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Rhino Blog
August 19, 2009 | 02:18 PM
With a turbulent economy hitting families square in their pocketbooks, many are looking for ways to stretch dollars by delaying, or even foregoing the traditional summertime vacation. Fortunately, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., summer isn't so much a season as it is a state of mind.
Temperatures remain balmy through late September and into October, providing ideal beach-going weather without the large summer crowds and long lines that accompany them. Better still, discounts abound with significantly reduced rates and deals on everything from hotels and meals, to tickets for premiere attractions.
One of the biggest bonuses of so-called off-season travel is the opportunity to splurge on top-shelf accommodations without paying top-shelf prices. Take, for example, Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront and its newly renovated offerings in South Myrtle Beach. During peak season rates can run upwards of $280 per night for a two-bedroom/two-bath suite, which might seem a little pricey for families looking to stick to a strict budget. That dilemma's solved post-peak season, when rates are reduced by 25 percent. Couple it with an additional 15-percent discount when reservations are booked 14 days in advance, and you're talking an overall 40-percent savings. Another added bonus: kids 18 and younger stay free when sharing a room with an adult. That means families can enjoy the luxury afforded by a premiere resort while paying about the same price as for a plain-vanilla hotel room.
In the case of Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront, it means enjoying the benefits of three lazy rivers, indoor and outdoor pools, an awesome kids' waterpark, and a set of oversized Jacuzzis. The resort also has easy access to a pristine swath of beach and every suite has an oceanfront view with a private balcony (the two-bedroom suites come with a King bed and private bath in one room and a nice perk for the kids in the second room – bunk beds with their own TV, along with an additional Queen bed).
The resort held its grand re-opening this summer, after major renovations to its South Tower and the addition of a North Tower. The attention to detail shows, from the welcoming lobby area to a great room with fireplace, overstuffed chairs and couches that offer relaxing beachfront viewing (the rich heart-pine floors are an especially nice touch). The spacious dining area, with its ocean-front view, offers complimentary breakfasts that serve up hearty portions of pancakes, French toast, eggs, sausage and bacon, in addition to standard continental fare.
Off-season bargains in Myrtle Beach don't stop at accommodations, and in some cases the savings even come early. Freestyle Music Park is offering two-for-one ticket pricing through the end of August. The promotional pricing ($19.99 for two adult admission tickets) is valid any day of the week, before 4 p.m. - music to the ears of a family looking to save big on expenses without sacrificing fun.
The park has stuck with the music-themed angle of its predecessor – the old Hard Rock Park, which was only open for a year before filing for bankruptcy – but the new owners of the 55-acre park have shifted focus to family fun with a new children's area called "Kids in America." Music, however, remains a unifying theme for the park. The kids might not clue into the Steve Miller-referenced "Fly Like an Eagle" ride, but they'll still have a hoot soaring in a kite through the clouds. The park offers more than 50 rides, including – lest anyone think it's all about the kids – the 150-foot Time Machine roller coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 65 miles per hour while ripping through a series of loops and spins.
Another family-friendly outing that provides a solid bargain, not to mention a welcome change of pace from standard beach fare, is the often-overlooked Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell's Inlet. Tickets are reasonably priced at $12 for adults/$10 for seniors ($5 for children ages 6 to 12; kids 5 and younger free with an adult). Admission is good for seven consecutive days, which means visitors can return at their leisure, a nice feature that allows you to take in all the Gardens have to offer without feeling rushed. And there's plenty to take in.
Brookgreen, located on the site of four former rice plantations, sprawls over 9,200 acres of magnificently landscaped and manicured gardens, with an incredible array of sculptures presented throughout (more than 1,700 pieces in all, by 350 different sculptors). Photo opportunities abound, so make sure to remember the camera.
There's even a special children's garden and a hands-on Discovery Center, and both adults and kids will appreciate the Low Country Zoo with its assortment of alligators, bald eagles, foxes, river otters, and white-tailed deer. The Cypress Aviary, with its elevated boardwalk, is particularly impressive. Be sure to catch one of the free, guided animal-feeding tours. The volunteer guides provide a wealth of information about local history and the surrounding swamp and Low Country habitat.
