Florida Vacation Suggestions

Uno Mas · 06-17-2006

We are wanting to take our 2 year old son on a vacation at the end of the summer. He loves sand and water and we want to stay in the US this time. I 've never been to Florida, but it seems the pan handle is the place to be. I've heard Ft. Walton and Destin thrown around. Probably a hotel with pool and good beach amenenties, but not in the most populated of areas. Any suggestions??

horizon200 · 06-17-2006

I've always stayed at the Holiday Inn on Okaloosa Island just across the bridge from Destin. Right on the beach and central to just about everything. Plus the Hog's Breath is right across the street!

Playaluvers · 06-17-2006

I will agree that the Ft. Walton Beach and Destin area are the best beaches in Florida. IMHO. Sorry I am unable to help at this time with lodging info. Will talk to my friends down there to see if they have any suggestions.

MWC · 06-17-2006

Panhandle's nice, but the surf can get active. The Gulf Coast from Tampa-area down to Fort Myers is great for what you're looking for. We just had a great family vacation this April in Englewood, a little beach town south of Sarasota, and south of Venice. It was so laid back, there were no distractions to make you feel obligated to shell out moolah. The beach was great, sandy and a lot of good shell hunting.

TAPPY · 06-17-2006

Key West or Sanibel Island/Captiva are very nice. (some of the best shelling in the world in Captiva and Sanibel)

Brent & Kim · 06-17-2006

Siesta Key off the coast of Sarasota has always been rated one of the top beaches in the world! there is a neat little village on the island, I dont think there are any big resorts there, but there are a few small hotels and quite a few condos. Clearwater Beach on the north side of Tampa is also beautiful.

Dallas91 · 06-17-2006

I prefer Destin to Fort Walton. It depends on a number of factors such as are you flying in somewhere or driving. If driving where are you coming from. Someone mentioned Clearwater beach, and I agree, it is a great area, but is a long ways from Destin. However it is easy in/out through Tampa.
The beaches start getting nice around Orange Beach, AL on through Pensacola, Fort Walton, Destin.

**Susie Q Roo** · 06-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWC

Panhandle's nice, but the surf can get active. The Gulf Coast from Tampa-area down to Fort Myers is great for what you're looking for. We just had a great family vacation this April in Englewood, a little beach town south of Sarasota, and south of Venice. It was so laid back, there were no distractions to make you feel obligated to shell out moolah. The beach was great, sandy and a lot of good shell hunting.

Here's a shot of my babies when they WERE babies, enjoying the beach at the Sarasota Surf and Racket Club, the hotel we stayed in at the time... condos actually, as we were staying with other people - great sand for playing in!

Loree · 06-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWC

Panhandle's nice, but the surf can get active. The Gulf Coast from Tampa-area down to Fort Myers is great for what you're looking for. We just had a great family vacation this April in Englewood, a little beach town south of Sarasota, and south of Venice. It was so laid back, there were no distractions to make you feel obligated to shell out moolah. The beach was great, sandy and a lot of good shell hunting.

Ditto!!!!!

NorthMinnesota · 06-17-2006

We have vacationed in Florida many years...depends on what you want. We prefer Ft. Myers...Sarasota...Naples areas over the panhandle. Lots of places to choose from. Captiva/Sanibel are great for quiet family times. We like condos instead of hotels so can't help with lodging. Siesta Key is a great beach!

cuffedlinks · 06-17-2006

Destin Pointe is really becoming popular.

BeachWolverine had a nice condo there. I saw his pics on their webshots page.
He has since sold it though - but he could be a good source for some rental information.

Dmechler · 06-17-2006

Destin is really nice but no airfare deals.
Tampa or Clearwater have airfare deals all the time. Rent a car and go. Clearwater Beach, Bradenton Beach, Siesta Key, They're all nice. We go to Bradenton Beach every May and have fun. Nothing to do after 10 pm though.
Ft. Myers area is nice(Sanibel/Captiva Islands) and there's airfare deals into Ft. Myers!
My 2 pesos worth

Michele · 06-18-2006

Sanibel is lovely and great for kids. Great shelling and bird watching.

Lioness · 06-18-2006

I've been to Clearwater beach with my parents when I was younger and I really enjoyed it! But as an adult now I think the next stop in Florida will be Key West!

