MYRTLE BEACH IS AMONG THE TOP PLACES TO GO FOR JULY 4 — AND WHY NOT WHEN YOU CAN FIND DEALS LIKE THESE?

Now that the kids have been out of school for a few weeks, they are really getting under your skin, aren't they? Sounds like the whole family needs a little beach time. Can't afford it this year, you say? Not so.

July 4 is around the corner and Myrtle Beach is rolling out the deals. In fact, Priceline's 6th annual survey of the 50 most popular destinations for July 4 ranked Myrtle Beach at 31, above such places as Hilton Head, Charleston and Ocean City, Md.

Why? Free stuff. Free entertainment. Fireworks. And, deals, my friend. Deals.

There's no better place to celebrate July 4. Accommodations are a bargain. Concerts fill the air up and down the Grand Strand's 60 mile beach. Kids will love the parades that feature everything from dressed-up golf cars to decked out boats. And, fireworks will be bursting into the skies all weekend.

Best Place To Take The Family. Centrally-located, The Market Common is smack in the middle of the Grand Strand. No matter where you stay, you can reach it in a few minutes. Spend Saturday, July 4 there (restaurants are everywhere, so food's no problem). Check out “Jewelry Art In The Park” from noon until 6:00 pm. From 4:30 pm until 9:30 pm, stroll around the beautiful streets of this lovely village and enjoy a bunch of free activities. Balloon sculptors will be creating (of course) patriotic-themed sculptures. Watch out for the Uncle Sam stilt walker. Get your kid made up by the face painter. Get a free American flag. Listen to the DJ in Valor Park. Treat the kids to a $10 wristband and let them blow off steam jumping on large inflatables. Cap off the day with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30 pm (For more information about The Market Common's Independence Day celebration go to www.marketcommonevents.com or call 843-839-3500).

Need a place to stay? Savvy travelers have already been scoping out deals along the Grand Strand — many of which have been reported in this blog. But, last minute planners can still cherry pick some sweet accommodations for bargain rates. For those who have a little catching up to do, here's a quick recap of the area's best deals:

$116 a night for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath home inside Ocean Lakes Family Campground. Did you know that America's #1 RV Park has beach house rentals inside their spectacular resort setting? This a place where your kids will be entertained 24/7. There's nearly a mile of beach, plus amenities that include a skateboard park, inside game arcade and huge pool. On the July 4 weekend, Ocean Lakes holds two very unique golf car parades (July 3 and 6) and there's entertainment for the whole family. Single story and homes on stilts can accommodate 4-21 people and each is fully furnished including air-conditioning, cable TV, and complete kitchen facilities. You bring the sheets, towels and paper products.  For property rental information, log on to www.oceanlakesproperties.com or call 1-800-845-2229 for rental reservations. 

$139 for three-nights in a two-bedroom villa in Village of the Glens, plus a $50 gift card to Tanger Outlets or House of Blues. This is the perfect alternative to a cramped (and much more pricey) beachside hotel room. Spacious villas are on the northern end of the Grand Strand, just a 10-minute drive to the beach. If you're a golfer, ask how they can hook you up (they own 4 great golf courses) or check out their golf packages. The Glens Golf Group: 1-888-999-9520 to make a reservation or email info@GlensGolfVacations.com.

Super Summer Saver: Third Night Free. Looking for a little romance? There's no better place on the Strand than Pawleys Island. The atmosphere at Pawleys Plantation drips with Southern charm from its moss-draped oaks to the bright white columns on its gracious clubhouse. During July & August when you stay in one of their deluxe 2-bedroom villas for two nights, they give you a 3rd night free. Five minutes from the beach, this laid-back place is perfect for a couples getaway. Or pick one of their great golf packages that start at $234 for three nights and two rounds of golf on one of Jack Nicklaus' best layouts. Call 1-800-367-9959 for details or to make a reservation.

Overachievers Special. Are you one of those overachievers who only takes a vacation if you can learn something along the way? Pawleys Plantation's on-site golf school has a deal for you — a three-day golf school at the Phil Ritson - Mel Sole Golf School ranked in the Top 5 of "Americas Best 25 Golf Schools" by GOLF Magazine. At $799 per person, this package includes 3 days of school, two rounds of golf, three nights accommodations in a luxury fairway villa, and breakfast daily. Contact the Golf School directly at 1-800-624-4653.