Rent a Bus to Barefoot Landing: Group Entertainment & Dining Guide

If you are organizing a group outing to Barefoot Landing, the question that decides the whole day comes down to one thing: how does your group arrive together, park without chaos, and actually enjoy the destination instead of burning an hour on Highway 17 looking for a spot? This guide answers it plainly, using Barefoot Landing's own published logistics and what we know from running these trips repeatedly, and then walks you through everything else a group visit needs: which restaurants are worth the wait for a large party, what events fill the seasonal calendar, how the big entertainment venues handle groups, and how a Myrtle Beach charter bus rental keeps the whole itinerary on track from pickup to last call.

Barefoot Landing sits at 4898 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, set directly on the Intracoastal Waterway about 13–15 miles north of central Myrtle Beach. In normal traffic, that's a 20-to-25-minute run up US-17. In peak summer, it can double.

That gap between the promise and the reality of Highway 17 is exactly what a charter bus solves for your group.

What Is Barefoot Landing?

Barefoot Landing is a 100-plus-acre waterfront complex built along the Intracoastal Waterway, with more than 40 retail stores, a dozen dining spots, two major entertainment venues, and a reptile park that draws families from across the Grand Strand. It is not a mall with a water feature. The layout follows the waterway itself — a boardwalk-connected cluster of buildings, docks, and open-air plazas where you can walk from a concert at the Alabama Theatre to a crab boil at the Flying Fish without ever moving your car.

For a group of 20, 30, or 50 people, that walkability is one of the genuine advantages of making Barefoot Landing the anchor of your day.

The venue is free to enter and explore. You pay for dining, attractions, and show tickets individually. That structure makes it unusually flexible for mixed-interest groups: the kids can hit the arcade and the ropes course at LuLu's, the adults settle into the House of Blues for Sunday Gospel Brunch, and the whole crew reconvenes on the waterfront boardwalk before the bus picks everyone up.

One venue, multiple schedules, zero herding required.

The Highway 17 Problem — And Why Your Group Shouldn't Fight It

US-17 is the Grand Strand's main artery, and in peak season it earns its reputation. The highway's population-tripling summer visitor load — millions of people unfamiliar with local roads, making sudden turns into hotel lots and entertainment complexes — produces the kind of stop-and-go that locals simply plan around. The South Carolina DOT has flagged the 2.5-mile stretch of US-17 near Barefoot Landing specifically for safety interventions, because the constant turning movements into Barefoot Landing, Barefoot Resort, and surrounding commercial properties generate rear-end collisions and pedestrian conflicts that make the corridor genuinely unpredictable on a busy Saturday afternoon.

The worst window is 4–7 PM on weekdays, but summer weekends are a different category entirely. Plan to arrive at Barefoot Landing during the 10 AM–noon window and you'll slide into a nearly empty parking lot. Plan to arrive at 3 PM in July via US-17 from the south without a private bus, and you're looking at a crawl through multiple signal cycles at the Barefoot Resort Boulevard intersection — followed by the hunt for one of three free lots that fill fast on peak days.

A Myrtle Beach party bus rental takes care of every piece of that. Your group loads at whatever hotel, condo complex, or meeting spot makes sense, the route is handled for you, and the bus drops everyone at the Barefoot Landing entrance while the lots are still manageable. When the evening winds down, the bus is back at a pre-arranged pickup spot and no one is navigating a dark, unfamiliar stretch of US-17 after a few rounds at the House of Blues bar.

That's the practical argument — not "luxury" or "style," just logistics that work for a group.

Drop-Off and Parking Logistics for Groups

Barefoot Landing offers three free surface parking lots surrounding the complex, with access off US-17 South. The lots work fine for standard vehicles on lighter days, and oversized vehicles including charter buses have room to navigate and park along the outer perimeter of the main lots. Barefoot Landing's own FAQ notes that the Visitor Center inside Low Country Village is the resource hub for accessibility needs and venue information on arrival.

For bus groups, the practical approach: your bus drops passengers curbside at the main entrance off US-17, then parks in the outer sections of the surface lots where larger vehicles have clear turning radius. Because parking is free and lots are surface-level (no garage clearance issues), there is no permit, no pre-purchase, and no dedicated commercial vehicle window to deal with — a refreshing contrast to stadium and arena logistics. The main variable is timing.

