Where to Vacation in Florida??? (Buffalo, Dayton: rentals, hotels, house)

[Coraggio]

Okay, nothing against Buffalo in general, but I need to get out of this cold and snow for awhile! Hubby and I are thinking of taking the kids and skedaddling to Florida for Easter vacation... however, we're looking for suggestions on places to go/stay. Seems like everyone we know just says "Disney!" and that's not what we have in mind. We used to vacation in Destin (on the panhandle), when we lived in GA, but it's harder to get there from here and more expensive.

Does anyone have a place they can recommend? Somewhere with a beach, where it will be warm enoug to go swimming in April? Maybe Tampa, Clearwater, St. Pete's? Marco Island or Anna Maria Island? Sanibel? Fort Myers? Daytona?

Anyone? Anyone?

Thanks!

[CAugust]

I like ft lauderdale my self - lots of beaches, and yes warm enought to swim and close enough to visit biscayne cay -- - - BUT AIRLINE PRICES ARE NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

do not do disney at easter if you can help it

[Coraggio]

Originally Posted by CAugust

I like ft lauderdale my self - lots of beaches, and yes warm enought to swim and close enough to visit biscayne cay -- - - BUT AIRLINE PRICES ARE NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

do not do disney at easter if you can help it

I will definitely avoid Disney! I don't like crowds, and I'm sure it's a madhouse there in April. :-\

Do you have any specific recommendations for places to stay or things to do in Fort Lauderdale or Biscayne Cay?

Thx!

[mikesuicide]

I would stay far away from the south Florida area. My family lived in the Tampa Bay area so I was always obligated to go there when I went to Fla. When they moved back here, I took it as my opportunity to see Miami. What a mistake. Over priced, no real sights and did I mention over priced? All the resturants I visited added their tips even in a party of two. The Tampa - St Pete area has great sight seeing, kid friendly and in expensive. There is Busch Gardens, SawGrass, The Pier, The Aquarium, Johns Pass, Clearwater beach, Indian Rocks beach, Ybor City, The Salvatore Dali museum etc. all in close proximity. Disney Orlando is about a two hour drive. Go to the bay area, hands down, foods cheap and good, less pomp and circumstance.

google the area for a itinerary

[billybobtoo]

i always take my "beach" vacation at new smyrna florida. it's located on the space coast. great beaches, nature trails, old indian burial grounds, etc. inexpensive still. and the kennedy space station (i still call it that!) offers a nice tour. daytona is nearby...and st. augestine is a couple hours up the road.

[CAugust]

Originally Posted by billybobtoo

i always take my "beach" vacation at new smyrna florida. it's located on the space coast. great beaches, nature trails, old indian burial grounds, etc. inexpensive still. and the kennedy space station (i still call it that!) offers a nice tour. daytona is nearby...and st. augestine is a couple hours up the road.

oh I love it there as well - cocoa beach area!!! I enjoyed my stay at the radisson at the port! The pool is beautiful, they have a nice tiki bar where you can order your food or drinks, and charge it to the room, Ive spent a whole day right by the pool! Cocoa beach isnt far at all either and the hotel will give you a free shuttlle if you ask for it. There is an outside restaraunt not far from there.......the sunset cafe?

Sunset Cafe & Bar - Brevard Restaurant

I love this place - make sure if you go, you dine during sunset, as when the sun goes down, everything stops they ring some bell and the entire wait staff sing some song! Its casual, good food and they have entertainment, although I havent stayed late at night to see much of it since I had children with me. Another crazy thing I love is that when you dine outside (which I would say you should do) you'll see wait staff clean off plates and dump the food into the water - the fish eat it up - tons of fish hang out at the dock there. It's a must see whenever I am in that area.........

[CAugust]

Originally Posted by Coraggio

I will definitely avoid Disney! I don't like crowds, and I'm sure it's a madhouse there in April. :-\

Do you have any specific recommendations for places to stay or things to do in Fort Lauderdale or Biscayne Cay?

Thx!

well, when I go there I rent a house because if I was to feed my family three times a day at restaraunts, it would cost more than the house rental and its cheaper for me, I use VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner to find a rental.

Ft Lauderdale is def a tourist area, but that being said there are many many many beaches to enjoy - if you like to fish then you can do so off many public piers in different area or you can also do some charter fishing if you so desire. Biscayne cay is less than an hour away and its serene, at least it was when I was there. You can rent bikes and ride around the island - we actually say dolphins swimming! you can fish there and there is a small lighthouse that gives free tours along with a beach for swimming. The water was very calm, unlike the ft lauderdale area.

I avoided Miami - although if you travel through on a day when the cruise ships are in port, and have never seen that, its something to see.

Let us know what you decide and if you find any great airline deals, send them my way

[nar69]

siesta key in sarasota is hands down one of the nicest if not the nicest beach in florida. there are plenty of little hotels in the area that are affordable, also some very good restaurants. i would seriously look into it!

[Coraggio]

Originally Posted by nar69

siesta key in sarasota is hands down one of the nicest if not the nicest beach in florida. there are plenty of little hotels in the area that are affordable, also some very good restaurants. i would seriously look into it!

Siesta Key is pretty close to Tampa, right?

Geez, I get on VRBO.com, and then within each town are different beaches/resorts. Why can't this be easy?!

[JustinH]

I loved Tampa/St. Pete Beach..

Orlando is a little to "tourist trappy" for me..

Cocoa Beach is becoming a tourist trap thanks to all that Ron Jon garbage.

Fort Lauderdale has certain areas that are great, but very expensive in my experiences.

I'd look at St. Pete Beach, very quiet. We got a priceline rate on a hotel suite right on the gulf for like 60 per night.

Very relaxing!