Miami Beach vs. Fort Myers Beach
 

I am planning a 4 or 5 night get away to Florida for me (from NY) and my 21 year old daughter who is currently freezing at college in Montreal. We will be traveling the last week of February. I originally focused on the west coast of Florida. The lower energy vibe appeals to me, as does the opportunity to bike ride, go shelling, maybe take out a kayak, along with walking on the beach (and lying on it if it is warm enough). But the cost of the places is generally outrageous, the lower end place that I liked has no rooms,and another place I liked (actually on Siesta Key further north) has no pool. And my daughter would have to first fly home and then fly down to Florida. Now I am investigating South Beach - she can fly nonstop, then come home with me to visit before returning to school. And my son can get us a reasonably priced room (under $200) at a beach hotel. My concern is that I am not into the see and be seen shopping and clubbing that seems to epitomize SoBe. I'm not looking for museums - we have those here. But is there anything that you can recommend to do beyond the beach and the pool? Keep in mind that my budget does not stretch to $150pp boat rides. Also - is there good eating that is in the $20-$25pp range?

Lincoln Road has a nice mall that is not the high end boutique-y kind of shopping, just nice relaxing kind of regular shopping. Decent food places in there too for reasonable prices in the ranges you mentioned.

FWIW I like SoBe sooo much more than Ft Myers Beach!

Yyou might also look into Seagrove Beach in the panhandle of Florida for more reasonable rates and a more lowkey atmosphere. Try www.oneseagroveplace.com for rooms at a fantastic price located directly on the beach. At Seaside there are a couple of restaurants in the price range you indicated that are delicious, as well as on Grayton Beach such as Red Bar and others. Seaside also has outdoor shopping and browsing and bookstores, etc. You can bike ride everywhere and also at the condo I mentioned there are other water activities you can rent there that are not expensive. If you want more to do, you can always drive into Destin for a gazillion more attractions and things to do, though then you are getting out of the lowkey energy vibe.

Oh--forgot to mention a biggie--the flight situation will be the toughest part of the panhandle option. So check that out first.

Geez - there's no comparision !! If you're over 65 Fort Myers - I think you're daughter would much rather South Beach - I'm no spring chicken but Ft Myers is depressing to me ! Stay in So Beach and take a drive out to Key Biscayne - you'll love it !! Nice place to ride bikes.

sanibella,

I'm confused....what's the panhandle option?

In my post above, I suggested Seagrove as an alternative option... just an idea.

ahhhh, now I see it.

I'd love to see others weigh in on this. I didn't realize that Fort Myers Beach might be more of an elders get away.

We love Ft. Myers Beach (we are a married couple 52 and 53 years old). I didn't realize it was a place for the older people either. I saw plenty of young people partying there when we went last year. We are heading there again in mid-February and are looking forward to it. I thought it was a nice mix of all ages.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the weather.

In February there still could be a 30 degree difference in weather between Miami Beach and anywhere along the West Coast that your talking about.

Keep that in mind.

I don't think you will find a 30 degree difference in the weather between the east and west coasts of _southern_ Florida, but I would agree with what mark99 is implying: the Panhandle in February is likely not to be your idea of beach weather. They have frosts!

If you can get a $200 room in SoBe, take it. Even if the room is not so great, there is a great beach and plenty of people watching. It is quick to get to from the airport, and you really don't need a car. If you want shopping, take a bus up the island to Bal Harbour. If you do rent a car, even for a few days, you can see lots in Miami itself -- Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Vizcaya, Calle Ocho, etc. -- and drive to the Everglades or even across to Naples for the day.

Ft Myers Beach absolutely requires a car, and there is a huge bottleneck at the bridge to the mainland.

Ft Myers Beach does have viable trolley transportation. Getting on the island is a bottleneck, but once you're there, you can trolley-ride along its length. Beaches aren't bad, but it's not a hip scene, and prices are reasonable. And there are all ages....

We are staying in South Beach and I used Hotwire for our hotel but if I hadn't used Hotwire, I would have stayed at The Cadet. It has good reviews, good location and was recommended by someone here on Fodor's for it's cost of 140.00.
http://www.cadethotel.com/home.html

bookhall - you said that the prices on Fort Myers Beach are reasonable. I really didn't find that at all. Many places are over $300 and $400 per night, or they require a one week reservation. And the lower end places are either not on or near the beach, don't have a pool, and/or they got poor reviews on Tripadvisor. The few lower cost places that met my needs are booked - obviously for good reason. I am keeping their names for a get away I hope to take with my husband next fall or later. Maybe in the off season when prices are lower.

for mark99 - are you saying that the weather on the gulf coast is cooler than Miami? I checked the average temperatures - in February the average day temp is 74 in both Miami Beach and Fort Myers Beach. At night however there is a difference, with Miami being 64 and FMB 54. I know that the weather is not guaranteed anywhere, but considering that we are coming from Montreal (where the average temp lately has been 0) and NY, it will certainly feel nice to us even if it isn't sunbathing weather.

For now, it looks like it will be SoBe. I have flights on hold while my son confirms my hotel. Keeping my fingers crossed that it all comes together - and that no one's flights get screwed up by weather issues.

I think Mark99 was referencing my post about the panhandle. It will be chilly in more northern Florida in Feb, although lots of northern folks really love it there. Like I said before it was just an idea, I did not mean to divert your original post to an entirely different discussion. Temps should be enjoyable in both Miami and Ft Myers in late Feb.

I do think SoBe will be a better bet, given traffic (Ft Myers traffic can be a real snarl even once you are over the bridge), things to do, and other factors. I do think you will have plenty to enjoy there. Good luck with the hotel; I hope your son comes through for you!

Correct...was not talking about Ft. Myeres as much as I was pointing towards St. Petes and north. A number of times I left on a quick trip from Miami to get off the plane in the Tampa area where I felt like I was going to freeze to death. 30 degrees might have been an exageration...but it was considerable.

BTW....do you know what we call people swimming in the ocean in Jan and Feb in Miami????

TOURIST :>

This tourist is more of a wader and a beach walker than a swimmer when it comes to the ocean. :-)

But thanks for the input. We are going to Miami Beach. I have posted a new question for help deciding between 2 places to stay. I'll be posting for help finding good reasonable places to eat soon.

And - when I return to Florida next year with my husband, maybe I'll look at Siesta Key instead of Fort Myers Beach - at least it won't have the traffic. And it looks so peaceful.

IF, Siesta Key is still a consideration, look at http://sunsetsonthekey.com

It's a great property, about 1 block side street walk to the beach, a beautiful pool, and only a short walk to the village.

Not sure if they have vacancy for the time you need. I believe all the units come with a full kitchen and a small village market is just a 2 minute walk, so even if it's somewhat more expensive to rent, you will save some cash if you're willing to do some of your own cooking.

It really is a great property. It's not right on the beach but very close and your daughter can hit the SK village bars without the need to drive or taxi, and you can just chill out by the pool or on the beach, or???

:-)