South Florida Experts - where to go for 4 days post cruise in October

[Cinderellie]

Cruising for 10 days on the Coral Princess mid October. Need ideas for places to stay, things to do for Wed - Sun post cruise visit. Fort Lauderdale, Miami, gulf coast, the Keys? (No Key West. It is Fantasy Fest that weekend. No way.)

 

- We are a chubby 50's couple

- Beach resort or resorts wanted

- Beautiful, romantic but not too pricey

- Fun activities but no extreme sports, hiking, historic or museum tours

- We like to go where the locals go, eat what they eat

 

Ideas?

 

Thanks!

[Cinderellie]

Whoops... yes, we will have a rental car!

[BlueHerons]

Stay on the beach in Fort Lauderdale.

 

I love the Courtyard Marriott FLL Beach because the rooms have amazing views and their pool deck is wonderful!

 

It is also walking distance to great restaurants and attractions and just a short cab or pedicab ride to Las Olas.

 

My other hotel choices would be:

 

Hilton FLL Beach

The W Hotel

The Westin

The Ritz Carlton

 

It's a great low key beach and October things are starting up for season. Art Festival is on Las Olas October 21-22nd and the street is shut down and it is a lot of fun.

 

South Beach is also a lot of fun for adults!

[DarinMartell]

We love the Bahia Mar, you can take a cooler with drinks on the water taxi from the adjoining marina (1/2 price after 5) and spend hours touring the intercoastal learning about the mansions and yachts.

[Capt_BJ]

there are a number of 'old Florida' mom & pops in the upper Keys

 

I like this one http://www.pelicankeylargo.com/

 

with a car you can use this as a base to explore the upper and middle Keys ... you should be far enuf from KW to avoid that mess . . .

 

simple but clean and friendly .... they have their own dock and boat launch on the 'bay side' of the Keys .... you'd also be close to snorkeling options from MANY vendors in Key Largo and John Pennecamp State Park. (or glass bottom boat rides)

 

Free kayaks for on your own exploring and free washer and dryer too . . .

[Capt_BJ]

AND I could mention a really GREAT B&B up Melbourne way .... where you can get on the beach and walk a mile and often not see 20 other people ...

 

http://www.windemereinn.com/

 

Discover Windemere Inn by the Sea, an oceanfront Select Registry, Bed and Breakfast Diamond Collection, and AAA three diamond-rated boutique-style hotel, located in a casual Caribbean-style tropical beach setting. The hidden gem is the only romantic beachfront luxury bed and breakfast inn of its kind, located off of A1A, on a barrier island, in charming Indialantic, Florida—between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal retreat offers twelve individually designed well-appointed guest-rooms and suites, complimentary gourmet breakfast, and an array of resort-type amenities, for the ultimate beach vacation

 

 

Edited May 1, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[bouhunter]

Since you also mentioned gulf coast - Marco Island is very nice:) Hilton or Marriott would be our recommendations there. Beautiful beach, great dining on Marco.

 

Upper Keys are nice too - Islamorada area.

Edited May 1, 2016 by bouhunter

[2CatsInFlorida]

About 90 minutes north of Ft Lauderdale is Stuart which has beautiful, less crowded beaches.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[carbon]

We want to stay till Tuesday after getting off the freedom on Sunday October 16. Is Melbourne area a nice area to spend some time? Where to stay and what to do? Any suggestions?

[Capt_BJ]

well, I already mentioned a nice B&B on the beach in Melbourne

 

actually Melbourne is on the mainland ... beachside you'd be looking at Indialantic, Melbourne Beach and Indian Harbor Beach

 

you will actually find nice hotels ON the beach here, something that's more rare a lil north in Cocoa

 

larger places, right on the beach:

 

http://www.doubletreemelbournebeach.com/

http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/melbourne/mlboc

http://www.radisson.com/melbourne-hotel-fl-32903/melbourn

http://www.hiltonmelbournebeach.com/

 

and there's a slew of mom&pops . . .

 

this choice is actually at the south end of cocoa Beach ... on the water and not a big hotel: http://www.cocoabeachvillas.com/ they prefer longer stays but if not otherwise booked will do short stays. We've taken for long weekends for family.

