The Gulf Coast of Florida is a great place for vacation. Towns like Madeira Beach, Reddington Shores, North Reddington Beach and Indian Shores have great beaches and great accommodations available. The condos there are right on the beach, with heated pools; there’s lots to do, great restaurants and it’s affordable.
There are a lots of places to go and see in Florida. One of the favorites is the historic St. Augustine where you can tour the oldest city by horse and carriage, trolleys, or take a walk down St.George Street. You can find the Mill Top there. Sit and dine have a cold beverage in an indoor/outdoor atmosphere, listen to live music while overlooking the Fort (which also has tours). Just across the Bridge of Lions on the island side you’ll find an excellent restaurant called the Conch House also with dinning inside or out in the “tiki huts.” Minutes away head south on A1A on your way to the beaches you’ll pass the Light House (tours available) or visit the Alligator Farm.
Take a stroll along the beaches or go fishing off the pier. One of my favorite places to stay is a condo called Pier Point South (convenient if you like to night fish, off the pier next door of course). They have rentals ocean or pool side. All of the Apts I have stayed in have been fully equipped and beautifully decorated.
Other things you might like to visit in the immediate area of the old city are: Ripley’s Believe IT or Not Museum, there is also another Wax Museum nearby, not sure of the name of that one but not hard to find. Further south of St. Augustine on A1A there is another Fort (Fort Matanzas), Animal Kingdom (our favorite, especially the animal safari ride) and Sea World.
In the Florida Keys you could snorkel, (great fun), and very easy for all ages, take a kayak tour, boat tours, fishing trips, again all easy for all ages. A day in Key West would also be nice, visiting Ernest Hemingway’s home, Key West Historic Seaport, taking a tour on the “Little Conch Train”, and finally, going to the “Sunset Celebration”. The Everglades are very close to Key Largo, you can visit the national park or there is an “Everglades Alligator Park” right outside Everglades N.P. They also offer airboat rides. Stop and get a mango milkshake from the “Robert’s Here” fruit stand.
A “road trip” up the east coast of Florida would include a stop at the Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach; a day trip to Kennedy Space Center; and a day in historic St. Augustine. If you’re interested in golf, the PGA hall of fame is also long the way. There’s much more that what I’ve mentioned, but those are among our family’s favorites.