We are planning a warm weather vacation for late March(coming from Minnesota) We have a 3 year old and a 1 1/2 year old and are traveling with another family with children the same age. We are looking for a kid friendly area that isn't too pricey and hasn't been damaged due to the hurricanes. We have been told to look at Sanibel, Destin, and Sarasota to name a few. Night life isn't important to us and the kids are very easily entertained. We would be interested in either renting a condo or home - staying in a resort would be fine too - just as long as we have a kitchenette! Does anyone have any suggestions for us? Thanks so much!!!!!!!

Look at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

For a reasonable rental go to VRBO.com for a condo. You realize that March is peak season and the end of March is Easter Break?

You will probably want to be south of Orlando.

That will be during peak spring break season so you need to pick location carefully. I would suggest a Condo in St. Petersburg area (Indian Shores, Reddington Shores, St Pete beach, etc.) these are places more geared towards families. Areas to avoid (Daytona, Panama City, Fort Lauderdale, Clearwater). Here's a few links to get you started. We stayed a week at the first one and except for the parking (Only one spot) we loved it.

http://www.shorecondo.com/

http://www.kandyskondo.com/

http://www.c21plumlee.com/rentals/pictures.htm

http://www.beachdirectory.com/rb-frame.htm

http://www.redington-beach-hotels.beachdirectory.com/

I have five kids and have traveled quite a bit to Flordia and various beaches with them. We have taken them as young as 4 months and have always had a great time. Sanibel is beautiful, but more costly. The beach is very shelly, the kids would need to wear water shoes while on the beach. Destin has the beautiful soft white beaches, but I'm not sure if you can count on the weather to be nice and warm in March. We have stayed in a house in the Sandestin Beach resort (they also have condos). Our house was not right on the beach, but they had an open air shuttle that you could call and they would pick you and all your stuff up and take you to their beach less than a mile away. We thougt this place was extremely kid friendly with many pools to choose from, bike's with baby seats to rent, lots of walking/riding paths, golf-regular and putt putt, cool playgrounds (Jolie Island is a big play area shaped like a ship with nature paths surrounding it). There is also a market village with many specialty shops and great restaurants. Anything from fine dining to great pizza. We've gone to St. Petersburg Beach in Feb. and have had 80 degree-no humidity days! I'm a big fan of anything on the Gulf side of Florida, but we just returned from Singer Island/Palm Beach Shores area in November and thought the beach was nice. Our Condo Marriott's Ocean Pointe was very roomy with full kitchen and washer and dryer. There was some damage to the area, but not enough to distract from the beauty of the island. Some high rises were still boarded up in spots. Our condo had recieved no damage. There were a couple of really nice nature preserves that my kids enjoyed visiting. We are thinking of returning to this area again or Marco Island the end of March also. I just checked out airfare from St. Louis to West Palm Beach and can fly for under $200.00. I think that is pretty good for spring break season! Have a great trip wherever you go!

how about key biscayne, fl. check ritz carlton hotel or royal sonesta. perfect for kids. very upscale island 20 minutes from miami intl airport

I have 5 kids and I can't wait to return to Seaside in the Panhandle...prettiest beaches I've ever seen in the US. It's very expensive lodging, so you could stay in Seagrove and have full access to all the activities right next door in Seaside. Seagrove is a large area so be sure to be within a block or two of Seaside. Ask about getting to and from the beach too. Some access areas are up and down dozens of steps; difficult with toddlers...Grayton beach is about a mile away but closer to the beach (no roads to cross to get to the water). If you can swing a place within Seaside, by all means do it! It will be packed though.

mclhart has the answer: Seagrove/seaside beaches are the prettiest in all of FLorida, and you won't find a better place for kids AND adults. Try Garrett Realty for rental options. ww.garrettrealty.com -- very reliable.

gmoney, why avoid Ft Lauderdale? Them is fighting words to me, cause I live here! The "Where the Boys Are" mentality vanished many years ago. I agree with gotravel about Lauderdale by the Sea it is a great area and less expensive for families, with quick access to good FLL restaurants.

I'd like to continue the thread, but if someone could tell me more about the Sandestin, that would be great! We are flying from Boston in mid April and have a 20 mth old, so I'm wondering if we should rent a car, bring car seat, and any tips on anything really. Husband and I are big travellers, but this is the first time with the little guy.

I'd definitely rent a car for that area. The airport is far from Sandestin and there is plenty to do in the general area that will make you tempted to leave the Sandestin resort and get into the Destin area also (shopping at the outlets, tons of good restaurants, etc). I think you could just get the car rental place to let you rent a carseat also. We have rented carseats twice and both times found them to be acceptable, both clean and well installed. Have fun!

What airport would you fly into to get there and how long is the drive? One of our "wish list" hopes for our trip is to fly directly and drive little.