Florida Vacation Suggestions

[jedi]

I have been to disney world many times both as a kid and as an adult, single and with kids. So for my next adult only vacation i would like to not see disney.

I am thinking a beachfront hotel where i can see the water. Maybe see the sunset on the water. What do you guys recommend? Apart from orlando i have not explorered the rest of florida.

I though maybe doing 4 days/3nights in one location and then 3days/2nights in another before driving back to indiana.
Doing a google search of floridia i get overwhelemd,with stuff.

 

[femurphy77]

Panama City Beach, Destin, Orange Beach. All worth visiting for beach activities, can't attest to others. We've stayed at all except PCB and probably will next time. Other than Destin we've always gone off season for a warm(ish) weather break from Indiana winters.

Key West is a different world the best time of which to visit is Fantasy Fest but you must have a VERY open mind for that scene!

 

[jedi]

Guess i should add i would like to spend 1 to 2 days just at the pool and ocean. Then do another 1 to 2 days of activities (looking at local shops, maybe some kayaking, see some must see attraction).

 

[jedi]

And this trip would be oct 28 thru nov 6 so not sure what the weather is like but i imagine nicer than chicago winter.

 

[IndyDave1776]

My Florida travels really haven't been vacations per se, but if you want to hunt some shells, I recommend stopping at the Veterans' Park (right next to the veterans' hospital) in St. Petersburg, particularly right after a storm. Easy hunting with no one but the locals walking their dogs.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

I've thoroughly enjoyed New Smyrna Beach both times I stayed there. Close enough to Daytona to enjoy it but far enough from tourists so you can enjoy the ocean...New Smyrna has some of the best waves on the coast...if you're in to that sorta thing

 

[SMiller]

I live here and have vacationed here for years, for what you are wanting I would strongly recommend you split your trip between Clearwater Beach and Honeymoon Island.

Clearwater Beach must eats are Shanty Shack for breakfast and Frenchy's Rockaway Grill for dinner. Don't forget to go on the Sea Screamer boat ride.

Honeymoon Island you want to be at around 8:30am when they open as it is a sea shell paradise for dinner I would recommend Molly Goodheads or Ozona pig and Benedict's for breakfast.


I would find a cheap beach front hotel on Clearwater Beach for half the trip and would stay at the Safety Harbor Resort for the other half.


Do not do any water activities in the ocean as the water is ROUGH, it is not fun!

Do fresh water kayaking if you must, keep in mind not only is it hard to row but the sun is brutal and after 2hrs you will be looking for someone to rescue you. Remember everything in the water down here wants to kill you, stick to the pool...

You will want to fly Allegiant Airlines out of South Bend or Fort Wayne and fly to St. Pete airport, much cheaper/much easier then IND/TPA!!!



You should still have my phone number, call or text if you need help.

 

[trucker777]

I hear St. Augustine is nice. The lighthouse is haunted you know...

 

[SAILORGOLF46]

Check out Fort Myers/Sanibell web sites. Been there many times great weather and best shelling in Florida not to mention great local food.

 

[jedi]

Everything in the water will kill me hu?
Sounds like chiarq where everday something is trying to kill me.

Coworker recommended

Madeira Beach, FL 33708 at a small hotel called barefoot beach hotel.

 

[rkwhyte2]

St Petersburg Pass A Grille beach area. You are on a thin strip of land with water on two side and perhaps the best sunsets you will ever see. Great food also.

 

[Route 45]

I've been to St. Augustine a few times, VERY cool place. Oldest city in the U.S.

https://www.visitstaugustine.com/

 

[hoosierdoc]

I've thoroughly enjoyed New Smyrna Beach both times I stayed there. Close enough to Daytona to enjoy it but far enough from tourists so you can enjoy the ocean...New Smyrna has some of the best waves on the coast...if you're in to that sorta thing

My mom lives there, we love it. Longer drive than Destin though

destin is our happy place. Going to ft Walton beach this fall for a week.

 

[patience0830]

First suggestion. . . .
Go to Florida.
Second wonder about the pronunciation of Micanopy. . .
My-can-o'-pee according to my dear departed Grandfather. Was hilarious when I was 8.
Third, Weeki-Wachee springs.
Mermaid Shows | Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

The mermaid show was awesome. The glass bottom boats, not so much.

 

[bacon#1]

Go watch the Blue Angels practice. .....it's free and awesome. Show up way early.

http://www.pnj.com/story/news/milit...els-announce-2017-practice-schedule/97095870/

And then the Naval Museum, again also free. They do take donations.

 

[Denny347]

My aunt lives in Tarpon Springs, just north of Clearwater. Tarpon Springs is little Greece with a huge Greek population for such a small town. The town center, the sponge docks, is so quaint and more Greek bakeries and restaurants than you can shake a stick at. I love visiting there, slow paced and quiet.

 

[femurphy77]

Go watch the Blue Angels practice. .....it's free and awesome. Show up way early.

Blue Angels announce 2017 practice schedule

And then the Naval Museum, again also free. They do take donations.

The Angels "may" be done for the season that late in the year, be sure to check their schedule. The USS Alabama and attached museum are cool, although not Florida it ain't far.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Perdido Key or St. Augustine.

 

[Jludo]

Not Florida but Gulf Shores is nice. I'm not a fan of PCB. Cocoa beach is nice if you want to see a rocket launch or visit Kennedy.
My all time favorite though is Cape San Blas. It's a state park where we go camping on spring break. You camp right off the beach, it's cheap and not crowded, a best kept secret.

 

[Dirty Steve]

Siesta Key
We go down there in January and the weather is generally in the upper 70's, lower 80's. The weather will be the same the time you are talking about going. You can fly for next to nothing. I wouldn't mess with driving, wastes to much time. We kayak the bay several times while there. You can go from Siesta Key down to Casey Key by water in kayaks and pull up to the Casey Key Fish House for lunch. We are beach folks, so I cannot comment on shopping. Siesta Key is the best white sand beach in Florida. If you are into hippie stuff, there is a giant drum circle on the public beach every Sunday night. It's a fun time. Lots of good restaurants in the area.

Dirty Steve