country fusion food is served in a Victorian home.

Once you’ve stuffed yourself silly, head to The Chemist for the area’s best cocktails before moseying over to Fat Harolds Beach Club. Instead of sand, you’ll find the state’s official dance: the shag. DJs start playing at 7:00 p.m. nightly. Go on a Tuesday for free lessons.

Day 2, Morning

Get a leisurely start to the second day of your girls’ getaway weekend in Myrtle Beach at the open-air Hudson’s Surfside Flea Market. A mix of useful and quirky objects from hundreds of vendors vie for your attention, but it’s fun too just look, too. For more traditional shopping, there are many retail areas in greater Myrtle Beach, including The Market Commons and outlet stores. Don’t forget to score free coupons before pounding pavement.

Shopping complete, head to the beach to relax. Surfside Beach is a good option after visiting Hudson’s, or find a stretch of undeveloped sand at Myrtle Beach State Park after your visit to The Market Common.

Day 2, Afternoon

When you’ve had your fill of Vitamin D, get out of the sun and head to Conway Glass to get your craft on. Browse the shop’s hand-blown wares or take a class of your own. Create utilitarian objects like bowls or paperweights, or more decorative pieces like ornaments or flowers. During the summer, opt for a less-warm sweet grass basket weaving workshop at Hopsewee Plantation. You’ll learn from Vera Manigault, an eighth-generation weaver renowned for her art.

If crafts aren’t your thing, Duplin Winery, the oldest and largest winery and vineyard in North Carolina, has a location in North Myrtle Beach that lets you watch the bottling process and, of course, try some wine. For $10, you can sample up to 10 wines (with crackers and dip to keep your stomach happy). You get to keep your glass and have a full serving of your favorite wine. The winery specializes in wines made from Muscadine grapes that thrive in the area.

For beer lovers, New South Brewing microbrewery offers tours in the off season (non-summer months) and pours drafts year round, like its White Ale and IPA. Seasonal specials rotate, but include its Dark Star Porter.

Day 2, Night

Kick off the evening with happy hour at Rockefellers, where raw or steamed oysters are $0.55, house liquor is $3, and wine is $3.50. Shellfish season is May to October in Myrtle Beach, and Rockefellers raw bar delivers. For surf and turf action, head to Thoroughbreds Chophouse and Seafood Grille for the best of land and sea, or pay a visit to Big Mike’s Soul Food for downhome cooking.

Stomach full, make your way to The Bowery for live music. Prefer your music more classical? Check the Long Bay Symphony schedule for tickets to the area’s professional orchestra.

Day 3, Morning

Start your morning at Shanti Yoga ($15 for a walk-in class) or at one of the area’s spas for a manicure, pedicure, or massage—with a glass of Champagne, naturally. The Awakening Spa offers mineral baths, while the Cinzia Spa gives you access to spa amenities like a saltwater whirlpool and Turkish hammam. Feeling ultra-zen, you’re ready to tackle the rest of your girls’ getaway weekend in Myrtle Beach.

Day 3, Afternoon

Head to the 9,100-acre Brookgreen Gardens. A National Historic Landmark that was once four separate rice plantations, the gardens are now filled with the plants and animals that call South Carolina Low-country their home. It’s also home to the country’s first public sculpture garden. A number of tours are available daily, though you can explore the gardens, zoo, and trails on your own, too. The $16 ticket covers everything, but you can pay extra for things like a boat ride and a visit to the butterfly house.

If you’ve tired flora and fauna, the gardens abut Huntington Beach State Park and Atalaya Castle, located across Route 17.

Day 3, Evening

End your girls’ getaway weekend in Myrtle Beach with cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. Painter’s Homemade Ice Cream has a sundae named after famed Myrtle Beach native Vanna White. But the institution that’s been around since the 1950s is also is known to serve up its creations to other celebrities, including Eric Clapton. Two locations—one in North Myrtle Beach and one in Murrells Inlet—make it easy to indulge anywhere you go.

Extra Time

If you’ve planned an extra-long girls’ getaway weekend in Myrtle Beach, consider a riverboat cruise. Barefoot Princess Riverboat offers sightseeing as well as sunset cruises with dinner down the Intracoastal Waterway.

Of course, there’s always more shopping. Pawleys Island’s Hammock Shops Village is home to more than 20 stores housed in cottages, including the famous hammock shop. Another visitor favorite is Barefoot Landing, located along the Intracoastal Waterway and a 27-acre lake.

The Best Myrtle Beach Girlfriend Getaways Deals and Packages (Sponsored)

Highly rated by TripAdvisor travelers, the AAA four-diamond Marina Inn at Grande Dunes has a Girls Myrtle Beach Getaway Spa Package that includes one sixty-minute therapeutic and relaxing massage and a facial massage—all in the comfort of your own room. A full breakfast each day is also included at the hotel's WaterScapes Restaurant.

