OT Best Florida Beaches?

Hi Florida Friends - I'm planning to bring my son to Orlando in December. Could you tell me what are the best beaches reasonably close to Orlando? Also, any attractions that we just CAN'T miss? Thanks a bunch . Mea 7/12/04 -62.5 lbs

You'd be driving to either coast (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours) to get to the beach, If htat isn't a problem, then you would be about 2 hours from Tampa/St Pete, lots of nice beaches there. We\hen I was a teenager, we went to Orlando with my family, and my dad drove us to Daytona. Pretty cool for a teenager. You are going to Orlando, so I take it you'll be doing the whole Disney thing. What else will you have TIME for? Those parks alone will keep you busy all day and into the evenings. Emeril's??? There's the big one called Emeril's, and then a more casual one called Chop or some variation on that word at a hotel in Universal. beautiful, nice, and a kids menu with steak on it, and not chopped, either. There is Universal, but that's another few days of park, and of course, Sea World, which should NOT be missed. Believe me, there will be PLENTY to keep you busy, you don't even have to THINK of any other attractions to add on your agenda! have fun!

I have lived in Orlando area most of my life and most of the locals I know go to New Smyrna Beach or Cocoa. Some will drive a little further north past Daytona to Ormond Beach. The Gulf coast beaches (Clearwater, Sand Key, Indian Rocks) are nice too but are very different than our East coast beaches, not as many waves and less area to walk on. Although, the west coast always has better shells Personally, I prefer New Smyrna if I go to the beach. I hope you have a nice trip. Amy

I forgot to mention that Sea World is a MUST, I love Seaworld too!

the best beach is Siestia Key. Probably spelling it wrong. It is about an hour or so south of Tampa on the West Coast. About 2 hours from Orlando the sand is like flour and it is beautiful. Go luck. But swimming in December. I'm not a weather expert but I believe the water will be around low 80's high 70's degrees in not cooler. That is way to cold for me =) Shoot 75 degrees is to cold for me now =) Florida is a wonderful state, so much to do. Other suggestions that won't cost you an arm and a leg like theme parks. St. Augustine the oldest city in North America, Kennedy Space Center, Ringling Brothers Museum also in Orlando they have a pretty good games work and over on international drive there is a place, maybe game works not to sure but it is an "upside down building" Hope you enjoy our wonderful state. Shay 12/9/03 296/148/130

A link: http://hometown.aol.com/justfalc/index.html Before we finally moved to Florida, I did something I had wanted to do all my life! I went for a New Year's Day swim with the NYC Polar Bear CLub! Brrrrr. . . . my adventurous ten year old came in with me. The rest of the family came to the beach, but stayed firmly wrapped in coats and hats! LOL! I look forward to the winter here, I can swim without the sun being SOOOO hot. I live right near Ft Myers Beach. It's nice.