Homosassa Springs Wildlife park is a great place to view Manatees in the wild. They also have wildlife zoo of animals that have been injured and are being rehabilitated. Keep in mind its about a 90 minute ride from where your staying.

Thanks for the info I will look into it! Do you know anything about the Mote Marine Lab?

Jumping in here as a local. Lexie, you will love the Don. It is a beautiful hotel. Be warned that it is not within walking distance to shops and restaurants, though, as the Tradewinds properties are (and the Don Beach Suites). But it is definitely a cut above the TWinds!

With regard to the aquarium, my favorite is the Tampa one. And it is very convenient to drive from the Don (just off the interstate) compared to the other aquariums. Allow an hour and a half. There is a trolley available outside the museum that can take you to Ybor City (go in the *daytime only*), where you will find shopping and lunch, and also Steven Spielberg's "Gameworks" amusement place if that is something of interest. Reboard the trolley for Channelside, where the cruise ships dock and more shoppping if you're still ready for more.

Snorkeling is not very good at Egmont, although the island itself is beautiful, your money would be better spent on a dolphin cruise. My nephew loved the Nemo cruise, but it is a bear getting to CW Beach, as Ms Steinrunner pointed out. I have seen dolphins jumping out of the water while sitting on the beach (Treasure Island just north of SPBech), so you may just see them at sunset from your hotel room! I will try to find you some close by local boats that take folks out. THere's one that advertises "free Beer" that always gets a chuckle out of my husband when we see it go by.

Here's the Free Beer one! You board at John's Pass, about ten minutes drive north of the Don.
http://www.hubbardsmarina.com/um/sunset.html

Just returned from four days at Tradewinds Sandpiper and liked our suite and the beach a lot. But we only paid $155 last month; $303 seems REALLY high. Tradewinds Grand WILL have more activities for kids. Be aware you also pay a daily resort fee that includes parking, the paddle boats, etc. Great Kids Club.

Thanks to everyone for all the info!

We did the Egmont Key snorkeling tour. Not the best snorkeling but it was a fun trip- and with the age of your kids it should be fun. Also one of our highlights was parasailing over the gulf from St. Pete's. The view was simply beautiful.