Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Little River, SC

  • Published 2022/11/21

Little River is a small fishing town in Horry County, South Carolina.

Located along the North Atlantic Ocean coast, Little River is teeming with aquatic natural resources, making it an ideal stop to satisfy your seafood cravings.

The oldest town along the greater Grand Stand area, it’s home to a lot of fishing charters, waterways, and centuries-old oak trees that give a quaint ambiance to the township.

Despite being perceived as a humble and quiet town, Little River has a bit of flair to its tourism recently, particularly its marinas and casino cruises.

It’s also strategically located near the border of North Carolina, giving you a lot of flexibility if you’re planning to travel to multiple cities and towns.

The best things to do in Little River, South Carolina, are waiting for you!

Check this list to get started!

Hike the Scenic Vereen Memorial Gardens

Wetlands at Vereen Memorial Gardens

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Vereen Memorial Gardens is one of the prime attractions in Little River that highlight the scenic inland beauty of the town.

This is where you can find centuries-old trees that blend perfectly well with their scenic trails and other family-friendly amenities, like playgrounds and gazebos.

You can also bring your pooch to Vereen Memorial Gardens, making this a great all-rounder for all types of families.

Scenic view of Vereen Memorial Gardens

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Its vast woods will eventually lead you to the town’s Intercoastal Waterway, where the township got its name, “Little River.”

Here, you’ll see plenty of boardwalks and piers to view the scenic marshlands and river.

Vereen Memorial Gardens is a must-visit in Little River, accessible along Sky View Road.

Go For a Casino Cruise with The Big “M” Casino

The Big “M” Casino is another must-visit attraction in Little River, well-loved by locals and tourists because of its Las-Vegas style atmosphere that blends well with the quaint outdoors of Little River.

For an affordable price, you can have a scenic cruise while having access to all sorts of casino games like slot machines and poker tables.

The cruise takes roughly five hours, plenty of time for you to try out all their modern facilities and enjoy the scenic cruise.

When visiting, go to the ship’s dock to enjoy the view and breeze of Little River’s Waterways.

It’s also a great way to mingle with fellow tourists, locals, and their professional and helpful staff.

Found along Mineola Avenue, The Big M Casino is a fantastic attraction whether you’re gearing to gamble or go on a cruise.

Go on a Dolphin Tour with Sea Screamer

If you’re not really into the casino culture, then there’s good news for you because Sea Screamer also lets you tour the town’s waterways.

The difference here is that Sea Screamer does dolphin tours, making this a great complement or alternative to the Big M Casino cruise.

While nowhere near the size and comfort of the Big M Casino, Sea Screamer’s boat gets the job done for tourists who are just looking to view the ocean while having a chance to sight a pack of dolphins.

An added charm to this cruise is the interaction between the audience and the crew—they’ll surely keep you engaged with humor and information.

Sea Screamer can be found just a few walks from where the Big M Casino is docked.

Have a Seafood Feast at Snooky’s on the Water

Another tourist attraction in Little River is its delicious seafood, featuring all sorts of fish and the freshest shrimps in South Carolina.

While there are a lot of seafood restaurants for you to try, Snooky’s on the Water is the institutionalized restaurant where many locals congregate for a great bite of the sea.

Located along Baker Street in front of a harbor, Snooky’s on the Water is a great place for a family lunch or a late-night drink with friends.

What makes this restaurant a beloved destination is its quaint ambiance coupled with quality food.

There’s a lot of seafood and alcoholic beverages to try in Snooky’s on the Water, and you can get started with their deep-fried calamari, she-crab soup, and shrimp and grits.

They have happy hours daily, and their Bloody Mary is a must-try.

Join the World Famous Blue Crab Festival

Typically held during May, the World Famous Blue Crab Festival is the ultimate Little River experience.

Located in the same harbor where The Big M Casino is located, World Famous Blue Crab Festival is a celebration of the rich seas and waterways of Little River.

This annual event has been going on since 1981 and has evolved to be one of the most anticipated events in South Carolina.

This festival is a congregation of seafood restaurants, artists, musicians, breweries, and other vendors offering various products.

It’s genuinely one of the best experiences in South Carolina, an icon of the town’s quaint but lively community.

Rent a Boat and Go Fishing with Captain Smiley Fishing Charters

Right next to Snooky’s on the Water lies Cricket Cove Marina, home to several interesting waterfront businesses.

If you’re looking for a chartered boat ride, Captain Smiley Fishing Charters can be found in this marina.

They’re a fantastic bunch who’ll happily accommodate your plans to rent a boat, whether for a scenic tour or a fishing excursion.

It’s highly recommended that you go with the fishing route, as their staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, making the experience worthwhile.

They’ll take you to the richest fishing spots in Little River, home to loads of flounders, trouts, and redfish.

Go on an Ocean Adventure with Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Rentals

Located inside Cricket Cove Marina is Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Rentals, easily one of the most recommended places to enjoy all sorts of waterway activities.

They’re famous for their guided or unguided jet ski packages, the latter letting you enjoy the water safely with their rangers patrolling the waters.

Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Rentals also has other offerings, particularly dolphin tours and boat rentals.

Their boat rental service features a 24-foot modern pontoon boat that can easily accommodate ten people, a perfect boat for picnics and scenic tours of Little River’s waterways.

