We are looking to spend the week before Thanksgiving week in Florida. Our priorities are warmth, beaches, swimming, sun and outdoor activities. Any suggestions? We are open to ideas outside of FL as well (but within the US).

Wow, FL is a big state - are you flying? Want to be near a particular airport? That might help you get started...

Yes, flying in from NJ. We just want to be beach bums for a week, so anywhere warm is fine.

What else are you looking for? Fl has lots of coastline...rough surf, mild surf, upscale, downscale, cheap, fancy, good food, great stores, museums, honky tonk, shopping... November is my favorite month weather-wise...gorgeous!

If you want to swim in the ocean in Florida in November, you'd want to look in South Florida.

Southern Florida it is then. Not too upscale. Laid-back, not big into clubs/nightlife. Would rather have a few drinks at a great local bar. Definitely want to sunbathe on the beach and hopefully swim. Not into museums or art. Rather window shop, eat seafood and do some kyacking. Have been to Sanibel and Napels, but looking for something less pretentious. Basically a nice beach town that is not too dead in November. Thanks for all of your help so far!!!!

What about the Keys?? Very laid back. Lots of fun things to do. Key west will be hopping in November. Very unpretentious. Lots of yummy food and window shopping. Choice of lodging runs from resorts to cozy B&Bs.

Marco Island will be nice in November. There are lots of restaurants and the beach is beautiful.

You might try Boca Grande or some of the surrounding area. It is an island near Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda, on Florida's SW coast.

The beaches are nice, and it is much quieter than Sanibel. Not a ton of shopping, but a few interesting shops and restaurants, and a reasonable drive to busier areas.

The Peace and Myakka Rivers and the Myakka State Park might give you some good kayaking opportunities.

November can be a wonderful time to visit Florida. Hope you have a great time!

my vote is for the keys too. loads of silence, pretty beaches. yum!

I live in south Florida. Here are a few ideas:

Fort Lauderdale Mariott Harbor Beach.One of the nicest hotels in the area. On the Ocean and tucked away from the A1A strip.

Key West - Casa Marina - older, pretty hotel on the south end of Duval. It has its own beach and two pools.

Marathon - nothing to do but fish and dive but the Tranquility Bay Resort is beautiful. You feel like you are in the islands.

Delray Beach mariott - right across from the Ocean. A real nice hotel with good pool. It is on Atlantic Ave, about 5-6 blocks east of the downtown area where the bars, restaurant, and shops are located.

Last but not least - Boca raton Boca Raton Resort. a five star hotel. You stay either in the main building nest to the golf course or in the ocean front section. If you stay in the main building, you take a boat to the beach area.

Corrine, you have to understand it is called "South Florida" ---- not "Southern Florida". There is Southern California and Northern California, but there is "North" or "South" Florida. You won't have locals look at you askance by saying it correctly.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions - cannot wait to check them all out. I am leaning toward the Keys, but we shall see.

The Marriott in Delray is very nice but the beach tends to be crowded with metered parking, but it is near the ocean front and Atlantic Ave has lots of shops and restaurants. The Marriott is not right on the beach but across from the beach.

Also consider the Holiday Inn in Highland Beach, a small town right next to Delray Beach and convenient to Atlantic Ave.

We own a vacation home in Palm Beach Gardens and spend the last 2 weeks of November there every year.

Palm Beach Gardens is a great town north of Palm Beach and south of Jupiter - about 15 minutes north of PBI airport.

Palm Beach Gardens is quiet and undiscovered. Lots of local golf. Very low key. It is convenient to Juno Beach - the most gorgeous Florida Beach with free beachside parking.

If you are going to Florida for a week, consider renting a townhouse in PGA NAtional Resort. Check out www.VRBO.com for rentals in Palm Beach Garden. Juno Beach is a quick 9 miles away.

Corrine - Key West is my favorite vacation destination, but if you're really looking for a good beach it will disappoint you. The keys are coral and virtually all beaches are man-made and tiny.

However, it should be nice and warm before Thanksgiving and there are lots of water activities available.

As it turns out, we know someone how knows someone who has a place on Marco Island that we are going to rent for the week.

What should we not miss in Marco Island?

Marco is mostly about being on the beach-I love walking up and down the beach.

Restaurants we like are Snooks and Pelican Bend.

And for really laid back and a hoot, go to Stan's on Goodland and the Little Bar, also on Goodland.