Top 10 Hidden Gems in North Myrtle Beach: Secret Spots Loved by Locals
Most beach towns shout for your attention. North Myrtle Beach, though, whispers. It’s a place where memories slip quietly between the tide and the breeze—where the best experiences aren’t always advertised in brochures or glowing on neon signs. They’re tucked away, waiting for the curious traveler, the quiet walker, the soul who trades spectacle for stillness.
Of course, you’ll find the big-ticket fun here too: shag dancing on Main Street, fireworks over the pier, outlet shopping and championship golf. But when you’re ready to slip away from the crowd, we’ve mapped out the coastal corners, back-road bites, and sea-kissed secrets that locals hold dear. These are the hidden gems of North Myrtle Beach—and once you discover them, you may never want to leave.
1. Hog Inlet: Serenity at the Water’s Edge
If North Myrtle Beach has a pulse, then Hog Inlet is its quiet breath. Located at the northern tip of Cherry Grove, where the paved road ends and the tides take over, this saltwater inlet is the spot where locals come to fish, kayak, or simply sit still. It’s a place of whispering spartina grass and wading herons, where the ocean folds into the marsh and time forgets to tick.
Early mornings here are sacred. Bring coffee. Watch the sky shift pink to gold. And if you’re lucky, you’ll spot dolphins chasing mullet in the narrow channels. There are no crowds, no volleyball nets—just the hush of the natural world doing what it’s always done.
2. Heritage Shores Nature Preserve: A Walk Through Wild Carolina
Nestled behind the neighborhoods of Cherry Grove, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is a coastal trail system suspended over wetlands, offering boardwalk paths through one of the area’s most pristine salt marshes. Seven acres of tidal creeks, educational signage, and wildlife sightings make this spot perfect for families, nature lovers, or anyone needing to breathe a little deeper.
Bring binoculars for the ospreys. Bring your kids for the crabs. Bring your worries and leave them behind on the wind.
3. Platt’s Seafood: The Local’s Local Market
Ask any North Myrtle Beach fisherman where they buy shrimp, and chances are they’ll send you to Platt’s Seafood. Tucked just inland off Sea Mountain Highway, this no-frills, cash-only seafood market has been family-run for decades and supplies the freshest local catch this side of the inlet.
Their shrimp still snap. Their flounder practically swims. And if you’re staying in a vacation rental with a kitchen, there’s no better way to turn dinner into an experience. Just follow the smell of smoked mullet and the hum of the old fridge door swinging shut.
4. Joe’s Bar & Grill: Raccoon Deck Dining with a View
It doesn’t get more “hidden gem” than a place where dinner comes with wildlife. At Joe’s Bar & Grill, tucked in the shadows of the pines near Windy Hill, the real magic happens on the raccoon deck—a raised, screened patio overlooking a salt marsh where, sure enough, raccoons show up at night for their own evening snack.
But Joe’s isn’t just about the gimmick. The steak is thick, the scallops are seared to perfection, and the hushpuppies are so golden they could double as currency. Locals come for the food. Visitors come back for the charm.
5. Little River Waterfront: Sunset and Shrimp Boats
Just a few minutes north of North Myrtle Beach lies Little River, a quiet fishing village with a charm all its own. While most visitors drive past on the way to Calabash, those in the know stop for an evening stroll along the Little River Waterfront, where shrimp boats bob at their moorings and the breeze smells like Old Bay and salt air.
Visit during golden hour, grab a cocktail from Crab Catchers on the Waterfront, and watch the sun melt into the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s the kind of place where conversations drift and time forgets itself.
6. Greg Norman Australian Grille: Upscale Dining with Waterway Views
For those seeking a refined waterfront dining experience, Greg Norman Australian Grille at Barefoot Landing offers an upscale menu with a focus on wood-grilled seafood and steaks. The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list and a picturesque view of the Intracoastal Waterway, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, the ambiance and cuisine here are sure to impress.
7. Boulineau’s: A Grocery Store That’s So Much More
Step into Boulineau’s, and you’ll find a place that’s part market, part memory, part curiosity shop. Located in the heart of Cherry Grove, this family-owned institution sells everything from fresh shrimp to beach toys, Carolina cookbooks to homemade fudge.
It’s a stop that tourists stumble into—and locals never left. If you want to know what North Myrtle Beach feels like on the inside, start here.
8. Be Known Coffee Company: A Hidden Café for Slow Mornings
In a town full of big-brand brews, Be Known Coffee Company is a breath of small-batch, ethically sourced air. Located on Sea Mountain Highway in Little River, this cozy café serves cold brew on tap, golden milk lattes, and homemade breakfast sandwiches that are worth getting up early for.
The vibe is low-key, the staff is friendly, and the message is in the name: be known. It’s where locals linger. And now, you can too.
9. Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve: A Photographer’s Dream
Down the same road that leads to Cherry Grove Pier is a quiet little pull-off few notice. But those who do find the Russell Burgess Coastal Preserve, a marshfront lookout ideal for catching sunrise photos, birdwatching, or simply finding stillness between adventures.
There are no crowds here, just cattails, distant tides, and the occasional egret poised like a painting. For moments that feel like prayers, this is the place.
10. Hoskins Restaurant: A Local Legend for Classic Southern Fare
Hoskins Restaurant, sitting proudly on Main Street since 1948, isn’t just a breakfast stop—it’s a piece of North Myrtle Beach history. Known to locals as the place where everyone meets at least once a week, this family-owned gem serves up Southern staples that feed more than your stomach. They feed your memory.
Step in and you’re greeted with wood-paneled walls, vinyl booths, and the smell of bacon cooked right. Try the pancakes or the crab cakes (yes, for breakfast). The daily lunch specials—fried flounder, chicken and dumplings, collards, and cornbread—are honest and hearty. It’s where time slows down, tourists blend with locals, and the food never forgets its roots.
Local Secrets, Lifelong Memories
These aren’t the loud, polished places you see on billboards. These are the spots you learn about when your server leans in and says, “Want to know where I go?” They’re stitched into the rhythm of life here, scattered like seashells only the keenest eyes find.
And that’s the charm. North Myrtle Beach isn’t just a destination—it’s a discovery.
Book Your Stay and Live Like a Local
Ready to explore the hidden gems of North Myrtle Beach? Let Thomas Beach Vacations be your guide. We offer over 400 vacation rentals—oceanfront condos, quiet cottages, golf villas, and family homes—perfect for accessing both the famous and the secret sides of the Grand Strand.
Visit www.northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call (866) 249-2100 to book your stay and experience North Myrtle Beach the way the locals do—slow, sweet, and unforgettable.