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St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach: Which One is REALLY the #1 Beach in the US?

caitylincoln — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:47:21 +0000

I’m usually drawn to smaller, more laid back beach destinations on Florida’s Gulf Coast like Anna Maria Island, Sanibel, and Marco Island, but after Clearwater Beach won TripAdvisor #1 Beach in the US award in 2019 and then St Pete Beach turned around and won the same award in 2021, I knew it was time for a visit.

White sand beaches, turquoise water, decent shelling…Throw in a lot of resorts and condos plus plenty of “things to do” nearby in St Petersburg and Tampa and it’s easy to see why these are such popular beach vacation destinations.

Both located in Pinellas County off the St Petersburg peninsula, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are just about 20 miles apart.

To get to St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach, you’ll most likely fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA). From there it’s about a 30 minute drive to both beach areas. There is also the smaller/closer St Pete-Clearwater International Airport that gets flights from the budget airline Allegiant.

I recently spent a belated spring break in the St Pete Beach area and then doubled back to check out Clearwater later in the summer (plus I’ve been on another trip to St. Pete as I’m reediting this post).

So I’ve now stayed in several different places, quizzed many locals, driven absolutely everywhere, and I feel like I’ve got a good feel for what this area is really like.

If you’ve spent much time on my blog, you know that I don’t beat around the bush. I’m somewhat “famous” for giving you the real scoop, the insider details, and my very real opinions based on WHAT I LIKE AND DON’T LIKE.

Well, I have some opinions ; )

St. Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach

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Basically, what it comes down to is this…both the Clearwater Beach and the St. Pete Beach area have some of the best beaches you’ll find in Florida. But I am VERY particular about exactly where I would stay in both areas.

So it’s hard for me to say “oh I love St. Pete Beach so much more than Clearwater Beach and it’s definitely where you should stay.” There is a particular place I LOVE to stay in St. Pete Beach and things I love to do there, but if that’s not an option then I’d probably choose to go elsewhere in Florida instead of elsewhere in St. Pete Beach. And I feel the same way about Clearwater. Make sense? Bear with me if it doesn’t. I’ll get into all the details.

I will preface this post by saying that A LOT OF PEOPLE go to Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach every year and absolutely love it no matter where they stay. You CANNOT beat these beaches and anybody who gets the chance to vacation here is 100% lucky.

But my job is pretty much breaking down the pros and cons of different beach destinations so I’m going to get super knit picky in this post.

And if you feel like we have similar travel styles and you can trust/relate to my judgment then you’ll be set. And if not, feel free to disregard everything I say!

And as always, instead of just saying I don’t like something, I prefer to give a LOT of details and describe places and situations as best I can so you can determine if my opinions might hold true for you (or if they’re completely irrelevant to what you like/how you like to do things).

So without further ado, let’s start with St Pete Beach:

St Pete Beach

St Pete Beach is the southernmost (developed) barrier island in the chain off Tampa Bay. It’s one long stretch of white sand beach lined with resorts, condos, and small hotels. Overall, the beach is pretty fantastic.

Great sand, great turquoise clear water, and surprisingly good shelling. There’s a good mix of resorts (hello Don CeSar you are amazing!), large condo-tel complexes that feel a lot like resorts, and small beach hotels and motels in a wide range of quality. There are more than enough restaurants, beach bars, ice cream shops, etc. to keep you busy for a weeklong trip.

BUT OVERALL, I did not care for the vibe in St Pete Beach. Most of the main road/strip felt a little seedy. A lot of strip malls, tiny sidewalks where you felt like you were walking right by the traffic, etc. 7-Elevens, Dunkin Donuts, cell phone stores, Wings (the big slightly tacky beach shops)…all mixed in with local restaurants here and there, a Twistee Treat, and auto repair shop. To me, the main strip in St Pete felt like that kind of rough/rundown part of town that you try to avoid.

Now, for sure the entire island is not like this…but the main high traffic area definitely was.

As a general rule of thumb, the farther south you go on the island, the better it gets.

