Florida vacation spots (not Disney) Update- it's for a long weekend

[palmtreegirl]

We're looking to take a vacation this winter, since we haven't taken a vacation in over 3 years. We'd like to stay in Florida with a drive of no longer then 4 hours, we live in Central Florida.

We'd like to go some place we've never been so that rules out St. Augustine, Siesta Key, Clearwater, Jacksonville and Cocoa beach.

Any ideas?

Edited to add- change of plans update in post 15.

Thanks so much for you help so far!

 

[Vivianne]

Key West

 

[debbiedoo]

Sanibel Island

 

[lookingforward]

Come on down to Boca Raton. Great beaches, great shopping, restuarants, hotels (the boca resort). Near Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, the everglades. Did I mention museums, golf (great public courses), near west palm beach, theater, concerts (Kelly Clarkson at Mizner ampi-theater on 11/29).
Less than 3 hours by car from Disney.

 

[Bonnie40]

Going down through the Keys would definitely give you the feeling of being on a vacation that's a little different than everywhere else in Florida.

That's what I would suggest!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I would take a tour of the Keys...only spend 2 or 3 nights in Key West. The other Keys have so much to offer and beautiful beaches.

 

[schmitty]

Key West is about a 7 hour drive from Orlando. If it was me Id try some city close to Georgia, like Live Oak or Madison. Not sure if youre into that type of vacation though.

 

[palmtreegirl]

While I'd love to go to the Keys one day, for this vacation it's a bit too far since we'll only be going for 5 days.

Sanibel & Boca sound great, can you recommend any nice but cheaper places to stay?

How about Naples?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I have some wonderful places to stay in Sanibel....not sure what "cheap" means. Also the time of year will greatly have an effect on prices.
Having lived in Florida Boca, Fort Lauderdale I would pass on.
(We have a rental property there and it has changed in a BIG way).

 

[Deb & Bill]

Marco Island.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Miami and South Beach are my favorite places to go.

 

[GlennandAnn]

We went to Clearwater Beach and stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key resort. We are frequent visitors to Orlando, and I thought that Clearwater was much different than Orlando. We had a lovely time, went to some nice restaurants and spent plenty of time on the beach.

Ann

 

[Vivianne]

In August, we went to Tarpon Springs, ate Greek food, shopped, did a boat tour. Stayed closer to Clearwater then we went to Honeymoon Island for some beach time. Before that, we visited Lowry Park Zoo and Busch Gardens. We had a really nice time.

 

[shortbun]

Amelia Island, the Elizabeth Pointe Lodge.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Thank you for all the ideas everyone! We decided we're going to take our big vacation next summer, go back uo north to visit family and stop in Washington DC & NYC too.

So now this one is going to be more of a little break (long weekend) and our budget is pretty tight. Maybe we will just go down to Clearwater/Tampa and visit the zoo and the beach for a long weekend....that's a good idea and not too expensive either.

Anyone know of any cheap but nice motels in the Clearwater area?

Thanks again!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

WHOOPS....can't help you now the word "motel" makes me itchy and short of breath!
Have a great time no matter what you do...,love your dancing palm tree!

 

[Golf4food]

Bradenton has the great Ringling museum with lots of great art, gardens, statues, the circus mesuem, and the old mansion that is beautiful. Nice place to visit if you are in that area. We drive down for a visit when we were staying Clearwater for our honeymoon a few years ago. No help on a nice cheap place to stay since we were in a little nicer B&B at the time. But we'd love to go back - the Dali museum, the Florida aquarium, etc. Lots of fun.

 

[Vivianne]

Thank you for all the ideas everyone! We decided we're going to take our big vacation next summer, go back uo north to visit family and stop in Washington DC & NYC too.

So now this one is going to be more of a little break (long weekend) and our budget is pretty tight. Maybe we will just go down to Clearwater/Tampa and visit the zoo and the beach for a long weekend....that's a good idea and not too expensive either.

Anyone know of any cheap but nice motels in the Clearwater area?

Thanks again!

We the zoo and we're just 2 adults. We used priceline for 1 night near the beach.

We also found brand new Hampton Inn off the highway I think (St. Pete) we found in one of the coupon books can't remember. While it's not on the beach we enjoyed staying there. We stopped at the bird sanctuary and also visited the Heritage park nearby (free). The tour guide was very nice girl, who loves her job.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a few good deals. I'll look in my paperwork if you're interested. Have fun whatever you decide....