Nice family friendly beach?

[ryan840]

We've decided to take a day trip to the beach on one of our free days next month, please help me pick the right one. I've heard that Daytona isn't very nice so I guess we'll be staying away from there. I'd really like to go to one that has a shell factory/store nearby because my 3 year old would love it. So where do you like to go? Thanks!

ETA- I just read that Siesta Key beach is really nice, anyone been there? How far away is it? I'd really like to have about an hour and a half drive at the most (if that's even possible, I don't know where the beaches are in relation to WDW)

LOL, ETAA- How about New Smyrna Beach, has anyone been there?

 

[lillygator]

We live there!!

SK is awesome and definitely very family friendly....there are beach stores in the village that sell shells, if that is what you are looking for. It is about an hour and a half from our door to WDW. (driving a bit above the speed limit).

Having two dd's ages 4 and 2...IMHO they don't mix with the actual store the Shell Factory..there is so much to touch and break in there it is unreal. We went last summer on the way back from Sanibel Island.

 

[ryan840]

Thanks for the reply, I'm having a hard time choosing between the two! I know there's lots of breakables at the Shell Factory but the baby would be in the stroller (that boys worse than the Tazmanian Devil ) and my 3 year old is pretty good about not touching things unless we're right there with him- he knows he'll be sent right to the stroller if he gets out of hand. He just found some shells in our yard from the previous owner and is in love with them so I know he'd die to go in there! What's the water temp like in early May?

I'll have to find a website for SK, I've only been to the New Smyrno Beach one so far.

 

[lillygator]

http://www.siestakeychamber.com/
http://www.simplysiestakey.com/
http://www.visitsiestakey.com/
http://www.siestakey.com/


The Gulf water is usually warm most of the time...and May it is pretty warm. Where are you from? I ask, because if you are from the north it will more than likely be like bath water warm to you!

 

[ryan840]

LOL, we're from Michigan so I'm sure it will be nice compared to the icy cold Great Lakes, but I'm still a wuss when it comes to cold water

I think that's where we'd like to go but our main concern now is parking- we won't be arriving until around 2:00, any recommendations as far as that goes?

Thanks for the links!

 

[lillygator]

parking is free..there is a large lot at Siesta and there are lots of "accesses" along the way which offer parking as well. In May - most all the snowbirds are gone so there is no issue with no parking.