DH and I are going to Myrtle Beach, SC in September and we've been looking for some fun frugal places to go. I've checked out the official website, but I kind of want a "local's" point of view. I like to go to the smaller "secret" places when we travel. Any suggestions/comments are greatly appreciated!! Thanks, everyone.

P.S. This is also our 1 year anniversery that we are celebrating, so anything romantic is a plus!

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i should remember some of these places, being i used to live in South Carolina.
but i'm sure you will have a good time regardless. it is absolutely beautiful! ask TommysMommy, i think that i saw she is from Charleston, SC! good luck and have a great time!

What kind of stuff are you into? When in September are you going? They usually close some of the "touristy" stuff after the Labor Day weekend. Are you staying in Myrtle Beach or one of the other local beaches? If you like nature stuff there is a state park- shopping I would definately check out Barefoot land and Broadway at the Beach. Broadway is also fun if you and DH want to go out- We go at least twice a year (we are only 2 hours away) so I know a fair amount about the area, but it helps to know what you wanna do--

We were at Myrtle Beach earlier this year (June) and we loved it! I do recommend going to Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach- we had a lot of fun shopping and checking out the area (at Barefoot Landing we feed the turtles and that was cool- there were some that looked like Chia pets from all the algea growing on their backs!)! We stayed at Monterey Bay Resort- all the rooms have an ocean view, kitchens and they provide a good free breakfast in the morning (every morning it was different- ham, home fries, pancakes and so on- not the typical continetal breakfast!). If you are staying at a place that does not have a kitchen for you to make meals- I highly suggest going to River City Cafe- (it does not look that appealing- people write all over the tables, walls and so on, and there is peanut shells everywhere.)- you get a lot of great food for you buck. For a family of 4 it was about $25 with left overs (I recommend trying the onion rings- after eating 1, I was full)- you also get to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor!

On Mondays Barefoot Landing has fireworks, I believe Broadway has them on Tuesday and Springmaid Peir has them on Wednesday (we stumbled on Springmaids- we were checking out the "scene" in the middle section of Ocean Blvd. Watch out there is tons of teens, and people trying to sell you timeshares-EVERYWHERE!). BTW- there is a store at Barefoot Landing (I think it is called the best of Myrtle beach)- earlier this year if you bought anything from that store they gave you a receipt to take to their new store at Broadway and you got a free gift. We went to the new store (right past Build a bear) and we got a free tote bag (which is really nice and I still use it!).

Some of the things we did- that cost money was the Dixie Stampede (so worth the money!), Ripleys aquarium ($50 for a family of 4- and the little one freaked out- took the oldest through in under 15 minutes!- not really worth the money), the girls made a doll at friends 2 b made (there is a coupon for $5 off in a few of the coupon books- and I was told you can use one for every $25 you spend!), went to the movies in the earlier afternoon at Broadway (had the cheap mantinee price and they have budget friendly combo deals- large popcorn, and large pop with free refills!), had our picture taken with a tiger at Barefoot ($40- but all the money goes back to the tiger preservation!). There is so much to do down there and honestly we did not do any miniature golf (there is tons of places). You can definatley have a decent vacation down there without spending a lot of money- we actually did not spend as much as we thought and came home with a lot of money!

For the most part- if you spend a lot of time on the beach it will be a frugal vacation- it's free exercise, entertainment, you get free souvenirs and the experience! If you have any questions- feel free to pm me and I can answer them for you! Have a great time- it is a lot of fun down there! Me and my Dh would love to live down there- besides the prices of milk (about $5 for a gallon of 1% milk at Walmart!)!

Thank you all so much for the tips! We are going the second week of September...right after labor day. We got a hotel room for $55 a night on orbitz. We are going with my cousin and one of his friends, so it will be the four of us. We are staying in Myrtle Beach. We are looking forward to the Dixie Stampede...it's a tradition for me to go there every time I go. I've been to Broadway; however, I didn't know they did fireworks...that will be great to go see one night. I also know that we want to go to the Nascar Speedpark and Nascar Cafe b/c I'm a huge Nascar fan and so is dh and my cousin. The hotel that we are staying at has grills by the pools, so we will be cooking at the hotel a few times, but I'm looking forward to NOT cooking somewhat and enjoying some local restaurants. I know we will have a great time.