The northernmost part of St Pete Beach is actually tucked behind Treasure Island (there’s no beach, it’s more of a water channel), so I’m going to start out with the area that’s the northernmost BEACHFRONT (which is actually more towards the middle of the island) and work my way south.

The first part of my trip, I stayed in this area at the Postcard Inn, and I’m just going to tell you…I did NOT like it.

The beach is beautiful (it’s pretty much the same in the whole area), but it has a STRONG spring break/party vibe. I stayed here the first of April so I thought maybe it was just the time of year, but I had MANY locals tell me that no, it’s like that all year long and this little pocket of beach is the epicenter of the area’s party scene.

This makes sense because 1) The majority of people partying on the beach (and at the hotel beach bars) seemed to be Florida locals that had come to the beach for the day (I know this because they were so loud that I now know every detail of where every person around me lived, worked, and went to high school and also because while waiting for an Uber to take us to dinner at the hotel, a steady stream of them passed through to get Ubers to take them home because they couldn’t drive. Yikes.)

And 2) the beach bars at the Postcard Inn (PCI) and the Beachcomber (Jimmy B’s) target a party scene for locals (people not staying at the hotel) by advertising that their bars are open to the public and making it easy to get Ubers/Lyfts from the hotel lobby.

Honestly, it was an odd dynamic because there were a lot of families staying at the Postcard Inn (at the pool and on the beach) and in that general area but I’ve also never heard more people talking about drugs (I wish I was kidding haha) and incessant f-bombs.

Besides the beach scene, this part of St Pete Beach has a “strip vibe” that I mentioned above. Along the main road, there were a lot of strip malls with the typical beach shops, Twistee Treats, etc.

Overall, this part of the island reminded me of parts of Branson (not the nice parts!). If you like a lot of action/noise, this is the part of the island you want to be on, however I will say it was less of a Miami party scene and more “redneck yacht club” vibes. If you know, you know.

If this is what you’re looking for (hey, there were a LOT of people having a REALLY good time ; ) here’s where to stay in the area:

Postcard Inn on the Beach: I spent the first part of my trip here. It’s really “Instagram cute,” but a little more worn than it looks on the website probably. It was clean enough, had good breakfast options in the lobby, and a pretty good sized pool. There were a lot of families staying here. It’s very much a motel on the beach, but it’s also priced like one (except on the weekends!). Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

The farther south you go on the island, the nicer places seem to get. There are quite a few places mid-island that are nice properties, but are still close to all of the hustle and bustle. Meaning…the beaches are still going to be crowded, but it doesn’t have a wild vibe. You’re also closer to some convenient amenities like Publix, Walgreens, and Chick-fil-a!

The southernmost resort/hotel on the island is the Don CeSar and that’s when you feel like you’ve left St Pete Beach and entered a different world. In a good way.

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The Don CeSar Hotel & Pass-a-Grille

I’ve written a full post about this area of St. Pete Beach here, but the short story is…while I didn’t love St Pete Beach in general, staying at the Don CeSar and hanging out in nearby Pass-a-Grille is one of my FAVORITE Florida beach vacation spots.

The hotel is amazing. It’s been a few years since I stayed here now and I find myself constantly telling people about it and comparing other beach resorts I’ve stayed at in Florida back to this place.

It has a totally relaxed vibe, but still so much style and flair and it’s exactly the kind of service I like at a hotel – very responsive but not overly smothering.

Seriously, I’ve been pretty much everywhere in Florida, and this is a gem.

Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

South of the Don CeSar, you’ll come to Pass-a-Grille which is a mostly residential area that makes up the entire southern part of the island.

I loved this area so much and it’s where we ended up spending pretty much every evening of our trip.

If I’m not staying at the Don CeSar I would definitely do a Vrbo rental in Pass-a-Grille. While it’s technically on the island that is St Pete Beach, it feels like a whole separate place.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is the northernmost (drivable) barrier island in the chain and just like St Pete Beach, it’s a hub of beach activity. But it has an entirely different vibe. Not necessarily better (but maybe depending on what you like) but different.

