The Everything Family Guide to Coastal Florida: St. Augustine, Miami, the Keys, Panama City--and all the hot spots in between!

by Bob Brooke

Overview

There's more to Florida than Orlando! The Everything Family Guide to Coastal Florida is your perfect guide to the rest of Florida—from the panhandle to the Gulf Coast, and from Key West to Jacksonville.

Filled with family-friendly advice on the best restaurants and hotels for every budget, this book is an extensive resource for activities, sports, shopping, spas, and—most importantly—Florida's beautiful beaches. Loaded with tips and ideas for exploring, water sports, and beach fun, The Everything Family Guide to Coastal Florida is all you need to plan a Florida vacation the whole family will enjoy!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605502397
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	09/01/2007
Series:	Everything® Series
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Bob Brooke is the author of The Everything Family Guide to Mexico and five other travel books. He has written articles about Florida golf, architecture, culture, and lifestyles for many national and international publications, including Delta Sky, Golf Lifestyle, Family Fun, Travel 50&Beyond, and Vacations. Bob lives in Malvern, PA.

Table of Contents

Top Ten Family-Friendly Activities to Experience in Coastal Florida     x
Introduction     xii
Welcome to Coastal Florida     1
Getting to Know Coastal Florida     1
A Brief History of Coastal Florida     2
Who Are the Floridians?     5
What Does Coastal Florida Have to Offer Your Family?     8
When Should You Visit?     10
The Climate of Coastal Florida     11
Deciding How to Get There     13
Getting Around     13
The Land of Coastal Florida     17
The Lay of the Land     17
The Regions of Coastal Florida     18
The Coast     20
Woodlands     24
Wetlands     25
Rivers and Lagoons     27
Plants     28
Wildlife     29
Planning Your Vacation     35
Suggested Travel Itineraries in Coastal Florida     35
Budgeting Your Trip     45
Keeping Your Family Safe in Coastal Florida     47
It's Time to Go     49
Getting There     55
Getting to Coastal Florida by Air     55
Airport Information     60
Driving to Coastal Florida     61
Taking the Train     68
Staying and Eating     71
What Are Your Family's Needs?     71
Keeping It Affordable     73
Picking the Right Vacation Scenario     75
A Taste of Coastal Florida     76
Coastal Florida's Top Ten Family Destinations     79
Family Activities in Coastal Florida     87
Considerations when Planning Your Activities     87
On the Water     88
Fishing     91
Under the Water     92
On the Links     94
Outdoor Activities     96
Cultural Activities     98
R&R     101
Miami     105
Getting to Know Miami     105
Getting Around Miami     106
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     108
Things to Do     109
Exploring     114
By Day     120
Dining Out and Nightlife     123
Miami Beach     127
Getting to Know Miami Beach     127
Getting Around Miami Beach     128
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     129
Things to Do     131
Exploring      136
By Day     137
Dining Out and Nightlife     143
Fort Lauderdale     147
Getting to Know Fort Lauderdale     147
Getting Around Fort Lauderdale     148
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     149
Things to Do     150
Exploring     156
By Day     161
Dining Out and Nightlife     166
Cocoa Beach     169
Getting to Know Cocoa Beach     169
Getting Around Cocoa Beach     170
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     170
Things to Do     171
Exploring     175
By Day     182
Dining Out and Nightlife     187
Jacksonville     189
Getting to Know Jacksonville     189
Getting Around the Jacksonville Area     190
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     191
Things to Do     192
Exploring     195
By Day     204
Dining Out and Nightlife     208
The Florida Keys     211
Getting to Know the Florida Keys     211
Getting Around the Florida Keys     214
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels      214
Things to Do     216
By Day     223
Dining Out and Nightlife     228
Key West     231
Getting to Know Key West     231
Getting Around Key West     233
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     234
Things to Do     235
Exploring     243
By Day     243
Dining Out and Nightlife     246
The Everglades     249
Getting to Know the Everglades     249
Getting Around the Everglades     252
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     255
Things to Do     255
Exploring     261
By Day     263
Dining Out and Nightlife     266
Sarasota     269
Getting to Know Sarasota     269
Getting Around Sarasota     271
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     272
Things to Do     273
Exploring     275
By Day     282
Dining Out and Nightlife     288
Tampa     291
Getting to Know Tampa     291
Getting Around Tampa     292
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     293
Things to Do     294
Exploring     303
By Day     303
Dining Out and Nightlife     312
Panama City     315
Getting to Know Panama City     315
Getting Around Panama City     316
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     317
Things to Do     319
Exploring     321
By Day     328
Dining Out and Nightlife     332
Pensacola     335
Getting to Know Pensacola     335
Getting Around Pensacola     336
Family-Oriented Resorts and Hotels     337
Things to Do     339
Exploring     345
By Day     350
Dining Out and Nightlife     355
Coastal Florida Destination Directory     357
Books to Read on Coastal Florida     369
Coastal Florida Lodging, Transportation, and Attractions     373
Maps     393
Index     406