This South Carolina Beach is a Summer Paradise
In both South Carolina and North Carolina, we’re fortunate to have so many great beaches. In fact, people travel to our area from all over America to experience our incredible beaches and views. You really can’t beat a Carolina beach. Now, the experts at USA Today, along with their readers, have pinpointed the No. 1 best beaches in both Carolinas. So, get these special spots on your travel tally this summer.
South Carolina Beach Voted the Best by Travel Experts and Locals
There’s a new survey published from the travel experts at USA Today, under their 10Best.usatoday.com section. As with all of their “10 Best” features and polls, what’s special is that they ask travelers to vote on their favorite places in the United States, so the winners are recommended from real people who have been to those destinations. Here’s how it works: USA Today’s expert editors and readers independently select what you see on “10 Best” To begin, the USA Today editors pick the places and attractions on which travelers will vote. Then, their readers select their favorites. So, in the end, you have a tally of recommendations based on both what USA Today editors selected, plus the readers. “Warm sand, blue water, and refreshing Atlantic Ocean breezes — these elements await visitors to the sandy shores and barrier islands of South Carolina,” they write. “The Palmetto State’s coastline is dotted with picturesque beach towns, each with its own unique character, from family-friendly beaches to uncrowded stretches of sand.”
So, which South Carolina beach was voted the No. 1 in the state? It’s Pawleys Island, located on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast. They note that the “beach access abounds across the shores of Pawleys Island, a tiny town located on the eastern edge of Georgetown County.” Also, even though the area has just over 100 residents, that number goes up in the summer, “when beachgoers arrive to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.” That sounds like a true summer paradise. Looking at the best North Carolina beach, No. 1 on the tally is Ocean Isle Beach. They rave about the area’s “soft, sandy shores and calm water that’s perfect for swimming.” What’s even cooler is that you can actually see dolphins and “the occasional sea turtle from shore.” How amazing is that? They recommend visiting the Museum of Coastal Carolina while you’re there to learn about the biology of the area’s “native marine creatures.” I’m happy to see these beaches voted the best by USA Today. If you haven’t visited these spots yet, they should make for a great road trip this summer.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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