Finally, Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Rentals also offer island excursions that bring you to several local islands near Myrtle Beach, right along the Atlantic Ocean.

With so many things to do, Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Rentals is easily one of the best service providers in the Little River.

See How Beers and Whiskey are Made at Twelve 33 Distillery

Twelve 33 Distillery is another landmark of Little River, acting as both a speakeasy bar and a tourist hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts.

The distillery offers tours of their facility, showing you an end-to-end process of how alcoholic beverages like beer, bourbon, and whiskey are produced.

At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to do some tasting in their speakeasy, making this a perfect destination if you’re passionate about alcoholic beverages and their production.

Of course, if you just want to spend a fun night trying out their cocktails and spirits, they have their own bar with a great ambiance.

Located along Fairway Drive, Twelve 33 Distillery is a convenient trip right at the heart of Little River’s township.

Tour and Taste the Exquisite Wines of La Belle Amie Vineyard

While Twelve 33 Distillery offers you an industrial tour of their facility, La Belle Amie Vineyard tours you to their sprawling vineyards.

Known for its cellar tours and tasting events, La Belle Amie Vineyard is a haven for wine connoisseurs traveling to Little River.

If you’re not really passionate about wine but want a scenic dining spot, this place gets it done, too.

On top of their exquisite drinks, their vast estate is a fantastic way to enjoy the rich outdoors of Little River.

The place is also well known for its live music, sometimes holding full-blown wine festivals with band performances for the community.

La Belle Amie Vineyard can be found along St. Joseph Road in the middle of Little River.

Check Out the Fun Activities at North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex

Just a few miles southwest of La Belle Amie Vineyard lies North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.

This is probably one of the best destinations for kids, as it’s teeming with all sorts of amenities.

They’re known for their softball, baseball fields, and dog park.

If you’re visiting during the Christmas season, North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex is a must-visit, as it’s full of beautiful light shows.

The place also has live concerts throughout the year in its amphitheater, along with Segway tours for adults and seniors.

Go Bowling at Little River Lanes

If you want a break from all the waterway and township tours, Little River Lanes offers a lot of fun through its modern bowling alley.

This bowling facility is well-loved by locals, and the road’s location is named after it—Bowling Lane Road.

Upon visiting Little River Lanes, you can easily see why this place is positively reviewed.

Its bowling lanes, arcade, and food service area are all of the excellent quality, making this one of the best bowling alleys in South Carolina.

They also have great prices and a fantastic atmosphere, perfect for families with children or a large group of adults.

Take a Swing at Eagle Nest Golf Club

Eagle Nest Golf Club is one of the prime golf courses in Little River, with excellent facilities highlighted by well-maintained greens.

The staff and overall service are also positively rated by the golf course’s loyal clientele.

Located along Eagles Nest Road, Eagle Nest Golf Club gets the job done if you’re itching to swing your club.

Take Scenic Shots of the Waterway at Harbor Walk

Harbor Walk is a pathway along the banks of the inner harbor of the town’s Intercoastal Waterway.

This harbor is the largest in the town, having several marinas with tons of docked yachts.

There is a certain allure to walking along Harbor Walk, as the aesthetic of harbors with tons of boats and yachts makes for great photography.

It’s a great way to relax and take in the breeze of Little River’s waterways.

There’s also a lighthouse as part of Lightkeepers Marina by the end of the harbor, another scenic spot to take photos.

Other Things to Do Nearby

See the Wildlife at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

Boardwalk at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

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Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is a nearby destination in Little River, found along Myrtle Beach’s House Creek.

This nature preserve is sprawling with wetlands, home to a lot of animals like fiddler crabs, herons, and a variety of fish.

Waterfront houses at Heritage Shores Nature Preserve

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Several picnic areas are found in this nature preserve, making it a great destination for families with children and pets.

With great views and tons of wildlife, Heritage Shores Nature Preserve is a haven for the outdoor lover.

Get Sweeping Views of the Atlantic Ocean at Cherry Grove Fishing Pier

When traveling to Little River, it’s a must to visit its neighboring area, Myrtle Beach, for the ultimate Atlantic Ocean experience.

One of the best ways is through the Cherry Grove Fishing Pier, a historic 1950s pier accessible from North Ocean Boulevard.

What makes this unique is that it stretches far into the Atlantic Ocean compared to other piers, giving you sweeping views of the ocean from a height.

Of course, this is more than a viewing deck, as it’s also a hotspot for anglers looking to land a big catch from the Atlantic.

Cherry Grove Fishing Pier also has an oceanfront park if you want to enjoy the Atlantic along its sandy beaches.

Final Thoughts

Little River is a quiet little town that acts as a great escape to the bustling cities in South and North Carolina.

Whether you’re going here as a stopover or as an actual destination doesn’t matter, as Little River is full of interesting places that will make any trip here memorable.

Try their cruises or chartered boat rides for a surefire way to get an authentic experience of the waterways and the Atlantic Ocean.

They also have many other scenic spots to relax and spend a slow day with loved ones or yourself.

Before your trip to this fishing town, revisit this list of the best things to do in Little River, South Carolina, for a fuss-free adventure.

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