The Sunshine State has much more to offer than Orlando. Below are some highlights for family spring break.
- Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort : giant 2400-acre resort in Northwest Florida, with beach on the Emerald Coast and also a bay side. Boogie-boards, Kids' sailing, kids' programs, play zones, Junior Golf Academy; picture-perfect Village of Baytowne Wharf.
- Clearwater Beach/St. Pete: affordable west coast two hours from Orlando has nature outings, cultural gems, miles of top-rated beaches; dolphin-spotting, shelling, Pirate Cruise. (Be prepared to share beaches with teen spring-breakers, though!)
- Sanibel Island and Captiva Island: Off the west coast near the bottom of the Florida peninsula are two beautiful islands for nature lovers. No beach pollution; miles of beaches perfect for kids because of gentle waves and shallow shoreline. Great shelling, too.
- Amelia Island: in the northeast near Jacksonville, with lovely beaches, a historic fort with actors who play period characters, quaint town with historic sections, delicious sea-food, and some fine resorts that welcome families.
- Space Coast: 45 minutes east of Orlando is 72 miles of shore the site of the shuttle launches today, Kennedy Space Center, beautiful beaches, saltwater estuaries, and 250 sq. miles of wildlife refuges.
- Florida Everglades: visit in March, before the insects get pesky! An hour south of Miami.
- Families will probably not want to visit several beach towns infamous for party-time college spring breaks! See college-age Spring Break hot-spots.
