The sand and surf are often considered the main event in Myrtle Beach, but the Grand Strand has a surprisingly rich cultural side that’s worth a few hours of your trip. The region’s history runs deep, from the Native Americans who first inhabited the area to the Civil War, and there’s a growing collection of museums that can fill you in!
Mix in the aquariums and a pinball museum, and you’ve got a well-rounded museum scene. After you book your oceanfront room at Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark, use this guide to the best museums in Myrtle Beach to fill the hours between beach days.
Here are the ten best, whether you’re looking for a rainy-day activity or just want to see a different side of the coast!
1. Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
- 3100 S Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC
- myrtlebeachartmuseum.org
As the flagship art museum of the Carolinas coast, the Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum fills 11 galleries with exhibitions that change throughout the year. This Myrtle Beach art museum showcases paintings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, and photography.
The Chapin Art Museum rounds out its galleries with artist talks, workshops, and community events for visitors of all ages. Set aside an hour or two at the Franklin G. Burroughs Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum to explore the works and browse a gift shop stocked by local artists.
2. Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum
- 607 N 27th Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC
- myrtlebeachpinballmuseum.org
Just four blocks from the ocean, the Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum lets you play more than two dozen machines spanning the 1970s to today. Every game is set to free play, so once you are inside, the hands-on fun runs for as long as your booked time.
Admission is by the hour and now uses timed, pre-paid tickets, so reserve your slot online before you go. Hours shift with the season, so it pays to check the website first.
3. Wheels of Yesteryear
- 413 Hospitality Lane, Myrtle Beach, SC
- wheelsofyesteryearmb.com
Car lovers should not miss Wheels of Yesteryear, home to one of the Southeast’s most incredible collections of vintage American automobiles. Roughly 50 muscle cars and classics from the 1950s through the early 1970s fill the floor, all restored to their factory colors and configurations.
The owners rotate the lineup each year and recently opened a new wing, so there is usually something fresh even on a repeat visit. Plan to spend an afternoon walking the rows and taking in the remarkable craftsmanship behind each car.
4. Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center
- 900 Dunbar St, Myrtle Beach, SC
- facebook.com/historicmbcoloredschoolmuseum
Built in 1932, the Myrtle Beach Colored School educated African American students for more than 20 years during segregation. Today, the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum and Education Center preserves that history through restored classrooms, photographs, and artifacts.
The museum is free and staffed by dedicated volunteers who share the stories of this important part of the community. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 2026 marks its 20th anniversary.
5. Warbird Park
- 150 Farrow Parkway, Myrtle Beach, SC
- facebook.com/WarbirdPark
Aviation buffs will appreciate Warbird Park, an outdoor museum built on the grounds of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Several restored military aircraft sit on display alongside a Wall of Service and historic markers honoring those who served from 1940 to 1993.
The park is free and open to the public, with a viewing area overlooking the runway that now serves the city’s airport. It is a quiet, reflective stop that pairs well with a stroll around the nearby Market Common district.
6. EdVenture Children’s Museum
- 4005 Howard Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC
- edventure.org
Families with little ones should head to EdVenture in The Market Common, a children’s museum packed with hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. Young minds can run a coastal cafe, blast off in a flight and space zone, and play dentist, all through the power of imaginative play.
A dedicated Toddler Beach area, inspired by the coast’s natural beauty, provides the youngest guests with a safe space for sensory play and exploration. The museum runs seasonal programs and events, so glance at the calendar before your visit.
7. Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
- 1110 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC
- ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-aquarium-of-myrtle-beach
At Broadway at the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium invites guests onto a moving glide path through a tunnel surrounded by sharks, rays, and thousands of other sea creatures. Live presentations, guided dive tours, and touch tanks offer hands-on experiences for all ages.
The aquarium weaves ocean science and conservation into its exhibits, making it an easy educational win for families. It is one of the most memorable stops on the Grand Strand for visitors of all ages.
8. WonderWorks
- 1313 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC
- wonderworksonline.com/myrtle-beach
You cannot miss WonderWorks, the upside-down science museum that anchors Broadway at the Beach and quite literally turns your world upside down. Inside its 41,000 square feet, you will find more than 100 hands-on exhibits that spark curiosity and turn learning into pure excitement.
Lie on a bed of nails, navigate a NASA spacecraft, brace against hurricane-force winds, then take on laser tag or the indoor ropes course. This science museum keeps both kids and adults engaged for hours, which makes it a lifesaver on a rainy beach day.
9. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
- 901 North Ocean Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC
- ripleys.com/attractions/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-myrtle-beach
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! packs a 12,000-square-foot building with more than 200 artifacts gathered from around the world. Shrunken heads, optical illusions, and other curiosities sit alongside interactive challenges that reward a healthy sense of curiosity.
It is an easy, fun stop on Ocean Boulevard when you want something a little stranger than your average museum. Kids and adults alike walk out with stories they will be retelling long after the trip home.
10. Hollywood Wax Museum
- 1808 21st Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC
- hollywoodwaxentertainment.com/myrtle-beach-sc-attractions/hollywood-wax-museum/
Just off Broadway at the Beach, the Hollywood Wax Museum lets you pose with lifelike figures of A-list actors, musicians, and athletes. Grab a prop, step onto the red carpet, and capture a selfie worthy of the tabloids.
The attraction pairs nicely with the mirror maze next door for a bit more fun. It is a lighthearted, photo-friendly way to cap off a day of museum hopping in Myrtle Beach.
Stay and Explore Myrtle Beach with Crown Reef
From the Chapin Art Museum to the upside-down halls of WonderWorks, the museums in Myrtle Beach prove there is plenty to discover the moment you step away from the sand. Each one serves up a new slice of the area’s history, art, and culture for visitors of every age.
Book your oceanfront stay at Crown Reef Beach Resort and Waterpark, and you will be just minutes from every museum on this list.
Plan your trip and get ready to explore everything Myrtle Beach has to offer.