FL Getaway

[Bugkiller99]

check into Florida's State Parks. Many of them have cabins that can be rented within walking distance of the beach. Check in, do your own cooking and enjoy the beach with minimal contact with other people.

I’ll second this. I spend at least one weekend a month at a state park. Getting reservations at this late date will be very difficult, though. One thing that has seen a huge increase with COVID is people going to the outdoors.
Would you consider renting an RV once you arrive? That would give you more options. Being self contained helps.

 

[DeathGrip]

Naples for the west coast. A short ride east and you're in the everglades. More cypress swamp than glades.

Ft. Lauderdale for the east coast. A short ride west and you're in the 'Glades. Sawgrass for miles.

It's a little over a hundred miles across Alligator Alley.

It really depends on what you want to do. There's some cool places in the middle of the state too. Silver Springs is an example.

Personally, I'd try to wait this virus shot out before I mingled with tourist from who knows where.

I live in boring Port St. Lucie. No Port and no saints.

 

[max]

Please be careful and don't catch or spread the virus.

 

[LoadedRound]

We went to the Keys the first of November

A very pleasant and restful trip.

We stayed here on Key West: H2O Suites: A Luxury All-Suite Adult Resort in Key West, FL
Absolutely the best staff I've ever experienced. Ask for suite 11. Beautiful. Even had it's own VERY private pool

Stayed here on Islamorada: Oceanside Rooms | Islander Resort You'll want to stay oceanside. The rooms have private screened in porches right on the beach. Very nice. The food at the poolside bar was quite good.

Best wishes for a great trip.

 

[Aggie1906]

Been doing February in Florida for the last decade or so. Just the month I want to miss here at home since I hung up my skis. The panhandle is like Spring, not Summer then. The hurricane screwed up our usual trusted gulf front condo rental provider, and with lots of Covid stories have decided to skip this year.
Already planning One Lap of Michigan for June. Everywhere, aka, Anywhere sounds like a good trip just now.
Just don't want to be that poor troop who gets whacked the last day of the war.

 

[Mike 139]

From now till March/April is the “snowbird season” when the masses are escaping Winter.... West side is bumper to bumper...I’d recommend the Keys...Soon as you get South of Key Largo, it’s a lot less crowded and You’ve got the Atlantic on the East side and the Gulf on the West...You can fish off the Bank and catch Trout and Snapper or get in a Boat and be in the Gulfstream a couple miles offshore...Mahi, Wahoo..etc..One of the best Parks to go to is Bahia Honda....just North of Key West..As far as the Glades...Go out US 41 to 40 mile bend... The Seminole Tribe has both Airboat and Swamp Buggy tours....You’ll see Alligators, Birds, Deer, Wild Hogs, etc, they also have a huge Restaurant there....Good place to eat...The Dade County PBA has their monthly luncheon there... If you want to see a City that is still old Florida....New Smyrna Beach...Ponce Inlet has a 3 mile Boardwalk that extends out along the Jetties to the Ocean and back....If you like Lobster Rolls..Maine Lobster..Heavenly Cafe is 2 blocks West of the Ocean in New Smyrna...Traffic is heavy this time of year...Left lane 95 is triple digits...Drive Safe, and if You wave at people, make sure to use all your fingers.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I've visited there 6 times. Bugs, snakes, mosquitos, traffic turned me off. I'll stay stay where I am, Thank you

 

[Jon651]

From now till March/April is the “snowbird season” when the masses are escaping Winter.... West side is bumper to bumper...I’d recommend the Keys...Soon as you get South of Key Largo, it’s a lot less crowded and You’ve got the Atlantic on the East side and the Gulf on the West...You can fish off the Bank and catch Trout and Snapper or get in a Boat and be in the Gulfstream a couple miles offshore...Mahi, Wahoo..etc..One of the best Parks to go to is Bahia Honda....just North of Key West..As far as the Glades...Go out US 41 to 40 mile bend... The Seminole Tribe has both Airboat and Swamp Buggy tours....You’ll see Alligators, Birds, Deer, Wild Hogs, etc, they also have a huge Restaurant there....Good place to eat...The Dade County PBA has their monthly luncheon there... If you want to see a City that is still old Florida....New Smyrna Beach...Ponce Inlet has a 3 mile Boardwalk that extends out along the Jetties to the Ocean and back....If you like Lobster Rolls..Maine Lobster..Heavenly Cafe is 2 blocks West of the Ocean in New Smyrna...Traffic is heavy this time of year...Left lane 95 is triple digits...Drive Safe, and if You wave at people, make sure to use all your fingers.

What you are saying about the High Season is quite true - where the tourists go! The places where the locals go during the High Season are usually almost vacant - except for the locals and possibly a few Canadians (we let them in because they are polite...).

 

[ColbyBruce]

“ I'm thinking I'd want the whole trip to refundable if anything goes down with Covid.”


The country is in a pandemic yet you elect to travel and expect refunds?

 

[Kenna]

Anna Maria Island. Was there a year ago. Miss it already! Just be safe!

 

[ladder13]

Clearwater Beach used to be my go to, but last trip it looked like it’s turned to ****. Overcrowded with undesirables.

I’ll stay in Marco.

 

[Sarge9]

Well if anyone has a rental open for wife, me and Scooby
let me know, ready to go.

 

[mike from st pete]

How to Explore the Florida Everglades | VISIT FLORIDA


Not a beach town but nice and quaint.

 

[Lonegle57]

If you want a quiet beach, look at Saint George Island.

 

[Chief Wiggums]

start in Miami , start driving south approx 30-45 minutes before sunrise.
Drive south until you run out of road

Watching the sun rise as you drive south on A1A is a peaceful , enlightening experience.

Hang out in Key West for a few days , and do the same in each key as you return north. Do as much , or as little as you like.....

It will change your perspective on life....