Myrtle Beach hotels, activities for a perfect family getaway

By Robin Gallagher

I’ll admit that I’d never been to Myrtle Beach until we took our children there for our first  family vacation. I was searching for a fun summer beach vacation within driving distance of our Virginia home (flying with toddlers is too much stress for this mother!), and following the advice of a friend, settled on Myrtle Beach.

As the mother of two young boys, I also admit that I’ve got a few more requirements for our family vacations:

1. The hotel must have a room with at least one bedroom so my husband and I can have some quiet time after the boys fall asleep.
2. There’s got to be plenty of fun things to do to keep my young boys interested and active all day, rain or shine.
3. It has to be an affordable family vacation. With the economy so unstable these days, the bottom line is that we’re more concerned than ever before about saving for our children’s future.

We found Myrtle Beach hotels and activities met all of these requirements and then some.

Activities abound

I was amazed by all of the things there are to do for families in Myrtle Beach.  The beach, of course, is beautiful and there is plenty of it — over 60 Miles on the Grand Strand. My family is very active and we loved the variety of miniature golf courses (there are so many you can pick a new adventure every day!), water parks and water sports (especially the banana boat rides), amusement rides and my boys’ favorite, the NASCAR Experience. And as our kids get older, there are loads of other activities they’re sure to love, like parasailing, jet skiing and golf.

On rainy days, we found lots of options to keep the boys well entertained, including Ripley’s Attractions, The SC Children’s Museum, and plenty of Bowling Alley’s and Movie Theaters. 

Great family accommodations and savings 

Outdoor pool at Best Western Carolinian Beach Resort

Myrtle Beach hotels also offer a range of accommodations that range from a traditional single room to up to a 4-bedroom condo. A typical condo also has a kitchen, which makes it easy to keep a few handy snacks, last-minute meals, and drinkson hand (not to mention adult beverages best enjoyed when the kids are asleep).  Several hotels also feature indoor water parks and arcades that are included with the cost of the room.

Affordability is key and easy to find. You’ll discover discounts with several Myrtle Beach hotels when you stay additional nights, and you can typically find a three-star hotel or condo for less than $100 a night.  Right now Best Western Carolinian Resort is offering a 30% off special for three nights or more, and from May 1 – 6 you can stay in ocean front rooms complete the ocean view, an outdoor pool and an indoor lazy river, all starting at $84/night.

Related resources

• Myrtle Beach hotels

A Senior Market Manager for Orbitz Worldwide, Robin Gallagher is a busy working Mom with even busier boys who are 3 and 4. As you can imagine, having family fun while keeping the interest of boys with 20-minute attention spans has become a mission for her and her husband in both life and travel!

Tagged: Family time, Hotels