Suggestions for 2nd week in Florida?
 

We will be staying with my brother and his family for a week in July in Naples. As we have 2 weeks of vacation, we have a week to do anything we want. We are interested in perhaps the Miami area and/or seeing the Keys but are open to suggestions. Our daughter will be with us and will be 10 months old at the time. We are flying into and out of Miami and will rent a car there. What would you do with this second week if you were us? We are not very familiar with Florida (other than the Naples area). Any hotels that you might suggest as well, that are on a beach and are family friendly?
Thanks in advance!
Kelti (:

If it weren't for the babe, I'd say definitely the Keys but not sure how good a car passenger she is. Why not tell us more about what you'd like to do and what sort of traveller she is.

I'd not want to bring a 10-month old to Miami. It would be too stressful for me as a mom. I think I'd go to St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, even to Disney. Somewhere where you can have lots of services available to you. As you will be leaving the beach, I'd suggest a few days at Disney, stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge with its great pool. Also, a couple of days in St. Pete on the downtown bayfront, trips to the great museums there, stay at the Renaissance Vinoy, lots of shopping available.

We are going to Florida (Naples) after Easter for 12 days. We are breaking up our trip too, this is what we are doing which may be helpful to you. We are flying into Ft. Myers airport and renting a car from Hertz. We are keeping the car for our stay in Naples then we are driving to Orlando which is 3 hours away and staying at the Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal. We are returning the car there since there is a Hertz counter right in the hotel. We will be spending the rest of our time there and no longer ned a car. We will then take a cab to Orlando airport and fly home!

You may be interested in going to Disney for the rest of the time as there is more interest for a 10 month old there than Universal. Disney is not beach front, but the pools are great for small children. The Keys are also beautiful...Key West is more of a town kind of island, not a beach resort place. There is also Sanibel/Captiva, which is very laid back, relaxing and family friendly...there are nice beachfront places to stay there. There is The Sundial and Southseas Plantation, which I know of. You may also enjoy Miami...it is a real hot spot (I have not been in years) but from what I have read it looks like it has something for everyone. There are a number of beach front hotels to choose from there. Another choice for you is Ft. Lauderdale. It is not far from Miami and I have read some great things about the Marriott.We were just there last year and stayed at the Hyatt. There is plenty to do, a water taxi which takes you from place to place, great places to eat at all price ranges and it is family friendly beachfront. Ft. Laudersale is beautiful..it may be a great place for the other half of your trip.

Hope this helps!

In the Miami area:
Sonesta Key Biscayne
Grove Isle
Biltmore Hotel
In the Keys:
Cheeca Lodge
Orlando would be a nice option there is just about only families there. Then there's Ft. Lauderdale or Bal Harbour/Sunny Isles in North Miami Beach
Trump Sonesta in Sunny Isles
Sheraton Bal Harbour
Westin Diplomat

Thanks so much for your suggestions everyone! We will review them and then make our plans. This board is really great.
Kelti (:

I can't imagine a 10 month old having any interest in Disney so I'd suggest the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Keys area more. I think going to John Pennekamp State Park is a smart choice and believe it would be fun for her. You could take her on a glass bottom boat and she could view the marine life. Before going on that boat I'd suggest the bird sanctuary 1-2 miles down the road past the park heading south. Alot of these birds will be the same ones you'll pass by on mangrove trees while heading out of Largo Sound into the ocean to view the reef. I'd also suggest stopping on Key Largo on your right to the Visitor's Center which gives you alot of information about things to do on the Keys.