3 nt beach vk in April with kids?

We booked it ourselves.

Thank you, I think it said I need to call for a cottage, this is promising.

Another stupid question...since we will be flying in and out of Fort Lauderdale, is there any where else we should (or would want to) spend a day in the vicinity? Especially anything else to do with the kid if we do something with her for one night?

Call on those cottages asap...slim chance any of them are vacant sadly.

A few years ago (four tween cousins) we took a fun airboat ride in the Everglades.

http://www.gatorpark.com/

Have to line everything up so I can't call yet! Hope to within the next few days.

Jet Blue is having a flash sale today until 4.

Hollywood Beach has a very nice esplanade that runs 2 miles along the ocean with all kinds of fun restaurants, shops, ice cream places, etc.

http://www.visithollywoodfl.org/hollywoodbeachbroadwalk.aspx

Hollywood also has a very cute downtown.

Looking closely at Siesta Key for our April spring beak; any suggestions for places to stay? Anna Maria Island also looks great, but I am looking for the best (most Caribbean-y) beach and it sounds like that's Siesta; if I have that wrong though, let me know!

Check TripAdvisor for Siesta Key there are some small beachside inns, also VRBO as there are numerous
beachfront apartments for rent.
My favorite is the Hyatt Siesta Key which is a 5 star quality apartment hotel with 2-3-4 bedroom luxury apartments.....

We've always rented a condo. The Hyatt is a timeshare property and not on the best section of the beach - although still very nice. I like the area a little farther north between Stickney Pt Rd and the Public Beach. It's almost all condos but lots of rental availability usually.

Just to clarify Eliz.....the Hyatt has 11 timeshare apartments and 33 owned apartments that Hyatt rents for its owners.
It received the Tripadvisor resort of the year a few years ago.....in season the apartments are 600-1000 a night.
Not too shabby!

It's a gorgeous property no doubt and I wouldn't mind owning one of them. But it's really expensive and it's not what I would call a full service resort/hotel for that price a night. It's certainly the only really luxe "hotel" on the key.

A condo would be great; any specific suggestions? Hyatt is likely too much $$$

I would just go through the usual airbnb, vrbo and look for something on the gulf side (if you are on the intercoastal you have to walk across a busy street to get to the beach)and that allows short term rentals.

The whole stretch of beach is beautiful. There are a lot of older condo buildings but many have been updated. I'd try for a gulf view if I could.

How's the weather in Sarasota/Sanibel/Siesta Key in mid-April?

Average high of 81 degrees, gulf temps 74 degrees.

Jumping back into this thread. I got tix to FLL and figure we (two adults) will spend 3 nights elsewhere. I'm pushing for Tween waters but Mr. shh has friends who swear by two properties In the keys. One is a small resort and gets not such great reviews and the other is more than double the price,a resort called Cheeca Lodge and spa.

Do I push for Tween waters? It looks so nice. Not that the other place doesn't...

Whichever one is a quicker drive; for only 3 dats, you don't want to spend all your time on the road.

They are two totally different experiences. Sanibel/Captiva is like the Cape; Cheeca Lodge is quite luxe.

Speaking from there now. If you are a Sanibel/Captiva/Pine Island person, you may not be a Key West person. Can't speak for any of the other keys, but I'd head for quiet.

The drives are comparable (30 min difference). Cheeca is not in key west but from reading trip advisor reviews I have my doubts. I like quiet too, more than a scene. We can still spend a day/dinner in South beach if we want that.

Lucky you!

Captiva is very chill.

I LOVE 'Tween waters.

United is starting non-stop flights to Sarasota this month. Maybe it's not as pricey around that area. Just throwing ideas out there.

I think that's it. Tween waters. Assuming MIL will take the girls (kid is bringing a friend) to the beach near them, (she's near Hollywood) so we'll figure out fun stuff to do when we get back. I may ask more questions.

Sounds great Shh! I'm watching this thread as well. I need the beach stat.

In 6 years I'm becoming a snow bird. It's in print. I am not loving this winter.

You are going to love Tween Waters! Sunset on the beach is so great.

And get up early one morning to play with the manatees in the bay.

I Reread the thread. 13 year old girls...we'll have two half days and a full day.
They are at the age where they are totally into pop culture. Suggestions?
I think they'd probably love to stroll around south beach but I don't think that's a whole day.
Last time we went to Miami (10 years at least) I found an authentic Cuban restaurant in little Havana and we had the best rice and beans. I thought that might be an interesting dinner option for one night to experience a little local flavor.
I don't know how excited they'd be to spend a day in the Everglades, but I also don't want to spend the entire day shopping.