5 Inexpensive Activities in Myrtle Beach

Family vacations can get expensive quickly. When you factor in accommodations and food the money can go quickly. So how can you go on vacation with your family without breaking the bank?

I took my family of 5 to Myrtle Beach in the middle of summer for a week for less than $1000. We decided to camp instead of renting a hotel room, that really helped the budget. We stayed at Myrtle Beach State Park which afforded us beautiful views as well as everything we needed. Because we were staying there we also got into other state parks for free. Myrtle Beach State Park has everything from basic campsites to Full Hookup RV sites. I highly recommend it. So let's get to it.

1. Huntington Beach State Park: Huntington Beach is in Murrells Inlet just south of Myrtle Beach. They offer a beautiful walking trail along the marshes where you can spot animals like local birds and alligators. Huntington Beach is known as a great location for birding. They offer guided tours for alligator viewing as well. These tours are guided by staff educators who are ready to answer any questions. The park also has geocaching, fishing, and biking. They also have a beach that is lifeguarded, a nature center, and a gift shop. It is a place you could spend all day and have plenty to do

16148 Ocean Hwy, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

$8/adult; $5/ S.C. Senior; $4/youth age 6-15; Free for children 5 and younger.

2. Hot Summer Nights: Monday-Saturday nights in the summer downtown Myrtle Beach has the Hot Summer Nights festival. They are family-friendly and include music and a carnival atmosphere. So if you want to see a funk band, sing karaoke, or dance check out a glow party this one is for you.

1309 N. OCEAN BLVD MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Free

3. Broadway At The Beach: Broadway offers an array of shops and restaurants that are fun to walk around. 7 nights a week from June 1 to September 1 they host their Great American Summer Nights event which is a fun way to cool off after a day at the beach. They have live music, stilt walkers, fire dancers, and strolling entertainment.

1325 Celebrity Cir, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Free

4. Vereen Memorial Gardens: The is a 3-mile walking trail that scores 1 out of 5 stars for difficulty. It is something you can definitely do while pushing a stroller. The park has wooden boardwalks that extend over the salt marshes. They also offer a playground, picnic areas, restrooms and they are dog friendly so if you are traveling with a furry family member they are welcome to hike with you here.

2250 SC-179, Little River, SC 29566

Free

5. L W Paul Living History Farm: Located in Conway SC about 15 miles from Myrtle Beach is the L W Paul Living History Farm. The Farm is open 9 am-4 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The farm depicts life from 1900-1955 on a typical Horry County farm. They offer tours and host events throughout the year. Events on the farm change seasonally so if you visit more than once in the year you may have a totally different experience. Visitors can observe a typically working farm.

2279 Harris Short Cut Rd, Conway, SC 29526

Free

Bonus:

Barefoot Landing, I always check out Barefoot Landing whenever I am in town. Like Broadway at the Beach, it has a lot of shops and restaurants. They have a playground as well as boardwalks to take advantage of. There is a nice boardwalk leading up to Alligator Adventure.

4898 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582

Free

Mini Golf: Mini-Golf is always a good time. There are over 30 mini golf options in Myrtle Beach and no two are the same. There are loads of places to find deals on mini-golf. On average it is about $10/per person. I always make sure to go at least once when I am vacationing.