The Grand Strand's reputation rests on its beaches, but a long thread of art runs along it too, and the Myrtle Beach Arts and Gallery Trail ties it together. The trail covers about sixty miles and links more than a hundred museums, galleries, murals and public art installations in fourteen beach communities, divided into central, north, west and south sections. It is self-guided and free, with a digital passport available through Visit Myrtle Beach where visitors collect what the page calls Myrtle Moments. In the central section you will find the downtown Arts and Innovation District with its galleries and murals, the bronze children's statues at Broadway at the Beach, the Goddess of the Sea statue in Plyler Park and Warbird Park at The Market Common. The north section reaches Barefoot Landing's folk art at House of Blues, the Pirate's Treasure House in Little River, Vereen Memorial Gardens and Main Street in North Myrtle Beach, with its shagger mural and Ocean Drive Shagging Walk of Fame. West takes you inland to Conway's murals and Critters sculptures, and the south section holds Brookgreen Gardens, the MarshWalk, Pawleys Island's galleries and Georgetown. The trail is less a single attraction than a framework: pick the stops that match your route and let the art lead you somewhere new.
How to use it
Nobody does all sixty miles in one trip, so choose a section. A good central day pairs the downtown galleries with the boardwalk murals and The Market Common. A south-strand day can link Brookgreen Gardens and its sculpture collection, the MarshWalk, Pawleys Island's gallery cluster and Atalaya at Huntington Beach State Park, which is a Moorish-style winter home built for sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington.
The west section rewards a half day in Conway, where eight small bronze animals are scattered around downtown. Sign up for the free passport first so you can track the stops you visit.
Timing
The page does not list dates, hours or best seasons, because each stop sets its own schedule, so check individual galleries before you go. Downtown Myrtle Beach holds a First Friday art walk monthly, which is a good time to visit the Arts and Innovation District. Some events on the trail, such as the Art in the Park series, farmers markets and festivals in Little River and at Huntington Beach State Park, are occasional, so check the calendar if you want them.
Outdoor murals and sculptures are available at any time, which makes the trail an easy wet-weather and off-season plan for the indoor galleries.
Why it is distinct
Unlike a single museum, the trail is a way to travel the whole Strand and see it from an unexpected angle. It suits couples, art lovers and families with older children, and it costs nothing beyond what you spend at the stops. It also gives structure to a visit in the cooler months, when beach days are fewer.
Combine it with the Myrtle Beach Art Museum and Brookgreen Gardens entries in this guide, which anchor the indoor and outdoor ends of the route, and use it as a prompt to wander into the smaller galleries that most visitors miss.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided, free trail of about sixty miles linking more than a hundred museums, galleries, murals and public art installations across fourteen communities, in central, north, west and south sections.
Best time
Cooler months and rainy days for indoor galleries; First Friday for the downtown art walk.
How long
A few hours for one section, or several days across the whole route.
Tips
Sign up for the free digital passport. Choose one section per day. Check individual gallery hours. Outdoor murals and sculptures can be seen at any time.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers and curious travelers who want to see the Strand differently.
- Families
- Good with older children; the Conway animal sculptures and bronze statues suit younger ones.
- Couples
- A relaxed day of galleries, murals and lunch stops.
- Pair with
- The Myrtle Beach Art Museum, Brookgreen Gardens and Conway.
- Time needed
- A half day per section.
Good questions
What is the Arts and Gallery Trail?+
A self-guided route of about sixty miles with more than a hundred museums, galleries, murals and public art installations across fourteen Grand Strand communities.
Does it cost anything?+
No. The trail and its digital passport are free; individual stops may charge admission.
How is it organized?+
In four sections: central, north, west and south.
Which stops are the highlights?+
Brookgreen Gardens, the MarshWalk, the downtown Arts and Innovation District, Barefoot Landing, Vereen Memorial Gardens, Conway's murals and Pawleys Island galleries.
When should I go?+
Any time for outdoor art; downtown holds a monthly First Friday art walk. Check each gallery for its hours.
