Florida in December - Ideas NON-Disney???? Help!!!
Dec 10th, 2009, 03:49 AM
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Florida in December - Ideas NON-Disney???? Help!!!
We have 2 weeks vacation, thinking of driving to Florida the last 2 weeks of December. I'd rather die than do Disney World. Have 2 teenage kids. Ideas:
Swim with manatees in Crystal River, snorkel Key Largo, Xmas lights in Ocala or St. Augustine, visit Key West. Other ideas? Hidden Florida gems? Most of the beaches will be too cold, I'm assuming. Just need ideas. THANKS!!!!
Swim with manatees in Crystal River, snorkel Key Largo, Xmas lights in Ocala or St. Augustine, visit Key West. Other ideas? Hidden Florida gems? Most of the beaches will be too cold, I'm assuming. Just need ideas. THANKS!!!!
Dec 10th, 2009, 04:24 AM
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Kennedy Space Center.
If you are going to Key Largo, include the drive to Key West and make all the interesting stops along the route. If you search Keys on the forums, you will find many threads with detailed advise.
Shelling at Sanibel and biking Captiva.
Kayaking or canoeing at one of the state parks.
Air boat ride.
If you google Florida Art Festivals and you are nearby a city hosting, these are an enjoyable half day walk.
Florida is having a mild fall. I was just in Melbourne last week and the beaches had swimmers every day. Temps have still been in the 80's. If you are going all the way to the Keys, you may find swimming weather.
Another search the forum options is to look for Orlando Vic. He frequently responds to questions about what to do in Central Florida other than wait in line at the Magic Kingdom.
If you are going to Key Largo, include the drive to Key West and make all the interesting stops along the route. If you search Keys on the forums, you will find many threads with detailed advise.
Shelling at Sanibel and biking Captiva.
Kayaking or canoeing at one of the state parks.
Air boat ride.
If you google Florida Art Festivals and you are nearby a city hosting, these are an enjoyable half day walk.
Florida is having a mild fall. I was just in Melbourne last week and the beaches had swimmers every day. Temps have still been in the 80's. If you are going all the way to the Keys, you may find swimming weather.
Another search the forum options is to look for Orlando Vic. He frequently responds to questions about what to do in Central Florida other than wait in line at the Magic Kingdom.
Dec 10th, 2009, 04:39 AM
#3
I've done the swim with the manatees at Crystal River. Loved it. You'll be wearing wetsuits so you'll be fine (water temps). Ditto snorkeling at Pennekemp at Key Largo.
As far as "hidden gems", I love canoeing at Wekiva Springs. It's like stepping (or, I guess, canoeing) into a Tarzan movie. Amazing and so peaceful.
http://www.canoewekiva.com/
Another small pleasure - the Greek food and culture at Tarpon Springs. http://www.spongedocks.net/
One thing I haven't done, but really want to do is to go out to Caladesi Island State Park. I loved reading Bonniebroad's trip reports and it's on my To Do list -
http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland/
My favorite hidden gem for peace and relaxation in the Keys -
http://www.whitegatecourt.com/
It's like staying in a slice of Old Florida. Simple little cottages with their own little sand beach and dock. Manatees will be in the area most of the time too.
http://www.whitegatecourt.com/
I love using Islamorada as a base in the keys. Head north or south (to Key West) but just love coming "home" to White Gate.
Everytime I'm there we go out on Captain Anne Baxter's boat. She's a retired Everglades ranger and knows where to go for snorkeling or ecotours or whatever you want to do on the water -
http://www.easyadventures.net/captain/index.php
I just checked the website and there's a new captain. She's still on the website. Maybe she's retired again, but check into - and read the testimonials on that website.
The Keys aren't known for their beaches, but they'll be warmer than elsewhere. If you do have warm weather, the beaches at Sanibel and Captiva are good for shelling (especially Captiva).
Definitely stop by St. Augustine if you can. Check out Amelia Island too. Since you are driving, if you want to go to a true "natural" island with wild horses, take the ferry from St. Mary's Island, GA (just over the state line) and take a day trip to Cumberland Island, GA. We did that on Dec. 31st one year and it was warm enough for the kids to play in the water. http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm
Cumberand Island National Seashore
A pricey option is to actually spend the night on Cumberland at the Greyfield Inn, a former Carnegie mansion (also on my To do list - http://www.greyfieldinn.com/
The ferry to Greyfield is from Amelia Island (instead of St. Marys)
If you want to take camping gear along, you can camp on Cumberland too
If you don't like Disney, consider a much smaller park option that's a lot of fun with rides for teens and lots of animals - Busch Gardens
http://www.buschgardens.com/Bgt/default.aspx
Have fun!
