Myrtle Beach has all the ingredients of a classic American beach town, but on a vastly larger scale. Its broad, soft-sand beaches go on for 60 uninterrupted miles, earning the city the nickname the Grand Strand. All that oceanfront space means you can tailor each beach day to fit your mood. Snorkel and spread out on a quiet stretch of sand, go deep-sea fishing, jet-ski, or walk the neon-lit boardwalk (presided over by a nearly 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel). If there’s anything that competes with the blue expanse of the Atlantic, it’s Myrtle Beach’s sprawling green fairways — the city is home to more than 80 golf courses, making it the golf capital of the country.

Several major airlines serve Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), which is about 3.5 miles from downtown. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro (all in North Carolina) are the closest major cities to Myrtle Beach, each less than 200 miles away.

You can easily reach the major spots around town via the local bus service, Coast RTA (pick up an unlimited pass for a day or a week ) or rideshare services. If you choose to rent a car for more sightseeing flexibility, there’s typically plenty of parking along the street and in lots near the beach. You’ll need to pay for parking around downtown from March through October; street parking is mostly free the rest of the year.

Spring and summer are Myrtle Beach’s peak seasons for vacation rentals. Spring temperatures climb from the mid-60 degrees Fahrenheit to the upper 70s. June through September, temperatures are typically in the 80s, with brief rain showers. There is some risk of hurricanes from mid-August to mid-October, so stay on top of the forecast before you go. In the warmer months, pack sunscreen, an umbrella, and bug spray for mosquitoes.

Fall temperatures gradually dip back down to the 50s and 60s. In the winter, the average low is in the upper 30s, with a very slim chance of snow.

Huntington Beach State Park

About 18 miles from downtown, the lure of this state park is the chance to do nothing at all. The main attractions at the uncrowded 3-mile beach are the herons and egrets (the north end is a prime bird-watching spot). Dogs are allowed on leashes on Huntington’s south end, making it one of the few pet-friendly beaches in town. Hiking and biking trails lead to marshes, a nature center, and a Moorish-style castle turned museum.

Golf

The terrain and scenery of Myrtle Beach’s more than 80 championship golf courses are so varied that the city can feel like several different golf destinations in one. (It also has the world’s most mini golf courses per square mile.)

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade

If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can play a round of Skee-Ball or get lost in the house of mirrors along this 1.2-mile boardwalk downtown. Feeling brave? Line up for any number of the adrenaline-jolting rides, like a slingshot that shoots you 300 feet into the air at roughly 100 miles per hour. To avoid waiting in line for the supersized Ferris wheel with wheelchair-accessible gondolas, buy tickets online in advance.