Favorite beach?

mcmann05 · April 2011

Hi there, I'm coming over from the Cincinnati board. I am trying to plan a family vacation for fourth of July week'ish. I am torn between 3 different beaches (all within SC)

1. Myrtle Beach

2. Edisto Island

3. Hilton Head

What's your favorite and why?

By then we will have a 2 year old and an 11 month...

TIA! Big Smile

MommyHeid · April 2011

Myrtle Beach is not my favorite, but there is A LOT to do and probably more family friendly than other beaches. Hilton Head is beautiful, but is mainly golf courses with only some shopping. I have never been to Edisto. Regardless, any beach you go to is going to be packed, but you'll have a great time!!

Oh, another beach you could consider is Tybee Island, GA (Savannah, GA). DH and I went here last year for the first time and had a blast! The island is small but everything is within walking distance and has a great atmosphere. Family friendly as well. It is about 30 min from Hilton Head.

Tropicalbride09 · April 2011

Myrtle beach is not that great... very touristy. Have you considered Charleston, SC? Edisto is fairly close as well. Sullivan's Island is great as well as Isle of Palms.

kriskearney · April 2011

I am not a fan of Myrtle either but like HHI and it is very chill- much more spread out. I of course prefer Charleston since I live here- all the rentals are on Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. You have the option to head downtown to see the historic district too. I personally like Folly best as they have a little streeet with lots of cute restaurants etc so you can go there each day for a bite if you are on the island. There is a hotel called the Tides and villa/home rentals at Dunes Properties and Avocet.It is about 15-20 min to downtown.

CatBurns2725 · April 2011

I have to agree with trying Charleston / Folly Beach as an idea! I live in Charleston, too. Not a fan AT ALL of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head seemed like it was more for retirees. I would really consider coming here. There is so much to do and it's absolutely gorgeous!

Good Luck!!

cottonlily84 · April 2011

Edisto, hands down. Never been to Hilton or stayed in Myrtle Beach. But MB is like not what I would call "family friendly". It gets pretty wild. With ones as young as yours they will just enjoy playing on the beach; they won't need bumper cars and laser tag. There is a resort on Edisto that offers pools and kids activities. I would probably recommend staying there if you've never been. Edisto is not going to be crowded, that's the beauty of it staying uncommercialized. But houses are expensive and they get booked up very far in advance.

My SIL likes Litchfield. It's not as crowded as MB but the area still offers stores and restaurants and activities that EB doesn't. It might be a good compromise for you. We've stayed at the Litchfield Inn, which is right on the beach and has a restaurant/bar and pools.

justam0mmy · April 2011

As a native I prefer Isle of Palms or Kiawah Island ... Just because they're clean and not so cluttered as Folly Beach. But its all in what you're looking for in your vacation. Myrtle beach is too tourist attraction for me personally. If you're looking for just the beach and a nice rental consider Isle of Palms but if you're looking for way more then maybe Myrtle for you.

manda326 · April 2011

Tropicalbride09:

Myrtle beach is not that great... very touristy. Have you considered Charleston, SC? Edisto is fairly close as well. Sullivan's Island is great as well as Isle of Palms.

I dislike Myrtle Beach as well. It does have lots to do but Charleston is beautiful

abkuenzel · May 2011

LOVE Edisto! If you stay on the sound you get beach but not the big waves. Same goes for Sullian's Island (there are home rentals as well just no hotels) actually no hotels on Edisto beach either, but condos on the backside. You do know there is very little to do on Edisto, right? That's why I love it. We do a girlfriend/husband/babies trip yearly there.

Litchfield is another fav and then you can drive into Myrtle if you want those activities.

bridesrighthand · May 2011

I'm also adding Charleston to the mix. There are SO many things in Charleston, along with great beaches. Sullivan's Island, Folly Beach & Isle of Palms are all great, AND you have downtown charleston to explore.

acausey6879 · June 2011

Myrtle Beach is very touristy.... If you are going that route, I'd look into Litchfield Beach (about 30 min South).

Edisto is great. Not too far from Charleston.... Also look into Folly Beach (The Tides Hotel is so great!)

Hilton Head is nice... Very expensive and lots of older people.

nicu1999 · June 2011

Each beach has its own feel and personality. Different types of people go to each beach. Myrtle Beach definitely has a lot to do - it is definitely for tourists. There are theme restaurants like Hard Rock, Medeival Times and tons of generic seafood buffets. There are things like an aquarium, shopping, golf and not so nice things like strip clubs etc. Things that you would not find on Edisto or HH or Charleston. Edisto used to be made up of people who owned beach houses there that they either lived in year round or were SC residents who also had a beach house in Edisto. Now Edisto has evolved to have beach house rentals and things to do. Edisto is in an isolated area and the choices are slim about things to do besides going to the beach. Hilton Head has a large retirement age group of people. Really playing on the beach and going for bike rides are about the only things on HHI to do. The beaches in Charleston (even though it's not on your list) are Isle of Palms, Sullivan's and Folly. All of these beaches are a few minutes away from downtown Charleston which has tons of fine dining restaurants, museums, aquarium, tours of all of of the historic stuff, and more. Charleston County Parks has places on Isle of Palms and Folly that are nice. They have areas to park, clean showers, clean bathrooms, and food vendors - these things are totally nice when you have babies and kids. Out of those two I would choose Isle of Palms because it's nicer, less cluttered, and more upscale than Folly. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the beaches or any other questions about things you'd like to do while you are in our beautiful state!

sarah7145 · June 2011

Here's my thoughts ...

Myrtle beach is fun for senior week of highschool, but other than that it can be really annoying!

Edisto is awesome if you want a quiet vacation, but doesn't have much to offer as far as attractions go. Places like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach have more things like goofy golfing, restuarants, and shopping.

My favorite beaches growing up were Hunting Island and Kiawah. Hunting Island may be better as a day trip because there aren't any houses. They have camping and cabins. But it is great because it is a state park and therefore no development other than restrooms. It looks like you've stepped into a jungle. Not to mention there is a light house that you can climb up and have a great view from the top. Kiawah is really nice because it is clean and tends to be less crowded than other beaches.

Folly and Isle of Palms are in Charleston and are great beaches, but can be VERY crowded, especially in July.

And finally, Hilton Head. My dad used to have annual meetings at the Marriott and we used to have so much fun there as kids. They have a huge pool with a tiki bar (kids can get snow cones from there). Take three steps down from the pool and you're on the beach. It's fabulous!

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