As far as "hidden gems", I love canoeing at Wekiva Springs. It's like stepping (or, I guess, canoeing) into a Tarzan movie. Amazing and so peaceful.
http://www.canoewekiva.com/
Another small pleasure - the Greek food and culture at Tarpon Springs. http://www.spongedocks.net/
One thing I haven't done, but really want to do is to go out to Caladesi Island State Park. I loved reading Bonniebroad's trip reports and it's on my To Do list -
http://www.floridastateparks.org/CaladesiIsland/
My favorite hidden gem for peace and relaxation in the Keys -
http://www.whitegatecourt.com/
It's like staying in a slice of Old Florida. Simple little cottages with their own little sand beach and dock. Manatees will be in the area most of the time too.
http://www.whitegatecourt.com/
I love using Islamorada as a base in the keys. Head north or south (to Key West) but just love coming "home" to White Gate.
Everytime I'm there we go out on Captain Anne Baxter's boat. She's a retired Everglades ranger and knows where to go for snorkeling or ecotours or whatever you want to do on the water -
http://www.easyadventures.net/captain/index.php
I just checked the website and there's a new captain. She's still on the website. Maybe she's retired again, but check into - and read the testimonials on that website.
The Keys aren't known for their beaches, but they'll be warmer than elsewhere. If you do have warm weather, the beaches at Sanibel and Captiva are good for shelling (especially Captiva).
Definitely stop by St. Augustine if you can. Check out Amelia Island too. Since you are driving, if you want to go to a true "natural" island with wild horses, take the ferry from St. Mary's Island, GA (just over the state line) and take a day trip to Cumberland Island, GA. We did that on Dec. 31st one year and it was warm enough for the kids to play in the water. http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm
Cumberand Island National Seashore
A pricey option is to actually spend the night on Cumberland at the Greyfield Inn, a former Carnegie mansion (also on my To do list - http://www.greyfieldinn.com/
The ferry to Greyfield is from Amelia Island (instead of St. Marys)
If you want to take camping gear along, you can camp on Cumberland too
If you don't like Disney, consider a much smaller park option that's a lot of fun with rides for teens and lots of animals - Busch Gardens
http://www.buschgardens.com/Bgt/default.aspx
Have fun!
Dec 10th, 2009, 04:40 AM
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Hey stumpworks, we should have had a GTG while you were in Melbourne!
linda8, there are a large number of threads on the subject of what to do in Florida/Orlando other than Disney:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...heme-parks.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...in-orlando.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...o-168857-3.cfm
linda8, there are a large number of threads on the subject of what to do in Florida/Orlando other than Disney:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...heme-parks.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...in-orlando.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...o-168857-3.cfm
Dec 10th, 2009, 04:56 AM
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Those links from 321go are quite comprehensive and seem to cover all the possibilities that could apply here.
Yes, you are correct about the beaches being too cold for swimming, unless you go to South Florida. However, the air temps in Central FL might be warm enough for swimming in a heated hotel pool.
Yes, you are correct about the beaches being too cold for swimming, unless you go to South Florida. However, the air temps in Central FL might be warm enough for swimming in a heated hotel pool.
Dec 10th, 2009, 07:31 AM
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Well, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009 (just to be precise!), it's supposed to be 80 in the Tampa Bay area. We are indeed having a mild winter so far, albeit a rainy one. So while I'd typically say that anywhere north of Naples on the Gulf side, the beaches are too chilly for swimming, this year I wouldn't. Sarasota has a lot to offer: the Ringling museum, which is an art museum, gardens, a mansion and a miniature circus exhibit; Mote Marine & Aquarium; and gorgeous beaches at Lido and Siesta Keys.
Dec 10th, 2009, 07:43 AM
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Air boat rides to see the aligators and other creatures in the water was a big hit with my 2 teenagers. We saw turtles, unusual birds, and other exotic things (compared to what we see here in New England).
We were staying in Miami and just picked the 1st or 2nd place we found driving towards the Everglades. Wish I could remember the name of it for you. If I find it, I'll post it.
We were staying in Miami and just picked the 1st or 2nd place we found driving towards the Everglades. Wish I could remember the name of it for you. If I find it, I'll post it.
Dec 10th, 2009, 04:11 PM
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If the kids really want some park action, try Universal in Orlando. We like it much better than disney. It's "easier" than disney. Go to islands of adventure - teenagers will like it - the Hulk and Duelling Dragons are really great rides. You can do the whole thing in one day. Or go mid day to the park and stay for dinner, concerts, movies in City Walk. Great hotels and restaurants in city walk - check the Hard Rock Live to see if there is a concert during your trip - great venue. Universal even has valet parking. Or you can park in the largest parking garage on the planet. I'm told it can be seen from space with the naked eye.
