Tips on Stretching Your Myrtle Beach Vacation Dollars
A little prior planning goes a long way in stretching your vacation dollars.
Jesse Broadt: Contributor
If you are like most Grand Strand vacationers, your number one fear when planning a trip to Myrtle Beach is having too much week left at the end of the money.
Nothing is more disappointing than realizing your budget’s been exceeded and collecting shells and eating hotdogs are all you have left to look forward to before checkout day.
Of course, setting a proper budget is one way to avoid this, but below are some additional tips to make your Myrtle Beach dollars stretch even further:
Create Simple Meals In Your Condo
If you secured discounted Grand Strand accommodations, you’ve taken a huge step toward making your vacation affordable. Not surprisingly, the next biggest expense associated with such a trip is dining out every night.
If you want to save a ton of money on your getaway, try making some meals from the convenience of your vacation rental. Many condos are available with fully-equipped kitchens that feature items such as cookware, utensils, and of course, major appliances.
With the area’s abundance of local grocery stores, there’s no reason not to take advantage of this option and put money back in your pocket. In fact, try planning one meal a day in a restaurant and eating in for the others, which ultimately gives you the best of both worlds.
Utilize Those Coupon Books
When you finally reach your getaway destination, stop in any local establishment and look for those brightly colored little coupon booklets that are typically always displayed near the front door. Few destinations offer more coupons than Myrtle Beach.
These will come in handy for virtually anything you want to do, from eating out to visiting local attractions or hitting the fairway.
One of the most popular books is The Monster Coupon Book found in most hotel lobbies and businesses along the Grand Strand.
Time at the Beach
The most fun–and probably the most obvious–avenue through which to save money when visiting the Grand Strand is to spend time at the beach. With the exception of parking, which is a nominal part of your vacation budget, the beach is the funnest and least expensive attraction around. Take in the beautiful Atlantic Coast, walk the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk or simply enjoy a good read in the beautiful summer breeze.
Take Advantage of Early Bird Specials
Everyone enjoys short lines and fresh food, and you get both when you take advantage of early bird specials. However, the best benefit of dining early is the price. Due to the fierce competition among Grand Strand restaurants, Myrtle Beach vacationers can enjoy early seating discounts at seafood buffets, steakhouses, and ethnic eateries of all kinds.
This is also a great way to ensure you have room left over later in the evening for that quintessential ice cream cone as you stroll the boardwalk and watch the stars.
Play in the Afternoon
When vacationing in Myrtle Beach, you probably want to get your day started early. Unfortunately, everyone else has the same idea. In many cases, it’s advantageous to do the opposite: arrive at attractions in the afternoon.
This is because many Grand Strand establishments offer competitive afternoon rates that are worth the wait and enable you to save money for other things on your itinerary.
Benefit from On-Site Amenities
When you set out to book a great Myrtle Beach resort, one of the first things you probably inquire about is amenities. However, if you are like most people, you promptly forget them once you begin exploring the Strand. Nevertheless, numerous resorts have terrific amenities, many of which are free to guests. These may include children’s water parks, lazy rivers, exercise rooms, playgrounds and bars with no cover charge for hotel patrons.
Book Accommodations in North Myrtle Beach
The closer you are to the city’s center, the higher the lodging rates tend to be, particularly during peak season. If you are searching for a beach house or oceanfront vacation rental on the Grand Strand that won’t bankrupt you, give some thought to a stay in North Myrtle Beach.
Situated within easy driving distance from amusement parks and theaters, beach accommodations at the north end not only save you money, but also open up additional options regarding activities and attractions.
The tips outlined above can help essentially anyone have a more affordable Myrtle Beach vacation. Use a few or use them all, but don’t forget to click here and make booking accommodations the easiest task on your vacation to-do list.
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