Where else in Florida (besides Disney and Universal) do you vacation?

[klfrech]

Looking for an active vacation in the state of Florida for myself, DH and two teenage sons. We need action! We would be content with a few days on a beach, but then would need more to do. Any suggestions? We've already done Busch Gardens (a few times) also. We are not opposed to driving from one spot to another (within reason). Love to hear some ideas!

 

[Bluestars]

We have taken trips to Destin and hung out at the beach with boogie boards, gone to the water park there, and gone out on jet skies. The beaches in Destin are beautiful. The sand is white and the water is an emerald color. Absolutely beautiful.

When we are in the Orlando area, we have done the usual: Seaworld, WDW, Universal/Islands, Discovery Cove, Fun Spot, and Busch Gardens.

 

[crazelion]

Daynota Beach and Panama Beach

 

[klfrech]

What have you done besides just hanging around on the beach?

 

[Disney Commando]

We like stopping at St Augustine, has the main Ripley's Believe it or Not there, great shops, and the ghost tours at night are fun.

 

[Wall-E1]

If you're into camping, you can go to Everglades National Park. There are also several airboat companies just outside of the park borders. Some of them have private rentals. Nothing more fun than doing figure 8's out in the slough. There's also mucking, canoeing and hiking in the park.

 

[rie'smom]

We went to Destin last summer and are returning this summer. The water is beautiful as are the beaches. There were TONS of deals because of the economy. Don't know about this year because I'm using DVC pts to book.

 

[NotAmused]

Besides the theme parks, we like to visit Key West and St. Augustine is also a neat place with beaches and lots of other fun things to do.

 

[simba928]

We LOVE going to Miami. My family is not a beach family. We get super bored sitting around all day. I even get stressed sitting on a beach. Honestly, I don't think I've ever sat on the beach in Miami and we've been there (staying in Miami) about 6 times. There's lots of sights and shopping. There's a water taxi that goes all along the intracoastal (I think it is) and has different stops. It's a nice ride, looking at all the beautiful houses on the water then you can get off and visit different places. There's the ducky boats that go all down South Beach and in the water by Star Island. It goes past several celebrities' houses (I think Shaq was one of them). There's Jungle Island, which is a zoo type place. If you like animals, I highly reccomend that. And if you do that, depending on your budget you could do either the Lemur Experience or the VIP tour. With the lemurs they put you in a room and let a bunch of lemurs out and you feed them, pet them, hold them. Even my mom who is NOT an animal person loved it. The VIP tour gets you behind-the-scenes access. It was fun coming into the middle of a show and having everyone watch you go into the roped off section of seats. You get to be up-close and personal with all kinds of animals from lemurs to snakes (I had to leave for that part), penguins to orangutans. You could also drive down to the Keys. It's a beautiful drive, you could stop at the different parks along the way and go snorkeling. End in Key West, maybe stay there for a few days. Really nice trip.

 

[tinah159]

We have vacationed all over the state, but my favorite place is Key West!

 

[Art 1]

Longboat Key.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Panama City Beach! LOVE it there! Beautiful beaches, yummy restaurants and lots of things to do!

 

[MIGrandma]

DH and I usually spend at least 3-7 nights at Daytona Beach whenever we go to Florida. It's our favorite area in Florida. You can be adventurous, as there are lots of things to do (hot air ballooning, renting quads for driving on the beach, jet skis, etc.), or you can just relax which is mostly what DH and I do. We love driving on the beach, and walking on the beach, eating in the many neat restaurants (Crabby Joe's out over the water, Bubba Gump's, Barnacles, etc.), going out to the lighthouse, taking sightseeing drives around the area, going out to the racetrack (DH loves it when they're testing), there are amusement park areas, lots of miniature golf courses, lots of really great hotels with oceanfront rooms and great pool areas.