For starters, yes overall I would say it has a more upscale feel than St. Pete Beach. It’s more luxurious high rises, better infrastructure, and pretty much only vacation amenities (no pesky signs of ordinary life).

But it’s a vibe in itself. I’ll put it this way…as soon as I drove across the bridge into Clearwater Beach, the first things I saw were: Bubba Gump’s, Hooters, and Ron Jon’s Surf Shop.

And I kind of feel like that’s everything you need to know about Clearwater Beach. If that sounds awful, you’re not going to like it. If you’re thinking…”what’s wrong with that?” then you’ll probably like it.

So yes, overall I think Clearwater is nicer than St. Pete but it’s way more commercialized (in a way that I don’t totally love) than places that I tend to gravitate towards in Florida.

Also, whether this is a pro or a con to you depends on what you like, but Clearwater feels like a compact little city on the beach (much more than St. Pete).

Most of the development is clustered around the bridge onto the island (of course with condos spreading out in every direction), and if you’re staying in one of the high rises in that area, everything is really walkable which I like.

Things are set up pretty well to handle the crowds (and there are crowds)…The sidewalks are pretty wide, there are plenty of crosswalks, etc. and the streets are lined with the kind of places most tourists like (chain restaurants and stores, etc.). There are always a lot of people out walking around and it feels like a big time Florida tourist area. The Clearwater Pier 60 is right here and you can find pretty much any kind of water activity you could dream of.

There are several nice resorts right in this area (Opal Sands Resort, Sandpearl Resort, Hyatt Regency) and the new JW Marriott that just opened might tempt me into a stay in the future.

I wouldn’t pick this area or any of these resorts over a stay at the Don CeSar personally, but if you’re got older kids or teens who want a lot of things to do and all manner of entertainment within walking distance, then this is definitely a better pick.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount USA Car Rental. They’re seriously the only company I ever use. I started using their sister company (Discount Hawaii Car Rental) on my Hawaii trips almost 10 years ago and now I use their main site for all of my other trips. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

Dunedin & Honeymoon Island

Here’s a trip I WOULD recommend in the Clearwater area.

Just north of Clearwater Beach is Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Park. They’re completely undeveloped, but BEAUTIFUL beaches.

One time I stayed at the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin and did a trip where I visited Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island, visited Tarpon Springs (Florida’s Greek Town), and went up to Weeki Wachee Springs to see the mermaid show. It’s also not much farther to Crystal River where you can swim with the manatees.

It’s not your typical Florida beach vacation, but there are quite a few little Florida gems in this area and I really loved staying at the Fenway and doing a bit more exploring than I usually do on a Florida trip.

For more info on these places, check out these posts:

Weekend in Dunedin

Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks

Tarpon Springs: Florida’s Little Greek Town

Weeki Wachee Mermaids & Manatees at Crystal River

Even if you decide to stay in Clearwater, these are all great places that you can easily visit from there.

Other Places in the Area

So in the barrier island chain off of Tampa, Clearwater Beach is the northernmost island and St Pete Beach is the southernmost island. Here’s what’s in between:

Treasure Island: Treasure Island is the barrier island just north of St Pete Beach and I would say it’s a middle ground between St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach. It feels a little more like Old Florida (there are some cute vintage feelish small hotels) than Clearwater Beach but it’s not quite as rundown as parts of St Pete Beach feel. The Thunderbird Beach Resort looks cute (very retro vibes!) or check out the Treasure Island Beach Resort.

Madeira Beach: The island between Treasure Island and Clearwater Beach has several different communities/areas. The southernmost part is Madeira Beach and it’s pretty popular. It’s not a place that appeals to me, but John’s Pass is in the area and that’s a big draw for some people. It used to be a quaint fishing village and now it’s a boardwalk with a ton of big chain shops and restaurants. In that way, it’s similar to Clearwater Beach, but it’s not nearly as crowded and everything is more spread out.

Indian Rocks Beach: Of all of the places that I drove through in this area, Indian Rocks Beach would probably be the only place that I would say I liked. It had a nice variety of places to stay (houses and small condos/inns) plus a good number of restaurants scattered around. Some of these communities were nothing but condos for miles so you’d be pretty isolated and dependent on cooking at your own place which isn’t how I like to vacation. Search for Indian Rocks condos and vacation rentals here.