While you're down Murrell's Inlet way, check out Drunken Jack's Restaurant & Lounge – a family-friendly joint despite its rowdy moniker, which springs from local pirate legend: The story goes that one of Blackbeard's ships stopped at an island off Murrell's Inlet to bury its cargo of hijacked rum. When the ship set sail, one of the crewmembers – a fellow named Jack – was left behind. The ship returned two years later to recover its booty and found 32 empty cases of rum scattered up and down the beach … along with the bleached bones of Jack – hence the name "Drunken Jack's Island".
True or not, the modern-day Drunken Jack's, which features an open-air deck that overlooks Snug Harbor Marina, offers up quality food at reasonable prices (the fried grouper sandwich and clam chowder are particularly recommended, as are the hushpuppies dipped in homemade honey butter).
Another bonus for families is Goat Island, which can be viewed from Drunken Jack's deck. The owners of the restaurant put goats on the island to keep the underbrush down, and three years ago added some peacocks into the mix. The resulting visual is nearly guaranteed to keep restless kids occupied (and by extension parents blissfully relaxed), if you have to wait for a table, or when you're enjoying your meal.
A visit to Myrtle Beach wouldn't be complete without a trip to Ripley's Aquarium. Located in Broadway at the Beach, the facility doesn't offer any special off-season pricing or discounts, and ticket prices run a bit on the high side ($18.99/adults; $9.99/children 6-10; $3.99/kids 2-5). But if families on a budget are looking for a one-time splurge, Ripley's Aquarium is a good bet. The aquarium offers a plethora of displays and hands-on exhibits to keep kids busy and entertained for a good three hours worth of educational fun.
The facility's "Dangerous Reef" – a 330-foot glide path that runs through a clear tunnel under a 750,000-gallon saltwater tank – is singularly impressive. How often, after all, do you get a chance to see sharks, sea turtles, barracudas and hundreds of other sea creatures swimming above your head? Two other notable displays include "Rainbow Rock" – a 51,000-gallon faux coral reef that houses over 1,000 tropical fish; and Ripley's massive 1.2million-gallon, saltwater aquarium that holds thousands of fishes from around the world.
Myrtle Beach is silly with all-you-can-eat buffets. One of the best can be found in Phillips Seafood Market & Crab Room, located near Broadway at the Beach. Phillips offers a unique twist with its World Cuisine Buffet that rolls out at $19.99 for adults. In addition to standard seafood fare (be sure to try the crab cakes and cream of crab soup), the buffet offers tastes, as the name implies, from around the world: a made-to-order sushi bar; a burrito station with an assortment of Mexican side dishes; and a noodle bar. There's also a special buffet table with selections tailored for just kids ($6.99): mac-and-cheese, pizza, chicken tenders, hotdogs and burgers, to name a few.
In another unique twist, as part of the buffet, Phillips' waiters throughout the restaurant present tableside offerings of skewered meats such as jerk chicken, marinated pork, and Brazilian grilled sausages. If you have room, there's also tableside service of Dim Sum carts with seafood dumplings, wontons and spring rolls.
Work off your calories by putting out a round or two at Hawaiian Rumble Mini-Golf. Located in North Myrtle Beach, the course features deceptively tough holes that have earned praise from all corners (Golf Magazine lists it as one of its "must-see places" and the Travel Channel spotlighted Hawaiian Rumble for its segment on the Top Ten miniature golf courses in the US). The course also hosts the Masters and US Open of miniature golf – enough said.
Bottom line: If you're looking for a bargain-priced vacation without sacrificing quality and fun, there are deals to be had with off-season travel. Before packing your bags, check-in with VisitMyrtleBeach.com where you can find a host of travel ideas and options, along with galleries of coupons for additional savings on everything from restaurants to attractions.
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