A full vacation is wonderful, but sometimes two days beside the ocean are enough to reset your mood and break up the routine.
The key to a short Myrtle Beach getaway is choosing a hotel close to the experiences you want to enjoy. Located directly on the oceanfront near the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, voco The Shelby – Myrtle Beach keeps the beach, downtown attractions, dining and nightlife within easy reach.
Here is one way to spend a weekend in Myrtle Beach without turning it into a race against the clock.
Friday: Settle In and Explore the Boardwalk
4:00 p.m. — Check In and Cool Off - Check into voco The Shelby and settle into your guest room or suite. Many of the hotel’s rooms and suites offer partial or full ocean views, with private balconies available in select accommodations.
Once you have unpacked, head to the outdoor pool, float along the lazy river or use the hotel’s direct beach access for an early-evening walk. You have the entire weekend ahead of you, so there is no need to start it in a hurry.
6:30 p.m. — Have Dinner at The Palm & Pebble - Keep the first night simple with dinner at The Palm & Pebble, located inside The Shelby.
The restaurant serves American-inspired dishes, cocktails and a variety of brews in a relaxed setting. Best of all, no one has to get back in the car after traveling to Myrtle Beach.
8:00 p.m. — Walk the Boardwalk and Ride the SkyWheel - After dinner, make your way toward the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. Browse the shops, stop for something sweet or simply enjoy the ocean breeze and downtown energy.
Finish the evening with a ride on the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach. Its enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas rise high above the oceanfront, providing nighttime views of the coastline and the lights along Ocean Boulevard.
Saturday: Beach Time and Myrtle Beach Attractions
Early Morning — Watch the Sunrise and Have Breakfast - Start Saturday on the beach while the shoreline is still quiet. The cooler air and morning light make this one of the best times for a walk or a few vacation photos.
Afterward, return to The Palm & Pebble for breakfast and coffee. Starting the day at the hotel leaves more time for the beach—and fewer decisions to make before the caffeine has done its job.
10:00 a.m. — Spend the Morning on the Beach - Set aside a few uninterrupted hours for the reason you came to Myrtle Beach in the first place.
Swim, read under an umbrella, walk along the shoreline or do absolutely nothing for a while. With direct beach access, you can move between the ocean, pool and your room without packing everything you own for a day at the beach.
12:30 p.m. — Find Lunch Near the Boardwalk - Head downtown for a casual lunch near the Boardwalk. The area offers seafood, burgers, tacos, pizza and plenty of places to pick up a frozen drink or sweet treat.
After lunch, browse the nearby shops, visit the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove or stop at an arcade before deciding how to spend the afternoon.
2:00 p.m. — Choose Your Own Afternoon
There is no single correct way to spend a Myrtle Beach weekend. Choose an activity that fits your group:
• For families: Visit Ripley’s Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach.
• For couples: Browse the shops and stop for drinks at Broadway at the Beach.
• For thrill seekers: When the park is operating, head to Family Kingdom for amusement rides and the historic Swamp Fox wooden roller coaster.
• For relaxation seekers: Return to The Shelby Beach Club for the pool, lazy river and tiki bar.
Trying to fit all four into one afternoon defeats the purpose of a weekend away. Pick one and leave yourself time to enjoy it.
5:30 p.m. — Recharge at the Hotel - Return to The Shelby for a shower and a little downtime before dinner. Take a nap, sit on your balcony or head back to the beach for the softer light of late afternoon. Leaving a little open space in the itinerary keeps the weekend from feeling like another schedule you have to manage.
7:00 p.m. — Dinner and a Night Out - Use Saturday night to explore more of Myrtle Beach’s dining scene. Choose an oceanfront restaurant near the Boardwalk, reserve a table at one of the area’s seafood or steak restaurants or pair dinner with drinks and live entertainment.
Afterward, see what is happening around Plyler Park and the downtown district. If you would rather end the night quietly, return to the beach for a walk beneath the lights along the shoreline.
Sunday: One Last Morning by the Ocean
8:00 a.m. — Take the Morning Slowly - Pick up coffee and enjoy it from your room, balcony or a quiet place near the beach. Follow it with breakfast at The Palm & Pebble or visit a local brunch spot before packing.
Sunday morning does not need a long list of activities. The ocean view is still doing most of the work.
10:00 a.m. — Fit In One Last Swim or Beach Walk - Before the hotel’s 11:00 a.m. checkout, make time for one last visit to the water. Walk along the shoreline, float in the lazy river or spend a final hour beside the pool.
Even a short stretch of beach time keeps the last morning from feeling like nothing more than a departure day.
11:30 a.m. — Stop at The Market Common - Your weekend does not have to end immediately after checkout. Stop at The Market Common for brunch, shopping or a walk through its outdoor spaces before leaving Myrtle Beach.
The district is also close to Myrtle Beach International Airport, making it a practical final stop for visitors flying home.
Make the Most of a Myrtle Beach Weekend
Two days may not be enough to see all of Myrtle Beach, but that is not really the goal.
At voco The Shelby – Myrtle Beach, you can wake up beside the Atlantic, walk to downtown attractions, relax by the pool and enjoy on-site dining without spending half the weekend traveling between stops.
Pack a swimsuit, choose a few favorite activities and leave some room in the schedule for the beach.
Plan your weekend getaway at voco The Shelby – Myrtle Beach and see how much vacation can fit into 48 hours.