We had extended family in town last month and we wanted to get away and spend some quality time together. They suggested Seabrook, Washington – a small beach front community near Ocean Shores. And I’m so glad they did. We spent four glorious days digging in the sand, soaking in the sun (and rain) and most of all – spending some serious quality time with our family. I can pretty much guarantee that we’ll return, many times.
Seabrook is a essentially a beach front community, full of beautiful homes perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
You rent homes – most owned by loving families who also spend their family vacations there. Renting homes sounds expensive, and I was a little hesitant at first, but it ended up being one of the most affordable vacations we’ve been on because:
- We split the house with three families. With four bedrooms, two living areas, a full kitchen, a toy room in the attic and three bathrooms – there was plenty of room for six adults and four children. Splitting the cost with other families makes the cost similar to a hotel room (or less after you figure everything included).
- Full kitchen means cooking family style. We saved a TON of money by having a full kitchen at our disposal. Three families and we each picked a night to make dinner. We made tacos with food from our stockpile (plus some fresh items picked up). Over a four-day period we ate out only once (by choice) – which is next to impossible when renting a hotel room. Plus we had the luxury of making foods the kids will eat and feeding them when they were hungry, without having to pay a fortune for convenience foods.
- Tons of FREE activities. I was shocked at how many FREE things there were to do once we got there. In fact, there were so many FREE activities I’m listing them out below.
FREE THINGS TO DO AT SEABROOK
Community Events – While we were there Seabrook was having a Gnome Festival – complete with a scavenger hunt for the kids and other activities.
The Beach. Walking distance to the beach, we spent hours digging in the dirt, beach combing and even playing in the water. You can “borrow” beach toys from the Seabrook Vacation Rental office – on the honor system, no fees!
Go Fly a Kite. I packed our $1.30 kites from Fred Meyer and we spent lots of time flying kites at the beach!
Community Swimming Pool, Hot Tub – When we’d had too much sand and sun, we’d head to the pool for more FREE fun. The community pool is centrally located and included with your home rental.
Bike riding – Our rental house (the Bramble Berry) had two bikes on the porch for use, but you can also rent bicycles for a nominal fee from the Seabrook rental office.
Fire pit, s’mores – Our rental house (the Bramble Berry) has a great fire pit in the backyard – again provided FREE entertainment and we all enjoyed s’mores and sitting in the sun.
Kid’s playground – A neighborhood playground gives the kids yet another outdoor activity. Again, it’s FREE.
Kid’s play room – We were so lucky that our rental house (the Bramble Berry) that had a full play room in the attic. It was complete with painted “roads” and tricycles, balls and more. The kids begged to go up into the playroom.
Nature and neighborhood walks – There are a ton of paths and places to walk. Each home in the Seabrook community has a unique look and style. Just walking through the neighborhood is entertainment.
So what do you think? You wanna go to Seabrook?
ENTER TO WIN!
The owners of the Bramble Berry House have graciously offered up a one-night stay to a lucky Queen Bee reader! Enter to win a one-night stay (valued at $195) for use during off-peak times, minimum two-night stay – so essentially you are getting buy one, get one FREE nights! This is like 50% off the price of this fabulous rental. Check the Bramble Berry Website for off-peak dates.
PLUS, to help cover the cost of your second night, I’m pitching in a $100 gift card good for any Seabrook rental!
How to enter – There are a MAXIMUM of four (4) entries possible. Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry – because each comment is considered one entry. Do not comment in the Facebook comment area (I’m trying to remove that), but where it says Leave a Comment below.
- REQUIRED ENTRY – Leave a comment on this post. Tell me what you think you’d enjoy most at Seabrook!
- Head over to Queen Bee Coupons Facebook and “like” us. If you’re already a Facebook fan, share the giveaway with your friends by posting it on your wall. (If you aren’t seeing Queen Bee Facebook updates in your feed, you may need to comment or “like” a post every once in while). Leave a separate comment on this post saying you did this.
- Sign up for Queen Bee Coupons daily email and leave a comment telling me you did this. If you already subscribe, leave a comment saying so.
- Follow Queen Bee Coupons on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway.
Tweet something like: Vacation? Enter to win a one-night stay at Seabrook, Washington + $100 gift card. @QueenBeeCoupons @SeabrookWA http://wp.me/pFgsr-i5c. Leave a comment and let me know you tweeted.
