Anybody know a good vacation spot with clean beaches (fine white sand w/ emerald water-comparable to Destin would be awesome)and a kid friendly place to stay(preferable suite w/ seperate bedroom and sofa bed)at a reasonable price? Native wildlife would be wonderful (kids are animal lovers).

Here's an idea that gives you clear, sparkling fresh spring water for swimming, a kid-friendly small sand beach, glass-bottom boats to cruise the river and see the fish, alligators, and wildlife, and a neat old hotel right in the middle. The place? It's Wakulla Springs. Good luck.

We often stay at Ft Walton beach which has everything you want. Try a King Suite or One bedroom suite at the Holiday Inn Sunspree or a condo at Coquina Isles ($100-$129 range). You can stay there in the summer usually for around $100 a night and right on the beach. I was there last August and have stayed at both places several times. My boys enjoy the Holiday Inn for the hot tub and gameroom, but I like the spacious suite.

Siesta Key near Sarasota is beautiful. Beaches are great (reminds me of Destin). Nice area with good restaurants and shopping. Haven't been there for a couple of years, but recommend staying in a villa. Try Island House or Aloha Kai.

We were at Palm Island Resort about 1/2 hour north of Captiva three years ago. What a wonderful vacation we had. It was pricey when we went in April but generally cheaper in the summer. Once you arrive on the island via ferry, your car stays in the parking lot. They have rented goft carts for you to travel around with. Nice restaurant and tennis courts. Soft sand beaches exclusive for the resort so it's never crowded. Nice and clean heated pools. All accommodations are one, two, to three bedrooms with full kitchen.

Our children spent days just playing in the sand, collecting shells, and swimming. That was one of our best family vacations, better than our last trip to Hawaii. They've been asking us to go back every year.

Check them out at palmisland.com. This resort was recommended to me by a local from Tampa.

Siesta Key would fit what you are looking for in a beach. Also kid friendly. Most of the accomodations are condos though, only a few hotels.

Anna Maria Island (north of Siesta and Longboat Keys) is my pick, but I'm prejudiced - I'm from Bradenton (mainland town by Anna Maria)! There are lots of motels, plus some condos and houses Before we moved back home, we stayed at the Blue Water Resort. It's a basic '60s motel, but the owners are very nice and they have suites: bedroom and living/kitchen with table. I can't remember quite how it was set up, but ours boys (4 and 6) slept on daybeds or something in the living room.

We enjoy Beach Cottages III condos on Indian Shores between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Lots of restaurants and miniature golf plus a great beach!