Ultimate Guide to North Myrtle Beach Neighborhoods

Some towns are stitched together by highways. North Myrtle Beach is sewn in saltwater and sunshine. Four classic beach communities—Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Crescent Beach, and Windy Hill—were woven into one city, yet each still keeps its accent, like cousins at a family reunion. Spend a few days here and you’ll feel the difference block by block: marsh breezes in Cherry Grove, jukebox nights on Main Street, quiet mornings along Crescent, and the hum of Barefoot Landing down in Windy Hill.

Choosing where to stay isn’t just a pin on the map; it shapes your whole vacation rhythm. This guide brings local context and practical detail to help you pick the neighborhood that matches your mood—plus handy links to plan days around piers, boardwalks, boutiques, golf, shag dancing, and waterfront dining.

Four Beaches, One City

North Myrtle Beach officially includes four historic beach sections: Windy Hill, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Cherry Grove, consolidated into one city in 1968. The city fronts roughly nine miles of shoreline along the Grand Strand.

Cherry Grove — Marsh Channels, Pier Views & Easygoing Days

Cherry Grove sits at the northern tip of town, wrapped by a tidal salt marsh and Hog Inlet. Anglers and sunrise walkers claim it early; by mid-morning, families set up chairs near the waterline while pelicans patrol the surf. The community’s crown is the Cherry Grove Pier, a beloved landmark first built in the 1950s and rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo, famous for a record tiger shark catch and postcard-worthy ocean panoramas. Stroll it for sea breeze therapy and a front‑row seat to the Atlantic’s moods.

On land, Cherry Grove’s lattice of channel homes makes it feel like a seaside hamlet. Kayaks slip past backyards at high tide, and kids chase fiddler crabs along the edges. When appetites wake up, you’re close to seafood markets, casual spots, and ice cream stands. Prefer old-school amusements? Arcades and mini-golf live just down Sea Mountain Highway. If you want a laid-back neighborhood with nature at your elbow, Cherry Grove is an easy yes.

Stay nearby: Thomas Beach Vacations — Cherry Grove Rentals.

Ocean Drive — Main Street Music, Shag Culture & Nightlife

Ocean Drive is the heartbeat—where the city’s famous Carolina Shag dance never really stopped. On Main Street, neon signs glow over vintage clubs like Fat Harold’s Beach Club, where locals and visitors two‑step to beach music well past sunset. Festival weekends bring the streets alive (think SOS events each spring and fall), but even on a Tuesday you’ll catch live bands, DJs, and a whirl of smiling couples looping through that signature six‑count step.

By day, Ocean Drive is delightfully walkable. Browse boutiques and surf shops, grab a cone, then wander a few blocks to the wide, soft‑sand beach. Families love the mix—plenty to do within a few minutes on foot—and parking options positioned around Main and Ocean. If your perfect beach week includes equal parts sun and music, Ocean Drive has your name on it.

Stay nearby: Thomas Beach Vacations – Ocean Drive Beach Rentals

Crescent Beach — Family-Friendly Calm with Central Access

Named for the curve of its shoreline, Crescent Beach threads the needle between quiet and convenient. It’s largely residential, with low‑key public beach accesses and that “morning coffee on the balcony” tempo. Golfers appreciate proximity to local courses like Beachwood, and families love that you can be toes‑in‑sand within minutes yet still reach Ocean Drive, Barefoot Landing, or shopping corridors without a long drive. For many guests, Crescent is the Goldilocks zone—peaceful at night, perfectly placed for daytime adventures.

Because it sits between Ocean Drive and Windy Hill, you can pivot either way depending on your plans: shag and Main Street one evening, waterfront dining and shopping the next. If you’re traveling with little ones or grandparents, the gentle surf and generous strand often feel just right for long, lazy beach days.

Stay nearby: Thomas Beach Vacations – Crescent Beach Rentals.

Windy Hill — Barefoot Landing, Waterway Energy & Convenience

Anchoring the southern end, Windy Hill marries oceanfront sand with Intracoastal Waterway buzz. Just inland, Barefoot Landing sprawls across 100-plus acres of lakes and boardwalks along the waterway, with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It’s home to venues like Alabama Theatre and House of Blues, plus seasonal events and holiday sparkle. Evenings here feel like a promenade—dinner on the deck, a stroll past the lake, maybe a show before returning to your beach place.

Windy Hill is also a launchpad: close to boat tours, the Barefoot Queen riverboat, and access points for fishing or paddling. For travelers who want “everything within a short radius,” this neighborhood delivers—easy highway access, quick hops to outlets, and a straight shot to the sand for sunrise. It’s convenience with a coastal soundtrack.

Stay nearby: Thomas Beach Vacations – Windy Hill Beach Rentals

How to Choose Your North Myrtle Beach Home Base

For nature and nostalgia: Cherry Grove’s marsh views and pier walks set the tone for a slower, salt‑air‑first vacation. If fishing, kayaking, or simply listening to the surf at sunrise speaks to you, start here.

For walkable nights out: Ocean Drive is your stage. Stay steps from Main Street and dance floors, with food, music, and shopping at your fingertips.

For balance and convenience: Crescent Beach puts you mid‑map—close to everything, calm when you want it. Ideal for multi‑generational trips.

For one‑stop fun near the waterway: Windy Hill aligns you with Barefoot Landing’s dining, shows, and shopping, while keeping the beach in easy reach.

Tip: The City of North Myrtle Beach maintains hundreds of public beach accesses across these neighborhoods, so getting your crew to the sand is easy from nearly anywhere.

Book with Thomas Beach Vacations

Each corner of North Myrtle Beach offers a different flavor of coastal life. Tell us how you like to unwind—kayaks and creeks, live music and late nights, quiet porches, or waterfront promenades—and we’ll match you to the right street, the right view, the right rental.

Ready to plan? Explore our inventory at NorthMyrtleBeachVacations.com or call (866) 249‑2100. From Cherry Grove channels to Windy Hill waves, your perfect beach base is waiting.