Florida in October: Ft. Lauderdale or Ft. Myers?
 

Which is better to visit in October with 2 kids under 3? We are looking for a sandy beach with warm open water at 75-80 F and daily temperatures in the same range. Fine dining is not important, but grocery stores have to be close enough to walk.

Thanks.

Hey Captain,
When in October?? I ask because early October you will most likely have very nice warm temps, even hot. (85-90) The last half of the month tends to vary year to year. I doubt very much that you will have to worry about temps under highs of 70-75 in late October. As to the water temp. On the Gulf side, you will certainly have water temps over 80 for the better part of October, if not all.

I have been to both places however not in the month of October. The gulf water is calm and quiet. I would try Sanibel or Captiva versus Ft. Myers. Just a thought.

I love Fort Lauderdale!

Definitely Fort Myers or Naples over Ft. Lauderdale, especially with kids. Sanibel Island or Captiva would be a great choice or further N. near Sarasote is Siesta Key - great beaches (rated in top 10) and a shopping and dining village. Ft. Lauderdale is not kid friendly IMO. It is so busy and "big city". Alot of the restaurants are not for kids, ie: on Las olas blvd where ont he west coast things are A Lot more laid back. I lived in Ft. Lauderdale and just moved over to Naples and LOVE it and dread going to Ft. Lauderdale! Have fun

I would go to Naples rent a condo with a pool for a week or two water is much calmer and better for little kids to wade in lots of kid friendly restaurants and a nice zoo to visit .A condo would be cheaper + you have a kitchen and laundry that are helpfull for kids

I'm looking into Ft. Lauderdale myself. I hope it's very nice despite some of the negative opinions?

It's not just nice...it's wonderful!

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL (5 miles north of Ft. L). Many motels have kitchens in the room and there is a Walgreens and Publix grocery store (in a small mall) on A1A within easy walking distance of El Mar Drive which is right on the Atlantic Ocean. Less traffic in this town too so its safer to walk with children.

We prefer the Fort Lauderdale area to the Fort Myers area because the water is clearer.

However, if we were moving to Florida, rather than just vacationing for a week, we probably would not choose the southeastern part of the state.

Lauderdale By The Sea is geared more towards families and there are grocery/drug stores nearby. Another place to look at is Hollywood Beach (between Ft. Lauderdale and North Miami Beach). They have a boardwalk along the beach with restaurants, stores, miniature golf, etc. Either location is family friendly.

Heartburn,

How's the weather in Ft.Lauderdale during the month of October and November? Also, I hear there's some big boat show in Ft.Lauderdale around the end of October, beginning of November. Is it exceptionally crowded that time. I heard the hotels usually sell out during that weekend.

Is th

Janny:

The weather the 1st wk in Ft. Lauderdale area was absolutely gorgeous when I went - low to mid-80s with sunshine (no rain) and the lows were like 64 at night. The beaches, stores and restaurants were not crowded during the week, gets a little bit more crowded on the weekends when the locals come to the beach.

There is an international boat show scheduled for the last week of October and the first week of November. It is concentrated on the southern portion of Ft Laud beach along the Intracoastal Waterway, at the marina near Radisson Bahia Mar. I think it is also at a marina near the Hyatt Pier 66, and than another marina up near the Intracoastal waterway and Las Olas Blvd. If you stay north of Las Olas Blvd (i.e., Sheraton Yankee Trader, Holiday Inn, etc.) you might avoid most of the crowds.

Another option is to stay at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea or Hollywood Beach.

Thanks for the tips. We are thinking of staying at the Marriott Harbor Resort.

Harbor Beach resort is great and they have a great kids program but your little ones might be too young. The pool is very child oriented and there is a great spa with a quiet pool if one of you wants a day to yourself.

Please make a reservation at the hotel restaurant: 3030 as it is really first rate. It is a pretty room overlooking the ocean and has superb fish. The bar there is fun. I would make arrangements for the children to be watched for the hour and a half to eat there. The only problem I see with your plan is grocery stores are not close and the rooms do not lend themselves to self-catering.

DId you consider the Beach Place Towers? It is a Marriott Timeshare but has rooms by the night as well. A sales pitch is not part of the deal unless you want it to be. All rooms are suites with full kitchens and they have day care facilities on site. Just a thought.

Beach Place Towers -not quiet at all.