Staying on the Gulf Coast

[Keancanuk]

We're heading to Florida in just over 2 weeks. For the first time, we are not doing Disney Parks, as we will be approx 3 hours from Orlando. We will be staying near Venice.

Any suggestions on things to see and do while in that area. We are doing a definite trip to our favorite area ~ Anna Maria Island.
But would love any other suggestions on things to see and do. Kids are 8 & 10. We did go to Wild Florida (airboat gator tour last year)

Would love to drive down to Florida Keys, but looks like it would be 6 hours ! yikes !

Thanks for your suggestions (and send warm up a little bit more Florida vibes)! Although anything is better then this -20 degree weather we've had for weeks, and now another major snowstorm +25cm of snow) that is about to hit us again tonight . I am so over winter (whiarton willie doesn't know what he's talking about!)

 

[bev r.]

Manatee viewing:

My husband and I stopped at the electrical plant and saw lots of manatees. It is south of Tampa. There was also another great spot in Fort Myers.

http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

 

[Keancanuk]

Thanks !! That' sounds like a cool thing to do !! We're half way between Fort Myers and Tampa!

 

[Cottager]

We're heading for Sarasota, Florida in 3 weeks and it's killing me to be in the same state as Disney World but not visit...argh!!! We decided to head over to Busch Gardens in Tampa which is an hour away. Google maps says it's an hour and 18 minutes from Venice. I need my amusement park fix at least for one day. If you're thinking of going, they have a promotion for Canadians that includes single day entry plus FREE all-day dining (http://seaworldparks.com/buschgardens-tampa/pages/canadian-landing-page/). We plan to have all 3 meals there...plus a few extra drink and desert runs throughout the day!

 

[Keancanuk]

Thanks Cottager ! That's good to know. I hear ya on the not going to a Disney Park.

There is also a marine small sea life aquarium in Sarasota. Looks like a fun day too, for something to do !

 

[Bonnie40]

Love the Venice Beach area! Everyone's suggestions are great - Venice Beach itself is lovely.....great little shops, and there's a great lunch spot at the public beach with affordable lunch options! At the age your kids are, my guys spent days just hunting for sharks teeth! lol

My kids always enjoyed going to Sharkey's Pier.....chatting up the local fishermen and hearing/watching what they catch! Great place to eat, especially if you can snag a spot on the patio and watch the sun go down!

 

[dennise]

Any suggestions for good flea markets, other than the Wagon Wheel?

 

[momlee4]

Hey OP,
I'm planning a trip next year for the end of February. We'll stay in Orlando 4 nights (can't skip Disney altogether!), then stay on the gulf side for 3 or 4 nights. I'm just wondering where you stayed and if you would recommend it. Plus, how warm was the water/ beaches at the time of your trip? We were planning to go down as far as Sarasota - is it worth the drive to go a little further to Venice?

 

[Susan2771]

We were at Redington Beach during March Break which is between St.Pete's and Clearwater and the water was c.o.l.d! We could see up and down the beach for a very long way and only my 2 girls were brave enough to be in the cold gulf. People kept coming up to us saying how either brave or crazy our girls were to play in the water for hours like they did. Yup, they are crazy!

It was very sunny and you could definitely be on the beach in a bathing suit, just good gosh the water. The locals told us that they don't go into the water until May. We did go to the Adventure Island waterpark next to Busch Gardens. The wave pool and a couple of other waterslides are heated water. The rest are not. As the day progressed though the water did get more bearable as the sun warmed it. The lazy river was okay once your body got use to it. We bought the tickets that were good for Busch Gardens for your length of stay and you got to go to Adventure Island for free. It wasn't busy at all and Adventure Island has the craziest parking lot. All hills and bumps like it got effected by a earthquake. We also went to Busch Gardens and it wasn't busy at all.

We went to the Manatee viewing area that was recommended above. We got to see lots of manatees as well as other sea life like black tip sharks. It is seasonal though and I believe it is open from November to April. It is really nicely set up. It was very chilly though that day and we definitely needed jackets.

 

[dennise]

We are heading to St pete Beach in 2 weeks, can't come soon enough after the blizzard yesterday. Staying at the Sirata Beach resort, stayed there last year, beautiful beach, we ususally stay in the Treasure Island area, but this really was a nicer beach. Lots of little shops to walk to as well as beach activities.