SkyWheel Myrtle Beach

The SkyWheel opened in 2011 as the centerpiece of a revitalized Myrtle Beach oceanfront boardwalk. It was, at the time, one of the tallest observation wheels in the country, a modern update on the classic seaside Ferris wheel built with fully enclosed gondolas so that a ride is comfortable in heat, wind, or cool weather alike. That all-weather design lets it run through much of the year, not just the summer season.

The wheel quickly became a symbol of the city and a fixture in postcards and skyline photos of the Grand Strand. Its nighttime light shows, programmed to shift through colors and patterns, make it a spectacle even for people who never buy a ticket to ride, glowing over the beach and the boardwalk crowds below.

The reward of a ride is the view. From the high point of the wheel, the whole Grand Strand opens up, the long straight beach running for miles in each direction, the surf line curling white against the sand, and the towers of the resort city marching along the shore. On a clear day the horizon of the open Atlantic stretches far out to sea.

Below, you look straight down on the boardwalk, the beach umbrellas, and the tiny figures of people wading in the surf. Riders often time their trip for late afternoon or evening, when the light softens over the water and the city begins to sparkle, turning the ride into a gentle, elevated way to watch the day end over the ocean.

The SkyWheel sits within easy reach of everything that draws visitors to Myrtle Beach. The oceanfront boardwalk stretches along the sand with arcades, candy and ice cream shops, souvenir stalls, and ocean-view eateries, a classic beach-town promenade made for a slow evening stroll. The wide public beach is right there, an expanse of soft sand and warm Atlantic surf.

Beyond the boardwalk, the Grand Strand rolls out in both directions, a long chain of beach communities from the family resorts of Myrtle Beach to the quieter shores of the outlying towns. Amusement parks, mini-golf, seafood restaurants, and shopping fill the corridor, making the SkyWheel one stop among many in one of the busiest vacation destinations on the East Coast.

Summer is the high season on the Grand Strand, when the beach and boardwalk are packed with families and the warm ocean invites long days of swimming. It is the liveliest time to ride, though also the most crowded, and afternoon thunderstorms can briefly pause operations before the skies clear again.

Spring and fall bring milder air, thinner crowds, and pleasant riding weather, with the beach still inviting for a walk. Even winter has its appeal here, as the enclosed gondolas keep a cold-weather ride comfortable and the off-season boardwalk takes on a quieter, mellower character with the wheel still glowing over an emptier beach.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.