Where ELSE could we go in Florida???

[JESW]

DH & I are kicking around the idea of taking a vacation between Christmas & New Years (12/26 - 12/31 or so) and we were looking at Florida. We always go to WDW, which isn't a BAD thing, but we'd like to try the Florida beaches, too. Where would be a good place to go???? Tampa so we could do Busch Gardens? We have kids 4 & 8 who are used to Disney vacations so we can't just lay around somewhere for a couple of days (drats). Where is a good family vacation spot in Florida other than Orlando??

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Jill

 

[floridafam]

Sand Key-Clearwater Beach area.

Indian Rocks Beach. We really like the small town, laid back atmosphere of IRB.

Vero Beach-you could stay at the Disney resort. It's right on the beah with tons of things to do. You still get that Disney feeling without being in Orlando.

Bradenton Beach-check out a place called the Bungalow Beach Resort www.bungalowbeach.com

We often took our kids to the Sheraton Sand Key resort and they always had plenty to do but we love the beach and could spend days on it. We had a little problem at the Sheraton last time so I think next time we will try for IRB.

JMHO, we made the drive from Clearwater Beach to go over to Busch Gardens and wished we hadn't. I know a lot of people love it but most of the stuff we loved the first time we were there was gone-no dolphins, no sky monorail type thing through the animals, we thought the park was unusually dirty, etc. The traffic through Tampa there and back was awful.

If you are in the Clearwater Beach area the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is very nice.

Have fun.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Amelia island is soooo pretty and very historic

 

[NHAnn]

We stayed at the Pink Shell Beach resort in Fort Myers Beach when our kids were just a little older than yours are now...there was plenty to keep them busy...kids activities at the resort, shelling and fishing excursions, a trolley bus down to the commercial area/pier...and you can drive to lots of "mainland activities" in Fort Myers itself if you want, and/or drive over to Sanibel/Captiva for diversion. We love that whole area, the kids did too.

DH and I spent a few days solo at Sheraton Sand Key last winter and enjoyed it very much, but I think with kids looking for activity and diversion you'd be better off right on Clearwater Beach, than at Sand Key or Indian Rocks. JMHO

HAve fun!!

 

[Pam]

St. Augustine is very beautiful and has an alligator farm, the historic fort, and of course the Fountain of Youth, lots of tourist things to do. And beautiful, beautiful beaches!!

 

[Eeyore1954]

Sanibel or Captiva Islands -- near Ft. Myers, FL. Great beach areas and fantastic shelling. There are some great eco-tours you can reserve a place for at the marina just before the Sanibel Island toll bridge. Seven Seas Resort offers short cruises out in the Gulf for dolphin-watching. There are a number of boats that offer shelling excursions, snorkeling trips. My DW and I did an Everglades Eco-Tour one year -- an all day trip through several areas of the Everglades.

 

[Bichon Barb]

Ooooo, a subject near and dear to my heart. We are looking into doing a Florida beach vacation in February. Here are some ideas:

Sanibel/Captiva Island
Key Largo
Little Gasparilla Island

We are probably going to rent a house or condo on the beach. Here is a link:
http://www.vrbo.com

 

[Rhonda]

We love St. Pete Beach (and all the beaches up the coast from there up to Clearwater). The beaches are beautiful, the water is much warmer than on the Atlantic side, and you are close to Busch Gardens too!