Best beach type places with interesting towns and cities?

[Lizzybear]

Me and the bf have a couple of nights after Orlando this year where we'd like to go elsewhere in Florida but just trying to decide where. I originally thought Miami.. I think that's my love of CSI Miami and Miami Ink talking! Looking more into it, though, the hotels are quite pricey considering we're already spending 10 nights in NY and Boston which aren't cheap either! Also it seems quite geared to nightlife which neither of us are really interested in, we weren't keen on Las Vegas for the same reason. St Petersburg looks like a worthy alternative as we'd like somewhere that's an interesting city or town, maybe with museums and other stuff to see/visit, as well as having a beach. Or should we just stick with Miami? Opinions on any of these places or any other ideas are very welcome

 

[wayneg]

Not a fan of beach resorts (didn't like Daytona, Clearwater or Cocoa beach) but we had a fantastic day last August here, great historic town about 5 hour drive from central Florida. http://www.savannahvisit.com/ then about 20 min drive to here http://www.tybeevisit.com/ between the 2 is this fort http://www.nps.gov/fopu/
We did it in the day set off 5am, 3am next morning we got back would be better to stay at least 1 night.

 

[Callum]

We are big fans of Treasure Island and go there for a few days every time we visit. It is just north of St Pete's but is much quieter.

There is a good selection of gulf front hotels, motels and apartments and is within easy driving distance of many attractions on that part of the coast.

www.treasureislandflorida.org

We haven't done Miami but had a couple of days in Key West a few years ago. A long drive and accommodation quite pricey but well worth it.

 

[Lizzybear]

Wow Wayne I bet that was a tiring day! Does look good though, Savannah was somewhere we were originally going to stop at if we road tripped Boston-Orlando but we ended up deciding to fly so we could have more days in New England. Think we'll leave the south for another year, though would definitely like to explore that area (bf is dying to visit the Gibson guitar factory!)

 

[wayneg]

Wow Wayne I bet that was a tiring day!

It was, I have never stopped at so many McD's for strong coffees. That was one great thing about the trip up there, never seemed more than 15-20mins from a coffee and restroom stop, even in middle of night.