My sister & I are heading somewhere warm (we live in Indiana) for spring break. We haven't made up our minds where. We do know we want on the ocean. We will be traveling with 4 kids ages 13,11,11 & 9. Is there any unique places you can reccomend. Not the typically places like Myrtle beach etc.. Which is where we are thinking of going as of right now.
Thanks for any help.
Karen

When is your spring break? Do you mean Easter Break? Are you the week before or after Easter?

If you want to swim in the ocean in April, I would suggest South Florida on either coast. The water off the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida will still be a bit chilly. Pools are fine.

With kids that age, I'd head to either St. Pete Beach or Treasure Island, Florida. There will be lots of other kids their ages there. And you can easily slip to any of the Orlando-area theme parks for the day, or to Tampa's Busch Gardens and their sister water park, Adventure Island (check to see when it opens for the season).

Our Spring break starts early. We will be leaving March 13th for a four day adventure some where. I had thought about Treasure Island.. Is it a good place to go??? We have never been there.

I would recommend a resort in the PLaya Del Carmen area of Mexico. The beaches are great, it's low key (no spring breakers) and very family friendly. There's also some great site-seeing (ruins). Check that Latin American board for more info.

When you say "a 4 day adventure" do you mean 1 day travelling there, 1 day back & 4 days there (March 13-18). Or, March 13-16?

I just saw the trip is only 4 days. For 4 days, I don't recommend Mexico, you'd need at least 6 days to have time for good relaxation and some site-seeing.

I've never been to Treasure Island but I have been to Clearwater beach and it was nice. I went in late feb last year and the water was a bit chilly but it's like a swimming pool once you get used to it. It doesn't bother you. Also go in the mid afternoon. I went around 5:00 almost sunset so that would probaly explain why the water was cold. And then after the sunset it was too cold even out of the water.
Disney world is a good idea too or Busch gardens. Or Universal studios I think it's more fun for adults but still great for the kids. I think you and your sister would like universal studios as much as the kids.

I love Treasure Island. It's unlike all the other beaches in Florida. Its heyday was the 1950s and so even today many of the original funky buildings are still standing. You will not find upscale properties here on the level of many finer hotels, but what you find you can't put a price on. Your kids will love the fun architecture and all the little shops. Your budget will love the lower prices. And the beach at TI is wide and full of sand dunes and sea oats. The city traditionally does a lot to keep tourists there -- sand castle contests are an every year occurence. Sometimes they have concerts on the beach. There is a long-standing group that has a drum circle on the beach. There is parasailing and lots of other water activities. Be sure to bring a kite because this beach is always swarming with kite flyers.

The Bilmar is a nice spot. The Surf is great. The Thunderbird. Trails End. There are many many hotels here.