On Another Note: If you’re looking for a condo or vacation rental for your trip, I always book with Vrbo. They’ve got the largest selection of rentals you’ll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what you’re looking for. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Narrowed it down to a certain location? Want flexible cancellation terms? Need to stay under a fixed budget? Click here to search for Florida vacation rentals for your trip.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

Check out these destinations: Miami (Things to Do Besides Party & Where to Stay) // Key Biscayne // Sanibel & Captiva // Longboat Key & Anna Maria Island // Marco Island // 30a // St Augustine // Amelia Island // St Pete Beach // St Petersburg // Fort Myers // Dunedin // Crystal River & Weeki Wachee Springs // Honeymoon Island & Caladesi Island State Parks // Tarpon Springs // Matlacha & Pine Island // Apalachicola

Trying to narrow it down? Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island // St Pete Beach vs Clearwater Beach // Sanibel vs Marco Island // Destin vs Panama City Beach // Destin vs 30a // Key Biscayne vs South Beach // Seaside vs Rosemary Beach

Best Beaches in Florida with Seashells

Best Florida Tennis Resorts

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Sanibel vs Marco Island: Which is the Best Vacation Spot on Florida’s Gulf Coast?

caitylincoln — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:06:34 +0000

If you’re looking for a dreamy vacation destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast…congratulations! You’ve found two of the best options!

As a kid, I’d been to Sanibel several times with my family and always remembered loving riding bikes everywhere, eating at cute little mom and pop restaurants, and of course, spending hours shelling.

I didn’t go to Marco Island until I was quite a bit older, but instantly fell in love with it. It has the same great shelling beaches as Sanibel but the island is a little more upscale and I LOVE staying at the JW Marriott. Plus it’s super close to the Everglades which makes for a fun day trip.

Well last year as part of Florida-palooza (I think I did 8 trips to different places in Florida in one year!) I revisited both Sanibel and Marco Island.

Here’s how I think they stack up:

Sanibel vs Marco Island

Let’s start with the lay of the is(land) so you know exactly what we’re talking about…

Sanibel

Sanibel is a barrier island just off Fort Myers on Florida’s Gulf Coast (the southwest side). It’s about a 45 minute drive from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) across the causeway to Sanibel.

Sanibel is a very laid back island with a big emphasis on conservation. When the bridge was originally built to Sanibel in the 70s, the community fought hard for strict building regulations, and it’s part of what makes the island so charming. You won’t find a building on the island taller than the tallest native tree, and more than half of the island is a nature preserve so it’s pretty quiet.

Bikes are the favorite method of transportation and EVERYTHING revolves around the beach. It’s not a fancy place. It’s as authentic a beach town as you’ll find anywhere. Locals and visitors really buy into the sense of community and everywhere you go it seems like everybody knows everybody, whether they live there or they’ve been vacationing there for decades.

Sanibel suffered a pretty big catastrophe in 2022 when they took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian. Much of the island (including the causeway) was pretty well destroyed, but it’s such a special place that the rebuilding started almost immediately. The bridge to the island was reconstructed by January 2023 and the rebuilding has continued full tilt since then.

It’s definitely still an island in transition, but it’s well on its way to finding its way back to that special place where families love to vacation.

Marco Island

Marco Island is also a barrier island located off Florida’s southwest Gulf Coast, but it’s quite a bit further south than Sanibel. From Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), it’s about an hour drive south to Marco Island.

Marco Island is a pretty laid back place (and of course very family friendly), but in a totally different way than Sanibel.

Marco Island is a lot more developed than Sanibel, but it doesn’t feel overly developed compared to Miami or even places like Clearwater or St Pete Beach. But it’s definitely a lot more built up. The beach on the island is pretty much lined with high rises and you’ll find a Publix and pretty much everything else you’d need on the island.

Sanibel may have the most famed shelling in Florida, but Marco Island might actually have the best. Plus its close proximity to the Everglades and Naples makes for a lot of good day trips and things to do when you get tired of the beach and the pool.

