Florida Vacation coming up. Locals have any advise?

It's official. We are booked. In a couple of months I will be taking the family... Me, my loving wife, and our 4 kids, (22,20,18,16) to Florida. We are staying in a town home in a resort. I don't know where exactly.



This is our second trip to FL. We did the Disney thing the first time and only got to the beach for a few hours, and it was dusk so it was cold. This time, no Disney, other then the boardwalk. Probably one day at Universal. And definitely some time at the beaches. We are as land locked here in ND as you can get, so the ocean is amazing.

So, now I need some more ideas. What beaches are good, what time should we get there? Where are some amazing food joints? What other things would you recommend that cost money? What kinds of cheaper things are there to do also? We will have a full week and a day to use up.

We will have a van with unlimited miles.

if your gonna be on west coast i would suggest clearwater beach. i would also suggest an offshore fishing trip prefferably a private charter. will cost a bit more but is way better then craming on with 50 other tourist.

shark tooth beach, pick up real sharks,teeth, if your lucky some are 6 inches long, take a metal detectory they still find pirate gold and silver coins on the beaches on the west coast. there are several fruit gardens where you can go in and pick and sample the oranges grapefruit, lemond from arround the world.

an absolutly must see is coral castle.- completely built by a 5'6" 140 lb guy by himself , they still cant figure out how he moved and mounted 9 ton coral blocks and doors that open with one finger. he had no modern tools at that time.

ps if any of your kids are boys a short visit to south beach and they will never forget it, nor will you , however ya might want to find something else for the wife to do that day, oh and dont forget your heart medicine . when the girls from california (Hollywood) want to let their hair down and go wild south beach is where they go.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Was he a little gray guy with an oversized head and big eyes?

http://coralcastle.com/whos-ed/

The Coral castle is amazing, i like to take a trip every few years. never really got into the tourist stuff up here in Orlando, But if you are thinking about the Florida keys in you trip i can give plenty of advise for you down there. Especially if you have been landlocked forever the Keys will be one of the most amazing vacation areas to go.

Where in Florida are you going to be? Been here all my life

I lived in St. Petersburg fo over 50 yrs.Graet beaches St. pete. to Clearwater, lots of good places to eat,lots of good fishing and just across the bridge in tamps you have bush gardens the kids would love bush gardens. Any beach in florida is fantastic, the keys is one of my faverite places to visit. Just remember it starts getting hot by may but it is a good time of year to come. I hope you enjoy your stay.

BurlyGuys you are right about Siesta Key.We are headed there in June for our 4th time in 8 years.Love to fish the beaches and snorkel when the water is clear enough.Have looked for sharks teeth at, i believe Venus Beach.Good Times!