Christmas in Florida with Teens-Where We Find Lots of Beach Activities?
Sep 13th, 2004, 07:17 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Christmas in Florida with Teens-Where We Find Lots of Beach Activities?
Here's our dilemna...we are a 3-generational family that usually spends Christmas-New Years in Naples, Florida (Pelican Bay). However, the teens are complaining that Naples is boring...want "more excitement and a younger crowd" with surfing, beach-volleyball, banana-boat...you get the picture. So, other than going to Cancun or the Caribbean, is there anywhere in Florida that offers this scene at Christmas?
Sep 13th, 2004, 07:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I live in Tampa and have a 15-year-old. He and his friends all go to St. Pete Beach or to Treasure Island. Many of them stay at the Trade Winds Resort (although I hear the Alden is a better choice for St. Pete) or at the Thunderbird in Treasure Island. The other alternative in this area is Clearwater Beach but that is an older drinking crowd. As for what there is to do, there are some sunset cruises on prototype pirate ships, there are at least two beach game arcades, there is a 3-story blow-up beach slide, many goofy golf courses, Tampa's Busch Gardens theme park, its sister water park (Adventure Island). There is bike renting and riding on the Pinellas trail or along the beaches. If the Gulf is churned up, there is surfing at Sunset Beach (at the southern tip of Treasure Island) but the best surfing in Florida is at Cocoa Beach, if I'm not mistaken, but in general, there is not much surfing in Florida because we don't get the pounding surf of the deeper Pacific ocean. The other teen beach would be Panama City Beach but it is much colder at Christmas time.
Sep 13th, 2004, 02:34 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tandoori Girl:
Thanks for your advice. I'll take a look at Treasure Island and/or St. Pete Beach, although my gut reaction is that the adults will hate it! It sounds very touristy...which why we have enjoyed so many trips to Naples. What about Key West? Could we find fun for the teens and laid-back relaxation for the old folks there?
Mers:
The weather in Naples can be very iffy at Christmas. We have had everything from rain and high temps of 45 degrees to beautiful sunny days in the low 80's. There are no guarantees with the weather in Naples in December.
Thanks for your advice. I'll take a look at Treasure Island and/or St. Pete Beach, although my gut reaction is that the adults will hate it! It sounds very touristy...which why we have enjoyed so many trips to Naples. What about Key West? Could we find fun for the teens and laid-back relaxation for the old folks there?
Mers:
The weather in Naples can be very iffy at Christmas. We have had everything from rain and high temps of 45 degrees to beautiful sunny days in the low 80's. There are no guarantees with the weather in Naples in December.
Sep 14th, 2004, 06:09 AM
#5
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My son enjoyed Key West immensely. But we went in the spring and the water and weather were warmer. Most of what he enjoyed was water-related -- we snorkled two reefs. You would want to rent wet suits for that time of the year, which would be no big deal. But all in all, there will not be as much for teens to do in Key West. It is a small community. I love the museums (Hemmingway's house, Audubon's house, the lighthouse) but kids won't.
I think you'd find plenty for the adults in St. Pete's and in Tampa. For instance, the Dali Museum is fascinating, as is St. Pete's downtown art museum. Not sure what you're into. There are antique areas for shopping but on the quaint side, not high-end. At Christmas time, there are many, many activities for tourists as that's the season. Tampa's HB Plant Hotel, an 1880s building, is a great Christmas-time event. There will be lots going on.
Caddy's on Sunset Beach traditionally has a volleyball net up most all the time.
I think you'd find plenty for the adults in St. Pete's and in Tampa. For instance, the Dali Museum is fascinating, as is St. Pete's downtown art museum. Not sure what you're into. There are antique areas for shopping but on the quaint side, not high-end. At Christmas time, there are many, many activities for tourists as that's the season. Tampa's HB Plant Hotel, an 1880s building, is a great Christmas-time event. There will be lots going on.
Caddy's on Sunset Beach traditionally has a volleyball net up most all the time.
Sep 15th, 2004, 04:55 PM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Tandoori Girl - St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, etc., are all more lively and have lots of teens.
You are concerned that the adults might not like it. What are you interested in? There's neat shopping at St. Johns and on the Pier in St. Petersburg, several interesting museums, wonderful parks (Ft. Desoto, Honeymoon Island State Park, etc.), kayaking, fishing, boating, etc. If you don't mind a 45 minute drive to Tampa, you've got the big aquarium, Busch Gardens, the science museum, Ybor City, etc. I think Tampa/St.Pete is a perfect compromise - a more "happening" scene for the teens and still lots to do for the adults.
You are concerned that the adults might not like it. What are you interested in? There's neat shopping at St. Johns and on the Pier in St. Petersburg, several interesting museums, wonderful parks (Ft. Desoto, Honeymoon Island State Park, etc.), kayaking, fishing, boating, etc. If you don't mind a 45 minute drive to Tampa, you've got the big aquarium, Busch Gardens, the science museum, Ybor City, etc. I think Tampa/St.Pete is a perfect compromise - a more "happening" scene for the teens and still lots to do for the adults.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Debwa
United States
5
Mar 9th, 2015 03:58 PM