I think Marco Island hits a sweet spot when you want a more casual and less developed island (compared to Florida’s big hot spots) but like a little luxury at the same time.

Sanibel vs Marco Island: Specific Comparisons

Now let’s get into some specifics comparing the two islands…

Best Beaches: Sanibel vs Marco Island

In terms of sand and water, I think the beaches are fairly similar. White sand (with a heavy concentration of shells) and blue water is the norm. For me, the standouts are Tigertail Beach on Marco Island and Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel. Everything else feels more or less the same.

As far as accessibility goes, if you’re not staying right on the beach, both islands have what I would call limited accessibility, but for different reasons.

All of the public beaches on Sanibel charge $5/hour parking, but there’s a pretty decent amount of parking and it’s easy to get to the beach from your car. The exception is Blind Pass Beach (my favorite) which has limited parking on both sides of the bridge from Sanibel to Captiva.

Marco Island has more places to stay right on the beach (and access points if you’re staying across the street), but it really only has one beach access spot with parking if you’re not…Tigertail Beach. This beach is SPECTACULAR, but there’s a little inlet (they call it a “lagoon”) that juts out so from the parking lot you’ve either to walk all the way around to get to the ocean side (solid 15 minute walk through the sand with no shade carrying all of your stuff) or wade across the knee to waist deep mucky lagoon (going to be honest…it was pretty gross) holding your stuff above your head.

It’s not a super big deal, but if you’ve got little kids in tow, it’s not the most accessible beach. The good news is that most places on Marco Island are right on the beach, so you probably won’t need beach access/parking and if you’re staying on the beach, you can walk north up to Tigertail pretty easily if you’re into shelling.

Best Shelling: Sanibel vs Marco Island

Well, good news: you’ve narrowed it down to the two best shelling spots in Florida. Sanibel by far has the reputation for being the best shelling in Florida, but I’m here to tell you that it’s actually Marco Island. Trust me, I’ve done both.

Sanibel gets good shells (the area around Blind Pass is best), but there’s also a LOT of competition to find them. In the Sanibel area, I’ve actually found the best shelling at Cayo Costa State Park, but you can only get there by boat (that’s why the shelling is better).

I’d recommend a shelling cruise with Captiva Cruises. If you’re shelling on Sanibel, remember: the early bird gets the junonia! Even if it’s not close to low tide, you’re going to want to be out there right at sunrise.

The shelling on Marco Island has similar conditions to Sanibel (same type of shells, get out there early, etc.), but north of Tigertail Beach is where you’ll find the good stuff. Called “Sand Dollar Spit” if you’re willing to walk your little legs off, you’ll find miles and miles of unpicked shells. Take a bag, plenty of water, and a hat and sunscreen because it’s a long walk. But worth it.

The real shelling magic on Marco Island is in the neighboring Ten Thousand Islands. Just south of Marco Island, the Ten Thousand Islands are the gateway to the Everglades and there’s a handful of sandy islands that offer what I will definitely say is the best shelling in Florida, which pretty much makes it the best shelling anywhere.

Here’s the catch…you can only get there by boat. I 100% recommend a shelling trip with Treasure Seekers. If you’re into shelling, this is an experience you won’t want to miss. You’ll find so many sand dollars that you’ll eventually stop bending over to pick them up. This is where people find the coveted junonia (although they’re still super rare!).

Best Restaurants & Shopping: Sanibel vs Marco Island

This one is a little up in the area. Prior to the 2022 hurricane, I would’ve given the edge to Sanibel. Sanibel had a HUGE concentration of mom and pop local shops and restaurants which is what makes it feel so special. It still remains to be seen exactly what all will be rebuilt and what new places may open.

Prior to the hurricane though, there weren’t a ton of restaurants that sit on the water (but there are some) and if you want more waterfront spots I’d definitely give the edge to Marco Island.

Marco Island also has more “nice” restaurants than Sanibel.

