[faithfulfrank]

Hello all.
As most of you know, my "2nd for now" home is in the Leesburg area. When we are down there again in May, my 19 yr old son and GF will be flying down for a few days. They want to spend a day visiting a nice beach on the gulf side without taking half a day to drive there.

I've only traveled that way a few times when I went to Homosassas Springs. That was a nice state park, etc, but when we were done there, I told my wife, "Let's just drive west a bit more, the coast should be close....let's go beach hunting."

Well, I'm embarrassed to say that I never found the beach. EVERY road I took just ended up being a residential dead end. After awhile I said forget this, and went back home.

So......going somewhat directly west from Leesburg, is there anything nice, beachy, touristy, shopping, etc, nice places to window shop, eat, and enjoy a nice beach without driving hours north or south once we get closer to the gulf side? These are college kids.....we just want to spend a nice day at a nice beach, maybe make a nice memory.

OR.....perhaps what I should be asking.....what would you recommend for a nice day trip anywhere up to a few hours from the Leesburg area??

Where would YOU go....???? I almost posted this in the travel section, but I did not think a day trip was really "travel"........I'll take any suggestions.....

Thanks, Frank D.

P.S....I will take them up to The Villages to see the golf carts, etc.....

[chuckinca]

Check this website:


http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm


There is a video to download, scroll down and it is linked on the left side of the page.


.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by chuckinca

Check this website:


http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_DeSoto.htm


There is a video to download, scroll down and it is linked on the left side of the page.


.

Ft Desota is around 3 hours, Daytona is around 2 hours, St Peterburg also around 2 hours.

[JohnN]

I've been to Fort DeSoto and like it a lot. Old fort there, if you like that sort of thing (and I do) and a good beach. But there's not much else.

How about Busch Gardens? roller coasters and such?

I don't know what teens like LOLOL let us know what you do,
I'm expecting our 18 year old daughter and b/f to visit in 2009

[mmclover]

Faitfulfrank

Just got back from Cedar key, approx two hour trip, one way. Little tiny beach, oyster beds all over the place, was very disappointed. Clearwater and St. Petersburg seemed closer, but drove on causways all day. However, you can pull off causway and park and spend day a small beach off causway. Still have not found the open Gulf Coast. Good Luck. If you find it let me know.

[SteveZ]

Suggest they go due east to New Smyrna Beach. Yahoo Maps or Google can give you precise directions, but the 18-22 age group has been going there for as long as there has been sand.

[Belle]

I make a trip to Cocoa Beach every year. My kids like to get things from Ron Jon surf shop. Loads of teens in the area. Mt Dora which is about 45 minutes from TV has a lake with picnic area and a boardwalk along the lake. Also has loads of antique shops and restaurants and there is a train ride you can take. A sign is posted do not feed the alligators. I have seen them in the lake. My grandchildren like to play pool, bowl, and go to Disney, etc.

[another Linda]

What about kayaking at Homosassa? My kids love that. I think it is about 1.5 hours.

[golfnut]

Clearwater beach is on the gulf and is very beautiful

[Freeda]

In my opinion with Clearwater Beach only about 2 hours away (and Siesta Key beach only about 2 1/2 hours away - plus the drive there via I-275 lets you see the impressive Tampa skyline), plus St. Pete beach in between those two, the opportunity to see these world-class beaches by just a day trip from our area is awesome; and well worth the drive. I like the gulf sides beaches the best. Other wonderful areas in Tampa such as Big Cat Rescue, Ybor City, Busch Gardens, Bayshore, International Mall, and the Bay Street restaurant strip at the International Mall, which is near the Tampa airport, are also great fun; to see it all you would need to make it an overnight trip, though.

Of course, Disney World or the other theme parks in Orlando are other great choices.

For something closer there are also airboat rides in a place in or near Inverness; I think it is called Wild Bills' - you can find it via internet search under 'airboats' - there is website for it; my kids, who are in their young to mid 20s love doing that.

St. Augustine is another great day trip that my kids liked; besides the historic sites there, they have Ripley's.

The Hard Rock Seminole casino in Tampa is fun, too; but you should check on age requirements. Freeda Clark

[faithfulfrank]

Thank you all so far for the good ideas.
They really want to do the gulf side, and that whole area, Clearwater, St Pete, and the many beach parks like Ft DeSoto so far are on the top of the list.

Feel free to keep them coming!

It's also nice to read about places close to do things......anything to do around Ocala? I read somewhere they have a frisbee golf course around there.

I'm sure there are things also within an hour or so.....Ocala, Mt Dora, Clairmont, etc....

Thanks! Frank D.

[784caroline]

Let them try some horse backriding at the Horse Haven Farm ...about 30 minutes from TV off Rte 42...This is not simply a walk but you get to trot, canter and gallop through the Ocala National Forrest.......see my writeup in the Pets Forum.

[renielarson]

About 90 miles southwest of The Villages is Caladesi Island State Park. Although I've never been there it comes highly recommended and has been referred to as America's best beach: http://goflorida.about.com/od/florid...p_caladesi.htm

You can also check here for a list of other gulf coast beaches:
http://goflorida.about.com/od/gulfco...st_Beaches.htm