Daily shuttle service to the beach, five minutes away, is also provided. Guests get umbrellas, chairs, and towels at the beach club, in addition to full changing facilities. Use discount code PAMPER.

Restrictions: Two-night minimum stay.

Daily shuttle service to the beach, five minutes away, is also provided. Guests get umbrellas, chairs, and towels at the beach club, in addition to full changing facilities. Use discount code PAMPER.

Restrictions: Two-night minimum stay.

Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes is offering up to $300 in resort credit. The longer you stay, the more credit you receive. You can use resort credit on spa treatments at Hibiscus Spa, including massages or body scrubs, or in the onsite restaurants, including poolside and oceanfront dining.

When you stay three nights, you receive a $100 credit, five nights earns you a $200 credit, and seven nights equals a $300 credit.

Travel dates: Through September 30, 2017

Restrictions: Minimum stay required. You cannot use resort credit towards room, tax, parking, Internet fees.

The two-night Girlfriends Getaway Package at Tilghman Beach & Golf Resort isn't available during peak summer days, but if you can travel within its available window, you stand to enjoy a crowd-free beach and still-warm temperatures. The package is designed for four adults, with the three-bedroom, three-bathroom condo offering plenty of room.

Each guest receives a $100 spa voucher to Touch MedSpa of North Myrtle Beach, a wine tasting at La Belle Amie vineyard (including souvenir wine glass), and a coupon booklet for Tanger Outlets. After all, what goes together better than wine and shopping?

Travel dates: Before May 25 and after September 4, 2017

Restrictions: Two-night minimum stay.

Book Ocean Reef Resort during its summer value weeks, and you can save up to 40 percent off regular rates. While all of July doesn't qualify for the discount, you stand to save big—and avoid peak travel time, if you can book within these travel windows.

Beyond accommodations, you get access to the onsite waterpark, indoor and outdoor pools, and lazy river.

Travel dates: May 29 through June 15, and August 13 through August 31, 2017. Summer Value Weeks are also available at other Brittain Resorts & Hotels.

Restrictions: 14-day maximum stay.

When you book the Girlfriend Getaway at The Prince Resort, you start your vacation off right with a bottle of wine and a fruit basket. You also get dinner included one evening, in addition to a daily Southern breakfast buffet.

Ask for a Tanger Outlet voucher at check-in. You can redeem the voucher for a coupon book full of savings at the nearby outlets. If you're shopped-out, the on-the-ocean hotel has a rooftop pool and hot tubs for all-out relaxation.

Travel dates: Call (866) 996-7497 and ask for the Girlfriends Getaway package to get dates and rates. This package is also available at other Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, including Avista Resort, SeaSide Resort, and Grande Shores.

The condo rentals at North Beach Plantation are making it easy for larger groups to get away for less. The property has special summer rates starting at $769 for five-bedroom condos.

As a guest, you have access to the resort's amenities, including nearly three acres of pool amenities and the Cinzia Spa. All spa packages include access to the meditation lounge, choice of tea or wine, use of the spa garden sanctuary's saltwater whirlpool, and Turkish hammam.

Travel dates: Through August 31, 2017

Restrictions: Seven-day minimum stay, 14 day maximum.

Golfers should head to Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes. The resort is offering a $200 golf credit for each two-night stay. Golfers can use the credit at The Myrtlewood Palmetto and Pinehills golf courses, The Pine Lakes Country Club, or The Grande Dunes Resort golf courses. Use code G4U when booking.

Travel dates: Through September 30, 2017

Restrictions: Minimum two-night stay. Must use credit during stay.

Landmark Resort is giving you an excuse to go shopping with its Girlfriend Getaway package. Not only can you save on room rates, but you'll also receive a coupon book for the nearby Tanger Outlets and a Vacation Member Benefits (VMB) card. This unlocks savings totaling more than $375 on attractions, including discounts on SkyWheel, surf lessons, area dining and more.

For post-shopping relaxation, hit the resort's oceanfront pool, lazy river, whirlpools, or waterpark.

Travel dates: Through January 1, 2018

Restrictions: Minimum stay may apply.

Ocean Creek Resort knows that the longer you're on vacation, the more chances you have to really relax. Get in on the property's free nights deal by booking a seven-night stay for the price of five.

With two free nights you have two whole glorious extra days to take advantage of this 57-acre property, including its oceanfront pool, onsite putting green, beach volleyball court, boardwalks, walking trails, and bicycle paths.

Travel dates: Through January 1, 2018

Restrictions: Minimum stay may apply.

Book the Legends in Concert package at Avista Resort and get tickets to one of the world's greatest tribute shows in addition to your accommodations. With current acts including Elvis, Lady Gaga, and the Blues Brothers, there's always something to suit every musical taste.

The lineup changes four times each year. Check the schedule during your stay to see who is performing and call (877) 907-7870 to check available dates and rates.

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