Myrtle Beach Travel Tips: The clean beaches are the main draw in Myrtle Beach, but there s more to h

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Why go: North Carolina s Outer Banks has a wide array of beaches that are especially prized for their consistent-yet-manageable waves and beautiful natural landscape. You can also count on OBX to deliver great summer weather. To save some dough on accommodations, consider skipping the hotel in favor of a cottage or condo rental. This will give you more space for family time and, since many rentals sit on the shore, prime beach access.
Outer Banks Travel Tips: History drips from the Outer Banks: Here, aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright took their famous first flight (at Kitty Hawk), the pirate Blackbeard fought his last battle travel bug inc colorado (at Ocracoke), and the mysterious Lost Colony disappeared (where is anyone s guess). But this chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina OBX for those in the know isn t just for history buffs. Fishing, windsurfing, nature watching and ATV driving attracts the adventurous types while the beach, mini-golf and the aquarium entertains families and young couples. travel bug inc colorado And each island has its own charm: The old lighthouses, rugged dunes and secluded beaches in the south couple with vacation rentals, water sports and kitschy beach shops in the north, all to form a unique seaside destination.
Skip the hotel Staying at a beach cottage on Nags Head is a more authentic way to experience OBX, and cheaper too. The National Park Service also reserves camping spots for around $20 a day if you feel like roughing it.
Skim the site The OBX s Visitors Bureau offers a special discount card online and also posts local deals on lodging, travel packages and business specials, so be sure to check out the website as you plan.
Outer Banks Culture Customs: The Outer Banks have a long history, as home to everyone from Native American tribes travel bug inc colorado to the Wright brothers. travel bug inc colorado And because of all the ships that have sunk here, it s also known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. According to local lore, one such ship crashed off the Outer Banks coast in the 1600s, spilling its cargo of Banker horses into the water. The horses made their way onto shore and have stayed ever since, mostly in Ocracoke. Although they are not native travel bug inc colorado to the islands, they remain an important and visible vestige of the region s storied past.
Today, the OBX has become a huge tourist destination, which still offers a bit of a rustic feel for those who want both a relaxing and an active getaway. There are miles of coastline here, where swimsuits are acceptable. But be sure to throw something else on when you go into town.
Outer Banks Dining: Fresh seafood travel bug inc colorado with a southern twist is an Outer Banks specialty. The bigger and more tourist-oriented communities of Nags Head and Kitty Hawk generally have more options than other spots in the OBX. In Nags Head, many recommend Fisherman s Wharf Restaurant, which is attached to a seafood market. If you re traveling in the off-season, we suggest calling ahead to check that the establishment is still open, as many close for the winter season.
Why go: While cost is a barrier for any family beach vacation, it s an especially large barrier in Hawaii. Still, Maui contains some of the most abundant and exotic family-friendly sands in the United States. Wailea Beach is the obvious go-to, travel bug inc colorado with golden travel bug inc colorado shoreline plenty of umbrellas to go around. But the kids will also enjoy building castles with the red sands of Kaihalulu or the black sands of Waianapanapa State Park.
Maui Travel Tips:  Maui is an attraction-filled destination that seems like a compilation of Hawaii s best qualities. Surfing beaches? Check. Volcanoes? Several. Family-friendly? Definitely. travel bug inc colorado Posh resorts? Absolutely. The legions of vacationers that come back home teary-eyed and hypnotized can t be wrong this is where you learn Hawaii is more than a series of islands, it s also a spiritual experience. Step off the plane, take one whiff of the plumeria blooms and you ll be hooked.
You should note that every Hawaiian island offers something different. With Maui, you can expect one of the most tourist-friendly experiences. The island is easily covered by car, and the diverse terrain keeps photos interesting. If you re looking for adventure, you re better off on the Big Island . Should you want luxurious isolation, head to exclusive Lanai . For most visitors, Maui excels at providing the envisioned Hawaiian vacation and is the perfect introduction travel bug inc colorado to the archipelago.
Beware the resort fee Things travel bug inc colorado that used to be freebies travel bug inc colorado (like the hotel gym, the daily newspaper and making local telephone calls) are now tacked onto your hotel bill. Unfortunately, they re not negotiable, but at least you ll know in advance.