Arrive before noon on a summer weekend and parking is easy. Arrive at 2 PM on a Saturday in July and the inner lot fills, pushing vehicles to the outer perimeter, which adds a walk. For a bus group, that walk is irrelevant: everyone stepped off at the entrance.

The bus finds its spot and waits.

We recommend confirming your arrival timing with our team when you book a charter bus in Myrtle Beach, especially around SummerFest weekends and the October and September festival dates, when attendance spikes and the outer lots are busier than usual. Call 854-233-7160 and we'll plan the approach around what's actually happening that day.

Entertainment Venues at Barefoot Landing

Alabama Theatre

The Alabama Theatre at 4750 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 is a 2,000-seat venue opened in 1993 by the country group Alabama, and it anchors the entertainment calendar at Barefoot Landing year-round. The theater's signature productions — Iconic: Amplified and The South's Grandest Christmas Show during the holiday season — run repeatedly through the season, while the Guest Artist Concert Series brings in touring acts weekly, running the gamut from 1950s swing to classic rock to current country. Seating is reserved and first-class, with production values that punch well above a typical regional theater.

For groups, the Alabama Theatre is one of the more straightforward bookings in the area: buy tickets in advance (via AXS or the venue box office), show up together, and the reserved seating means your party sits as a block rather than scattered through the house. The theater's box office opens daily at 9 AM. For groups of 20 or more, contact the Alabama Theatre directly to ask about group ticket options before purchasing individually.

Post-show, the Barefoot Landing boardwalk is right outside, which makes it an easy transition point to dinner or the next stop on the itinerary.

Phone: (843) 272-1111

House of Blues

House of Blues at 4640 Highway 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 is a 59,000-square-foot venue that handles everything from standing-room concert nights to seated dinners to the World-Famous Sunday Gospel Brunch (9 AM–2 PM every Sunday). The main room holds up to 2,850 depending on the event setup, making it one of the larger concert venues on the Grand Strand. The restaurant side operates independently from the concert calendar — dinner reservations are separate from show tickets, so your group can dine at House of Blues and catch a show the same night, or treat them as standalone stops.

The Sunday Gospel Brunch is genuinely one of the best fixed-itinerary anchors for a group trip to Barefoot Landing. It's ticketed, it runs on a predictable weekly schedule, and it fills up — book ahead, particularly during summer. The Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre is another group-friendly format worth noting: an interactive show with dinner built in, no separate dining reservation required.

For concert nights, the House of Blues box office and the main restaurant entrance are on the US-17 side of the complex, and your bus can drop directly at that entrance before parking. Call (843) 272-3000 for show tickets and group reservations; restaurant reservations are at (843) 913-3746.

Alligator Adventure

Alligator Adventure occupies a 15-acre park next door to the House of Blues along US-17, making it effectively part of the Barefoot Landing complex even though it operates as a standalone ticketed attraction. Adult admission runs $38.99, children 4–12 are $27.99, seniors 62+ are $36.99, and children under 3 are free. Summer hours run daily 9 AM–7 PM, with alligator feedings every other hour from mid-April through mid-October.

Military members receive 10% off for up to six guests.

For mixed groups with kids, Alligator Adventure and Barefoot Landing's family-oriented attractions pair naturally: the kids spend two hours at Alligator Adventure while the adults browse the shops or grab lunch at the Flying Fish, then everyone reconvenes for a show at the Alabama Theatre in the evening. The bus sits parked in the surface lots during the entire visit — no parking meter, no timed lot, no scramble at the end of the day. Visit Alligator Adventure's website for current hours and pricing before your trip.

Dining at Barefoot Landing: Where Large Groups Fit

Barefoot Landing's dining lineup is broader and better than most shopping-complex restaurants, partly because several are destination spots in their own right rather than filler options taking up space. The challenge for a group is matching the right restaurant to your size and timing. Here is the honest breakdown of the main options.

LuLu's North Myrtle Beach

Lucy Buffett's LuLu's is the largest and most group-capable restaurant at Barefoot Landing, with a sprawling Intracoastal Waterfront layout, its own private sandy beach area, and a menu that goes from Gumbo Love and fresh coastal fare to burgers, tacos, and sandwiches. Hours run daily 11 AM–10 PM. LuLu's has live music most days, beach volleyball courts, and the Mountain of Youth Ropes Course (48 feet, 26 obstacles, $20/person, minimum 48" height) and Beach Arcade adjacent to the restaurant — making it an easy two-to-three hour stop for a mixed-age group.

