We are wanting to take our 17 year old daughter and 13 year old sun on a vacation before our daughter goes off to college. We are thinking about Myrtle Beach and Edisto Beach for sure. Then we don't know if we should go to all Savannah, Charleston, and Charlotte or choose some. Charlotte has the cheapest plane fare, but Charleston is a close second, so that would be a possibility too. We have about 8 1/2 days and 8 nights. Please help in any way you can! Thanks!!!

It would depend on when you are going but if it were me I would fly into Charleston & stay @ Edisto or whatever Island/beach suits your fancy. I see little need to do MB (or Savannah for that matter). If you plan to go 'in season' many places (esp. on the beach) will require a weekly rental.

We are going in the beginning of July. Thanks!!!

If you are going in July, I would make reservations immediately.

GWm is correct, you should have already made reservations sometime ago. Although w/the economy, you should be able to find something suitable.

That time of year, you'll need to pick one beach house and stay in it for one week. Almost any rental will be weekly only that time of year and be from Saturday to Saturday.

Fly to Charleston and consider Isle of Palms to stay on. No need to fly to Charlotte, unless it is a lot cheaper. It's 3-4 hours to the beaches from Charlotte.

We aren't really having trouble making reservations, just where to stay. We plan to finalize our plans tonight. We are lucky that really almost everything is still available...must be the economy. So any ideas, we welcome before we make some decisions!

I'd likely stay closer to Charleston than Edisto but I'm not sure what you are really looking for ? Some more info, may elicit more suggestions.

Here is some more info...We are from Nebraska. We usually go nonstop on vacations, but this time we are looking for a more relaxing vacation with the focus on being together, but since we usually go nonstop, we need a place with things to do. That is why we thought we might spend sometime in one or two of the bigger cities, but we want to know if that would be entertaining or not. Overall, my husband and I are looking for a relaxing week and our kids a break. It is kind of our last hurrah together before our daughter goes off to college. I hope this helps and elicits more suggestions. Thanks for everyone's input so far!!!

Brian_in_Charlotte, Isle of Palms looks stunning! Do you have a suggestion for places to stay in Isle of Palms? We are thinking about Wild Dunes Resort, is that good? Thanks!

You could fly to Myrtle beach and go to Pawley's Island, Litchfield, etc. AND not go to MB!! There is a lot less congestion in the Pawley's area. Look at Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort for accomodations.

I would suggest Sullivans Island as it is closer and a shorter drive to Charleston by a couple of minutes than IOP. However, we are only talking about 5-6 minutes. Sullivans Island is the southern end of the same island.

Wild Dunes is the resort on IOP.

Charleston is fantastic for evening forays into town. Great dining and shopping.

I'd definitely fly into Charleston. Tons to do there.

If you are more 'resort oriented' I'd lean more towards Kiawah or Seabrook (personal preference), not a huge Wild Dunes fan. Certainly all the places suggested get you in close proximity to Charleston. Lots of posts on here re: Charleston things to do as well as restaurants, plantations, etc. just do a search.

Is it recommended to rent a home or to stay in a resort or hotel? Or is that more of a personal preference?

I'd rent a cottage or Condo. Again, my preference.

I would rent a condo so I would have a kitchen. If you go through the main rental agency for the resorts, your stay should include resort access. If you rent through VRBO you need to ask. Not all condo owners buy resort passes for their guests. If you stay at IOP or Sullivan's island eat at the Boathouse.

Last summer our family stayed on seabrook island, which is only 30 minutes by car from Charlston. We found this a fantastic place to stay. Seabrook(or Kiawah) are gorgoeus islands with miles of beaches to walk or ride bikes on. Coming from NJ, we thought this was great...the sand is hard packed and easily supports a bike, which can be rented for as long as you want. There is also a beach club on Seabrook, which 2 oceanfront pools, an ice cream shop and restaurant. You can rent boats from the marina or take a beach horseback ride from the Equestrian center.

When we got tired of relaxing, we'd go into Charleston for some sightseeing and dinner. We also did a day trip to Savannah, which is charming, but does not come close to the charms of Charlestn,IMO.

Our family(daughters are 10 and 20!)enjoyed the trip so much, we're going back this August!..In addition to touring Charleston some more, we plan to maybe visit Edisto and Beaufort.

You can rent a 2 bedroom villa on Seabrook or Kiawah very economically. We stayed in the pelican Watch villas rented through Resortquest.

Hope this helps and I wasn't too long winded!

We have stayed at Wild Dunes twice and we love it there. You can walk on the beach and ride bikes around the resort. It is about 30 minutes to drive to Charleston.

And Wild Dunes is a great place.

I agree, Wild Dunes is fabulous and so close to Charleston. Not as "uppity" as Kiawah and not as isolated, either. I would also suggest Hilton Head Island as a destination, then you'd be close to Savannah for a day trip. The Westin Hilton Head Island is beautiful and the service is unbeatable! Golf and spa on property and they do have Villas you can rent if you want a kitchen and space for the family to spread out.