Beware daylight savings Or keep in mind that there aren t any. When the rest of the U.S. moves their clocks one-hour forward, Maui is three hours behind the West Coast and six hours behind the East Coast
Reread your car-insurance policy Some rental agencies travel bug inc colorado will try to convince you that you ll need collision insurance (This is a no-fault state, where you ll have to pay any accident damages before travel bug inc colorado leaving). But your personal insurance policy might already cover this. Double check before you rent.
Maui Culture Customs: While Maui retains many aspects of its indigenous culture including hula and a vibrant traditional arts scene it s also important to recognize Maui and the island travel bug inc colorado of Hawaii as a uniquely American travel destination. You should never refer to Hawaiian citizens as natives or islanders, and to be aware that, in addition to the indigenous traditions of the island, Hawaiians also take pride in their status as a state of the union.
Maui Dining: According travel bug inc colorado to About.com, Maui is Hawai i's dining epicenter. From Asian to European cuisine, this small island is certainly pleasing to the taste buds. But a trip to Maui is not complete if you haven t tasted some of the local cuisine, such as Huli-Huli chicken or a traditional plate lunch, brimming with fresh seafood and macaroni travel bug inc colorado salad.
Why go: San Diego remains a top-ranked family beach destination for its access to calm, family-friendly, and lifeguard-patrolled beaches. Mission Beach is the star here, with miles of creamy sands easily accessible from the downtown area. La Jolla s shoreline is also popular, especially among families with younger children. The northern coastline boasts calmer waters perfect travel bug inc colorado for novice swimmers.
San Diego Travel Tips:   Consistently sunny weather travel bug inc colorado is what draws visitors to San Diego throughout the year: that and the mouthwatering cuisine, thriving nightlife and one of the country s favorite zoos. And then there are the beaches: As home of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, San Diego has many top activities that revolve around the sea. Head to Mission Beach to soak up the rays, to La Jolla to catch a wave, or to the Maritime Museum to learn a little travel bug inc colorado nautical history.
In spite of constant growth, America s Finest City maintains a small-town feel, making it a popular destination for families and anyone looking for a more laid-back getaway. But that doesn t mean you can t let loose here. Pockets of vivacious nightlife can be found throughout, especially near the historical Gaslamp travel bug inc colorado Quarter . So when it comes to visiting San Diego, take Channel 4 anchorman Ron Burgundy s advice: Drink it in, it always goes down smooth.
Check the calendar There are numerous events and conventions throughout travel bug inc colorado the year, ushering in thousands of visitors travel bug inc colorado at any given time. Plan your trip around San Diego s event calendar to avoid high hotel rates.
San Diego Culture Customs: San Diego culture is a confluence of Spanish, Mexican and American cultures. Its eclectic nature as a border town has greatly influenced its art, architecture and politics, especially in the La Jolla and Solana Beach neighborhoods. Balboa travel bug inc colorado Park also features several popular art museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the Timken Museum of Art and the Museum of the Living travel bug inc colorado Artist.
San Diego Dining: For a city by the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is definitely known as a place to get great seafood and Mexican cuisine. But the area is also popular for outdoor dining, fine wine, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Traveler-approved San Diego restaurants include Phil s B.B.Q for cheap and excellent American food and Sushi Ota for Japanese dishes.
Why go: The oceanfront at Myrtle Beach is famous for attracting travel bug inc colorado families to sunbathe and swim on the East Coast. But after you ve devoted a fair amount of time to the beach, take advantage of the numerous other family-friendly things to do. Kids will especially enjoy a visit to the Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Ripley s Aquarium . Just be sure to wear plenty of sunblock, as the South Carolina sun can be unforgiving.
Myrtle Beach Travel Tips: The clean beaches are the main draw in Myrtle Beach, but there s more to her than miles of brown sand. One of the best East Coast family vacation destinations, Myrtle Beach, S.C. boasts hundreds travel bug inc colorado of golf courses for golfers at all levels; amusement parks that fling the kiddies around on water rides, roller coasters and race tracks; Dolly Parton singing and dancing for dinner guests; and Ripley s Aquarium, travel bug inc colorado which dares visitor