Garden City, SC

Lets start with our most recent vacation. Garden City, SC. For many years, my husband's family has rented a beach house here. Come lately, we have been going about every 2 years. This year, we rented a beach front house with pool for our vacation. Cost was about 4K, but had 8 rooms, so this was split between 4 families. A total of 8 adults and 11 kiddos. Great if you can standing living with your family for a week- which, fortunately, we can :o)

Renting a house has many Pros.
* Washer and Dryer (which is great, because we can pack light and wash everyday if needed-which we do since Megy is not potty trained)
* Kitchen - Breakfast and lunch always available, dinner was arranged by each family taking a night. Leaving us one night to fend for ourselves, and one night to score on leftovers! Often we chip in for the staple groceries, and I pack stuff from home for my night, which is pasta. (such as the purees and canned tomatoes and spices)
* Nap Time - Being on the beach (which is practially private) allows me the freedom to put kids down for a nap, and take the monitor outside. No need to waste the afternoon just for a nappy. (unless you like to do that!)
* Pool- renting a house with a pool allows the kids to continue to play while adults are preparing dinner-less supervision needed. Plus, we put up a tent over one portion, which was a great way to keep little ones out of the sun- or the Dad who got super sunburned on day 1. Finally- a great way to rid little bodies of sand before coming in the house!
* Outdoor Shower - There is just something liberating about an outdoor shower...

Con's
* A week with people you may like on Saturday- but not by next Friday.
* Pool- Worry about kiddos going to the pool unsupervised.
* If you don't like the beach-or heat...well....
* Bed situations are usually not ideal for the child with special needs.
* May require sharing of bathrooms

How we handle the Con's
* Insert night out in the middle of week. Also, don't try to plan night out with group- no one ever agrees and it takes hours to "decide" where to eat. We say: " we are eating at ... if you want to join us" or "we'll be at the pier by 8"
* Make sure house has a fenced in pool
* I strongly dislike the ocean- I don't mind some time on the beach- but enjoy the refreshing dip in the pool afterwards.
* Megy requires a large crib at home- not portable, so we had to put her in a regular bed, surrounded by pillows and having a video monitor was a life saver! This is what we have: Summer Infant Video Monitor
* Check layout of house to make sure each family has their own bathroom. Many houses have a bathroom between 2 bedrooms, which allowed us to lock Megys bedroom door and enter through the adjoining bathroom.

Over all we had a great time. All the kids loved the beach, and with some arm floaties, Megy would not venture beyond the surf. She loved the pool, because she is able to maneuver that on her own with arm floaties. Beyond our portion of the rental, other costs included 2 dinners out, souvenirs at a beachwear store (kids purchased their own with their previously earned allowance) one trip to the highly overpriced ice cream shop and a trip to the arcade (again from saved allowance $$)

Dinner included the use of coupons, found in the many coupon books offered. They can be easily found at the Garden City Pier.
1st dinner was at the BBQ House: http://www.bestbbqonthebeach.com/
Food was good, service was excellent for our party of 19. Price was VERY reasonable, especially with coupons for free kid meals. Kids also received a cookie and prize. Two thumbs up from all of us!
2nd night out was for something fun and different. Planet Hollywood. http://www.planethollywoodintl.com/locations_myrtlebeach.php
Kinda far from Garden City (about 25 min) and severely overpriced- but the kids had a great time seeing the movie memorabilia, music and videos. Since we were there off season, it was not crowded. I hear that during peak times, the wait can be upwards of a couple hours.

Activities included the pier, which is free to go on-there is a bar at the end. Fishing, I think can be done with a purchased fishing permit. http://www.pieratgardencity.com/
Also, at what we call "Sam's Corner" is several beach gift shops, Sam's Corner, a coney & breakfast joint (expensive) an arcade where you are sure to spend $$ and leave with $2 worth of junk, and outdoor go cart area (seasonal). There is a raw bar with Karaoke and an overpriced (but delicious) Ice Cream joint called the Yum Yum Shop.

 If you like to get out, which we do not when we are beaching it, there is much more to do in the area:
Pawley's Island, quaint shops (gifts and fudge), Hammock Shop (great quality hammocks)
Murrell's Inlet, good seafood...if you like that crap.
Myrtle Beach
Broadway at the Beach - outdoor shopping
Tons of mini-golf and museums ie. Ripleys, Wonderworks,Plantations and Gardens.

Also, FYI - May is like Bike MONTH and there are motorcycles everywhere! :o) Ripping down the street at all hours of the night.