 

I would recommend a rental car as things are more spread out here in Melbourne beachside area

Edited May 22, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[carbon]

I looked into the B&B you sugested and it looks great . We like to walk the beach but aren't big in just laying in the sun. What are some other good things to do in the area?

[Capt_BJ]

see post #5 here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2175997

 

for an over answer

 

***********

 

KSC is close

 

Sebastian Inlet is about 25 miles south ... nice parks ... you can fish or walk

 

You can rent boats around here ... there's a ton of eco tours to see manatee and dolphin

 

there are day fishing trips from the port, both private and party boats

 

there is a daily casino boat

 

Brevard Zoo and an associated zip line (dunno how adventurous you are)

 

air boat tours ....

 

all the stuff listed for port canaveral is near here too of course ....

 

there is an outlet mall in Vero .... and The Avenue in Viera

 

if you stay at Wind' they can steer you to the good places to eat in their area .... there's quite a number of good ones hiding around here once you decide to get beyond the port trilogy {example Fat Snook ... featured on Emril's Florida} . . . [if you stay at W, their breakfast will fill you up such that I doubt you'll want much lunch]

 

Cocoa Village has small eclectic shops and a few antique stores

 

plenty to do IMO

 

but one of the things I like about this area is the fact it is NOT overloaded with attractions and things to do ... this is mini-golf country! If you want attraction overload on the other hand, Orlando is but an hour away .... and once done ATTRACTIONING we retreat back here!

Edited May 22, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[Snit13]

We are FL residents and love to visit interesting places around the state. Last year we spent a week in Jupiter area on ocean. In June we will be spending a week in Ft. Myers Beach near Sanibel Is and then a week in Marco Island. You really can't go wrong no matter where you visit in FL. Get on your computer and start checking the areas that have been recommended. We also love Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and of course Disney in Orlando. A whole world to choose from. Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy our Sunshine State.

[carbon]

Thank you for all the great information. We just need to decide if we will stay ar the B&B or the Doubletree. Doubletree sale cost for king oceanview room with balcony, parking and breakfast will end by costing almost the same as the 5 Star B&B. We have never stayed at the B&B and it received excellent reviews. The view of the ocean at the doubletree will be excellent but we will be just getting off of a week long cruise on the ocean. Any thoughts?

[Capt_BJ]

couple of comments

 

an ocean view room at the Double could be much better that the W' .... the W' is an old house now remodeled to a B&B plus some out buildings. Every room is different. We like the room on the top floor (picture shown) but there is only one tiny window .... no view to speak of. [web site gives pictures of most rooms]

 

On the other hand the breakfast at W' is ..... gourmet .... not your standard scrambled eggs on a buffet .... last time we were there we decided to sleep in late one day but forgot to tell them .... there are set hours for breakfast but they held the cook for us .... that's service {but I felt bad as it was our decision} . . . we planned to skip breakfast but hey ... it was already paid for!

 

A big hotel has a hundred rooms or more. W' has a dozen .... wanna guess where you get personalized service?

Edited May 23, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[Capt_BJ]

OOPS a double post

Edited May 23, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[carbon]

Thanks, I think because we will want to start the day leisurely, sleep in if we choose and have a great view of the ocean we will opt for the doubletree. I think sitting out on the balcony enjoying a glass of wine sounds very nice!

[gorgotron]

South Florida has a ton of options. You can stay near downtown fort lauderdale, las olas, hollywood, and find some great groupons for fantastic breakfast lunch or dinner options and great evening entertainment.

 

Personally I like the keys. https://www.hawkscay.com/ is an unforgettable resort for me, and I believe groupon had a special here for a great price. Cool lagoon in the back to just hang out all day. Great activities in the area as well, and best of all its not too far south, its just between Marathon and Key Largo

[pedirn]

Consider The Vero Beach Resort and Spa. This is where DH and I go for a get-away. It is a Kimptom property. You can walk to all the quaint beach shops and restaurants...we never move the car after parking it. Right on the beach with all the amenities you could want.