I’m fond of Sarasota. The Ringling castle and sponge fishermen.
I think Ripley’s museum too.
A nice place, if you go in the morning, is around the curve of Pensacola. There are endless sand beaches. Actually often too endless - so shallow you walk a long way to reach the water, and then it’s too shallow to swim. But what I like are all the fantastic miniature golf places with soaring dinosaurs and windmills and castles. So tall and elaborate you won’t believe it.
You could visit the country’s lowest high point at 345’. snicker
Geography is not my strong suit.
When in Florida, I stay with my parents(who being Jewish and retired, gave into the biological imperative to move to Florida). Thus, I know nothing about hotels.
But, you must see Coral Castle
It’s almost impossible to describe the experience. A single man-a mechanical genius, with no understanding of human interaction, comical, yet noble, grand and pathetic, Don Quixote by way of Frank Lloyd Wright.
If you end up anywhere near it, go.Remember in the spring (March through April and even early May) it’s Spring Break in Florida. So places like Daytona and the panhandle beaches are going to be mobbed with crazy youngsters (are there other hot spots?). The rest of Florida gets spring breakers too, but not the mobs the hot spots get.
Don’t bother seeing the Coral Castle unless you are well armed and can lock your car tighter than Fort Knox. The place itself isn’t bad, but the surrounding neighborhood isn’t at all a good one. I lived in Homestead about three years ago, so my information might be out of date, but I doubt it.
I favor the St. Petersburg area–well, I must, since I live there. The beaches are great and are easily accessable, which isn’t the case around Fort Myers. Sanibel is nice, but expensive—check with Sanibel Man about that. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the St. Pete/Tampa area and public transportation isn’t all that bad. Ybor City at night is fun, but it can be a little dangerous, so I’m told. I’m old, though, and what I think is dangerous, you youngsters might consider scintillating. The entire Gulf Coast of Pinellas County is great and if you want a really magnificent beach, visit Fort Desoto. You will also find a great bike/hike/skate trail there, and bikes can be rented inside the park, as can canoes. Be very careful about sunburn, especially this time of the year–you can blister before you know it. For what it is worth, Pinellas County boasts a 40+ mile bike trail, but it is mostly inland, and not very scenic. Great for exercise, though. St. Pete has some good museums, in case of rain, as does Tampa. Anyway, Pinellas County is my recommendation–something for everyone.