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gulf coast FLorida help...
gulf coast FLorida help...
I will be in St Pete Beach this weekend with my son... We were really looking forward to this trip - but the weather on Satruday and sunday looks kindof yuck--rainy on both days and only in the 60's on SUnday--
I was wondering if a drove an hour south or so if ther might be warmer beaches to explore (sPB looks sort of like a micro climate for some reason...) so any rec's for a beach or am i being a crazy person....
thanks!
I was wondering if a drove an hour south or so if ther might be warmer beaches to explore (sPB looks sort of like a micro climate for some reason...) so any rec's for a beach or am i being a crazy person....
thanks!
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Lido Beach Resort: http://www.lidobeachresort.com/
Suites have kitchens, and there's a grocery chain store nearby.
There's also a Holiday Inn across the street, but much less nice.
I can help you find good food, ice cream and fun, if you decide to head South. That used to be "my place."
Suites have kitchens, and there's a grocery chain store nearby.
There's also a Holiday Inn across the street, but much less nice.
I can help you find good food, ice cream and fun, if you decide to head South. That used to be "my place."
Thanks Minde! we have already booked a hotel... I wish i hadn't ...but i was worried since this was presidents weekend....so i was looking more for day trip options-- if you think that area would work for that then it sounds great!
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
I don't think you're too far from Sarasota.
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium are pretty neat. Their guided kayak tours through the mangroves on S. Lido key are awesome!!! If you bring a change of clothes, you could go hang around St. Armand's Circle and shop. Lots of good food there, including my favorite, the Columbia. It's very easy to get around Sarasota and over to Lido Key.
I'll include some links.
Also, the Tampa Zoo is really nice (I don't know the age of your son), and in Tampa, if you're foodies, is Bern's Steakhouse (OMG YUM). If you go, be sure to tour the kitchen, and reserve a dessert room
Mote: http://www.mote.org/index.php?submenu=A ... y=Aquarium
St. Armand's Circle: http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/res ... ategory=11
Columbia: http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/sarasota.asp
Bern's in Tampa: http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium are pretty neat. Their guided kayak tours through the mangroves on S. Lido key are awesome!!! If you bring a change of clothes, you could go hang around St. Armand's Circle and shop. Lots of good food there, including my favorite, the Columbia. It's very easy to get around Sarasota and over to Lido Key.
I'll include some links.
Also, the Tampa Zoo is really nice (I don't know the age of your son), and in Tampa, if you're foodies, is Bern's Steakhouse (OMG YUM). If you go, be sure to tour the kitchen, and reserve a dessert room
Mote: http://www.mote.org/index.php?submenu=A ... y=Aquarium
St. Armand's Circle: http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/res ... ategory=11
Columbia: http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/sarasota.asp
Bern's in Tampa: http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/
I agree with Minde's suggestions and must admit to knowing little about St Pete or Tampa other than for the airport or shopping trips. Have been to Bern's (yes, reserved a dessert room) and would recommend it. I remember that you were hoping for a beach weekend and I can't help with that... I once nearly froze in Naples in February and would have to say that Florida's winter weather can be undependable for beach going.
Other ideas that I had to suggest are in Tampa, the Florida Aquarium,
http://www.flaquarium.org/?&CN=Tampa+At ... ttractions
or hockey http://lightning.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm
or Busch Gardens http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa
In St Pete, the Dali Museum is all that I have done. http://thedali.org/
I know you wanted to be outside and on a beach... I hope that is exactly where you and your son will spend your time this trip. Safe travels and many happy times!
Other ideas that I had to suggest are in Tampa, the Florida Aquarium,
http://www.flaquarium.org/?&CN=Tampa+At ... ttractions
or hockey http://lightning.nhl.com/club/schedule.htm
or Busch Gardens http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa
In St Pete, the Dali Museum is all that I have done. http://thedali.org/
I know you wanted to be outside and on a beach... I hope that is exactly where you and your son will spend your time this trip. Safe travels and many happy times!
... no longer a stranger to paradise
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Bern's is a dream. For grownups, anyway!
Yes, the aquarium in Tampa is also fantastic. There was a jellyfish there that just mesmerized me.
I'm pretty sure you could park in the Lido Beach Resort ramp (it's tight quarters in there) and visit their tiki bar, even as a non-guest. You could walk out onto the beach which has pretty great shelling. If you walk to the right to a "point" and walk into waist deep water and dig your toes into the sand, you can pull up sand dollars, to show your boy....again, I don't know how old he is. Or there is public parking (and a pool) just to the right of the resort.
But maybe the forecast is going to change for St. Pete's and you won't need these ideas. No matter how you cut it, at least you won't be in New York!
Yes, the aquarium in Tampa is also fantastic. There was a jellyfish there that just mesmerized me.
I'm pretty sure you could park in the Lido Beach Resort ramp (it's tight quarters in there) and visit their tiki bar, even as a non-guest. You could walk out onto the beach which has pretty great shelling. If you walk to the right to a "point" and walk into waist deep water and dig your toes into the sand, you can pull up sand dollars, to show your boy....again, I don't know how old he is. Or there is public parking (and a pool) just to the right of the resort.
But maybe the forecast is going to change for St. Pete's and you won't need these ideas. No matter how you cut it, at least you won't be in New York!
I am in Venice, Florida right now visiting my parents. Its about 1.5 hours from St Pete. It was in the 50s last weekend and low 40s at night! On Sun night, there was a freeze warning, so we covered up some newly planted flowers. Today was mid-70s and the sun made it feel warmer. Tomorrow it will be close to 80 degrees and we are going boating. Winter in Florida is rather unpredictable. There is a gorgeous beach in the Sarasota area - Crescent Beach on Siesta Key. Agree with all the other recommendations too. We visited the aquarium in Tampa and its first class. Has displays of different Florida ecosystems. Enjoy your trip!
Siesta Key is really nice. The weather will be similar to Sarasota. Saturday looks like there is hope...but Sunday doesn't look great. If you end of just looking for things to do...the Saturday morning market in downtown st Pete near the marina is really neat. The earlier the better for great homeade baked goods. Good luck!
My heart belongs on St John!