Ginger · 06-18-2006

Joanie lives in Tampa, perhaps she'll notice this thread.

I'm liking all this info too, as we are hoping on a trip to Florida with the kids at Christmas.

06-17-2006	#1 (permalink)
Uno Mas beachaholic Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 369	Florida Vacation Suggestions We are wanting to take our 2 year old son on a vacation at the end of the summer. He loves sand and water and we want to stay in the US this time. I 've never been to Florida, but it seems the pan handle is the place to be. I've heard Ft. Walton and Destin thrown around. Probably a hotel with pool and good beach amenenties, but not in the most populated of areas. Any suggestions??

06-17-2006	#11 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	Destin Pointe is really becoming popular. BeachWolverine had a nice condo there. I saw his pics on their webshots page. He has since sold it though - but he could be a good source for some rental information. Last edited by cuffedlinks : 06-17-2006 at 11:24 PM.

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06-17-2006	#2 (permalink)
horizon200 añejo Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Delaware Posts: 4,152	I've always stayed at the Holiday Inn on Okaloosa Island just across the bridge from Destin. Right on the beach and central to just about everything. Plus the Hog's Breath is right across the street!

06-17-2006	#3 (permalink)
Playaluvers way into it Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 139	I will agree that the Ft. Walton Beach and Destin area are the best beaches in Florida. IMHO. Sorry I am unable to help at this time with lodging info. Will talk to my friends down there to see if they have any suggestions.

06-17-2006	#4 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,757	Panhandle's nice, but the surf can get active. The Gulf Coast from Tampa-area down to Fort Myers is great for what you're looking for. We just had a great family vacation this April in Englewood, a little beach town south of Sarasota, and south of Venice. It was so laid back, there were no distractions to make you feel obligated to shell out moolah. The beach was great, sandy and a lot of good shell hunting.

06-17-2006	#5 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,893	Key West or Sanibel Island/Captiva are very nice. (some of the best shelling in the world in Captiva and Sanibel)

06-17-2006	#6 (permalink)
Brent & Kim añejo Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 4,827	Siesta Key off the coast of Sarasota has always been rated one of the top beaches in the world! there is a neat little village on the island, I dont think there are any big resorts there, but there are a few small hotels and quite a few condos. Clearwater Beach on the north side of Tampa is also beautiful.

06-17-2006	#7 (permalink)
Dallas91 añejo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In my own little world most of the time LOL Posts: 1,931	I prefer Destin to Fort Walton. It depends on a number of factors such as are you flying in somewhere or driving. If driving where are you coming from. Someone mentioned Clearwater beach, and I agree, it is a great area, but is a long ways from Destin. However it is easy in/out through Tampa. The beaches start getting nice around Orange Beach, AL on through Pensacola, Fort Walton, Destin.

06-17-2006	#10 (permalink)
NorthMinnesota añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 5,599	We have vacationed in Florida many years...depends on what you want. We prefer Ft. Myers...Sarasota...Naples areas over the panhandle. Lots of places to choose from. Captiva/Sanibel are great for quiet family times. We like condos instead of hotels so can't help with lodging. Siesta Key is a great beach!

06-17-2006	#12 (permalink)
Dmechler beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the Right side of THE RIVER! Posts: 433	Destin is really nice but no airfare deals. Tampa or Clearwater have airfare deals all the time. Rent a car and go. Clearwater Beach, Bradenton Beach, Siesta Key, They're all nice. We go to Bradenton Beach every May and have fun. Nothing to do after 10 pm though. Ft. Myers area is nice(Sanibel/Captiva Islands) and there's airfare deals into Ft. Myers! My 2 pesos worth

06-18-2006	#13 (permalink)
Michele añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 2,632	Sanibel is lovely and great for kids. Great shelling and bird watching.

06-18-2006	#14 (permalink)
Lioness life=playa Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 703	I've been to Clearwater beach with my parents when I was younger and I really enjoyed it! But as an adult now I think the next stop in Florida will be Key West!

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06-18-2006	#15 (permalink)
Ginger none Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 10,162	Joanie lives in Tampa, perhaps she'll notice this thread. I'm liking all this info too, as we are hoping on a trip to Florida with the kids at Christmas.