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How to Plan the Perfect Myrtle Beach Vacation

By Megan Burke Thursday, February 25th, 2021

Planning a trip to Myrtle Beach should be fun and exciting for the entire family. But if you don’t plan ahead, you may find yourself stressing over what should be a delightful Myrtle Beach vacation experience.

To make your planning process easier, we’ve created a list of things you should do before packing your bags and hitting the road.

These are our steps on how to plan a trip to Myrtle Beach:

1. Choose your Myrtle Beach resort

You will want to choose a Myrtle Beach resort that meets all needs that your family could have while on vacation. Important questions to consider include:

Where should I vacation in Myrtle Beach? The north, central, and south sections of Myrtle Beach all offer different atmospheres and proximity to different area attractions.

If you need help deciding which section is right for you, check out our guide to north, south, and central Myrtle Beach.

What size unit are you looking for? Accommodation styles and sizes range from small efficiencies to spacious multiple bedroom condos. Other options include whether you want a full kitchen, private bedrooms, or an ocean view.

The following room types are some of our favorite options:

What is your budget? Many things can affect the rate of rooms; the time of year you want to visit, the size of the unit, and whether the room is oceanfront are just a few variables to consider.
If you are on a budget, consider staying in a smaller unit. Or consider coming before or after the prime vacation season. The weather will still be ideal for beach-goers during this time of year.

Let us help you decide which time of the year is best for you to visit: The Best Time to Go to Myrtle Beach

Are amenities important? Different hotels and resorts offer different amenities—some are great for families while others are more suited for couples or adults.

Here are our favorite Myrtle Beach resorts based on vacation:

Check out our amenities comparison guide and room type comparison guide to narrow down your choices.

Plus, many Myrtle Beach resorts are putting forth extra efforts towards guest safety and health; find out how.

2. Pick your travel dates

If your dates are flexible, start off by searching various dates and checking out the latest Myrtle Beach Resorts deals. If you aren’t flexible, that’s ok too! Just search the dates you want to stay and you will get the best rate. Be sure to book as far ahead of time as you can, because rooms in Myrtle Beach fill up fast, especially during the summer and near holidays. Plus, booking early can also help save you money!

The weather is another factor to consider when picking your travel dates. Like we said previously, summer isn’t the only time of the year where you can enjoy beach weather in Myrtle Beach. Spring and fall offer plenty of beach days, too. There are also plenty of options for snowbirds in Myrtle Beach, thanks to great low rates on winter rentals.

3. Plan activities and things to do

Once you have your accommodations selected, then you can start planning the details. Do you want to spend most of your time on the beach? Do you want to visit a lot of attractions or see a lot of shows? Check out our Myrtle Beach Area Guide to narrow down what attractions and shows your family wants to visit.

Sometimes you can even add tickets to these during the checkout process when you book your room. Also, check out our Myrtle Beach discounts page to see where Vacation Myrtle Beach Resorts guests can get exclusive deals and discounts!

4. Start saving

Make an effort to put some money away between when you book and when you depart. Though budgets are great, things may come up. You don’t want to miss out on special souvenirs, an extra meal or two at one of Myrtle Beach’s many fabulous restaurants, or that one attraction that the kids just can’t resist. Be sure to have a realistic budget in mind and a little cushion as well.

Save even more when you select from these Myrtle Beach resorts under $100 a night.

5. Kick back and relax

Now that you have your trip planned - you can relax! Start counting down the days and let yourself get excited about your upcoming trip. It will truly be a vacation to remember, whether it is your first time in Myrtle Beach or your 30th time!