New Lights, Fresh Bites and Expanded Flights: What’s New on the Grand Strand for Summer 2026
The Grand Strand has always been known for its beaches, golf, restaurants and family attractions. This summer, a new wave of public and private investment is adding even more ways for residents and visitors to enjoy the Myrtle Beach area.
From improvements along Ocean Boulevard to new restaurants and expanded nonstop air service, these developments represent more than additions to the tourism landscape. They also create jobs, improve public spaces and add amenities that contribute to everyday life across Horry and Georgetown counties.
Ocean Boulevard Gets a Brighter Look
Downtown Myrtle Beach continues to evolve as part of a broader effort to create a more welcoming, walkable and connected oceanfront district.
New bistro-style lighting has been installed along a seven-block section of Ocean Boulevard. The decorative lighting complements the area’s restaurants, attractions and public spaces while creating a more inviting atmosphere for evening walks downtown.
Although the improvement is well suited to the summer season, its value extends throughout the year. Better public spaces provide residents with more places to gather and help downtown Myrtle Beach feel like a community destination—not just a place reserved for vacationers.
New Restaurants and Entertainment Concepts Arrive
The Grand Strand’s dining scene continues to grow, with new concepts opening from Little River to Murrells Inlet.
Among the notable additions is Downtown Flavortown, a large family-oriented dining and entertainment attraction from Food Network personality Guy Fieri. Broadway at the Beach has also welcomed Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing Co., featuring Southern-inspired food, craft beverages, live entertainment and waterfront gathering space.
Other new dining options include:
- UPTWN Prime, an upscale steakhouse on the north end of Myrtle Beach
- Inlet Shipwreck Bar & Grill, a pirate-themed waterfront restaurant in Murrells Inlet
- Shark Bar at Makos on the Water, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River
- South Coast Beer Project, a restaurant and brewery in Carolina Forest
- Ellie’s Snack Shack at Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach
- Whitecaps Sweets & Treats, Flipside Pizza and Tiki Tides Pool Bar at Hampton Inn & Suites Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
These businesses provide more than new places to eat. They create employment opportunities, encourage private investment and give residents additional places to meet friends, entertain visiting family and enjoy the region outside of the traditional beach experience.
Myrtle Beach International Airport Adds More Nonstop Service
Myrtle Beach International Airport continues to improve regional connectivity following its terminal renovation and six-gate expansion.
Expanded nonstop service includes connections to Houston; Orlando; Pittsburgh; Portland, Maine; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Manchester, New Hampshire; Altoona, Pennsylvania; and the West Virginia communities of Beckley and Parkersburg.
More flights make it easier for vacationers to reach the Grand Strand, but they also offer meaningful benefits to people who live here. Residents have more convenient options for vacations, business travel and visiting family without first driving to Charleston, Charlotte or another larger regional airport.
For current and prospective homeowners, accessibility matters. Buyers relocating from outside the area often consider how easily they can return to family, reach a second home or travel for work. Expanded air service strengthens Myrtle Beach’s position as both a vacation destination and a place to establish a full-time or seasonal residence.
Tourism Investments Also Benefit Local Residents
Tourism remains one of the Grand Strand’s most important economic drivers. According to Tourism Works for the Grand Strand, visitor spending supports local businesses, helps sustain more than 82,000 jobs and generates tax revenue used for infrastructure, public safety, parks and other community priorities.
That does not mean every tourism-related project has the same impact, but the broader connection is important. A healthy visitor economy can support amenities and services that residents use throughout the year.
The same restaurant that attracts vacationers in July may become a local gathering place in January. Improvements made to an entertainment district can create a safer and more enjoyable public space for nearby residents. Additional flights designed partly around tourism demand can make everyday travel easier for people across the region.
What Continued Investment Means for Grand Strand Real Estate
New restaurants, improved public spaces and better transportation connections can all contribute to a region’s overall appeal. They give prospective residents more reasons to consider the area and help existing homeowners enjoy a broader range of amenities.
However, regional growth does not affect every property or community equally. Real estate decisions should still be evaluated at the property level, with attention to:
- Location and surrounding development
- Traffic and infrastructure
- Flood zones and insurance expenses
- HOA finances and potential assessments
- Short-term rental regulations
- Property condition and maintenance history
- Current inventory and comparable sales
The latest Grand Strand investments are encouraging, but buyers and sellers should avoid assuming that every new attraction automatically increases a property’s value. The real opportunity comes from understanding how regional trends intersect with the specific community, building or neighborhood being considered.
A Growing Coastal Community
The Grand Strand continues to develop into something broader than a seasonal beach destination. It is a collection of communities where people vacation, work, invest, raise families and retire.
The new Ocean Boulevard lighting, expanding dining scene and additional nonstop flights are all signs of continued confidence in the region. More importantly, they demonstrate how investment connected to the visitor economy can also improve the place local residents call home.
Whether you are considering a primary residence, vacation property, investment property or the sale of a Grand Strand home, informed local guidance can help you understand both the opportunities and the potential risks.
Dan Sine, Realtor
Dunes Realty Sales
(843) 455-6319
dansinerealtor.com
Source: New Lights, Fresh Bites & Expanded Flights: Recent Investments Benefit the Grand Strand, Tourism Works for the Grand Strand.