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Windys said to ask me, but I am sorry, can't help much in that area. I have only been to MB once. Heck, I'm not even from Charleston, LOL, I'm from KY! My MIL used a co-worker's timeshare when we went three years ago, so we mostly went to the beach. The Ripley's Aquarium was fun, and so was Barefoot Landing. Barefoot Landing has a free "preferred" pass on their website, plus it will give youa chance to get a look at what is there. Welcome To Barefoot Landing - Shopping, Dining, Entertainment in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I know we spent the entire day there just window shopping, checking out the street vendors, and having a great time!

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I LOVE MYRTLE BEACH!!!!!!!!!!! My family has gone there every summer for the past ten years. We would even love to live there some day. :happy dance:

Our favorite thing to do is simply relax on the beach! We stay in a condo so we have a full kitchen. When we first get to MB we go to Walmart and get some groceries. Then each morning cook our own breakfast. I know it is vacation and you don't want to work, but we don't care! Then head to the beach for the day. We go to an early dinner (around 4pm) so we beat the rush and get cheaper prices. The drive around, maybe do an activity or just go back to the beach. Using our kitchen means we only eat out once a day (early dinner). Other meals and snacks are from our room. And we make tea and koolaid too so no going out to buy sodas. We also take cards and board games to play in our condo...but we leave the balcony door open to hear the ocean . Always get coupons books! They are free and have some great deals.

Here are some resturants to check out:
River City Cafe (a hamburger joint...well worth it)
Carolina Roadhouse
Damon's
All of the calabash seafood places are pretty good too. I think the one we normally go to is called Benjamins.

This is not frugal at all..expensive actually. But if you can, check out Dixie Stampede. It is awesome!!!

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Jenifer
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We are "from" there I guess nad now outside of Charleston. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of free things to do other than the beach and to wander around places like Barefoot Landing, Broadway, Outlet malls (as long as you can hold onto your pocketbook and not shop!!

Broadway does do fireworks although I'm not sure if they do it year round or not. But, you can call or go by and ask

Aquarium- IMO its pricey for what it is, but I love the sea and have been to many great aquariums so was disappointed in ours there.

Huntington Beach State Park- just south of Murrells Inlet is a fun place. You can walk around- there are alligators that are pretty active early morning and around sunset. Also a good place to see dolphins just offshore- again early am or sunset. There is a nice beach to swim, picnic at, shelters, restrooms, etc. It does cost- I think it is now per person rather than carload but haven't been this year so not sure. But still probably less than $5-6 entry. Also has an old castle (Atalaya) you can wander around in.

Brookgreen Gardens across from Huntington has great statues and gardens. Does cost money, but worth it if you like that type thing. You can check out details online

In addition to restaurants mentioned- a sister to Carolina Roadhouse is Gulfstream Cafe in Garden City. Before or after dinner go sit on the upper deck- sunset is best - its on waterway and across from ocean. Great sunset views!!

Murrells Inlet has lots of good restaurants (Creek Ratz, Bovine,s Divine Fish HOuse, Drunken Jacks, River City) and little bar areas you can hang out at and just look out over the water. You can also walk along the water

There's lots to do and usually you can get coupons for dinners and attractions if you check in at visitors centers

Feel free to Pm me and have fun!!

ITA! I thought it was very overpriced and we walked through the entire thing in about an hour. I think the Ripley's Aquariaum in Gaitlinburg is sooo much better.

As far as cheap stuff to do, DH and I love to take a book or magazine and just veg on the beach (that was before DD, obviously! ). There is nothing more relaxing (and cheaper!) than listening to the ocean and not doing absolutely anything.