BGPers:

 

As some of you know, as each of my children turns 6 years old, I take them on a Spring Break trip by themselves. A couple years ago, my oldest selected Washington D.C. and some of you gave me some great tips and we had a blast.

 

My second son has selected "the beach," so I think we are going to go to Florida. Typically when we have been to Florida, I have gone to Ft. Walton Beach, but this time, I want to go somewhere in south Florida that 1) has a hotel where we can walk right out on the beach (I like brand names) 2) is near some Grapefruit League spring training baseball 3) is near a dog track and 4) is family friendly.

 

We will be flying and it will be in the last week and a half of March. I am willing to spend money but not be obscene. At the moment, I am leaning toward West Palm Beach/Ft. Lauderdale, but Tampa/St. Pete looks awfully good too I just know absolutely nothing about it.

 

Can anyone help an old man out with area/hotel/restaurant/event suggestions? Much obliged in advance.

I cannot speak highly enough of Siesta Key which is about 45 minutes south of Tampa and is near Sarasota.

 

You have minor league baseball all the way up and down the west coast. Ft Myers is about an hour south. Bradenton/Clearwater/St Pete about an hour north.

 

Sarasota now has the Orioles and it's 10 minutes away.

 

We stay at a condo on the beach. However, Covcathiradio stays at a nice resort-type hotel right on the beach that he loves.

BTW nice job with the trip. We did the same when our 3 kids "graduated" from 8th grade. Chicago/Cape Code/Boston were our trips. Great trips that we'll always remember and I hope they will, too.

I've heard nothing but good things about SK, and I'm not talking about Simon Kenton.

I love Sarasota. The place is extremely clean and beautiful too. Great area. Great suggestions by Clyde. ^

I love Sarasota. The place is extremely clean and beautiful too. Great area. Great suggestions by Clyde. ^

 

I like Sarasota. I LOVE Siesta Key.

I like Sarasota. I LOVE Siesta Key.

 

Oh, no doubt. :thumb:

We vacation every summer in the Clearwater area--Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Remington Beach, etc. It is very nice and quiet and an easy ride to Tampa. I don't think you will go wrong anywhere in that general area.

We vacation every summer in the Clearwater area--Indian Shores

 

I just heard from someone about Indian Shores. Sounds like I need to check into it.

I stayed at the Marriott Resort on the beach in Ft.Lauderdale and it was fantastic in every way!

Ft. Lauderdale is really nice West Palm Beach is getting run down some what. If it was me I would go to South Beach.

Hearsay, I checked with Covcathiradio. The place to stay is Sarasota Surf and Racquet which is right on the beach.

The city you choose depends on what you want to do. If you want to go out to eat every night, then maybe somewhere like Ft. Lauderdale would be best. If you're looking for a relaxing, family friendly beach, then I'd suggest Siesta Key or something like that.

 

If you're looking to be close to Spring Training games, then Ft. Myers might be your best bet.

 

Each of them has a lot to offer. I would recommend finding airline fares to each one (Ft. Myers - Airport Code RSW & Ft. Lauderdale) and comparing prices. If you're flying from Cincinnati, USA3000 offers cheap airfares to & from Ft. Myers. If you're in the Lexington area, consider Allegiant Airlines. They fly to Ft. Lauderdale & Punta Gorda, FL. Both are in the vicinity of where you're looking to go.

These are all helpful leads, keep 'em comin,' and many thanks.

Hearsay, I checked with Covcathiradio. The place to stay is Sarasota Surf and Racquet which is right on the beach.

 

 

That's where we've stayed also. Nice place. A little pricier than the other places nearby, but worth it in my opinion. Most of the condos have been updated and are pretty roomy. Great family place. I like "laid back" when I go on vacation and Siesta is just that. Great beach by the way. Sand is like sugar. Hopefully the fine old man that blows taps each night at sunset is still doing it. Pretty cool experience. Try to get a condo on ground level, closest to the beach. Nice and convenient when you have to lug the kids stuff in and out to the beach. You'll appreciate the convenience when the kids have to go back to the room to use the head or you have to re-stock the cooler.

 

Have fun wherever you go.