Best for Biking: Sanibel vs Marco Island

This one also goes to Sanibel. Biking is almost the preferred method of transportation around Sanibel, and they have really nice bike paths and trails plus the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

Best Things to Do Nearby: Sanibel vs Marco Island

Besides the beach and beach related activities, let’s talk about things to do.

One of my favorite things about Marco Island (besides the shelling) is how close it is to the Everglades. It’s only about a 45 miles drive south to Everglade City which is the gateway to Everglade National Park on the Gulf Coast. Airboat rides are a dime a dozen (go on the first ride of the day before the wildlife gets stirred up and scatters), but my favorite thing to do is lunch at City Seafood.

Nosh on stone crab if it’s in season and watch all the boats go by. Marco Island is also just south of Naples which is a pretty sizable area with plenty to do (check out the zoo).

Sanibel has easy access to Captiva (I think of it as a smaller version of Sanibel) and if you’re willing to go back over the bridge, you’re fairly close to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (a must do in Fort Myers!), Matlacha (a sleepy fishing village turned colorful, hippy art town), and Pine Island (a drive up to Bokeelia is one of my favorite things to do).

Back on Sanibel, you’ve got the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a popular spot for kayaking and paddle boarding, but if you’re only casually interested (or just not up for a ton of hiking or physical activity), you can actually drive through. It’s $10/car and about a 4 mile drive. And you can drive through as many times as you want. You can mostly see everything from the car, but there are a lot of places you can pull over if you want a better look. There are a couple of places I would stop for sure. There’s a boardwalk through the mangroves that’s pretty cool and there’s also a treehouse/tower where you can get a good look.

I’ll be honest, I like “nature” just fine, but I had a better time watching all the older folks with their binoculars being excited about the birds! There’s a tram you can ride with a naturalist that makes certain stops and if you see the tram PULL OVER AND GO WATCH THE PEOPLE. It’s the real attraction.

Best Places to Stay: Sanibel vs Marco Island

I can 100% without a second thought give this one to Marco Island. Finding a good place to stay in Sanibel is actually kind of a sore subject with me. Even though some places call themselves “resorts,” everything is condo-like accommodations, which isn’t really my thing, but I’ve also found most options to be pretty dated and worn considering the prices. If I could find a nice place to stay in Sanibel, it would be the ideal place to vacation in Florida. But it eludes me.

That being said, since so much was destroyed by the hurricane, I’m hoping (not that I’m glad it happened!) that what’s rebuilt is a little nicer than what was there before.

Marco Island on the other hand is home to one of my favorite places to stay in Florida…the JW Marriott Marco Island.

In my opinion, there aren’t nearly enough good beach resorts on Florida’s Gulf Coast, but this is one of the best. It’s the kind of place you can stay and never leave.

It’s VERY popular with families, but if you’re traveling as a couple or on an adults only getaway, they have a luxury adults only tower that has some really awesome amenities including a rooftop terrace pool with incredible views.

If the JW Marriott is sold out (or it’s not in the budget), there are plenty of other good options on the island.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

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Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key: Sarasota’s Best Barrier Islands

caitylincoln — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 13:11:57 +0000

If you love the beach and you’re planning a trip to Florida, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the beaches of Sarasota’s famous barrier islands: Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key.

This chain of islands off Sarasota (between Tampa and Fort Myers on the gulf coast) is well known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and small beach town vibes.

30+ miles of Florida’s best beaches stretch along (from north to south) Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key.

People searching for Florida’s best beaches and wanting to avoid the crowded, over touristy beaches of St Pete and Clearwater (to the north) are often drawn here.

But which island is best??? I wish there was an obvious answer, but unfortunately…”it depends.”

Stay tuned…in this post I’m going to break down the pros and cons of each island so you can decide which one sounds best to you.

Anna Maria Island vs Siesta Key vs Longboat Key

First off, while these three islands are all very different, they’re all fairly close together in the Sarasota area and have somewhat of a similar vibe. These islands feel like small beach towns. There aren’t very many hotels or resorts. Everything is mostly condos and vacation rentals.

Things feel pretty spread out on the islands but there are little hubs where shops and restaurants tend to be centralized. They’re also pretty tropical (Bradenton is where the tropic line is in Florida) which I like.

