Calling Florida (or traveling) CP Members

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

Trip Advisor says St. Pete has some of the best beaches in America. From KC, there are a ton of nonstop flights to Tampa Bay for under 300 dollars round trip.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches

If we were to head there for 4-5 days, are there good restaurants, and would you have any suggestions on places to stay. Since the airfare is cheap, I can splurge a little on things like accommodations and dining. Keep in mind that the sole purpose of this vacation is to lay around and pretty much do nothing for 4 days. (I know I can do that at home, but the wife insists on a nice beach).

What say you?

I've been living in St. Pete for 2.5 years now. The beaches are some of the best beaches in the world. No BS. Dr. Beach, trip advisor, Conde Nast etc. all say that. Not just in the USA but the whole stinking world. White powder sand and good days some waves. I'll help you out.

What time of the year you coming down? How long do you have? You can get round trip flights on Alligiant Air into St. Petersburg from around $250.

I've been posting pics and descriptions of my trips to the area beaches for the folks back home on Facebook.

[58-4ever]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I've been living in St. Pete for 2.5 years now. The beaches are some of the best beaches in the world. No BS. Dr. Beach, trip advisor, Conde Nast etc. all say that. Not just in the USA but the whole stinking world. White powder sand and good days some waves. I'll help you out.

What time of the year you coming down? How long do you have? You can get round trip flights on Alligiant Air into St. Petersburg from around $250.

I've been posting pics and descriptions of my trips to the area beaches for the folks back home on Facebook.

Thanks BRC, the info would be much appreciated. We are flexible on timing. I was thinking late April until the end of May or so. Probably for about 4-5 nights. Is the area good too or is it strictly a beach destination? I'm fine with the latter, but the more options, the better.

Can't I just fly into Tampa and take a cab in? Maps say it's only about 28 miles.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

Thanks BRC, the info would be much appreciated. We are flexible on timing. I was thinking late April until the end of May or so. Probably for about 4-5 nights. Is the area good too or is it strictly a beach destination? I'm fine with the latter, but the more options, the better.

Can't I just fly into Tampa and take a cab in? Maps say it's only about 28 miles.

The beaches are why people come to St. Pete. They do have Bush Gardens here. It's a huge park. Orlando, Disney, Universal, Sea World about an hour away.

Siesta Key is the #1 beach in the world. Thats a day trip to sarasota.

You can stay on St. Pete Beach pretty cheap before schools get out.

Clearwater beach is another top beach on everyones list.

Ft. Desoto beach is also on a lot of beach lists as the #1 beach in the USA. It's a state park only $5 to get in.

We love PASS-A-GRILLE beach also. It's where the locals go, park right by the beach and go.

Thats 4 days at the beach right there.

There is always something going on at the beaches, festivals etc. Go to the tampabay.com/thingstodo and see whats happening on the 4-5 days you are looking to visit.

[clyde05]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

The beaches are why people come to St. Pete. They do have Bush Gardens here. It's a huge park. Orlando, Disney, Universal, Sea World about an hour away.

Siesta Key is the #1 beach in the world. Thats a day trip to sarasota.

You can stay on St. Pete Beach pretty cheap before schools get out.

Clearwater beach is another top beach on everyones list.

Ft. Desoto beach is also on a lot of beach lists as the #1 beach in the USA. It's a state park only $5 to get in.

We love PASS-A-GRILLE beach also. It's where the locals go, park right by the beach and go.

Thats 4 days at the beach right there.

There is always something going on at the beaches, festivals etc. Go to the tampabay.com/thingstodo and see whats happening on the 4-5 days you are looking to visit.

Yes Ft. Desota is very nice beach, I also like Clearwater beach and Honeymoon Island is fun, you can take ferry out to Caladesi Beach.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by 58-4ever

Thanks BRC, the info would be much appreciated. We are flexible on timing. I was thinking late April until the end of May or so. Probably for about 4-5 nights. Is the area good too or is it strictly a beach destination? I'm fine with the latter, but the more options, the better.

Can't I just fly into Tampa and take a cab in? Maps say it's only about 28 miles.

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

The beaches are why people come to St. Pete. They do have Bush Gardens here. It's a huge park. Orlando, Disney, Universal, Sea World about an hour away.

Siesta Key is the #1 beach in the world. Thats a day trip to sarasota.

You can stay on St. Pete Beach pretty cheap before schools get out.

Clearwater beach is another top beach on everyones list.

Ft. Desoto beach is also on a lot of beach lists as the #1 beach in the USA. It's a state park only $5 to get in.

We love PASS-A-GRILLE beach also. It's where the locals go, park right by the beach and go.

Thats 4 days at the beach right there.

There is always something going on at the beaches, festivals etc. Go to the tampabay.com/thingstodo and see whats happening on the 4-5 days you are looking to visit.

The beaches in the Clearwater-St. Pete area are Awesome. I grew up on the east coast in South FL and I like the beaches on the west coast much better.

There are plenty of other things to do in Tampa/St Pete if you don't want to spend all day at the beach. BRC mentioned Busch Gardens - it's a great theme park in Tampa. Near Busch Gardens is a Yuengling Brewery that offers tours. Not too far from either is a Big Cat Rescue that's pretty cool and offers a nice tour.

In St. Pete there are some really great museums if you're into art. The Salvador Dali museum is Awesome. There's also the Morean Arts Center that has a Chihuly exhibit, glass studio & hot shop, and a center for clay. There are several small galleries along central avenue in St. Pete. You could always drive 45mins south to Sarasota and check out the Ringling Bros Museum, mansion, and gardens which is actually pretty interesting.

Depending upon when you visit you can catch a Bucs, Rays, or Lightning game. During spring training the Orioles, Pirates, Phillies, Blue Jays, and Yankees are all within the area. There are plenty of bars/restaurants in downtown St. Pete, the Hyde Park area in Tampa, or along the beaches (St. Pete or Clearwater).