Five Ways to Stretch Your Myrtle Beach Vacation Dollars

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Myrtle Beach is meant for fun and relaxation, so no one wants to spend their valuable vacation time worrying about money. Trying to get the most out of your travel dollars so that everyone has a great time and goes home happy can be a tall order, so here are five money-saving tips to help you maximize your vacation budget during your Grand Strand getaway:

Book Early: Advance planning pays when it comes to reserving your room at Long Bay. In fact, guests can save up to 25 percent off the regular rates by booking their rooms early, which is a significant savings that you and your family can use for vacation fun money. Long Bay also offers other discounts, like the Sunday Super Saver special that allows visitors to save up to 35 percent by checking in on a Sunday and staying three or more nights. Active-duty military and veterans, as well as AAA and AARP members, are eligible for special discounts.

Coupons: Some folks are embarrassed to use coupons but, let's face it, you are on vacation and no one knows who you are. Besides, there are some serious savings to be found around town by picking up one of the many free coupon books that are available in the racks found in local restaurants, grocery stores and even the Long Bay lobby. Monster Coupon Book is one of the most popular booklets and features discounts on most major attractions, dining, shopping and even a few things you didn't even know Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Free Stuff: They say the best things in life are free, so maybe that's why they are so hard to find. The Grand Strand has lots of public places where you can go to see fireworks shows, live music and other entertainment at no charge, such as the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Market Common and Broadway at the Beach. There's no admission fee for Family Kingdom in downtown Myrtle Beach, so the adults can tag along for free after purchasing armbands to let the kids ride the amusements and get wet at the water park. The Long Bay Kids Club also offers fun activities on the resort property, such as pool games and arts and crafts projects. Most activities are free, but some carry a small fee for supplies.

Happy Hour/Early Bird Specials: Dining out on vacation can get expensive. Three meals a day for a family of four can quickly eat away at your vacation budget, so any money you can save on food can go directly into the fun-money account. Eating breakfast and lunch on-site at Long Bay saves time and money, and timing your dinners carefully can put even more savings in your pocket. Several nearby restaurants offer great happy hour deals, like Liberty Tap Room's half-priced appetizers and $3 drafts from 4 to 8 p.m. daily, and early bird specials, like Captain George's “first catch” service before 6 p.m. Other happy hour hot spots include Fiesta del Burro Loco, Mellow Mushroom, Soho and Salt Water Creek Cafe.

Sun & Fun Rewards: Guests can save some serious money by taking advantage of their Sun & Fun Rewards package, which they receive free upon checking in at Long Bay. Guests receive one free adult admission to various attractions around town, making the destinations more affordable for the whole family. Participating attractions include Broadway Grand Prix and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament through June 3, and Myrtle Waves, Fun Warehouse and a collection of mini-golf courses through September 4. Your Sun & Fun Rewards card is also good for free and unlimited DVD rentals in the Long Bay lobby, as well as other special discounts at area attractions.

Long Bay Resort offers the ultimate way to save money on your vacation by taking advantage of our affordable accommodations and first-class amenities. Offering modern rooms featuring private ocean-view balconies and a spacious indoor/outdoor pool area with lots of fun water features, Long Bay is the ideal place to stay and play for both your family and your budget.