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Post by just PEAchy on Jan 9, 2018 14:01:26 GMT
We are trying to plan our Spring Break vacation the first week of April and want to go to southern Florida. We've discussed the Keys, but I know there are some other lesser known beaches we might want to consider. I have 3 kids ages 18, 16 & 14. DD & I want to mainly relax, shop, sightsee and lounge around the pool or beach. The boys & DH want to be much more active, but not necessarily just water activities like snorkeling. They are always up for an adventure. I think my oldest would love to try skydiving!
Also, this will probably be our last family vacation since oldest ds will be off to college next year. I'd like to get some professional beach photos taken-what's the best way to find a photographer?
Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!
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Post by petenthusiast on Jan 9, 2018 17:09:07 GMT
I LOVE Key West & there is a lot to do for everyone. Wanted to go for the sand castle competition last year but it was canceled. The boys could rent mopeds (not sure on age limits though) & drive around. Of course there is the Hemingway House & cats  I love how some restaurants on the water have lights under water along the decks so you can see the huge fish swimming around. I stayed at the La Concha because it was right down in the middle of everything but there are lots of places. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2018 18:53:04 GMT
When we went to Florida we used VBRO to search for a place to stay. I liked reading the reviews from people who stayed there because you get an honest overview of the place. And sometimes they would list activities they did. We were very fortunate as the property manager gave us a list of things nearby to do.
As for the Keys, I've stayed on Marathon Key and it was very relaxing. It was like I was on a tropical island but still close to civilization! I prefer not to stay places that are very touristy like Key West.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2018 8:03:32 GMT
One of my sisters is going to the keys next week for her birthday. She's been there before. She'll see what's left of it when she gets there. As for the rest of FL, I'd thoroughly check it out (not just via travel sales) if you're planning on spending most of your time lounging on a beach. I'm near Tampa and I wouldn't think of dipping a toe in the sand down here. Nope!! Make sure the water isn't unsafe!!
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Post by just PEAchy on Jan 10, 2018 21:16:25 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't thought about the hurricane destruction-I'll be sure to check that out.
Anyone else have any ideas? Thanks'
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Post by dawncpa on Jan 11, 2018 1:32:23 GMT
The hurricane effects will mainly be around Big Pine Key. For the most part Key West is open for business. I live up in St. Petersburg and we have awesome beaches (St. Pete/Clearwater), but it won't likely be warm enough to be in the water yet then. There are always a few people that venture in all the time, but it's too chilly at the moment. The water is very shallow, so it does heat up quickly. Sanibel is the area where the beaches are all shells - if you like that. Not easy to walk on, but beautiful on it's own. Anything in the Naples, Marco Island., Ft Myers area will be a bit warmer than where I am because it's further south. Obviously Key West should be the warmest, but the beaches there are not as plentiful as some believe they will be. There are LOTS of water things to do in and around Key West from snorkeling to jet skis, kayaks, etc. You can also take a boat out to Dry Tortugas for the day and that is really fun.
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Post by cindytred on Jan 11, 2018 1:54:18 GMT
Although I'm a native Floridian, I've only been to the Keys once, and I was not impressed. We went to Marathon and there were no "beaches" - only rocky coastline. We stayed at a hotel that had a very tiny man-made beach that everyone had to crowd onto. Apparently, the keys aren't known for their beaches.
From what I've heard, Key West is like Mardi Gras every night. Big party town with raunchy behavior by tourists. I've never had the slightest desire to go there.
Cindy
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Post by petenthusiast on Jan 11, 2018 2:04:30 GMT
From what I've heard, Key West is like Mardi Gras every night. Big party town with raunchy behavior by tourists. I've never had the slightest desire to go there.
Cindy You’ve heard, huh? 🙄 I usually “hear” unsavory reports re: the rest of Florida, so there's that. |
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Mary Kay Lady
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Post by Mary Kay Lady on Jan 11, 2018 4:52:03 GMT
If you're wanting to visit the beach, the Keys aren't the place to go. There's a coral reef that prevents waves and the waves are what create the beaches. There are lots of fun things to do in the Keys, but if you want to lay on the beach, they Keys aren't the best place to go.
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Post by just PEAchy on Jan 11, 2018 13:35:10 GMT
If you're wanting to visit the beach, the Keys aren't the place to go. There's a coral reef that prevents waves and the waves are what create the beaches. There are lots of fun things to do in the Keys, but if you want to lay on the beach, they Keys aren't the best place to go. Actually,if I'm going to lay out, it would be by the pool. I like to walk along a beach but not hang out all day. We really want to go more for the sightseeing, shopping & activities, the beach is secondary. So, the Keys would be good for that? Or should I still look more into the areas dawncpa suggested? |
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Post by kristi521 on Jan 11, 2018 14:07:37 GMT
If you're wanting to visit the beach, the Keys aren't the place to go. There's a coral reef that prevents waves and the waves are what create the beaches. There are lots of fun things to do in the Keys, but if you want to lay on the beach, they Keys aren't the best place to go. Actually,if I'm going to lay out, it would be by the pool. I like to walk along a beach but not hang out all day. We really want to go more for the sightseeing, shopping & activities, the beach is secondary. So, the Keys would be good for that? Or should I still look more into the areas dawncpa suggested? The Keys would be a great place for that. You could either stay in Key West that has a lot to do and plenty of hotels with pools. Or stay on one of the other keys such as Marathon and then drive down to Key West for a couple days. It is a great way to relax, but there is a lot to do. I would say Key West is the best Key for shopping though  Key West is one of my favorite places to go. It does get crazy when the sun sets, but truly you can keep it as low key as you want too. |
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Post by scrapbookwriter on Jan 11, 2018 14:12:24 GMT
We had a lovely time in Key West. The sunsets were spectacular. We loved sightseeing and exploring art galleries. We toured Hemingway's house and grounds. We drove up the highway to explore other islands. We rode jet skis around the island. There are lots of sunset cruises but we didn't take one as they seemed to be party boats. And besides, the view from our balcony included those ships set against the setting sun.
Here was our routine: We ate spectacularly good meals every evening, then returned to our hotel to watch and photograph the sunset from our balcony, then went for a night swim in the hotel pool under the stars.
We did not see any good beaches on Key West - the only wide beach we saw was rocky and covered in seaweed. On our jet ski tour we stopped at what looked like a sandy beach but it was actually mud. A beach photo shoot sounds wonderful, though - perhaps you could contact a local photographer and see what they have to offer
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Post by dawncpa on Jan 11, 2018 14:36:12 GMT
I think you would do well with key west. The weather and water should be good. There are lots of land and water activities plus great restaurants. The little White House and Hemingway house are both very interesting. It’s a very relaxing place. You may want to look at Marriott beachside if you want a hotel with an awesome view but a bit more removed from Duval street. Or else Truman annex if you want to walk everywhere. We rest from Craig and Cindy and they have places in both locations (www.rentmyparadise.com).
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Post by christine58 on Jan 11, 2018 14:43:56 GMT
If you go to Marathon..there's a great bar there owned by former residents of Buffalo..Overseas pub & grill.
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Post by scrapbookwriter on Jan 12, 2018 4:35:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2018 12:13:09 GMT
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Post by teddyw on Jan 12, 2018 12:26:44 GMT
If your kids are set on a beach, what others have said about the keys is true. The sand there is like kitty litter.
I’d think about sanibel or Naples. It’s kind of late though. You may have trouble booking. We are going to Siesta Key and booked a year ago.
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Key West is one of my favorite places to go. It does get crazy when the sun sets, but truly you can keep it as low key as you want too. 
