Atlanta Families Can Plan a Myrtle Beach Weekend for $1500

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Are you and your spouse thinking about a family vacation away from Atlanta’s traffic to relax at Myrtle Beach? Well, I can show you how to plan a Myrtle Beach weekend vacation for under $1500.

My husband, daughter, and I love a Myrtle Beach weekend vacation for relaxation, activities, and ocean vibes. My husband and I planned a 2-night, 3-day weekend vacation from Atlanta without spending more than $1500.

We packed items we needed, and overpacked with items we didn’t need. Now we know what not to do next time.

Since we booked a perfect weekend for our family vacation in Myrtle Beach from Atlanta, I want to share how you can do the same without overspending.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how to spend under $1500 by:

Where to stay (condo vs hotel)
How to save money on food
The best time to go
What to book early
And simple tips to make your trip smooth

View how I planned a trip that is affordable, fun, easy, and stress-free.

Don’t Wait – Book Your Stay Before Prices Go Up

Search family-friendly hotels here: https://www.booking.com

Compare condos & oceanfront rentals: https://www.booking.com

Book early before weekend prices increase

Don’t wait, Myrtle Beach fills up fast, especially from April through summer.

Choosing the Right Place to Stay in Myrtle Beach

When you view the prices of a hotel, and you don’t get the kitchen, or you don’t get the space that you need, sometimes the hotel can be more pricey than a condo.

When we booked our condo, we had only spent $795 total for two nights.

The condo had a balcony view of the beach, two bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, a dining area, and a living room.

Also, there was a washer and dryer in the condo, plus a dishwasher, microwave, and kitchen. There were essentials like plates, pots, forks, glassware, even paper towels and dish soap.

It kinda was like home away from home, but our home for three nights was by the beach. It was beautiful. I sat on the balcony, sipping on tea, looking at the beautiful views.

So look into a condo or vacation rental before looking at a hotel and compare prices.

Booking.com: Hotels in Myrtle Beach. Book your hotel now!

Condo or Vacation Rental (Best for Families)

If you’re planning a trip from Atlanta with kids or teens:

More space
Full kitchen
Washer & dryer (huge win)
Feels like home

This is perfect if you want to save money.

Browse oceanfront condos here: https://www.booking.com

Hotels with Kitchenettes (Budget-Friendly Option)

If you don’t want a full condo, with the space of separate bedrooms, laundry in the property in your room, then maybe the hotel will be good for you.

However, when looking for a hotel, be sure to look for:

Look for hotels with kitchenettes
Mini fridge + microwave at minimum

This still helps you cut down on food spending. However, there are extra fees that hotels do have, like parking fees and deposits. Check for pet fees as well.

Find budget-friendly family hotels here: https://www.booking.com

Saving Money on Food (This Adds Up Fast)

We have been through those overspending habits, from going out to eat every day of the vacation for breakfast, dinner, and small snacks, plus more. That adds up fast.

We plan for this as well.

What we need to have for breakfast + lunch + dinner for a family

What we do:

Stop at Publix or Krogers
Visit local seafood markets in South Carolina
Cook simple meals in the condo

Plan:

Breakfast at the condo
Pack snacks for the beach
Dinner out only once or twice

This alone can save you hundreds, and have more money to play, fun activities, spa, and more.

Best Time to Visit Myrtle Beach (Less Crowds + Better Prices)

The best time to visit the beach, of course, everybody loves coming to the beach during the summer. Of course, it’s summertime, and more than likely, the beach is crowded during summer break.

If you can plan your trip other than the summertime, here are some of the best times to visit Myrtle Beach to avoid a large crowd.

Best Months:

April – May ? fewer crowds, better prices
June – August ? peak season, more expensive
September – October ? still warm, less crowded

April and May are generally cooler months, but look out for the early month of April, just in case of spring breakers, taking over the beaches. We visit at the end of August or early September. It was so hot, but it wasn’t as crowded. The prices were a little more affordable, and schools were back in session.

You still get:

Great weather
Beach time
Lower hotel rates

If you can go before summer, or after school starts, do it. Try for a long weekend and compare prices.

What to Do in Myrtle Beach (Without Overspending)

Everything we did stayed in our budget, not eating out at every restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Visiting free activities like the beach, walking on the boardwalk, listening to live music, or sightseeing. There are so many things that you can do that don’t always involve spending money.