This giveaway ends Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 8 p.m. PST. Pay special attention to the email you use, because this is how I will contact the winner. I will select one random comment after the giveaway closes August 16 and I will contact the winner by email. You will have 48 hrs to respond to my email. I will also post the winner info here on the site.
See my other travel posts:
- One of our favorite beach spots on the Oregon coast, south of Lincoln City
- Our trip to the Oregon Coast Aquarium + FREE child’s admission coupon
- Staycation ideas all across the United States – Frugal, fun summer activities
- Staycation Seattle (Puget Sound) – Festivals and events, museums, activities
- Saving money in New York City (I won my trip from a sweepstakes!)
Disclosure: Bramble Berry offered a discount for our stay in exchange for me to share my thoughts and reviews on my stay. All opinions, reviews, suggestions, photographs and adorable children, are mine.
lucy says
I would enjoy just the night away!
Justin says
Woo Hoo!
Beth Archer says
i posted it on FB
Beth Archer says
i think i already get the daily email.
karen winkler says
I get your emails, love the posts on fb. would love to take my mom she’s coming to visit from MN. Honestly I didn’t tweet but I don’t tweet. If I win I will sing like a canary on my FB and to all my family and friends.
Barb says
Looks like so much fun! And I have the perfect group of folks to go with me…the boys would love the upstairs playvroom….
Beth Archer says
all i really want is one night away with my hubby without the kids. i would so fully enjoy just relaxing and spending time together.
Sarah Chittenden says
Shared on fB too!
Sarah Chittenden says
I would love the quality family time!
Ashley Supry says
I signed up for the daily emails.
Ashley Supry says
I like you on facebook!
Kristin says
We’re all signed up for The Queen Bee Daily Buzz…
Ashley Supry says
What I would love most is some time away from all the distractions of life and some quality time with my family!
Kristin says
Bring on the sand between our toes and the saltwater on our skin! Our family would be in heaven here!
Becky Anderson says
Looks like a Fun place for a great get away. This would be such a relaxing/Fun place to go.Love the Beach but don’t get to go very often. This would be great to win.
Christine s says
I subscribe to the daily emails
Cheri P says
Subscribed to email!
Christine s says
We would love to explore the town and beach!
Cheri P says
Shared on FB!
Cheri P says
I Love the Beach!!
Heather K says
My family would enjoy the beach the most. They have the best time in the sand and surf!
Jana pierce says
I would love to be on the beach!@
sharon says
Shared on facebook
Terri says
A getaway with the hubby would be wonderful!
sharon says
I subscribe to the daily emails
sharon says
I would love the beach
Adrienne says
I subscribe to the daily email.
Adrienne says
I would love to win the Seabrook giveaway! I would love to be able to get away with the hubby and head towards some water!
Joy says
…and…I’ve got your blog subscribed in my reader, not sure if that’s what you mean by the “daily email” (or if it’s sufficiently equivalent – disregard if not!)
Amanda says
I tweeted!
Joy says
Liked on FB…
Joy says
Followed on Twitter and tweeted…
Joy says
Seabrook! I would love to just go walk on the beach barefoot. So blessedly calming!
Amanda says
I signed up for your daily emails!
Monique says
I liked you on FB as well
Monique says
email subscriber
Amanda says
I liked you on facebook!
Monique says
Follow on twitter and tweeted about the giveaway
https://twitter.com/mamalovestoclip/status/236284989220745216
Amanda says
I have not been to Seabrook BUT would love to go! I love nature, so I think I’ll really enjoy the wildlife there! 🙂
Monique says
Tough pick as there looks like so much to do, but I know my kids would have a blast playing at the beach.
Aimee says
I’m a follower on facebook as well!
Aimee says
I think the opportunity to get away is what we would enjoy the most!! riding bikes and enjoying time on the beach are two of our favorite things to do on vacation 🙂
Debbie says
We love Seabrook but it has been two years since we have been. The kids would love to check out their new pool in addtion to smores and beachtime. I’m also a follower on Facebook. Thanks for the giveaway.
Cheryl says
I already subscribe to your daily e-mails! 🙂
Cheryl says
I liked you on Facebook! 🙂
Cheryl says
We would love the gorgeous beach there!!!
Amy H. says
We would enjoy taking our girls to the beach and spending time with family.
Niko O. says
I tweeted about the giveaway as well!
https://twitter.com/niko2k4/status/236248952196960256
Niko O. says
I also receive your daily e-mails 🙂
Niko O. says
I’d love to try out the various local restaurants!