If you’re looking to take a weekend trip on a tight budget, Myrtle Beach is a beautiful destination for vacation fun. In fact, you can set your spending limit at $500 (excluding accommodations) and create a vacation itinerary you won’t forget. Here’s how:
1. The Beach
The best thing about Myrtle Beach on a budget is the beach, of course. With 60 miles of shoreline and 114 public beach accesses, you have an abundance of options for fun in the sun. When you’re staying in one of the fabulous oceanfront resorts, you won’t have to worry about the challenge of finding a place to park. You can simply pack up your beach gear and walk to the South Carolina sand. Once you’re there, you’ll have practically endless enjoyment available to you. From swimming and sunbathing to shell collecting and sandcastle building, the beach has plenty of ways to stay busy or to be completely unbusy, as you take in the sights and sounds at the seashore.
Pro tip: To maximize beachfront savings, you’ll have to do a bit of planning ahead for food and drinks. Pack a cooler with your favorite sandwiches, snacks and plenty of water to stay happy and hydrated while you bask in the South Carolina breeze. You’ll want to save a bit on lunch so you can savor a delicious dinner at the next two recommendations on our list.
2. Explore the MarshWalk
After a wonderful day spent in the surf and the sand, you’ll be ready for a change of pace, so head a bit further south to a favorite of locals and vacationers alike, the MarshWalk in Murrells Inlet. We’d recommend choosing a seafood spot for dinner, but beyond the food, there are countless entertainment options without breaking the bank. Several of the bars and restaurants offer live music plus you can take in a picturesque sunset as you stroll along the MarshWalk.
3. Explore Barefoot Landing
If you’re staying a bit closer to the north or you don’t mind a quick trip up Highway 17, you’ll love taking a break from the beach at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. Whether you want to challenge yourself on a ropes course at Lulu’s or relax and sip on something cold at Crooked Hammock Brewery, Barefoot Landing has something fun for everyone. If Muscadine wine is more your speed, you must check out the Duplin Winery. Their virtual tour experience even allows you to bottle your own keepsake wine to cap off the visit.
4. Play Some Mini Golf
Whether you have kids or you’re a kid at heart, you’ll be in awe at the number of unique mini golf courses at Myrtle Beach. From prehistoric dinosaurs to soaring volcanoes, create a friendly competition among your companions at miniature golf. You can putt around pirates at Captain Hook’s Adventure Golf and show dinosaurs your putting stroke at Jurassic Golf. While some of the courses can get a bit pricey, you can plan ahead to find discounts and the cheapest times to play.
5. We all Scream for Ice Cream!
When it’s time to end your evening or your weekend at the beach, the cherry on top is a cool ice cream cone under the setting sun. The best thing about a delicious, frozen dessert is that it won’t break your budget. As you may expect at a beachfront destination, there are plenty of ice cream options, but one of our favorites is Kirk’s 1890 Ice Cream Parlor for its vintage vibes.
From the beach to the MarshWalk and mini golf to Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach is a perfect place to visit for a weekend of inexpensive fun. With so much to do at and around the beach, you’re sure to make memories and plans to visit again!
