baloney

I'm looking for recommendations for a last minute trip to Florida with my 10-year-old son. I've never been to Southern Florida before, and need help planning where to stay, and things to do. We fly into Ft. Lauderdale in mid-February and have 5 days to spend. Should we find a beach on the Atlantic side or beach side for a base? We will have a rental car, so we're flexible. Will the water be warm in both places? We like areas that have natural beauty and which aren't crowded and overly developed. We want to visit the Everglades and other natural parks, walk on the beach, swim, read books in a hammock or lounge chair, and eat good seafood. We would prefer to stay at a smaller, affordable, low-key place with a pool, close to or on a nice beach. I have found a number of nice sounding places to stay on or near the beaches in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, but I have no concept of what it's like in those areas. If you have any recommendations about where to go (including lodging recommendations), they would be greatly appreciated.

JulieVikmanis

We live in Pompano Beach near Ft. Lauderdale but north of it and a little less citified. The area is close to the Everglades. You can drive to air boat rides and to the wonderful Butterfly World. There are small, one and two story resorts on or near the beach for the kind of low key lifestyle you seem to be seeking. One group with that kind of lodging may be seen at 4rentbythebeach.com. It's a member of a larger group called Superior Small Lodgings which has a number of hotels and B&B type establishments in the area.

Besides Pompano, other areas to look for some slow lane accommodationg are Deerfield Beach and Lauderdale by the Sea. If you'd care to share the names of some of the "nice sounding places" you've found, I'd be happy to give you a local's opinion, if I know of them. If you do decide to stay in the Ft. Lauderdale area, rather than moving on down to the Keys, for instance which are even more laid back, I'll be happy to follow up with some suggestions for the "good seafood" that you're looking for. Enjoy.

Wayne

Well, it's nearly mid-February already, and the temperature forecast in the Tampa Bay area for the next week or two is highs close to 80, lows around 65. That can be quickly dropped with an unpredicted cold front, which happens from time to time. But for now at least it seems to hold.

Going to the beach with those air temperatures can be quite tolerable for persons who normally live "up north." But what I'm really thinking is that something around the latitude of Ft Lauderdale, or even farther south, will be better. Given a choice, I would stay on the Gulf Coast side of Florida, but with your air travel already set, a drive across the state (and eventually back again) might not be worth it. The Atlantic will obviously be colder than the Gulf, but again around Ft Lauderdale it will be tolerable.

All that I simply intended to say is that you ought to follow your plan, locate a smaller place as you had already researched, and you will be fine anywher in the Ft Lauderdale area. You ought to find some decent deals this time of year.
Good luck.

luv2plan

Hi, We are actually going to Marco Island on Saturday for a few days to visit family then going to ft lauderdale on our own for a few days. We are flying in & out of FLL. I think it is about 2 hrs to get to marco island on the gulf side. We are staying at a condo on marco, but we are staying at Lago Mar in FLL. It looks really nice, tropic pool, big wide beach, mini golf at the resort. We haven't been to Ft Lauderdale before, but are looking forward to it...from Illinois!

Happy planning!

emalloy

Check out the offerings on www.nps,gov click on Florida. Shark Valley is right off rt 41 not too far from Fort Lauderdale and is a neat ride into the everglades. If you want to drive a bit farther their boat ride out of Everglades City into the 10000 islands would be fun for a kid too,

DavidRW

There is nothing low key about the FT. Lauderdale area. It has the highest density population in the state. There are some very nice hotels but don't expect an "old Florida" atmosphere. On the east coast look at Hutchinson Island or Jupiter.

On the west coast, my favorite Boca Grande. BG is like florida was 60 years ago, but with great restaurants. In February, its likely you won't see another soul on the beach for as far as you can see. High season is June and July during tarpon season.

GoTravel

Hollywood Beach just south of Fort Lauderdale is pretty low key. As much as you'll get in that area.

That said, Fort Lauderdale is a wonderful town. Outstanding beaches and lot of shopping dining and attractions.

You can always drive to Miami and visit the Miami MetroZoo, Parrot Jungle, Versailles Pool, and the Museum of South Florida. Take a tour with Dr.George.

Hotels in Hollywood Beach:

Crown Plaza
Westin Diplomat
Marriott Hollywood Beach

Fort Lauderdale Hotels:

Courtyard By Marriot Fort Lauderdale Beach
The Pelican
The Atlantic
Lago Mar

Miami Beach hotels

Newport Beach Resort
Trump Sonesta
Aqualina
Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne or South Beach

GoTravel

Forgot to add, your best bet for good weather will be FLL, Miami, Naples, or the keys.