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Great Florida Alternate to Disney
We just got back from an awesome Florida vacation. We went to Clearwater Beach. Flew into Tampa, had to drive about 30 mins or so and loved it! The water is nice and clam (bay and gulf), there was a lot to do from boat rides to local public parks, min-golf, beautiful walk-ways along the beach. Our hotel had a private beach but there are lots of public beaches where you can rent chairs, umbrella and even cabanas. Oh and there is a (kinda lame) aquarium there but they have the Winter Tale Dolphin, so that was cool. Tampa has a better one but we didn't learn that until were leaving 
All the restaurants we went to were very baby/child friendly and even though we were there during Spring Break it wasn't crazy at all (of course we stayed at a nice hotel so I'm sure that helped). But if you like the beach and/or want a nice get away to Fla but aren't into the Disney thing, check it out. We're def. thinking about next year already 
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Posted 4/5/12 10:16 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
8ternity
<3
Member since 11/08 10586 total posts
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Formally NYPD-Wife
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
 Always wanted to check out Clearwater and that part of FL...thanks for the review!
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| Posted 4/6/12 12:22 AM |
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teaforthree
My Handsome Boy!
Member since 12/10 2549 total posts
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
Glad to hear you had a nice time! We go to St. Pete Beach almpst every year and it's GREAT... that's also near Tampa. I'll have to check out the aquarium. Can't wait to go in September... but then we're driving TO Disney for a few days since it's just 90 minutes away so my DS can meet his favorite mouse!! Sooooooo can't wait for both parts of the trip!!!!!!!!
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| Posted 4/6/12 6:39 AM |
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jmf423
:)
Member since 5/05 6372 total posts
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
I love clearwater. i went as a kids and then DH and I just went in november for his 40th b-day. While we were there we were saying its a perfect place to vacation with kids. the town is nice and relaxed with stuff to do and very kid friendly. we want to go back next year with the kids.
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| Posted 4/6/12 8:43 AM |
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nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
I used to live about 20 minutes outside of Clearwater so I am very familiar with the area. Glad you enjoyed your time there.
Next time you go down...venture to Tarpon Springs for amazing Greek Restaurants and a boat trip.
Also, in Tampa is a place called Harbor Island which has a bunch or restaurants and shops. I used to love going there as a kid.
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| Posted 4/6/12 9:36 AM |
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
I agree the whole area is awesome. However there is one negative: my ILs live there hahaha! No but seriously I can't wait to go back.
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| Posted 4/6/12 10:17 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
We are going to Disney next month, but might take a day to drive out to Clearwater. My DD LOVES Winter. We have watched A Dolphin Tale 100 times
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| Posted 4/6/12 11:21 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
we did that...drove, hit up disney for a day, cheap hotel..then seaworld...drove over to st pete and stayed at redington beach.
great vacation
dh and i use to live in tampa. tons to do over there.
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| Posted 4/6/12 11:32 AM |
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Waste06
Waste not, want not
Member since 6/06 7219 total posts
Name:
Lois Mom Mommy Mama Ma
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
We love staying in Clearwater Beach! My sister has been going with her kids each year for the past several years. If my inlaws didn't live on the east coast of FL, we'd go to Clearwater more often.
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| Posted 4/6/12 12:53 PM |
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butterfly20
Party of 5 - 2015
Member since 4/06 7390 total posts
Name:
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
It is a very nice town.....
We took our 2 year old there in the fall when Dh played a volleyball tournament.....
We stayed in Clearwater because we wanted a hotel with interior hallways - and they had a very nice year round Christmas store there too.
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| Posted 4/6/12 8:44 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Great Florida Alternate to Disney
Posted by BaseballWidow
We just got back from an awesome Florida vacation. We went to Clearwater Beach. Flew into Tampa, had to drive about 30 mins or so and loved it! The water is nice and clam (bay and gulf), there was a lot to do from boat rides to local public parks, min-golf, beautiful walk-ways along the beach. Our hotel had a private beach but there are lots of public beaches where you can rent chairs, umbrella and even cabanas. Oh and there is a (kinda lame) aquarium there but they have the Winter Tale Dolphin, so that was cool. Tampa has a better one but we didn't learn that until were leaving
All the restaurants we went to were very baby/child friendly and even though we were there during Spring Break it wasn't crazy at all (of course we stayed at a nice hotel so I'm sure that helped). But if you like the beach and/or want a nice get away to Fla but aren't into the Disney thing, check it out. We're def. thinking about next year already
'
I realize this is SUPER old, but can you tell me which hotel you stayed at with the private beach? Our first choice in St. Pete Beach is not available for our dates, so I'm searching for something else. Most of them seem to be very outdated (I like nice updated rooms), or very $$$$.
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| Posted 8/4/12 9:57 PM |
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