Kid friendly beach/city in Florida during Spring Break

[LuckyTaxi]

Avoiding Miami for obvious reasons but are there any hidden gems we can visit in Florida over the Easter break with a 6 and 3 yo. We would be flying in from the Northeast.

Having a beach would be most ideal but also some sight seeing. We want to avoid Disney since my little one is too young.

 

[zinfamous]

Panama Beach!

(no, don't)

 

[IronWing]

Canaveral National Seashore and New Smyrna Beach but check NASA's launch schedule to make sure the place isn't clogged with space nerds and explosions.

 

[glenn1]

Naples is nice plus you could incorporate a day trip to Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The Bubble Room is a hoot. And there's enough other activities to keep the young ones occupied.

History | Bubble Room Restaurant

The Bubble Room was born in 1979 on its present site on Captiva Island. The world famous restaurant that it is today followed a very modest beginning of just a few tables in the front room of the home of the Farqhuarson family. Today’s famous multi- theme restaurant slowly took shape. Starting...

www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com

 

[Jeeebus]

Most of the beaches along Southwest Florida, from Marco Island north to Sarasota, are going to be the best bet for beautiful beach, less people, calmer water. There are a couple boat only islands you need to take a ferry from the mainland to get to (forgetting their names) which are cool. My family had property on Manasota Key for about 20 years so I'm partial to that area - not a ton to do other than rest, relax, and fish, but frankly that's all I want to do anyway.

Sanibel/Captiva I haven't been to in about 25 years. I remember my parents looking at property back then and an acre on the beach was like $40,000. OMG TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Had my parents dropped some cash back then, I'd be rolling on my 100' yacht now.

 

[shortylickens]

Mayport beach is no more depraved during Spring Break than any other time of year. Thats because it keeps its depravity consistent year-round.
I would recommend avoiding Florida beaches during Spring Break. Well, maybe if you have friends living in retirement communities that happen to be beach-adjacent. Those probably don't get crazy.

 

[highland145]

Mexico Beach/Port St Joe...oh, wait, nvm.

Sis says things have improved but it will be years before it's "back to normal."

 

[purbeast0]

Fly into MIA or FLL and drive down to the Keys. I've been down there like 5x with my son who's almost 5 and he loves it down there as do we. It's very low key and chill, although you won't find long stretches of beaches like you would in Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

 

[ponyo]

Mexico Beach/Port St Joe...oh, wait, nvm.

Sis says things have improved but it will be years before it's "back to normal."

I'm planning to go down there this year to check on the area and its rebuilding progress. My wife and I always talked about buying a vacation home in Cape San Blas area. If your sister knows any good investment deals down in Mexico Beach/Port St Joe/Cape San Blas area, I would be interested.

 

[highland145]

I'm planning to go down there this year to check on the area and its rebuilding progress. My wife and I always talked about buying a vacation home in Cape San Blas area. If your sister knows any good investment deals down in Mexico Beach/Port St Joe/Cape San Blas area, I would be interested.

I'll be glad to reach out.

 

[TheVrolok]

Most of the beaches along Southwest Florida, from Marco Island north to Sarasota, are going to be the best bet for beautiful beach, less people, calmer water. There are a couple boat only islands you need to take a ferry from the mainland to get to (forgetting their names) which are cool. My family had property on Manasota Key for about 20 years so I'm partial to that area - not a ton to do other than rest, relax, and fish, but frankly that's all I want to do anyway.

Sanibel/Captiva I haven't been to in about 25 years. I remember my parents looking at property back then and an acre on the beach was like $40,000. OMG TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Had my parents dropped some cash back then, I'd be rolling on my 100' yacht now.

Absolutely this.