Tampa Bay area

[greenclan67]

HI there,
We just returned on Friday from an awesome 2 week stay at Cypress Pointe! We have done Orlando 4 years in a row now, and my kids are getting older. We are thinking we would like to do a house rental or a resort rental (same idea as in Orlando) at least 2 bedrooms, if not 3, with 2 baths. We are willing to go anywhere on the ocean for the next trip, but there also has to be something for the kids to do besides beaches all day! They love doing parks, never done Busch Gardens! Anyone want to lead me in a new direction? Should we be looking further down the coast? Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Orlando Vic]

HI there,
We just returned on Friday from an awesome 2 week stay at Cypress Pointe! We have done Orlando 4 years in a row now, and my kids are getting older. We are thinking we would like to do a house rental or a resort rental (same idea as in Orlando) at least 2 bedrooms, if not 3, with 2 baths. We are willing to go anywhere on the ocean for the next trip, but there also has to be something for the kids to do besides beaches all day! They love doing parks, never done Busch Gardens! Anyone want to lead me in a new direction? Should we be looking further down the coast? Any suggestions are appreciated!

In all honesty, Tampa Bay is not where I would go. Some may disagree, however. Have you considered St. Augustine? It is America's oldest city and has tons of history, art galleries, good & moderately-priced restaurants, outlet shopping malls (2) and nice beaches too. Oh yes, some tacky tourist attractions too, some, of which, I really like. Two examples are the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum

I would encourage you to post this same question here: http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/ You'll get more and better answers because the travelers, in general, have a broader frame of reference and are probably better traveled.

A few links:
http://www.staugustine.com/visit/
http://www.visitflorida.com/St_Augustine
http://www.getaway4florida.com/

 

[cjdj4]

I have lived in Tampa for 16 years. I love it here, and there are plenty of things to do. I would recommend renting in St. Pete Beach, Remington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, or the Sarasota area is beautiful. However, the gulf coast beaches are a minimum of 45 minutes from Busch Gardens. Clearwater is the closest, but also draws more a of a younger party-type crowd. I would NOT rent near Busch Gardens as most of that area is run-down and not nice. Tampa proper does not really have a beach. If you want beach, you have to go to St. Petersburg or Clearwater or Sarasota, and drive to other attractions.

Feel free to PM me with questions about Tampa, or if you want to run an area by someone who knows whether neighborhoods are good or not.

 

[greenclan67]

What about the Treasure Island area! We have done Clearwater beach for the day! I am just looking for something different to do, and Tampa was what came to our mind when we started looking! What about going the other way, up towards the Panhandle? I have almost a year to plan, so am trying to get some advice on what would make a great vacation for then 10 and 12 year old girls! We have done every park twice over in Orlando! My kids love parks, it is us that is getting bored with them! My kids love shows to, then loved Rock of Ages,and Blue Man group, just to give you some background. I will look into St Augestine as well!
TIA and keep the suggestions coming!