Thinking about going to the beach for a week.... where to go?

[Clay]

The family and I went to Disney last year and on the way home we stopped at a beach for part of the day. The kids LOVED it, so we are thinking of going somewhere this year to just go to a beach for a few days.

Ideally it would be somewhere family friendly, and closer to us than orlando. Im thinking the gulf coast, ie straight south of us. Ive heard of places like Sanibel Island, and Gulf Shores. Im just looking for suggestions on where to go, and where to stay. IE hotel, rent a house, etc.

thanks!
Clay

 

[hoosierdoc]

Gulf Shores is awesome. Condos are much cheaper than houses and they have many just across the street from the beach. That's my vote. It gets HOT in July/August though.

 

[adws943]

I second Gulf Shores. Very family.

 

[indymeh]

Destin/Fort Walton area of Florida FTW!

 

[findingZzero]

(Santa Bell Island) Sanibel Island? How much you wanna spend a night?

Santa Isabel Island

 

[jakeep]

I am a big fan of the area from Panama City Beach to Destin. The beaches are as pretty as anywhere I've been in Florida. I've been to PCB every year since 87. Pm me if you want more info.

 

[Clay]

(Santa Bell Island) Sanibel Island? How much you wanna spend a night?

Santa Isabel Island

yeah, apparently I can't spell or listen well when people talk

so Im guessing Sanibel Island is expensive??

 

[Clay]

Im kind of a history buff, so places with lots of history related places to visit would be welcome.

 

[indiucky]

Im kind of a history buff, so places with lots of history related places to visit would be welcome.

Saint Augustine has the coolest Fort in America IMHO....Castille De San Marcos??? or something like that...

 

[Clay]

Saint Augustine has the coolest Fort in America IMHO.

Thats where we went on the way back last year. We didn't stay long enough to do anything but the beach.

Its not out of the running at all, I was just hoping for closer this go round.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Saint Augustine has the coolest Fort in America IMHO....Castille De San Marcos??? or something like that...

Cooler than Dry Tortugas??

Dry Tortugas National Park - Dry Tortugas National Park

 

[pjcalla]

Once you figure out where you're going, check VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner for a rental house. We've used this site numerous times, all with great success.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

Virginia Beach. There is Williamsburg with Busch Gardens for the kids, Norfolk Zoo, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Waterside in Norfolk, Battleship Wisconsin @ Nauticus.

 

[Amattern]

Check out Indian rocks beach florida, it is just south of clearwater. Went there a couple years ago, loved it.

 

[hornadylnl]

Cooler than Dry Tortugas??

Dry Tortugas National Park - Dry Tortugas National Park

Been there. If anyone wants to go there, I suggest camping overnight. By the time you take of the 4 hour round trip for the ferry, you only get about 4 hours on the island.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Dominican Republic!

 

[PAMom]

My family is a huge fan of the Outer Banks. Lots of history, and the farther south you go the more unspoiled beach you find. We usually rent a home near Avon, Buxton or Cape Hatteras. Lots to do on Roanoke Island and we love the swimming on Ocracoke island. You can stay on the sound side or ocean side of the islands. If you are into geocaching, there are some neat caches in the area.

 

[Kev]

St. Pete Beach is very nice. The clearwater area just North is nice too. Lots of areas to stay right on the beach. Recommended for the family!

 

[femurphy77]

Im kind of a history buff, so places with lots of history related places to visit would be welcome.

Key west but it doesn't meet the distance.

 

[jrainw]

If you stay in gulf shores destin or anywhere in the area the naval aviation museum in Pensacola is outstanding. I have been there and taken the guided tour more times than I can count. The tour guides have always been retired naval aviators and they customize the tour to spend time with planes they actually flew. I have had WW2 vets to current aviators give the tour and it is amazing. One year I was there a WW2 vet was in our group and told us about learning to land on a paddle wheel steamer converted to a flat top in the Great Lakes, and how cold the water was when he didn't get it right.
Unforgettable.