Easter on the Florida Gulf Coast
 

I got my hands on some cheap tickets for Tampa :jumper:, two weeks from 03-30 till 04-14. The plan is to stay together with another family (total of 9) for one week anywhere on the Gulf coast and after that spend a week with my family alone (5) in a different location, perhaps the Keys or Naples.
Looking for recommendations for specific areas and housing possibilities. We've been to Ft-Myers twice in the early nineties, we liked it a lot back then but not so sure if it's still as sweet. Preferably a location close to the water (with pier) and away from the crowds. Tx on forehand.

Book now - that is college Spring Break time ...

Ft Myers has been ruined, try Pensacola or Key Largo.

More or less what I expected about Ft Myers, been to Pensacola and the whole panhandle too. No suggestions for prime locations nearer to Tampa ?

You might like the Madeira Beach-Treasure Island area. Just a few minutes from Tampa Airport. Lots of fishing, boating, and parasailing, etc. John's Pass is nice for restaurants, shopping. Nice, relatively uncrowded beaches. We go there for the weekend occasionally.

Madeira Beach | Florida Vacation, Tourism, Travel & Entertainment Information - VISITFLORIDA.com

Siesta Key is supposed to be nice, our neighbors go there every year. I'm more of a "St Augustine" kind of guy...

Or skip the oceans and come up to the springs here in N Central Florida

http://sfdj.com/springs_issue/scene1.jpg

Nice.

I'll look into this. Thanks.

We spent 4 days at the Wakulla lodge in 93, remember the big stuffed alligator very vividly Would be nice to visit again with the kids this time. Tx.

Closing-in on a deal for a beach house on Anna-Maria Island for the first week and for a house in Hawks Cay in the Keys. Tx for the advice so far.