Rainy Day Things to Do North Myrtle Beach Loves

What Can You Do When It Rains?

A rainy stretch does not have to sink a beach trip. From Ocean Drive you have a covered indoor pool at the resort, the shops and shows of Barefoot Landing ten minutes south, arcades and axe throwing, outlet shopping, and a classic Calabash seafood lunch up the road. A grey day is just a chance to do the indoor side of the Grand Strand. Here are the options, from staying put to heading out.

Stay In at the Resort

The easiest move is to not go far at all. Mar Vista Grande has a covered indoor pool that stays open in the rain, plus hot tubs and a fitness center if you want to keep moving. Back in the condo, the full kitchen makes a slow breakfast or a board-game afternoon easy, and in the Sandy Pants unit, the cozy fireplace turns a grey day pleasant. With an oceanfront balcony, even watching a storm roll in over the water has its appeal.

Barefoot Landing Shows and Shopping

Barefoot Landing is a strong rainy-day bet because so much of it works under cover. You can browse more than 100 shops along the boardwalk, duck into restaurants over the water, and build the day around a show. The Alabama Theatre runs a variety production, and the House of Blues hosts concerts and a Sunday Gospel Brunch. A matinee or early show pairs nicely with lunch and a wander through the stores.

Indoor Fun: Arcades and Axe Throwing

For restless kids and teens, the area has energy-burners that stay dry. LuLu’s Beach Arcade at Barefoot Landing and the arcade at Black Pearl Mini Golf give you games and prizes, while Jack Axe Entertainment offers axe throwing for older kids and adults. For a creative afternoon, Board and Brush runs guided paint-and-craft workshops. Any of these turns a washout into something the kids will actually remember.

Outlet Shopping and a Calabash Lunch

Two more reliable rainy-day outings sit just up the road. The Tanger Outlets centers near Barefoot Landing put brand-name outlet shopping under cover for a few hours, which is handy when the beach is off. And a drive north to Calabash, the fried-seafood town just over the North Carolina line, makes a leisurely lunch into the day’s main event. Both give the day a purpose without needing sunshine.

Planning Around the Weather

A little planning keeps a rainy day relaxed. Check the radar over morning coffee, since coastal showers often pass by midday and free up the afternoon for the beach again. Stack the indoor options for the wettest hours and keep the beach plan loose. The family activities guide and the barefoot landing guide give you backups, the things to do guide covers the rest, and the sandy pants oceanfront condo page shows the fireplace unit that makes grey days easy.

Rainy Day: Common Questions

What indoor things are there to do?

The resort’s covered indoor pool, Barefoot Landing shopping and shows, arcades at LuLu’s and Black Pearl, axe throwing at Jack Axe, and Tanger Outlets.

Does the resort have an indoor pool?

Yes. Mar Vista Grande has a covered indoor pool that stays open in the rain, along with hot tubs and a fitness center, so a grey day can still be a pool day.

What can we do with kids when it rains?

Swim in the indoor pool, visit the arcades at LuLu’s or Black Pearl, see a show at Barefoot Landing, or do a guided craft at Board and Brush.

What shows can we see indoors?

The Alabama Theatre stages a variety show and the House of Blues hosts concerts and a Sunday Gospel Brunch, both at Barefoot Landing under cover.

Where can we shop out of the rain?

Barefoot Landing’s boardwalk shops and the nearby Tanger Outlets centers both give you covered shopping a short drive south on Highway 17.

Is a Calabash lunch worth it on a rainy day?

Yes. The fried-seafood town of Calabash is a short drive north and makes a relaxed, weatherproof lunch outing when the beach is off the table.