Been stuck in Kansas, can you recommend a good/ inexpensive beach vacation?

Hey guys, me and the wife have been long overdue for a vacation but are low on funds. We both are hankering for a beach vacation but aren’t sure where to go.

Like I said in the title, we’re in smack dab in the middle of the country and would probably fly to any given destination.

We’re not looking for a wild time, maybe just somewhere scenic, not too-too crowded/ touristy. Just want to be able to go for some nice walks by the beach, work on the tan a little. Maybe hit a good restaurant or two.

We’ve been thinking maybe one of the Carolinas?
I’ve heard good things about Alabama’s beaches.
Pensacola, FL?

It’d be a bonus if where we flew into was close to the final location and even better if there was public transportation to save on a car rental, though this is negotiable.

BTW, I’m originally from MA, so I’m looking for a new location outside of New England.

So, can you help a land-locked, vacation deprived doper?

What’s your nearest airport? I don’t know what the fares are and what airlines fly out of Kansas off the top of my head, but hit the major sites like Travelocity and Expedia and see if any fare sales are going on (I’ll put in a plug for Orbitz, I got a great deal from them) right now from Your Airport to various destinations.

We went to Galveston over Memorial Day weekend and that worked out quite well for us. The flights from KC to Dallas are frequent and reasonable, and we had no problems catching a flight to Houston. The drive from Houston to Galveston is short, short, short.

For the record, GMRyujin, we’d be flying out of Kansas City.

I appreciate the website referal, and I have browsed them. Thing is, not being that well traveled, I dunno which destination is better than which.

And thanks for the Galveston suggestion, Contrary, I’ll look into that.