It is the right pick for large, informal groups where the kids and adults have different interests but the same real estate.

The Flying Fish Public Market and Grill

The Flying Fish is Barefoot Landing's go-to for serious seafood: a fish market and restaurant combined, with a raw bar, custom crab boil orders, sushi, and catch-of-the-day options. Open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner, and one of the few spots at Barefoot Landing with a children's menu that doesn't condescend. For groups of 15–20 who want a sit-down seafood meal, the Flying Fish handles it more reliably than the louder, larger options.

Call ahead for large-party reservations during summer and holiday weekends.

Big Chill Island House

Big Chill Island House opened in spring 2024 and immediately became one of the most photographed spots at Barefoot Landing, for good reason: 370 seats, a rooftop bar, and direct Intracoastal Waterway views that make the room feel bigger than it is. The menu leans island-inspired — fresh local seafood, classic American, live music, and a bar program designed around the patio and rooftop setting. For groups that want a nicer dinner stop with a built-in view, Big Chill is the current standout.

The rooftop fills quickly on summer evenings, so early reservations matter.

Blueberry's Grill

Blueberry's is the breakfast-and-lunch play at Barefoot Landing — a Carolina chain with creative egg benedicts, sweet potato pancakes, crab cake benedict, blueberry hush puppies, and grilled lunch sandwiches. It is the right stop if your group is arriving in the morning and wants to eat before hitting the attractions, or if you're wrapping a late-morning Alabama Theatre box office run and want somewhere quick and inexpensive. Not a dinner option, but exactly right for its lane.

Umberto's

Umberto's is the evening-only choice for groups who want a sit-down dinner that isn't seafood. Northern Italian-style, open daily from 5 PM, with veal, chicken, pasta, steak, and house-made cannoli. The dining room is quieter than LuLu's and Big Chill, which makes it a better fit for corporate groups or adults-only celebrations.

For a group that has just come from an afternoon at Alligator Adventure or a matinee at the Alabama Theatre and wants a proper dinner before a concert at the House of Blues, Umberto's is the stop that ties the itinerary together.

Barefoot Landing's Annual Events: When to Book Early

Barefoot Landing runs a predictable seasonal events calendar that creates genuine demand spikes for group transportation. The four main events that affect charter bus availability and planning:

SummerFest (June–August)

SummerFest runs from early June through late August, offering free nightly live entertainment and Monday evening fireworks at 10 PM. This is Barefoot Landing's busiest stretch by a wide margin. The combination of fireworks nights and free waterfront concerts pulls crowds that fill the parking lots by early afternoon.

Monday fireworks nights in July are the single hardest parking situation at Barefoot Landing all year. For a group planning a SummerFest evening, the bus is not a convenience — it is the only plan that makes logical sense. Rideshare surge pricing after the fireworks show is predictable; parking is gone before sunset.

Call 854-233-7160 to lock in your SummerFest date as soon as it's set — summer weekends fill our fleet quickly.

SeptemberFest (September)

The annual SeptemberFest runs a single Saturday in mid-September from noon to 6 PM, featuring the Duplin Winery Grape Stomp, live music, beer and wine tastings, kids' activities, and character visits. The 2025 edition took place on September 20. For a wine-focused group or a family outing, SeptemberFest is one of the most underrated events on the Grand Strand calendar — the crowds are smaller than SummerFest but the programming is tighter.

A minibus rental in Myrtle Beach sized for your group is the natural fit here.

OktoberFest (Early October)

Now in its fifth year, Barefoot Landing's OktoberFest runs noon to 8 PM on a single Saturday in early October (October 4, 2025). A $10 wristband unlocks discounts at participating restaurants, and the German food-and-drink focus makes it an easy itinerary for adult groups. The single-day format means that if your group hasn't locked in a bus by early September, the right-size vehicle may already be committed — fall weekends on the Grand Strand move fast.

The South's Grandest Christmas Show (November–December)

The Alabama Theatre runs its holiday production from mid-November through late December, and it draws family groups from across the Southeast who are already booking Myrtle Beach holiday packages. If your group is coming specifically for the Christmas Show, book the bus at the same time you book the theater tickets. Both sell out.

The retail hours during this stretch shift to Sunday–Thursday 10 AM–7 PM and Friday–Saturday 10 AM–8 PM per Barefoot Landing's official visit hours page.

