<p>Dear CCers, I need your help. A bunch of college kids approached me recently asking for suggestions, but I could not come up with anything that would match their criteria. They are sick and tired of the “frozen tundra” and would love to spend their spring break in a warm place with a sandy, swimmable beach - just relax on the beach and maybe do some sightseeing. These kids are not into partying or drinking, and would love to stay away from the stereotypical rowdy spring break crowds, but they would also prefer not to be in a place filled with retirees and families with little kids. With all of them being under 25, renting a car is out of their budget, so they are looking for a relatively affordable place with inexpensive dining options within walking distances. They are also not into theme parks, so they already dismissed Orlando. Any suggestions, dear CCers? TIA!</p>
<p>IMHO, the best options are outside Florida. My last year in school, my best friend and I went to St. Martin (French side) for spring break for just the reasons you mentioned.</p>
<p>Thanks, Hanna. That was my initial thought, too. I forgot to mention that the place has to be within the US since a few of them are international students, and visa fees add to the expense.</p>
<p>I’ve been working to find something for my son and his friends. His break starts the end of Feb., which is really early. I’m hoping that Fort Lauderdale will be pretty calm then. Flights are fairly reasonable and public transportation is readily available. Priceline has been giving out the “W” hotel for $90/night. It’s right across the street from the beach. </p>
<p>I also worked up the prices for South Beach. It’s a totally different environment, but more expensive.</p>
<p>South beach (sobe) is great. They can walk everywhere. Lots to do. Beach, food and even the movies are all walking distance. </p>
<p>Hollywood beach is nice too but my teens would like sobe much better.</p>
<p>Sanibel Island, Florida Keys.</p>
<p>Key Largo is nearest key to Miami. Hotels (Casa Marina, Weston, I have to check on more) have private beaches. Low key. Snorkeling. Beautiful pools. Even tho restaurants are nearby, I don’t know about lack of car.</p>
<p>well how about Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands – still USA.
Son and friends went to San Juan as undergrads. It was inexpensive and they had a blast – no need for a car in a city.
They got good package deal for air hotel and transfers.</p>
<p>You would need a car in the Florida Keys. I would think Miami would have possibilities but don’t personally know it.</p>
<p>A couple of years ago we had to go to Florida for a family event. H says he hates Florida but he actually had a good time. We went to several different areas.We flew into Ft Lauderdale. We had a car but you could skip the car. We stayed at the Marriot in Delray Beach as we had points and they had availability. It was across the street from the beach. You could walk to shops and food places in all price ranges. The beach was nice. You could do this area without a car.Also went to St Petersburg Beach. We did not care for the high rise hotels and the disneyish feel but some people love it. Not sure if you could get around without a car. We also rent to Crystal Bay and swam with the Manatees. That was very cool. Again you would need a car.
Our favorite place was when we returned to Delray. We stayed at an old fashioned on the beach motel. Wrights by the Sea on the recommendation of a family friend. It was not fancy but right on the sand. They have BBQ’s, a pool and chairs and umbrellas on the sand. Each unit has both a living room with sofa bed and bedroom and kitchens. It would be further to get to the main street area but doable if you are young or willing to take a bus. The nice thing is you could sleep quite a number of people per unit. Granted we are hitting 50 and what we enjoyed might be sedate for college students. For this area you could also fly into West Palm.
Disclaimer- we have a view of the Pacific from our bedroom at home. This making H very picky when it comes to beach and ocean holidays.</p>
<p>My understanding is that Panama City and Daytona are the big spring break destinations ala “Where the Boys Are” and that Ft. Lauderdale made a major effort many years ago to distance themselves from that scene. Not that there still aren’t night clubs and all, but that they crack down on the overt misbehavior. I would suggest investigating housing a few blocks inland and searching the Tripadvisor forum for “spring break”.</p>
<p>Here’s a list of most spring breaks:</p>
<p>[Spring</a> Break 2011 College & University Dates](<a href=“http://www.tripsmarter.com/panamacity/springbreak/sbcalendar.htm]Spring”>http://www.tripsmarter.com/panamacity/springbreak/sbcalendar.htm)</p>
<p>S1 and his college friends rented a house in Tavenier on Islamorada (just below Key Largo) when they were college sophs. They absolutely loved it. In fact they loved it so much that they went back to the same place for Spring Break of senior yr. Check out Islamorada.</p>
<p>“well how about Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands – still USA”</p>
<p>That was my next suggestion. Puerto Rico offers great beaches and very interesting sightseeing. The weather is also more consistently tropical than most of Florida in March. You can end up with very chilly weather in a place like Panama City if you’re unlucky, but that won’t happen in PR. The flights are often more expensive than Florida, but it’s worth a try.</p>
<p>I lived in Florida for six years. I would HIGHLY recommend Sanibel or Anna Maria Island (near Ft. Myers). Ft. Myers is more of a retiree kind of place and Sanibel and Anna Maria are amazing beaches that are pretty relaxed, lots of cute restaurants and shops.</p>
<p>Sarasota is also a good option. Lots of retirees, great shopping, many cute little keys and some great beaches, the sand has won awards.</p>
<p>You could also look into St. Augustine. I don’t know how party-heavy it is around spring break, but it has a nice beach and one of the cutest old-timeish downtown areas ever. Lots of cute touristy things to do. My friends and I actually went camping there in the spring of our senior year of HS. It was pretty quiet then.</p>
<p>gulf shores al! wonderful white beaches.</p>
<p>Clearwater Beach is beautiful and lots to do within walking distance. Food prices are reasonable. Tampa airport is the closest.</p>
<p>My dd and her roomies all went to San Juan last year and had a great time. No passport needed and everything is in US dollars. Just go to tripadvisor and make sure the place they are staying at is in a good neighborhood. PM me and I can tell you where my dd stayed.</p>
<p>BB - actually they can rent a car, but it will just cost them more. I’ve actually been looking into this for our 24-year old daughter who does not have a car in Boston, but wants to join us in Allentown for D2’s senior recital. There are no direct flights from Boston to Allentown, and all of them are very expensive. The next choice would be to fly into Philadelphia and we’d have to go pick her up, but that would eat up a good chunk of a day, especially if we fly into Philly ourselves and have to go back to get her. For the time she’d need to fly, arrive at Logan, get to Philly, then have a drive from Philly to Allentown, she could drive it from Boston for much, much less. So I started looking into it and it’s really not too bad.</p>
<p>As an aside, I also loved Sanibel/Captiva, but without a car, am wondering how they’d get from the airport to their accommodations. And… the age old question… is there really anything left to rent? Some places also have policies they will not rent to kids under 25, so it can be somewhat limiting.</p>
<p>Siesta Key (off Sarasota) is beautiful and has a great beach. Yes, there is a large population of retired and families with kids, but there are also college students, and local bars with the “locals”. You can walk to things on the island, or rent bikes. Sarasota is nearby for shopping and cultural events, as well as seeing some of the other islands, which they might get away with renting a car for one night?</p>
<p>Also, the Ringling house and museums are great if they are interested in art, architecture, or the circus :)</p>
<p>
It’s old-school, but would taking a bus be cheaper than renting a car?</p>