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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Florida question about nice Gulf beaches

54 replies

jeaux90 · 28/04/2023 13:31

We fly into Tampa plan to stay in Kissimmee for a week, then across to Miami for a couple of nights, do the Everglades park and then....not sure. Want to start getting back up towards Tampa perhaps and have a few days in a nice town/area with lovely beaches.

Does anyone have recommendations for those last few days after Everglades?

OP posts:
Stevie77 · 28/04/2023 13:46

Fort Myers and Naples are nice, can't remember the names of specific beaches we just stopped along the way. My phone was too old so there's no location data on the photos but think white sand, turquoise water. The Gulf side of Florida has nicer beaches than Miami.

Everglades is a day trip, having done it a couple of times.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 28/04/2023 13:46

How long is your intended holiday?. If its say two weeks I would stay a week in two different places. You do not want to spend a lot of your precious holiday time just behind the wheel.

Instead of Kissimmee why not Clearwater, St Petersberg or Sarasota which are both situated near Tampa?. Kissimmee as well is far closer to Orlando than Tampa.

An Everglades park excursion (recommended) will be a half day from Miami. Have you looked at the Florida Keys (its about a 3 hour drive southwards from Miami) post Miami.

Original poster
jeaux90 · 28/04/2023 14:19

Thanks for the suggestions.

Staying at Kissimmee as that week we intend to do some of the parks not doing Disney we have a 14 and 18 year old kids, but definitely doing Universal, Kennedy space station and a water park. So just thought it would be a good based but really open to suggestions and help.

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Original poster
jeaux90 · 28/04/2023 14:19

Oh sorry, two weeks

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GulfCoastBeachGirl · 28/04/2023 14:20

I'm in Sarasota and it's a really lovely city. Lots of outdoor dining, pretty shops and green/shady spaces. The beaches are gorgeous! Lido Key, Siesta Key...and more. Generally not crowded or overly touristy. About 30 minutes from Tampa.

St. Pete is also a pretty city with excellent beaches. Gulfport is a real "old Florida" town on the outskirts of St. Pete.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 28/04/2023 15:16

Sarasota is a fantastic beach destination, but there are some other attractions that might interest 14 & 18 yo:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34618-d117349-Reviews-The_Ringling-Sarasota_Florida.html

https://selby.org/#close

Scooter rentals are really popular, especially with the younger crowd. There's a waterfront (Sarasota Bay) park where you can take boat tours. Kayak rentals are also fun. The city has several eclectic neighborhoods with coffee shops and cute little bistros. It's very clean, walkable and safe. They also host many events like art shows and food & musical festivals throughout the year and most have free admission.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - The Living Museum

Selby Gardens’ bayfront sanctuaries are focused on connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history.

https://selby.org/#close

ThanksForYourHelp · 28/04/2023 15:21

I was born and raised in Sarasota. Siesta Beach has sugar sand. (You'll like it.)

MidtoLon · 28/04/2023 20:55

We did pretty much the same as you in reverse. Flew into Orlando. Stayed in Kissimmee did the parks and went to Kennedy Space Centre. Went to Busch Gardens in Tampa on our way to Naples for few nights (stayed at Park Shore Resort) on outskirts. From here we went to different beaches each day. Drove over bridge to Sanibel island. Boat trip to see wild manatees. Then flew out of Miami following drive through Everglades. Like you did this over 2 week period.

ChillinwiththeVillains · 28/04/2023 20:59

As per pps, Siesta Keys and Sarasota genreally. Drum circle on the beach on Sunday nights, free Ringling entry on Mondays. Air con malls and we found lots of gyms allow day entry for visitors. There is also a big cat rescue run by ex -circus family who take in lions and tigers that were reared as pets and then relinquished when they grew huge and bitey.

dragonbreaths · 28/04/2023 21:19

St. Petes is really nice. We've also stayed at Marathon on the Keys and enjoyed it. There is a turtle hospital there and lots of swimming to do

stepMummY1 · 28/04/2023 23:05

Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach. Love them!

Tuatara22 · 28/04/2023 23:10

Honeymoon Island State Park is beautiful. It's in Dunedin, just outside Clearwater.

Vanillalime · 28/04/2023 23:12

I enjoyed both Clearwater & Naples. Naples was a bit more upmarket of the two, but both equally fantastic.

Tampa is a great city so hopefully you will spend a night or 2 there and pop over to Ybor City too.

Minervia · 29/04/2023 07:17

We stayed on Anna Maria it was total heaven. There are quite a lot of rental houses with pools. I will never forget how lovely those beaches were. We were swimming one day and manatees came over to us, we also saw dolphins every day and the bird life at sunset was spectacular. Would recommend. Some nice restaurants too. Expensive place though

TheCrystalPalace · 29/04/2023 10:03

Can I hijack this for a mo? We're going to be in Florida for a short trip early June. We're landing in Miami Tuesday early pm and leaving Saturday am (part of a longer trip overall).
We want to do an Everglades trip and then drive down to the Keys.
Any recommendations where to base ourselves in Miami (just one/two nights)? Or nice places to stay overnight in the Keys?

Original poster
jeaux90 · 29/04/2023 10:08

I've had so many tips in here it's amazing! I can tell you I had a lovely stay at The Mermaid and Alligator in Key West. If it's just two of you it's perfect. This was years ago though.

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TheCrystalPalace · 29/04/2023 10:37

@jeaux90 Yes, it's just DH and me on this one.

TheCrystalPalace · 29/04/2023 13:35

Have looked at that place (lovely!) but it's fully booked.

Original poster
jeaux90 · 30/04/2023 10:41

@TheCrystalPalace sorry it's fully booked, it's a great place for couples.

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Original poster
jeaux90 · 30/04/2023 10:55

I'm loving all the gulf side suggestions thank you! Quick clarification though, is it best to stay actually on the shore side or stay inland a bit and go to different beaches? If inland then where is a nice town to base yourself that has good walkable places to eat.

If anyone has been to St Clemente, CA or La Jolla a town like that would be great.

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afrikat · 30/04/2023 11:42

Another vote for Anna Maria, we've been several times and it's just wonderful. Siesta Key also lovely and a bit more going on

Whammyyammy · 30/04/2023 13:02

St petes beach is wonderful

stepMummY1 · 30/04/2023 18:01

jeaux90 · 30/04/2023 10:55

I'm loving all the gulf side suggestions thank you! Quick clarification though, is it best to stay actually on the shore side or stay inland a bit and go to different beaches? If inland then where is a nice town to base yourself that has good walkable places to eat.

If anyone has been to St Clemente, CA or La Jolla a town like that would be great.

If money is no object then stay on the island eg Anna Maria as you can walk to the beach. Do go to one of the Sandbar restaurants there. You would be looking at at least 300 Pounds a night depending on the time of year.

Otherwise stay on the mainland eg in Sarasota and just drive out to the beaches. Siesta Key has more restaurants near by and is cheaper than Anna Maria.

I've been to both San Clemente and La Jolla - the islands are quieter and smaller than these places and are like 1950s Florida. It's a different vibe from California.

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 01/05/2023 07:25

Anna Maria is beautiful

Qilin · 01/05/2023 08:00

Is the area recovered after the last big hurricane which caused a lot of damage?