Family Fun At Affordable Prices: Yes It's Still Possible

So you want to take the family out for some fun, but you're not sure what you can do to please everyone, and not break the bank. We've got the perfect recipe for fun in the sun, without a burn to your wallet.

Start your planning with free, first-run family-friendly movies on the beach, add in a touch of live music, top things off with a spectacular fireworks shows and amusement park rides and you've got a great big helping of fun in Carolina Beach, N.C.

I know what you're thinking, “yeah that all sounds great- but it sounds expensive too.” Nope, you can do everything “on the cheap” at Carolina Beach.

Every Sunday at dusk at Carolina Beach Lake park, families can enjoy free first-run movies including popular flicks like Madagascar II, Monsters vs Aliens, and Night at the Museum II.

Every Thursday, families can listen to free live music from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the Gazebo Stage on Cape Fear Boulevard near the Boardwalk. Thursdays are also the night for free fireworks starting around 9:00 p.m.

While you're having fun, check-out the Boardwalk amusement park. Amusement coupons will save you money and keep your family happy for hours!

Sounds like a great way to combat the summertime boredom that can sneak up on families once school is out!

You can check out the schedule of musical artists, free movies being shown and map of the area at www.carolinabeachstories.com.

THINK A BEACH VACATION'S OUT OF REACH THIS YEAR? THINK AGAIN.

Just gotta have a vacation but your wallet's feeling kind of thin? Don't despair. You can still take the family camping.

No, not the kind of deep in the woods, surrounded by bears, camping. I'm talking right on the ocean, all kinds of amenities, nice bathrooms and showers, entertainment, arcades, a pool and even a skate park for the kids right at the campground. I'm talking America's National RV Park of the Year. The largest campground on the East Coast. One of the largest and the best in the U. S. of A. I'm talking Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Those who still like to put up the old tent and commune with nature can do it at Ocean Lakes. RV's and those with trailers can hook up there. Or you can even rent a beach house and be in the lap of luxury. But whatever you do, you'll be paying lots less than you'd pay for an oceanfront hotel.

This is one popular place so you have to move fast if you're thinking of vacationing soon. Ocean Lakes has reservations for more than 97 percent of its 893 campsites for Memorial Day Weekend, but it's not too late to snare a beach house and start the summer off right. Or make a reservation for June or July. Or better, yet, steal off to Ocean Lakes in the fall when the crowds are smaller but the air and the ocean temperature is still in the 80s.

Ocean Lakes is 310 acres of oceanfront playground, staffed by people dedicated to making sure your vacation is easy and fun. Unlike other campgrounds, Ocean Lakes' campsites are all inclusive — so you won't get stuck with add-on fees once you get there. Your family will never have to leave the campground unless you want to, so you can even control all those pesky extra costs that seem to creep in and drive up the cost of vacation.

Once you've set up camp, you can enjoy all the free amenities like a two-acre Recreation Center with year round planned activities, a marine life Nature Center, eight freshwater lakes for fishing, and a Skate Park for twins and teens 12 to 16 years old. It's named for Sandy, the campground's starfish mascot – the kids love that! There's even a 24-hour courtesy/security patrol.
Check out this gem of a campground and the many cool events planned for the summer there at www.oceanlakes.com or call 1-877-510-1774. Property rental information is at 1-800-845-2229.

Hey, you deserve a vacation so try Ocean Lakes. Guaranteed: you'll be glad you did.

SEARCHING FOR THE TRAIL TO GREAT GOLF? CHECK OUT THIS GOLF GEM IN THE CAROLINAS

Are you a fan of coastal golf? Love it when a great golf hole is framed by spectacular views of water, marsh and wildlife? Then you need to check out the Brunswick Isles Golf Trail.

Unlike some of the other golf trails you may have heard about, the Brunswick Isles Golf Trail is made up of courses that are actually close to each other. All within a few minutes of each other, they link together to make an actual trail that you can drive in just under an hour from end to end. That gives you time to squeeze in 36 holes a day as you work your way along the trail.

Why is this unusual? Most so-called "trails" out there make you feel like you need to hitch up a covered wagon. lay in the provisions and hit the road for the long trip between courses. Some of the most famous ask you to cover nearly an entire state to get from one course to the next. No fun there, buddy.

But what about quality, you ask? The Brunswick Isles Golf Trail has that in spades.

Stretching out along the coast of southern North Carolina and northern South Carolina, this trail is a compact 60 miles filled with some of the best courses in the Carolinas. From Southport, N.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Trail offers courses that are listed on some of the most pretigious rosters in golf. America's Top 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. Best New Course in America. Golf Digest's “Places To Play” 4 star rankings.

So the next time you're planning a golf vacation, hitch your wagon to a winner and check out the Brunswick Isles Golf Trail. You'll be glad you did.

NATIONAL RV PARK OF THE YEAR REVS UP FOR SUMMER WITH GOOD TIMES IN MYRTLE BEACH

Looking for a fun and affordable vacation this year? Sit the family down around the computer and  go online to check out one of Myrtle Beach's best places. No, it's not a hotel. Not a golf resort. It's Ocean Lakes Family Campground.

This camping resort has it all.  In fact, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds named it the  2008-2009 National "RV Park of the Year" – for the fourth year.  

How big is it? 310 acres big. 3,447 campsites big. Bring your own RV. Or rent a beach house or trailer. It's the largest  campground on the East Coast and it's right in the heart of beautiful Myrtle Beach.  Right on the ocean. 

What makes it so special? The people who work there bend over backwards to make sure you have a good time. They're so helpful and nice that they could give seminars on how to provide good customer service. And, then there are the amenities. They're simply terrific. Nearly a mile of pristine beach along the Atlantic. A Recreation Center that covers two acres. Eight freshwater lakes where you can sink a line. An olympic size pool. A skate park for teens and tweens. On-site stores and laundry. Even pizza delivery from their own on-site ovens. And don't miss the chance to rent one of those cute little golf carts so you can scoot all over the complex. 

There are really too many amenities to describe in just one post. Really. So, you just gotta believe the kids will love it and so will you. 

Summertime is filled with  special events for park guests. There are luaus with authentic Hawaiian  dancers and music, and a big Bluegrass Weekend featuring Rhonda Vincent & The Rage.  Hate to leave man's best friend at home?  Fido  is welcomed and pampered at Ocean Lakes. There's even a special pet contest during the campground's  spectacular 4th of July celebration.

But in summer, Ocean Lakes fills up fast. So, if you haven't already made a reservation, you might have to start thinking about a Fall vacation. Don't pout. That's just a might. And, if you have to go in Fall, you'll discover that it's one of the best times in Myrtle Beach cause the ocean water temp is still a toasty 80+ degrees. 

Find out more at the Ocean Lakes website or call 1-877-510-1774.