Hi. I am looking for a great vacation spot for the end of August/begining of Sept. This will be a combination anniversary and family trip. We have 2 children-11 &14. I was looking for a beach type vacation with some other activities. I am looking at Sanibel Island or the Golden Islands of Georgia but am worried it will be too hot. Does anyone have any info on these places &/or any other ideas?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

If you are concerned about heat, how about Bermuda? Easy to get to from the east coast, not tropical but will be warm at the end of the summer.

My parents took my sister and I when we were in early high school, and I loved it so much I have been back twice, and hope to go again someday, as I haven't been there in almost 10 years now.

Karen

What happened to your Cape Cod plans? Nantucket's always nice.

It'll be very hot either place, vacationhelp. Where are you coming from?

I'm not a big Golden Isles fan. Have lived in Savannah and am familiar with the beaches there and to the south in GA, and now live in Tampa and have vacationed in Sanibel. Sanibel is far more beautiful--much prettier water, blue-green as opposed to green in GA, clearer water, white sand as opposed to the brown hard packed sand on the GA coast. Sanibel has pretty palms, sea grapes, very tropical appearing. Golden Isles have palmettos and aren't as lush. Both Sanibel and Jekyll have bike paths for biking or rollerblading but Sanibel's are more extensive (and in better condition). You would all enjoy a kayak or canoe trip through the mangroves in Ding Darling Nature Preserve in Sanibel and the Sanibel pastime, shelling, is addictive! Sanibel would be my choice, hands down, but the heat will be something to contend with anyplace in the southeast.

Hmmm...I hadn't realized the Cape was a possibility. For that time of year I'd take the Cape, and as Budman says, Nantucket is a fantastic getaway. It's beautiful and unique...even some cobblestone streets in the picturesque downtown. The beaches aren't as pretty as Sanibel, but pleasant, and water will be...brisk. The fun starts at the ferry ride over. We went without a car but had no difficulty getting to the areas we wanted to see.

If you live in the south and are accustomed to heat and humidity, Sanibel or the Golden Isles won't be too much of a shock to you, but if you are New Englanders, this may be a bit much. Our daughter was married here in July. We had family down from New England, and friends from England here for the event. They were all wilting, and indicated FL would probably not be someplace they'd voluntarily visit during the heat of the summer again.

I like the Golden Isles, but have to agree that it is hot in August and Sept. even on the islands. Jekyl is lovely in its way, and interesting, but the beach is not remarkable, and my teens are bored there. St. Simon's has a better beach, but crowded. There are better places to eat on St. Simon's than Jekyll. If the heat does not deter you, Amelia Island just to the south of Jacksonville, is nice. We stay at Elizabeth Pointe. A day trip to Cumberland, out of St. Mary's, was very interesting, and I think your children would enjoy seeing the wild horses and the amazingly empty beach.

Since an anniversary is involved, I like Kaudry's recommendation of Bermuda! Are you still going to the Cape in July? If not, Nantucket is another great idea. I'd also add Newport, RI as a third choice to that list.