Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is a premier entertainment and shopping complex located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Established in the early 1990s, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, offering a wide array of attractions including restaurants, retail stores, theaters, and family-friendly entertainment options. Over the years, Broadway at the Beach has expanded its offerings to include iconic attractions like WonderWorks, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, making it a versatile hub for fun and leisure. Its strategic development and continuous updates have positioned it as a leading venue for both locals and visitors seeking memorable experiences in Myrtle Beach.
News Summary
Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach is celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer with a week-long festival featuring special events and daily fireworks. This entertainment hub has become a vital part of the local economy, attracting millions of visitors annually. Although the area faced challenges in tourism due to the pandemic, recent efforts in sports tourism and year-round attractions are helping maintain its popularity. The anniversary events highlight both the history and ongoing evolution of Broadway at the Beach as a beloved destination.
Myrtle Beach is marking a significant milestone as Broadway at the Beach celebrates its 30th anniversary with a series of exciting events and new attractions throughout the summer. This vibrant entertainment complex, well-known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and attractions, attracts millions of visitors each year, contributing substantially to the local economy.
As of July 11, 2025, Broadway at the Beach continues to thrive as a leading destination for nightlife, dining, and shopping. The site features a variety of attractions, including a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and other carnival rides offered in its “pavilion” section. To celebrate its three decades of operation, the complex is hosting a week-long festivity culminating in daily fireworks leading up to a grand finale on July 4th. Special themed events are also planned, such as “Throwback Thursday” and “Win it Wednesday.”
Broadway at the Beach has captivated generations, with families returning year after year. Ashley Callahan and Emily Clow, two middle school students who first visited in 2005, now revisit the site with their families, showcasing the location’s enduring appeal. Stuart Butler, president of Visit Myrtle Beach, highlights that North Carolina residents represent the largest group of visitors to the Grand Strand, signaling the attraction’s regional influence.
In recent years, Myrtle Beach has seen a remarkable recovery in tourism. After a downturn caused by the 2008 recession, visitor numbers across the Myrtle Beach area steadily rebounded, reaching a record 20.6 million annual visitors in 2019. Although total annual visitation slightly decreased to approximately 18.2 million in 2024, the region has implemented strategies to attract tourists year-round, moving beyond the traditional peak season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. New sports facilities and annual events, like the Carolina Country Music Fest, have also helped sustain business during the slower periods.
Attention to sports tourism plays a significant role in this transformation, with spending rising from $15.6 million in 2014 to $35.2 million in March 2024. Events like the Myrtle Beach Marathon have generated substantial economic yield, contributing over $3 million in direct spending in March 2024. Additionally, the number of visitors during March has jumped from 298,319 in 2014 to 432,350 in 2024, demonstrating the incredible growth in sports tourism.
The area’s landscape has also changed as businesses adapt to the evolving demographics and tourism trends. There have been notable reductions in nightlife venues and nighttime crowds primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, live music has made a strong return, with nearly 20,000 performances occurring each year in Myrtle Beach.
Visitor access to the Myrtle Beach area has further been boosted by the introduction of direct flights from major cities such as Nashville and Chicago, improving the connectivity for potential travelers. Meanwhile, Broadway at the Beach is currently undergoing renovations to enhance its aesthetics and maintain its appeal to visitors, ensuring that its beloved attractions from the old Myrtle Beach Pavilion remain cherished parts of the complex.
The local economy benefits significantly from tourism, with the star attraction, Broadway at the Beach, playing a crucial role in bringing in business and visitors. The successful strategies adopted to maintain steady visitor flow throughout the year reflect the resilience and adaptability of Myrtle Beach as it approaches the future. The events commemorating its 30-year legacy mark not only a celebration of the past but also a strong promise for the ongoing evolution of this cherished destination.
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Myrtle Beach Enforces Stricter Curfews and Fireworks Regulations for July 4th Weekend
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Six the Musical Brings Rock Concert Atmosphere to Myrtle Beach
- My Horry News: Broadway at the Beach’s History as Attraction Turns 30 Years Old
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News Article
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- WBTW: Broadway at the Beach Robbery Incident
- Google News: Myrtle Beach Broadway
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
