Best family-friendly beaches in Orlando area?

[katiesmom2]

We have two little ones (DD3, DS1) so we'd like something relatively clean with food available nearby and bathrooms.

We would like a beach town that also has shopping, etc. where we could spend the day.

I'd appreciate your tips. Thanks!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Hey katiesmom2, where are you in ON I'm in Niagara Falls, NY, I'd sure like to be on the beach right now!
I would like to know about this too, does anyone have any ideas?

 

[MKOATEYW]

Uhh... Orlando is in the center of the state.

While there are lots of lakes none of them have really nice beaches. I would drive a about 2 hours and go to a nice beach on the coast. There are lots of beach towns on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts with nice beaches.

Just find I4 and go either direction. Going West dumps you in the Tampa/St. Pete area on the Gulf. Going East dumps you in the Daytona area.

Have a great trip

 

[Ziva]

Coco beach is about 45 minutes down 528 east. There's lots to do, Ron Jon Surf Shop is right there and you can also see one of the Disney cruise ships if they're in port, just down the rode at Cape Canaveral. There are lots of restaurants and things and the beach is very nice, they have outdoor showers and changing rooms available too.

 

[katiesmom2]

Hey katiesmom2, where are you in ON I'm in Niagara Falls, NY, I'd sure like to be on the beach right now!
I would like to know about this too, does anyone have any ideas?

Hey Danny,

We are in Belleville, near Kingston.

Yep, I'd love to be on the beach now too!

 

[katiesmom2]

Uhh... Orlando is in the center of the state.

While there are lots of lakes none of them have really nice beaches. I would drive a about 2 hours and go to a nice beach on the coast. There are lots of beach towns on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts with nice beaches.

Just find I4 and go either direction. Going West dumps you in the Tampa/St. Pete area on the Gulf. Going East dumps you in the Daytona area.

Have a great trip

Yep, I knew Orlando was not on the coast...LOL

We were looking for suggestions for that very reason. We don't want to drive 2 hours to find a mediocre beach. We'd rather go somewhere that someone could suggest as being nice!

 

[katiesmom2]

Coco beach is about 45 minutes down 528 east. There's lots to do, Ron Jon Surf Shop is right there and you can also see one of the Disney cruise ships if they're in port, just down the rode at Cape Canaveral. There are lots of restaurants and things and the beach is very nice, they have outdoor showers and changing rooms available too.

Thanks very much! I'll do some more research on Cocoa beach. I noticed it was nearby.

I've been to Daytona and didn't really think it was too pretty - and it was more for the young than a young family in my opinion. Cocoa sounds like a good alternative. Thanks!

 

[jtopp]

Daytona beach is kind of a party town, especially during spring break. Cocoa beach is nice, as well as New Smyrna beach. Also, if time permits, a side trip to ST. Augustine. Nice beaches, shopping, the fort, lots to do. enjoy.

 

[katiesmom2]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to research Cocoa and New Smyrna.