While there is plenty built up on these islands, they don’t feel overly commercialized. This area is night and day from the St Pete and Clearwater area just north.

You won’t find a Bubba Gump’s or Hooters anywhere in sight. If you like Destin, Panama City Beach, Coco Beach, or Clearwater/St Pete, you’re probably not going to like this area.

If you like Sanibel/Captiva and Marco Island then you’ll probably like it.

Now, onto the specifics…

Anna Maria Island

The northernmost island is technically one long island, but it’s split into two distinct parts: Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach.

The southern part of the island is Bradenton Beach (the city of Bradenton is just across on the mainland). There’s a very large public beach access at the southern end of the island (Coquina Beach) and as you go north it’s pretty much one long stretch of “little beach town” vibes.

The northern end of the island is Anna Maria Island. There’s not really a definitive line that separates one from the other and there’s not a noticeable difference in the types of accommodations (one’s not necessarily nicer than the other). I will say that there’s definitely an attitude that Anna Maria Island is a bit superior to Bradenton Beach, but I think it’s mostly to do with name recognition.

I’ve noticed that quite a few restaurants that are located more on the southern end of the island use “Anna Maria Island” in their name or merchandise instead of Bradenton.

So while there’s a lot of ambiguity about where one ends and the other begins, Holmes Beach and north is definitely considered Anna Maria Island.

If you’re wanting to be in the center of the action (close proximity to restaurants, shops, etc.) Pine Avenue is definitely the main drag on the north end of the island. It cuts the island from west to east (there’s a public beach access on the west and Anna Maria Island City Pier on the east) and it’s lined with cute shops and restaurants.

If you’re staying on the north end of Anna Maria Island, it’s definitely doable to get around mostly by walking, biking, or by golf cart (bike and golf cart rentals are available at several places in town).

Overall, the vibe on Anna Maria island is pretty laid back but there can be a lot of traffic (especially around Bradenton Beach). It’s your typical small beach town in most ways.

Think: small inns/motels, ice cream shops, beach shops, cozy restaurants, etc. The main road up the island is more or less lined with these things.

It’s not an idyllic preplanned feel (like Seaside or Rosemary Beach on the 30a), but it’s also not overly commercialized with a lot of chain restaurants or stores. It’s just slowly been built up throughout the years and has that kind of charmingly ramshackle look that’s usually the result of a small beach town being “discovered.”

My pick on this island is to stay at the north end somewhere within walking distance to places along Pine Avenue. Also it would be ideal to rent a golf cart. If you stay on the north end of the island, you’ll avoid a lot of the traffic that comes through Bradenton Beach (where there’s a huge public beach access) and there’s a Publix on the north end as well as a bridge over to Bradenton.

Bali Hai Beach Resort: Next time I’m on Anna Maria Island, this is probably where I’ll stay. It’s a small boutique hotel right on the beach and it looks so cute! The property is in the process of being completely renovated, and I think the key to having a perfect stay here is definitely booking one of the newly renovated rooms (I believe the beachfront rooms haven’t been renovated yet). Check pricing and read reviews here.

Tortuga Inn Beach Resort: Located more towards the southern end of the island in Bradenton Beach, this place is cute, right across from the beach, and it has a pool. Check pricing and read reviews here.

Bungalow Beach Resort: Another little idyllic beachside bungalow inn with a pool. Check pricing and read reviews here.

Silver Surf Gulf Beach Resort: A quaint little inn right across the street from the beach. Rooms are updated and most have little kitchenettes. Check pricing and read reviews here.

Anna Maria Island Condos & Vacation Rentals: Check here to find the best condos in Anna Maria Island. You can filter for your wish list (exact location, price, # of rooms, pet friendly, etc.). And if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to find many options under $100/night.

Search for Anna Maria Island condos and vacation rentals here.

Here are a few specific rentals that look pretty dreamy:

Home with Private Pool: Right in town (shops and restaurants close by!), super close to the beach and with its own pool! Perfect for a big family vacation. Check pricing and read reviews here.