Then you can also spend a little on other activities and stay within budget. Sometimes the best things are simple and memorable.

Free or Low-Cost Things:

Beach days (the main activity)
Boardwalk walks
Sunset views
Local shops

Family Favorites:

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk
SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Amusement Park
Play at the Arcade Games
Broadway at the Beach

Plan the itinerary from free things to do and the paid activities to stay on budget.

What to Bring to Save Money

If you want to save money… bring your own stuff. Don’t have these items? Shopping at your local grocery store in your hometown or shopping on Amazon before leaving will help you save a lot of money.

Buying everything at the beach gets expensive, and sometimes even more expensive because it’s a tourist spot.

Buy, Pack & Bring:

Beach chairs
Cooler with drinks
Snacks
Towels

Use These Helpful items:

Bring these items, trust me. Even if you think it’s too much to put in the car. You may be at the beach and thinking you want a beach chair. You know it’s going to cost money, and how much. Just pack these items to make your trip easier and cheaper.

Road Trip Tips from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach

Driving from Atlanta to Myrtle Beach could take about 5 and a half hours to 7 hours. That depends on what time you’re leaving and the traffic.

Especially in Atlanta. What’s all the traffic about?

We have done this drive, and it wasn’t smooth sailing until after we got out of the Atlanta Metro area.

What helps:

Leave early morning
Pack snacks ahead of time
Plan 1–2 stops

This will help the road trip journey. You, your spouse, the kids, and the teens wouldn’t get restless or bored.

So plan for it, and use this helpful, easy-to-use road trip planner. So you and your family are prepared for it.

If you’re going to be in the Atlanta, Georgia area and you may not want to drive to Myrtle Beach, then check out my list of places to visit or stay here:

Road Trip Adventure In and Around Georgia.

Avoid These Common Myrtle Beach Planning Mistakes

This happens, and most people don’t stay aware of how to plan and book the right way, so they end up spending more. These are a few mistakes I want to share with you.

Booking too late

As a travel agent, I noticed some of my clients and others in the travel community think that this is better, but that’s not entirely true. So don’t wait too long, book early! Prices do go up, and quickly. Or you do get what you originally wanted.

Not checking hotel fees

There are a lot of hotels with parking fees, and people think there shouldn’t be. But things have changed. Also, the hotel deposit or resort fees. All that adds up. Check the original site if needed, or contact the place to ask about the fees.

No kitchen access

This is mainly in hotels; kitchens are not common, so it forces you to eat out. You might be offered free breakfast, but not all hotels offer complimentary breakfast.

Condos and villas are more known for kitchens.

So if you’re ok with not cooking on vacation and love eating out, then I have another blog that can help you save money and headaches on booking a hotel. Check out what you should know before booking.

Learning These Road Trips Changed Everything for Us

We’ve always done beach trips like this. From living outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, driving to the Jersey beaches, and now living outside of Atlanta, Georgia, driving to the nearest beaches in the south, we have some experience with these types of trips.

The biggest mistake we made was not packing enough food, and eating out. Then spending too much on activities because we didn’t plan.

Now we:

Slow down, plan accordingly
Enjoy the beach more
Cook some meals
Only book what matters

This planning helps the trip feel much better, saves more time, and saves more money. Now that’s a relaxing, fun, and easy beach vacation.

Plan Smarter (Don’t Skip This)

You need a smooth, easy vacation, so you have to plan smarter. When you plan early, everything is better. Download your Free Road Trip Planner Now and Get Planning.

Use it to:

Plan your hotel, condo, or beach home.
Budget your trip, and save money
Stay organized, and use the itinerary.

Plan and Book Your Myrtle Beach Trip

Book your hotel or condo now: https://www.booking.com

Don’t wait, weekend prices go up fast!

Read more travel tips on the blog: https://lexieonthego.com

Girl Talk!

Are you making plans for a family trip to Myrtle Beach from Atlanta soon?

Tell me where you and your family prefer to stay:

In a beach home, condo, or hotel? Do you prefer to eat out or cook?

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Author

Lexie G.

Hi, I’m Lexie G, a wife and mom of two based in Atlanta. I created Lexie On The Go to share helpful travel tips, road trip ideas, hotel advice, and easy getaway inspiration for couples and families.

With a background in the hotel industry, experience booking travel, and years of planning trips for my own family, I love helping others travel with more confidence and less stress.

View more about Lexie On The Go here.

Lexie On The Go