cwandrey

So you've been to Orlando twice. What are some of your favorite sites, restaurants, etc.? I have 3 young children between 2-5 yrs. old, and was thinking of Disney World or Sea World any advice on whether they are to young

clairelong

i'm also wondering if the water is wonderful if you snorkel here or you don't and if not...why not?

Paul

Okay... I'd like to jump in here as I have lived in Galveston/Houston and have have visited the Panhandle of Florida many times.

My undergraduate college professor at the University of Houston (Oceanography Course) explained the currents of the Gulf. The water pours out of the Missippi and into the Gulf. The water circulates in the Gulf of Mexico in a clockwise rotation. The water and sand is 'cleaned' during this movement. Therefore, the water/sediment/sand at the entrance of the Missippi to the Gulf is the most unclean. It gets cleaner as it travels down the shoreline of Texas, circulates around back up the Florida coast beginning in Naples...etc. By the time it moves up the coast of Florida to the Panhandle area it is the very clean, clear and pristine. The 'Redneck Riverra' is even cleaner (that is, the water and the sand is).
Oceanography 310

Happy Trails,
Paul

PS He mentioned nothing of the massive oil drilling off the coast of Texas - the rigs you can see from the beaches of Galveston, and the oil you can often feel on your toes.

ebgibbs

We just stayed in Amelia at Elizabeth Pointe Lodge and liked it very much. There is a wonderful porch overlooking the ocean, perfect for reading, and when you get thirsty, there is a pitcher of homemade lemonade just feet away, all day, or coffee and homemde cookies. We read and relaxed, looked at the Ocean and felt pampered. We took a day trip to Cumberland Island, an undeveloped barrier island owned by the federal park service. It was a nice trip.

bluestructure

Destin is my fav beach in Florida. white sand beaches with blue/green water....beautiful. you dont have to drive all the way down to Miami where the beaches arent as nice/clean.

chinita_v

My husband and I just returned from a week leisurely exploring the Keys - wonderful! It's not fancy, most of it -- lots of quaint 50's style Florida motels, etc. -- but wonderful, reasonable restaurants everywhere we went and some lovely accommodations in Big Pine Key (Barnacle B & B) and Key West (Casa Alante Guest Cottages). Snorkeling is excellent at two state parks (Pennecamp in Key Largo, Looe Key Marine Reserve) and the amazing Dry Tortugas, 70 miles past Key West. We did St. Pete's a couple of summers ago and really enjoyed that, too, but if you like snorkeling, fresh fish and seafood, and Key lime pie - do try the Keys!

ssharris

Cookie707 ... I'm not sure if this is how to email you or not but I wanted to ask you some questions about the Longboat Key Club ... really liked what I saw on their website! How do I email you?

SMH

cmarco

Lilley, I hope you're still checking for replys. I have vacationed all over Florida. Key West is nice for 30 somethings, it's relaxed, low-keyed, has some laid-back bars/clubs; however, NO BEACHES. We took a catamaran out snorkeling, but would still have liked to have laid on a beach. I would recommend Seaside hands down!! It's a very quiet and cute beach community on the panhandle near Destin. Good restaurants, shopping, galleries and lots of space on the pristine white beaches. Good luck!

zorba

" I have 3 young children between 2-5 yrs. old, and was thinking of Disney World or Sea World any advice on whether they are to young"

To me, it would definitely be a challenge especially with 3 little ones. I waited until my 2 were 13 & 15 to take them to the FL. theme parks. On the other hand, I saw plenty of people in Disney, Universal, etc. with very young children so I guess it works for them.

LN

SSHarris:

Everything you saw on the internet about the Longboat Key Club is true. I also live on the island and it is the upscale club there. Another place is The Colony and that's extremely nice too. Longboat Key is a narrow island that is 12 miles long and as posters have said about the Florida panhandle's white, talcum powder sand - well we've got the whitest, softest, talcum sand around!! We fell in love with LBK and so we go down as often as we can. Even summers are pretty good as you get a great breeze off the gulf.

If you have any questions - just ask!!