Why Florida?
 

I am currently planning two trips- one for my family and one for a reunion with my college girlfriends. (This is our shared family screen name). Some family friends have suggested Florida as a good location for both these types of trips but I was wondering about other people's experiences. Our kids are older and we want something that will be exciting for them and where they don't have to always hang out with Mom and Dad. My reunion will be late summer/early fall and we are looking for a place with serenity and adventure...the best of both worlds. Any suggestions?

Well you don't give a lot of info. Where are you (& college friends) starting from? Budget constraints? Age of kids? Time of year for family trip? Length of both trips? And what's your definition of "adventure"? Are we talking bungee jumping, parasailing or just somewhere you've never been?

Certainly Florida could work for both but there are plenty of other options-& for the family trip, they're not necessarily all in the US.

We are travelling from New York. My son is 16 and daughter is 18. We are looking to get away right when school lets out. And, our reunion will be late summer/early fall.

Go to Universal in Orlando with the kids. It is a "big" kids' park with wonderful rides and lots of excellent places to "party".

I'd pick someplace else for a girls' reunion trip...Like a neat spa. Late last summer we spent a couple days in Charleston, SC and found it quite stunning, so that might be another thought.

Late summer/early fall will still be very hot, humid, and sticky in all of Florida.

My suggestion would be on the water. Have you thought about Key West? Stuff for everyone to do, great dining, shopping, and entertainment plus a wide variety of accommodations.

How about Myrtle Beach SC? I've read here that there are great parts for adults and teens there. I was there once, waaaaaay back in the 70's. I remember loving it.

CuriousGeorge
When our kids were teens, we always went to Cedar Point (Sandusky Ohio) every year. The best coasters ever! They would go their way and we would go ours and plan where to meet for dinner. You can stay at the hotel at the park which has a beach area. After two days there, you could go to Put-In-Bay for a few days. You can rent bikes to tour the island. You could even take to ferry over to Kelly's Island if you wanted.

If you can make the reunion after Labor Day, prices & options will be better. If everyone is coming from the NY area, the Hamptons are terrific in Sept. serenity of beach & the crowds are gone. The Berkshires are also good then-If you're willing to fly to the west coast (Jet Blue has great fares) how about San Diego???

For the family trip, how about Hawaii?

You could take a cruise out of new York...some visit Florida and different places, the kids have acivities on board, spa is available, etc....you don't have to worry about food costs, hotel reservations, etc.

Why not ask your kids what they would like? I agree with the person who mentioned Universal Studios in Orlando. If you go not miss the Islands of Adventure theme park next door! Both are run by Universal.

I say that as one who normally does not go on "scary" rides (NO roller coasters), but the Spiderman ride has a lot of computer special effects that everyone will love (even if it made me slightly sick to my stomach). You think you are falling, etc.

You could go to Universal for a couple of days. Then you could move to a location on the beach and simply enjoy the beach or go to Cape Canaveral as well.

A trip like this could be done by staying in two different locations or renting a centrally located condo and taking day trips.

Alternatively, I would recommend the Gulf Coast if everyone wants to just "beach out". There are some areas there that are relatively undeveloped and much prettier than the Atlantic Coast.

If your kids are nature lovers, you could try the Everglades, but that is south of Miami and away from the Orlando attractions.

Please note that Florida--in my opinion--is great in spring, fall and winter but waaay too humid in summer.