SC has best travel spot to celebrate July 4th in the US, Tripadvisor says. Here’s why it’s great
Independence Day is right around the corner and as the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence commences, there will be plenty of festivities to look forward to on this holiday weekend.
The holiday can be enjoyed anywhere, but some locations are more alluring than others, especially if there’s a body of water in the area.
Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel guidance platform, released a list of the top and trending summer destinations for U.S. Travelers in 2026. In the report, the nation’s most popular domestic travel destinations for 4th of July were also released.
The data revealed a preference for East Coast beaches, as travelers are looking for vacation destinations that won’t break the bank, offer family-friendly appeal and activities that cater to travelers of all ages.
At the top of this list is a popular beach location in South Carolina that is infamous in the South.
Here’s the SC coastal city that made the top of the ranking:
Myrtle Beach is top July 4th travel spot in US
Myrtle Beach was named this year’s top destination for the holiday weekend due to the high search volume from travelers. The coastal area is well-known for its crowded stretch of beach, oceanfront boardwalk, golf courses, seafood restaurants and tourism.
If you’re interested in taking a drive to Myrtle Beach for the festivities, here are some events that are going on during the weekend:
- Independence Day 5K: Located at Market Commons, celebrate America’s independence with a 5k run at 7 a.m. on Saturday. Participants are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. The address is 4017 Deville St, Myrtle Beach
- Inlet Fireworks Cruise: At Crazy Sister Marina at 8 p.m. on Saturday, you can celebrate the holiday on a scenic cruise through the saltwater marsh, where you can witness a fireworks display. The address is 4123 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet
- Murrells Inlet Boat Parade & Celebration: Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the annual Murrells Inlet Boat Parade will commemorate the holiday at the Marshwalk
- Surfside 4th of July Parade & Celebration: A golf cart parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Yaupon Drive, Ocean Boulevard & Surfside Pier. Enjoy decorated carts, live music, kids’ activities, and festive fun
- Salute From The Shore: Vintage and modern jets will fly across the Grand Strand at approximately 1 p.m. Those going to the beach are encouraged to arrive early
Top 5 trending domestic travel destinations
Myrtle Beach is the most searched location for domestic travel for the 4th of July weekend, but the other trending destinations are also in the South or near the beach. Here are the top 5 destinations, according to Tripadvisor.
- Myrtle Beach
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Clearwater, Florida
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Panama City Beach, Florida
Methodology
Tripadvisor used traffic data on their platform from searches made by travelers in the U.S. and U.K. between Feb. 1 and April 10, 2026, for travel between June 1, 2026, and Aug. 31, 2026.