6 Popular Destinations In Myrtle Beach That Are Actually Tourist Traps

Popular destinations always have a funny way of becoming too crowded, overpriced, or tailored to tourists. It's the perfect recipe for turning an attraction into a trap, and in Myrtle Beach, locals — and even some travelers — note that there are quite a few. Between the Ferris wheel, museums, and water parks in town, many mention that these spots don't live up to the hype. While it's a mistake to only visit tourist traps on your Myrtle Beach vacation, that doesn't mean you have to avoid them entirely, either. After all, they've gained their reputation for a reason — because travelers find them enjoyable to go to, and residents find them to be an old pastime.

Classic boardwalk-style attractions and parks provide a quick thrill, while museums and shows allow for an entertaining outing. Still, it's worth knowing which spots deliver on the hype and which ones are better admired from the outside. Based on traveler reviews and community pages, we've gathered six of Myrtle's biggest attractions that often leave visitors with mixed opinions.

The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is one of the town's biggest identifiers, so it's naturally a main draw for tourists. There's nothing more exciting than seeing the entire cityscape from up above, making it a "must-do" Boardwalk attraction for first-time tourists. However, one YouTube creator noted that it's the largest tourist trap in town, because it's costly for what's included. "I do not see the value for a family of four in excess of $80 with a ride time of 10 to 15 minutes," the creator mentioned.

Dinner and a show usually sounds like a great family-friendly evening, and the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament promises knights, jousting, and a four-course feast inside an 11th-century-inspired castle. However, tickets run over $70 for adults and over $45 for kids (at the time of writing). While Tripadvisor reviewers discuss the price tag, it's still considered one "tourist trap" that continues to operate for a reason. "It IS expensive, we all know that, but you get a very nice show. The food was very good, loved every bite," one customer revealed.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! has been around since 1918. For over a century, the museums of oddities have tickled guests' curiosities, but some feel Ripley's is outdated, over-rated, and overpriced. Even with an aquarium, mirror maze, and more, Tripadvisor guests say the Myrtle Beach Ripley's is the worst one in the U.S., and some say they passed through it very quickly. "Husband and I went here as a combo ticket purchase from the aquarium. This place was horrible [...] big waste of money," one commented. Adult admission starts at just under $25.

Myrtle Waves Water Park claims to be South Carolina's largest water park, with more than 20 slides and attractions, including the 20-foot-long Super Chute. General admission is close to $40-50 depending on height. Reviews are split: some visitors call it a solid day of family fun, while others say trash was never cleaned up, rides were broken, and concessions were closed. While guests have mixed feelings, plenty still return year after year — proof that not all tourist traps have a bad rap.

The epic WonderWorks building sticks out for its upside-down architecture, and it's filled with imaginative art galleries and space discovery zones. It's bound to keep families busy all day, but a reporter for Travel Pug notes that the extra costs can bog you down. There are activities like a ropes course, laser tag, and an earthquake simulator, but many things are add-ons stacked on top of an already nearly $35 pass. 

Still, some guests enjoy WonderWorks for what it is. "This is one of those typical tourist traps, but with a family this is worth the experience one time," one customer published to Tripadvisor.

Barefoot Landing is a boardwalk the community still adores — on a Facebook post asking locals about Myrtle's best tourist traps, several put it on their list. It's an open-air complex along the Intracoastal Waterway with more than 50 shops, 25 eateries and breweries, and attractions like Alligator Adventure and the Alabama Theatre. Plus, unlike everything else on this list, it's completely free to visit. Still, some Tripadvisor reviewers say it has "the same tourist trap shops as the rest of Myrtle," with nothing that feels unique.

Interested in more of America's tourist traps? Check out our local feature on California's worst ones, and where to go instead.