[nanci2539]

My grandaughter is visiting with her friend and both want to go to the beach (desperatly). Prefer east coast as close to TV as possible. They want a fun beach (what is that!) where they can do more than swim.

Any ideas?

[Freeda]

For teens, I would say stay at the Boardwalk Inn right in the heart of Daytona Beach; do an internet search and you will find this hotel - it is right where all the action in, right on the beach, at the boardwalk, and the hotel has a nice pool looking right at the ocean; lots of beach activities and young people, a 'slightshot' type activity directly north from there that you will see from the beach; it is also right where all of the fun beachwear shops are; a great cafe right across the beach called Tailgaters.

From there walking either way on the beach they will be where all of the fun is. There is also a hotel nextdoor with a Tiki type bar, and live music where young people (and boomers are welcome, too!) congregate.

[nanci2539]

How far away is it from TV? We don't want to drive too long to get to a beach. Thanks

[chuckinca]

About an hour and a half drive. That's pretty much the one of the closest Ocean or Gulf beaches.

There are nice beaches at Rainbow Springs and Alexander Springs both about 45 minutes away. Rainbow has a dock type swimming area with a very large picnic area near the dock. Alexander has a sandy beach also with a nice picnic area.

.

[imbrennan]

Sorry to be ignorant but what's a slightshot activity?

[Hawkwind]

Originally Posted by imbrennan

Sorry to be ignorant but what's a slightshot activity?

I think this is something similar to a reverse bungee jump but your are in a chair. There are two towers that have a sling stretched between the two. In the center of the sling there is a chair that seats 2 or 3 people. They pull the sling down to a load position and the riders are seated and strapped in. When everything is ready a trigger is either released by the ride operator or one of the riders and off they go into the wild blue yonder as if they were shot from a slingshot.

If you go a Google search on slingshot ride you can see some video's of riders.

Disclaimer: I have never been on one of these things and never intending on trying. My limit is the coasters at Cedar Point.

[Freeda]

It is sort of similar to a bungee jump - only you are seated inside a 'pod'-shaped contraption that is pulled back, and then released, and then you, inside the 'pod', 'sling' back and forth.

[Army Guy]

The Hilton Daytona Beach is also good, right on the beach, priced right, and VERY nice.

Army Guy

[GMONEY]

My daughter and her friends love going to Clearwater on the west coast. Much better than Daytona. But if you go to Daytona. Go to the south side and check out Sun Viking Lodge or Perry's . The closer you are to the boardwalk the more croweded it is. Plus alot of those people looking to rip off tourist stay in that area due to the high volume of people there.
you can google Sun Viking and Perry's. Both are nice. We always stay at Sun Viking.

[YodaMom]

Flagler Beach is a nice beach. It is uncrowded and there are restaurants to eat at. Flagler Beach is very close to Palm Coast which is about 25 miles north of Daytona Beach. Flagler Beach is a small town and very quaint. We have a condo in Palm Coast and love going to Flagler Beach because it isn't crowded. It is about one hour and a half from the Villages. You could check out the beach in Daytona Beach first and then drive up to Flagler Beach on A1A. It is a nice drive.

[Hawkwind]

New Smyrna Beach. South of Daytona, you can drive on a very long section of the beach. Lot of good restaurants and more layed back than Daytona.

If the girls want more that a swim it would have to be Daytona.