Which Vehicle Fits Your Barefoot Landing Group?

The right vehicle is the one that matches your headcount without making anyone pay for empty seats. Here is how the fleet breaks down for a Barefoot Landing trip.

For a SummerFest fireworks night with 30 friends, a party bus rental in Myrtle Beach with a built-in bar and LED lighting makes the pregame part of the event. For a family reunion with grandparents, teenagers, and young kids making a day of it, a full-size charter bus gives everyone room to breathe and the undercarriage bays handle the strollers, the beach bags, and whatever the kids bought at Ron Jon. For a corporate team dinner followed by a House of Blues concert, a minibus keeps the group together without renting more vehicle than you need.

ADA-accessible vehicles are available — just let us know before your trip so we can match you with the right setup.

Building a Full-Day Group Itinerary Around Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing works best as a hub, not a standalone stop. The properties and beaches nearby can extend a half-day visit into a full Grand Strand itinerary when you have a bus to connect the stops. A few itinerary patterns groups use most often:

The Family Day Trip

Arrive at Barefoot Landing by 10 AM when retail opens and the Alabama Theatre box office comes alive. Spend the first two hours at Alligator Adventure ($38.99 adult, $27.99 children 4–12), then lunch at LuLu's or the Flying Fish with a stop at the Mountain of Youth Ropes Course for the kids ($20 per person, 48" height minimum). Afternoon show at the Alabama Theatre.

Bus picks up at 5 PM and runs the group back south on US-17, or continues to one of the beach parks before sunset. The full loop from a central Myrtle Beach hotel and back is roughly a 9-to-10-hour booking window.

The Evening Entertainment Night

Bus picks up from hotel blocks at 5:30 PM, arriving at Barefoot Landing for a 6 PM dinner at Big Chill Island House or Umberto's. Dinner transitions directly to a 7:30 or 8 PM House of Blues show or Alabama Theatre Guest Artist concert. Post-show, the boardwalk and bar areas handle another hour before the bus returns.

No one is navigating US-17 after 10 PM, which matters more on a summer Saturday than most people realize until they've tried it once.

The Pub Crawl + Waterfront Circuit

For adult groups not focused on the theater shows, Barefoot Landing's bar and dining options string together naturally for a waterfront progressive dinner. Start at Blueberry's for a late lunch, move to Big Chill's rooftop for drinks and the Intracoastal view, transition to the House of Blues for happy hour and live music at the Foundation Room or main bar, and finish with a walk along the boardwalk before pickup. The bus handles multiple stops and the return run so no one is sorting out rideshare surge pricing at 11 PM.

Nearby Destinations to Add to Your Itinerary

Barefoot Landing sits at the northern end of the Grand Strand, which makes it a natural stopping point on longer group routes. A few destinations groups regularly pair with a Barefoot Landing visit:

• Cherry Grove Beach — about 3 miles north, a quieter stretch of beach than the main Myrtle Beach boardwalk, good for a morning stop before heading to Barefoot Landing for the afternoon.
• North Myrtle Beach Oceanfront — the Ocean Drive neighborhood along Main Street is a 10-minute ride east from Barefoot Landing and the home of the original shag dancing scene, with venues like Fat Harold's Beach Club still operating.
• Broadway at the Beach — about 14 miles south on US-17, the other major entertainment complex on the Grand Strand. Groups visiting both in one day rely on a bus to avoid the parking situation at each venue individually.
• Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) — approximately 14–15 miles south via US-17, roughly 20–25 minutes in off-peak traffic. For groups flying in for a Barefoot Landing concert or event, a direct airport-to-venue run is one of the most common requests we handle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does a charter bus drop off at Barefoot Landing?

Barefoot Landing's surface lots are accessible directly off US-17 South, and there are no garage clearance restrictions or dedicated commercial vehicle windows to deal with. Your bus drops your group at the main entrance off US-17, then parks in the outer sections of the surface lots during your visit. Parking is free.

Because the lots are flat and the approach roads are straightforward, this is one of the simpler drop-off situations on the Grand Strand. We recommend confirming arrival timing when you book, particularly for summer and festival dates when the inner lots fill by early afternoon.

What are Barefoot Landing's hours?

Retail hours vary by season. During summer peak (late May through early September), the complex is open daily 10 AM–10 PM. During the winter period (January through late February), hours are daily 10 AM–6 PM.

