Florida Family Vacations

Florida West Coast Vacations

Florida West Coast Travel Guide

Clearwater, Tampa, St. Pete Beach, Sarasota,
Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island, Naples

This part of the Sunshine State is perfect for family vacations. Along Florida's west coast, family adventures reach the beach and expand inland to wild animal parks and historical sites galore. Families particularly enjoy the gently sloping sands of Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island, long recognized as one of the world's safest beaches.

Places to Visit

Clearwater: Clearwater Beach is the "Best City Beach On The Gulf Of Mexico" according to Dr. Stephen Leatherman ("Dr. Beach"), a Florida International University professor who has been ranking America's beaches for ten years. Clearwater and its island beaches are fortunate to offer something for everybody. Attractions include arts and museums, the natural environment, historic buildings, special events and more traditional attractions. Kayak through Clearwater bay islands, bird rookeries and boiling springs and see dolphins, great blue herons and more. Go parasailing, sailing, fishing, swimming or you could cruise the gulf on a pirate ship.

St. Pete Beach: Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the Tampa Bay area, St. Petersburg records 361 days a year of sunshine - no wonder the city's moniker is the Sunshine City. Peer over The Pier--It's the city's landmark, that inverted pyramid that juts a half mile into Tampa Bay from downtown's shores. The Pier, attracting two million visitors a year, is a five-story marketplace with shops and restaurants, The Pier Aquarium, an observation deck, a bait shop and more.

Ft. Myers: There's always something to do in the Fort Myers area; golfing, skateboarding, ice-skating, roller-skating, nature walks, a hands-on museum, water park, planetarium, beautiful beaches and much more for the family!

Sanibel Island: Sanibel Island has everything one could wish for such as excellent restaurants, accommodations, golfing, tennis, fishing, boating, water-skiing, swimming, shopping, bike paths, canoes, theatrical productions, abundance of wildlife and more. Sanibel was named one of the Top 10 Islands in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Sarasota: Rolling white-sand beaches and sparkling azure waters make Sarasota the gem of Florida’s West Coast. Here you can fish, collect shells, go kayaking, swimming, and create memories for the entire family.

Tampa: Tampa Bay's weather, accented by warm sunshine and cool bay breezes, provides the perfect backdrop for your vacation. Enjoy white, sugar sand beaches, sport fishing, jet skiing, parasailing, Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, and strolling in the Hyde Park or Ybor City districts for some unique shopping opportunities. Bargain hunters will also love the many outlet centers and flea markets.

Attractions

Great Explorations, A Children’s Museum (St. Petersburg) - Let your kids and their imaginations go crazy at this educational hands-on museum in St. Pete. Kids don’t just look at the exhibits, they can touch, explore, and even become part of them! www.greatexplorations.org

Fort DeSoto Park ( Tierra Verde) - A 1,136-acre county preserve consisting of five islands, seven miles of undeveloped beaches, a camp ground, boat ramps, fishing piers, paved fitness trails and a historic fort.

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