Ann

Looking for a nice place to vacation mid-March with 3 and 5 year old boys. Would like a nice family oriented area with a beach. We would like to avoid college spring breakers. Any ideas?

Anne

Ann, We had a lovely spring break last March at the Lago Mar resort in Ft. Lauderdale. We were there with our two kids (10 and 13), though there were lots of families with younger kids. It is a wonderful family resort with hardly any college spring breakers. There is a lot for kids to do (putt-putt golf, ping pong, a play area, two pools, a beautiful beach). It is pricey, but we loved our week there. Just a thought! They have a web site if you want to look them up. Can't remember the address -- maybe Lagomar.com?

tracy

Hi Ann, we took our little ones on the Disney cruise for spring break and had a very good time. There's a kids' club that runs daily from 9 a.m. to after midnight and you can leave your kids in it as little or as much as you (and they) want, and it's free (well, paid for as part of the cruise price, anyway). Kids have to be 3 and potty trained. Kids that young love Disney characters, and they are all over the boat. You can choose either a 3-night, 4-night or 7-night cruise. They leave from Port Canaveral, a 50-minute shuttle ride from Orlando, Florida. You will definitely avoid college spring breakers on the Disney cruise, and as for a nice family oriented area, that's it! Beaches on the ports of call are great, and the kids will love the pools on the ship, the bunk beds in the stateroom, the Disney movies in the theater and Disney-oriented shows at night. Meals are included in the price and overall, it's a great vacation for young children. Check www.disboards.com, under the Cruise area, for more information. Good luck! We're already planning to go next spring break.

native son

Grayton Beach or Seaside along the Northwest Gulf Coast of Florida. Rent the Truman Show. It was filmed using the town of Seaside and for the most part, the town is really like that. The beach shots were done in California, though. The sand is incredibly white and the waters are emerald green.

Don't forget to eat at the Red Bar.

Jane

I also think your kids would be at a perfect age to do a Disney cruise. There are both three and four day cruises available, both to Bahamas but the best part is going to Disney's own private island. The magic of Disney comes alive for preschool age kids.

If you are not into Disney, how about Gulf Shores, Alabama. This is more of a family destination. Our family has done this and there are nice hotels and condos along the ocean. Mid-March will still be kind of cool. In Florida there is Sanibel Island, your boys would like hunting for seashells.
http://www.gosmartravel.com

x

san diego

Susan

While San Diego is a greta place to visit Ann won't be going to the beach in San Diego in March! It's feezing!