Need some help.......

[refrtech]

I am planning a family trip to somewhere in Florida, I just don't know where to go. This is where you guys come in ! I have 2 kids ages 6 & 9. I don't want to do the Disney thing though. I want to go somewhere where the water is nice and good for snorkeling. I have been to St. Petersburg before and thought it was pretty nice but not good if you want to see exotic fish and so on. Can you guys give me suggestions on where to start looking ? Thanks guys

[frozensolid]

Go to the Keys, you will all love it.

[Diceman]

The Keys are great for snorkleing no doubt but their beach's suck, all the sand is brought in. Plus young kids may get bored. I like a week on the gulf coast myself.
And best bet is to rent a condo, ya can get them very reasonable. Then ya have 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, washer-dryer, a deck overlooking the ocean, pool and close to other attractions. We been doing it for several years.
Rent a car and go where ya want.
Here is some links to condo rental places.

http://www.greatrentals.com/FL/FLnorthcentralgulf.html

http://www.gulfcoastrentals.com/flor...ian-shores.htm

http://www.tropicalbeachrentals.com/

[James 3528]

Go to St. Augustine (oldest city in America) and the kids can learn some history also. You are also close to Daytona there.

Try to stay away from the Yankee clip joints like Dice goes to.

[Diceman]

If there ever was a yankee clip joint, it's Daytona beach.
We are going to Marco Island this year.
Nice beach front condo, on the gulf, watch the sun set from the 21 foot long porch, eat shrimp, drink beer, get sun tanned and just hang out. When ya get old, that is fun.

[Diceman]

Originally posted by James 3528
Go to St. Augustine (oldest city in America) and the kids can learn some history also.

6 & 9 year old kids just love historical vacations.......

[glennwith2ns]

Brother-in-law has a condo on Siesta Key, right near Sarasota.

Nicest beaches you will ever see. Just make sure kids don't eat the sand, looks like sugar, it's the whitest sand you will ever step foot on.

Lotsa stuff for kids to do too.

Something really nice about seeing the sun set over the water. Gotta go to the Gulf side of Florida to see it.

[James 3528]

Originally posted by Diceman

Originally posted by James 3528
Go to St. Augustine (oldest city in America) and the kids can learn some history also.

6 & 9 year old kids just love historical vacations.......

Maybe he wants them to be smarter than yours.

[jpb2]

Perdido key just a few miles from Pensicola . Great trip

[oroy54]

The winter rates for condo's at Port Aransas, Texas go for about $49 a night. That's November through March. The whole works. The one we stayed in had stove, pots, pans, dishes, refrig, ect. No washer or dryer. Overlooking the Gulf. Deep sea fishing at it's best. At any time it could be 80 or so degrees here. Also a gambling boat, but make sure you inspect your pockets before you board, if you now what I mean.

[oroy54]

Be careful though, don't go around the "Spring Break".

[Edited by oroy54 on 01-16-2005 at 09:53 PM]

[Diceman]

Originally posted by glennwith2ns
Brother-in-law has a condo on Siesta Key, right near Sarasota.

Nicest beaches you will ever see. Just make sure kids don't eat the sand, looks like sugar, it's the whitest sand you will ever step foot on.

Lotsa stuff for kids to do too.

Something really nice about seeing the sun set over the water. Gotta go to the Gulf side of Florida to see it.

Yeah, check them links for condo rentals, we stayed at Siesta Key once, very nice.

[Diceman]

Originally posted by James 3528

Originally posted by Diceman

Originally posted by James 3528
Go to St. Augustine (oldest city in America) and the kids can learn some history also.

6 & 9 year old kids just love historical vacations.......

Maybe he wants them to be smarter than yours.

Oldest son is civil engineer for the Air Force who will also have his MBA next year. Youngest daughter is majoring in neuroscience at Penn State main campus.
No..........they got it from their mother........

[Green Mountain]

We had a great time swiming with the manatees over at Crystal River FL. That part of Florida isn't over developed yet and it is pretty inexpensive. I don't know if you could do a whole week however.

[Green Mountain]

Originally posted by Diceman

Originally posted by James 3528
Go to St. Augustine (oldest city in America) and the kids can learn some history also.

6 & 9 year old kids just love historical vacations.......

Just get them some swell coloring books and they will be fine.

[spotts]

http://www.hollywoodfl.org/

Click on Visiting.

[dash]

Originally posted by benncool
We had a great time swiming with the manatees over at Crystal River FL. That part of Florida isn't over developed yet and it is pretty inexpensive. I don't know if you could do a whole week however.

That's our hometown,when were you here.

http://www.kingsbaycam.com


http://www.manateecam.com


Daylight required for both sites.


You could get scuba certufied while your here.

Stay at the Best Western or The Plantation Inn,both are on the water.

[oroy54]

I did'nt know if my son would go to Penn State or the State pen! He goes to Texas A&M. He got himself smart after me, "fetching" things.

[frozensolid]

Originally posted by spotts
http://www.hollywoodfl.org/

Click on Visiting.

The best thing about Hollywood is, I will buy you a beer maybe two.

[refrtech]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I was not expecting this many. It IS appreciated !! I think we have all but decided on St.Pete. I was there when I was a kid and remember it being a nice place. Any opinions good or bad from you guys ? Again thanks for all the replies. Oh Dice I have been slowly checking out those sites. ALOT of places on them. Thanks