Individual restaurants, entertainment venues, and attractions keep their own hours, which can run later or earlier than the retail complex. Check Barefoot Landing's official visit hours page before your trip since hours are subject to change at management's discretion.

How far is Barefoot Landing from Myrtle Beach hotels?

From central Myrtle Beach (the main oceanfront hotel strip), Barefoot Landing is 13–15 miles north via US-17, typically 20–25 minutes in normal traffic. In peak summer on weekend afternoons, that same drive can take 40–50 minutes heading north on US-17 through the construction and signal-heavy corridor. From Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR), the distance is approximately 14.7 miles.

A charter bus in Myrtle Beach handles the route while your group skips the navigation and the parking search entirely.

Do I need tickets in advance for the Alabama Theatre or House of Blues?

Yes, for any specific show. Walk-up availability exists for some performances but cannot be relied upon for a group, especially during SummerFest (June–August) and the holiday show run (November–December). The Alabama Theatre's Guest Artist Concert Series typically sells tickets through AXS or the venue box office at (843) 272-1111.

House of Blues show tickets are at the venue box office; restaurant reservations are a separate call at (843) 913-3746. Sunday Gospel Brunch tickets sell out weeks in advance in summer — book them the moment your group's date is set.

How much does a party bus or charter bus to Barefoot Landing cost?

Pricing depends on the vehicle size, the number of hours, your pickup location, and the date. As a general range: Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $204–$378/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $244–$414/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $294–$490/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. There are no hidden costs and no day-of surprises — the quote is all-inclusive.

A trip to Barefoot Landing for a typical evening outing (4–5 hours from a central Myrtle Beach hotel) costs less per person than what your group would spend on parking and rideshare surge combined on a SummerFest Saturday. Call 854-233-7160 for a quote built around your specific headcount and date.

Is Barefoot Landing good for a bachelorette party or birthday group?

It is, particularly for groups that want entertainment beyond bar hopping. The combination of a House of Blues concert, dinner at Big Chill's rooftop, and waterfront boardwalk time covers a full evening without everyone ending up at the same venue all night. A party bus rental in Myrtle Beach with a built-in bar and LED lighting turns the ride itself into the pre-show, and there is no designated-driver conversation to have at the end of the night.

For a bachelorette group specifically, the Sunday Gospel Brunch at House of Blues followed by a waterfront afternoon makes a strong Saturday itinerary that doesn't require staying out past midnight.

Can Alligator Adventure accommodate a large school group?

Yes. Alligator Adventure is a 15-acre park used regularly by school and youth groups. Military families receive 10% off for up to six guests, and the feeding schedule every other hour from mid-April to mid-October gives organized groups a natural anchor point for their visit.

For large school groups, contact Alligator Adventure directly through Alligator Adventure's website before your trip to confirm group pricing and arrival logistics. A charter bus drops the group at the US-17 entrance to Alligator Adventure, waits in the Barefoot Landing surface lots nearby, and picks everyone up when the visit is done — teachers handle the kids, and the parking and driving are taken care of.

When should I book a bus for a Barefoot Landing trip?

For SummerFest fireworks Mondays in July, book at least 4–6 weeks ahead — those Monday nights are one of the most-requested dates on the Grand Strand all summer, and the right-size vehicles go first. For the Alabama Theatre Christmas Show dates in November and December, book when you buy your theater tickets. For OktoberFest and SeptemberFest single-day events, book by early September — fall weekends on the Grand Strand fill faster than most visitors expect.

For off-peak weekday and shoulder-season visits, 2–3 weeks of lead time is workable, but earlier is always better for vehicle selection. Call 854-233-7160 to lock in your date.

Book Your Barefoot Landing Group Trip Today

Barefoot Landing is one of the Grand Strand's best arguments for organizing a group visit rather than going it individually — the concentration of entertainment, dining, and waterfront space in one walkable complex rewards groups who can focus on the experience instead of the logistics. The bus handles the logistics. Your group handles the fun.

Whether it's a SummerFest fireworks night with 40 friends, a family day that runs from Alligator Adventure through an Alabama Theatre matinee, or a bachelorette weekend anchored around a House of Blues Gospel Brunch, Party Bus Myrtle Beach has a vehicle sized to your group and a team ready to build the itinerary around what's actually happening at Barefoot Landing on your date. Call 854-233-7160 for an all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds — or use our online tool for instant availability.