Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
1110 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC
Towering 200 feet (61 meters) above the sea in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the SkyWheel is a modern take on your typical Ferris wheel. Riders are whisked above the oceanfront promenade on bench seats in enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas that offer views of the piers, ocean, and downtown. After twilight, the SkyWheel glows in a rainbow of colors thanks to one million tiny LED lights.
One of the tallest Ferris wheels on the Eastern seaboard—and the largest amusement structure on this stretch of South Carolina’s Great Strand—SkyWheel offers views that reportedly stretch 40 miles (64 kilometers) on clear days. The 42 gondolas feature slanted glass, so you can snap reflection-free photos of the surrounding scenery. VIP tickets let you skip the line and enjoy double the ride time, cushioned leather seats, and a glass floor providing 360-degree views.
Because the VIP gondola has bucket seats, it cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
A general admission ticket includes a ride with four revolutions that lasts around 12 minutes.
Each regular gondola can fit up to six adults; strangers don’t share the enclosures. The VIP gondolas fit four people.
The SkyWheel is on Ocean Boulevard next to the Landshark Bar and Grill in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, just off Highway 501. If driving from the north or south, take Route 17 to reach Myrtle Beach. From the west, take Highway 501 or 544 East toward Ocean Blvd. There is a bus stop by the SkyWheel.
The SkyWheel rotates from mid-morning until around 9pm from Sunday through Thursday, and from 11am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays; it’s open year-round. You can also catch sunrise views on select dates with a 7am ride. The SkyWheel hosts dedicated light displays year-round, such as illuminating pink in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Stretching from the 14th Avenue Pier to the 2nd Avenue Pier, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is divided into two sections: the first offers a quiet, serene atmosphere, while the second is bustling with beachfront shops, restaurants, and the SkyWheel. The boardwalk also hosts the Myrtle Beach Music Festival and Memorial Day festivities.
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