recommendation for family vacation in Florida, other than theme parks?
 

February/March, we want to rent a house for our extended family. We're not doing any of the theme parks, so proximity to those isn't a big deal, but it would be nice to be within driving distance of Orlando (1-1.5 hrs), simply because of the ease of flying into and out of there. Where's a good place for grandparents (quiet) and kids (ages 1-8)? We'd like to be near water (walk-able or bike-able distance, ideally) but it doesn't have to be the ocean or the gulf.

Kennedy Space Center, Saturn V baby! oh yeah!:eek::rolleyes::D

Ok, so that's not a vacation, but hey, it'll be cool to see while your there.

Outdoor loving family? Glades, Lake Okeechobee?

Siesta Key. And The Bubble Room, Captiva.

Yes, but not hiking and adventures. We'll have 2 grandparents (68/70 yrs old) and kids as young as 1. Mostly looking for beach, fun things for kids, wildlife watching (boat rides, etc), things like that.

We like Destin FL quite a bit. Its about 6 hours from Orlando, Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS) is pretty close and easy to get in and out of. We go to Destin every year. Lots of stuff for all ages to do.

We've got lots of lovely springs here in N Florida... if the theme parks are totally out, I'd consider flying into Jax instead of orlando. Jax has a great zoo, St. Augustine, the beaches, etc. and you are less than 2 hours drive from springs, rivers, etc.

A little bit further = but Sanibel. Great shelling year round - excellent for unwinding - family have been going there since my kids were that age and still enjoy it.

Absolutely. My family has been there two years in a row. White powder sand beaches, emerald green water, tons of stuff to do, right on the water. In Feb/Mar it will be totally dead, no crowds to fight. Lots of non stressful stuff to do - fishing, dolphin tours, aquarium, boat rentals, scenic boat tours, perfect beaches, lots of great places to eat. We have stayed at the Emerald Grande, as have several other members of our family. They have really nice condos with a private beach and are part of a very nice waterfront development, so there is a ton of stuff within walking distance. Very happy with both Destin and Emerald Grande, we'll probably go back because I can't find anything better. I've also been to Coco Beach near Orlando and St. Pete, I greatly prefer Destin.

Price flights from VPS and Pensacola (PNS). Depending on the season, one may be cheaper than the other. VPS is about 20 minutes, PNS is about an hour but it's a beautiful drive along the ocean.

Think Apalacicola or Carabelle.

Fly into Tallahassee, easy drive. I was there for the first time two months ago. Loved it.

Recommend Venice, FL. south of Tampa about 90 minutes drive on 75. My dad had a villa(condo) there for almost 10 years, although I was there more than he was. One of the best kept secrets in Fl.
It's near Sarasota which is another great town to hang out in. St Armand's is a upscale shopping section in Sarasota and has great restaurants.
St Armands Circle Restaurants and Dining Guide
Recommend the Columbia Restaurant if you like Cuban...its terrific!
Parakeets fly around freely and you're right off the beach. Just a great place to hang out for good food, people watch or , shop, (blah) or have a drink. Lots of art galleries too.
Sarasota has some terrific museums; Ringling Bros, Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to mention a few.

Venice has boating, fishing, state and county parks in the area. Historic Spanish Point in Osprey up the road. Some great, on water restaurants in Nokomis the town next door. Venice has an international airfield that brings in all sorts of European visitors. You can probably overhear conversations in 4 or 5 different languages just sitting on the beach or walking around town. Don't know if this is good or bad, but seems like at least 25% of the winter residents would be neighbors of yours.

The causeway in Venice is a great daytime pastime while on the beach. Lots of fishing off the jetties and watching the boats come and go. Little town atmosphere.

PM me if you want more on the place. I know a few realtors that can handle rentals or I still have family there that may know of someone renting their place. I would suggest you get moving though, by January you won't find much.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention, great family place! My kids loved the place, they always hated to leave to go home. Dad's place had 3 pools to choose from, 10 tennis courts, an active club house, 2 blocks from the Publics food store and about 15 minute walk to down town Venice.
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Consider flying into Tampa instead of Orlando. Prices should be similar and Tampa is a slightly smaller and more easy to navigate to and fro and inside. Plus, from the sound of what you are looking for, you probably want to be in Southwest Florida. I think Sanibel/Captiva probably would fit your bill well, as it offers pristine beaches, nice shopping and restaurants but also offers an extensive bike path system, museums, the J.N. "Ding Darling" Wildlife refuge (which offers a museum, a bike/walk/drive tour), boating, kayaking and an easy day trip to Cabbage Key by ferry for a Cheeseburger in Paradise. It is only 2-2.5 hours south of Tampa.

If you just want to plant on the beach for a week, anywhere from Tampa south is nice, I just like San/Cap because it offers a little more.

North Florida is nice but keep in mind that it can be pretty darn cold in February/March... SW FL will be cool but more comfortable.

We've done Tampa/Clearwater a few times. Clearwater's ok, a little slow, but the beaches are awful - ground up shells. At least in the areas we were. Orlando area is much preferred because there are significantly more options for flights, because it's so popular, as well as there being more direct flights. My sister will be flying from Halifax with 2 young kids, so the easier the better. I wouldn't mind doing a day at Cape Canaveral with the kids - not a deal breaker, but something in the mix.

This afternoon I was looking at a few places in New Smyrna beach. It seems like a nice place - not as crazy as Daytona, but Daytona's right there if we want crazy for a night. Looks like a nice beach, a nice pet-friendly park.

Be aware that late February starts Spring Break season - various colleges in various regions spread it out, so it really goes from late February thru mid April.

We like sarasota when we visit there. Nice beaches gulf side

Bahia Honda. Fantastic beach.

When I was a kid, we always stay with the grand parents in Gainesville, but traveled a bit to enjoy what Florida had to offer. Itchetucknee Springs, Manatee Springs, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine, were all one day trips. Orlando we paired 2 days/ one night stay with Cape Canaveral.

Florida is awesome.

My parents spend 4 months of the year on Big Pine Key just across the channel from Bahia Honda.

I love the lower keys.

Daytona Beach is the shizzle...:D

The East coast beaches are much more "alive" because it's the Atlanta, where the West Coast Beaches are sedate. not much waves, body surfing, etc.

If you and your kids like/love the water, that is.