Thanks to all who answered my previous posts but I'm still so torn! If there is anyone out there who has visited Ft. Myers Beach and St. Pete/Clearwater, I'd like to know how they compare since we stayed in Fort Myers two years ago. Which one is busier, prettier, more or less populated. Thanks again for any help!
Suzie

I've been to all three. They're all pretty similar, but I think FM and CW have nicer beaches than SP. SP is a bit shelly in some areas. FM and CW also strike me more as beachtowns with a little more commercial density (you can walk to shops/bars/restaurants while this is more difficult in SP). Overall, I prefer FM slightly to CW - it seems less busy, has a more defined central area and seems a little more laid back. Plus I love the waterfront open air Greek restaurant "downtown".

And if you want to get away from the central area, you can stay up to 5-6 miles away and still have a very nice beach.

Be careful where you stay in CW. Some hotels will say they're waterfront, but they're not on (or near) the beach. Many are on the inlet. Be sure to look at where they're located on a map.

Good luck.

Hello have stayed at all three beaches. I would say that fm and cw are more of a younger crowd and sp was more of a older crowd all three beautiful beaches and nice places to stay. I agree watch cw as we stayed at a best western and it was on an inlet. Stayed at the tradewinds in sp pretty high prices for May was nice but not worth the $$ stayed at Gullwing in fm was a nice condo and beautiful wide beach. Good Luck. Kathy

Susan,

Hnestly, neither of these beaches would be my first choice. There are much nicer beach communities along the Gulf coast to choose from.

If I had to choose, I would go with Clearwater Beach. IMO, the beach and the area in general are nicer. I do not like Ft. Myers Beach. It's too "touristy".

Again, thanks for your replies. Keep them coming. Sal, in my earlier post I let everyone know that I had easily bored teens. They tend to like the touristy stuff - t-shirt shops, waterfront restaurants with live music, etc. Fort Myers was just about perfect but it got awfully quiet around 9 PM. Of course, we went in October which was off season. This trip we are going in early August. Will that make a difference?
Thanks

Check out www.flausa.com. Should be able to find out lots of info.

Susan,

I think you're going to find that the beaches on Fla's West Coast will be quieter than the beaches on the East Coast. It's not a place that teens will find particularly exciting, unlike Daytona, Ft. Lauderdale, or even Cocoa. If you want to find things for them to do in the evening, you'll probably have to drive into town for movies etc. It's about a 20 - 30 minute drive form both areas into town. You will find more families in both places in August. As for nightlife, you won't find it much different in August. Maybe all the fresh air and sunshine will tire them out earlier! Ha, I know better, I have a teenager. Good luck.