Mini vacation ideas...cheap!

Okay, I need some cheap ideas here. We'd love to take the kids to the beach as 5 of them have never even been before. I've been looking online a bunch and craigslist and such to find some deals. Though there are some, most are for lengthy bookings. Hotels tend to be way out of our pricerange as we have to have 2 rooms. We can only go for a max of 3 nights. Found anything longer than that does not end well---LOL. So, anyone here know of places or where I can look for a 2 to 3 night overnight for 9 people? Don't mind a walk to the beach at all and are NOT picky. Just no smoking or it triggers two of my kids' asthma. Don't mind camping either. Very flexible on dates and can go on a whim's notice. So,all you savy websurfers know where to look for great deals that I may have missed? Please let me know. Thanks a bunch. I've also tried to find the thread awhile back about some pirate thing. Beaufort? Don't recall where but sounded so cool. If any of you know of that thread, link please.

Stephanie--mom to 7

 

If you don't mind camping, you should check this out.... We throughly enjoyed it.


www.pirateland.com

 

That looks really cool AND reasonable for $60 a night for 9 of us. How long does it take to get there? Thanks Jennifer.

 

Mm, about 3 hours. Best part is that you can use the pool and the beach. If the kids have bikes, take them with you. You can rent a golf cart, but have just as much fun riding your bike too.

 

I agree with Pirateland. Also try Lakewood and Ocean Lakes. They are in the same vicinity. They all have rentals available if you don't have camping gear.

If you can wait Mid-August you can get some great deals at the hotels down there. Here are a couple that I have stayed in that are worth a look. Search their specials.

http://www.montereybaysuites.com/
http://www.longbayresort.com/
http://www.oceanreefmyrtlebeach.com/
http://www.thecaravelle.com/

 

We always stay at Lakewood with our travel trailer when we go to Myrtle Beach and love it! They also have a new family value fun pass this summer for $10 per family per day where it includes use of the huge inflatable hippo slide, mini golf, paddleboat/canoe rentals, bike rentals, water wars (water ballon toss).

They have an indoor pool that has just been completely renovated and lots of activities during the week for the kids.

 

Another vote for PIRATELAND! We've been a bunch of times and loved it! It is right next to Ocean Lakes, which looked better, but the one time we went there we weren't crazy about it. Nothing wrong really, just preferred Pirateland. We always camped, so don't know anything about the rentals there, but it's right on the beach, they have pools, tons of planned kids activities, fishing, and game room. Like someone else said, bring bikes if you like, lots of room to bike ride! (golf carts would probably be outrageously expensive, and you couldn't fit all your clan in one anyway!) It does take 3 hours, but it's great fun, I'm jealous now, wanna go to MB!

 

I agree about Pirateland! Love it there and always going back there again. They have Facebook, so if you have FB account, be sure to sign up as their member (free). They make weekly announcement and tell us what's happening there. Be sure to visit their website and sign up. Sometime they'll give out special rate for email subscriber. It took us 3 hours to drive. Your kids will LOVE it.

 

Side note- we did stay at Ocean Lakes once and while it was nice, we didn't like it as much. Haven't stayed at Pirateland but drove through it and they do have a really nice lazy river! They are actually right next to Lakewood too.

 

Have you looked at www.vrbo.com for rentals? Not sure about getting something less than a week, but sometimes you can get really good deals on rentals here!

 

Just got back from Pirateland 2 weeks ago. Awesome as ever ! Your children would love it !

 

I second checking VRBO. I got a great deal on a Gatlinburg cabin there last October.

 

VRBO is a great resource definitely! (my rental is on there, so I have to say that!) :mrgreen: But I'm still thinking she would like pirateland with her kids better, there's something for all ages, and once they get there they don't have to leave, there's so much to do there!

 

We're goign to Pirateland & they even have an August special! Very excited as are the kids. Perfect for us as soemthing for all ages and it is all in one place. Now, has anyone attempted to go to the Ripley's Museum? Would love input on that as well. Thanks so much for hte time you all took to answer this post. Have a great weekend.

stephanie--mom to 7

 

Before taking trips anywhere, I always check out this site....reviews on just about everything you can think of.

www.tripadvisor.com

 

We have been to the Ripley's Aquarium (when the kids were much younger) at Broadway and LOVED it! We spent at least 1/2 day there and the kids were amazed by everything. You can find discount tickets in coupon books sometimes but it was well worth the money for us. Then we spent the rest of the day walking around Broadway and window shopping.

 

:iagree: We spend 2-3 days there at Broadway every year

 

I would choose the Aquarium over the Museum personally. Ibelieve the museum just has exhibits of all the different oddities. At least at the Aquarium they have real fish, sharks, etc. Don't know about the one at MB, but the one at Gatlinburg gets great reviews. I would think they probably have about the stame stuff in it.

 

Love PIRATELAND we go ATLEAST 4 times a year kids LOVE it and it is very laid back. We will be heading back again next month.

 

when are you going?? We'll be there August 18, 19 & heading home on the 20th b/c the kids have orientation that evening. Maybe I'll see you there. Have fun.

Stephanie--mom to 7