Beachfront Paradise: Right on the beach on Anna Maria Island! Check pricing and read reviews here.

Sea Shack: Super, super cute colorful bungalow style cottage with private pool. Check pricing and read reviews here.

Longboat Key

Just south of Anna Maria Island (and connected by a bridge) is Longboat Key. I’m partial to Longboat because my family used to start every summer with a trip to Longboat over Memorial Day weekend when I was a kid.

Longboat Key is by far the most mellow place to stay in this whole area. The 10-mile long island is almost entirely residential. Think vacation homes, small condos and inns, upscale complexes (but still on the smaller side) plus a couple of beach resorts.

There are very few shops and restaurants on the island and besides golf and tennis, you won’t find much to do. There’s a Publix and a CVS and a few restaurants and that’s about it.

But that’s kind of what I like about Longboat Key. There’s 0 traffic. Like it just doesn’t exist.

There are a lot of beach front accommodations (in a wide range of prices and styles) but none of the places are very big so the beaches are never crowded. And no matter where you stay on the island you’re a very quick drive from either Bradenton/Anna Maria Island to the north (plenty of shops, restaurants, things to do, etc.) or St Armand’s Circle and Sarasota to the south which is heavily concentrated with shopping, dining, and attractions.

You definitely need a car if you’re staying on Longboat Key (anywhere in this area really), but staying on Longboat gives you the best of both worlds getting a peaceful and quiet beach experience but with nearby areas and attractions being easily accessible.

At the south end of Longboat Key, there’s a bridge over to St Armands Key (where you’ll find St Armands Circle and TONS of shopping and dining) and Lido Key and from there you’ve got the bridge to Sarasota on the mainland.

It’s a long skinny island and I’m not sure there’s a bad place to stay, but I do have one observation: the sand seems to be a little softer and whiter at the southern and northern ends of the island.

We always used to stay on the south end (the old Colony Beach and Tennis Resort) and stayed more in the middle on my last trip and the sand seemed a little coarser and more full of shells. Of course it’s all relative though. The sand is still pretty great.

The overall vibe on Longboat Key is interesting. You’ll notice a pretty dramatic difference between it and Bradenton/Anna Maria Island. Overall, I think the people who stay on Longboat Key tend to be older and in general I would say everything is just a little more upscale.

So where exactly should you stay?

St. Regis Longboat Key

We always stayed at the Colony Beach and Tennis Resort when I was a kid and it was absolutely perfect but sadly it is no more. After many years of sitting abandoned, the property has recently been cleared and they’re getting ready to open a brand new St. Regis resort.

And I’m not exactly mad about it. Honestly, when the St Regis finally opens, I think it’s going to make Longboat Key a REAL destination. This whole area is severely lacking a super nice place to stay. And the St Regis is definitely going to fill that void. I think it will ultimately draw people to this area that hadn’t considered it before. Right now it’s slated to open summer 2024.

The Resort at Longboat Key Club: This is a really solid option (and until the St. Regis opens it’s my top pick). It’s pretty much the only beachfront resort in this whole area (not a condo complex). It’s been recently renovated and it’s a pretty large property with full amenities (plus amazing golf, tennis, spa, etc.). Check pricing and read reviews here.

Zota Beach Resort: Zota is probably your best bet if you want an oceanfront property with hotel/resort-like amenities but without blowing the budget. Self advertised as Longboat Key’s newest “luxury resort,” the recently renovated property (previously the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort) definitely makes a good first impression.

The entry, lobby, and pool area all have a modern, polished vibe and visually pleasing aesthetic and I think that’s where they get the “luxury” tagline.

There are two towers (the north tower is renovated and the south tower is a new build) and I’d definitely pay a little more to stay in the south tower.

There’s an onsite restaurant and beach bar, but it’s definitely not the kind of resort where you feel like you never need to leave the property so you’ll definitely need a car and probably want to do a grocery run to the nearby Publix.

The service from the valet (mandatory valet parking is included in your resort fee) and the beach concierge (arranging umbrellas and chairs) was top notch. And bonus tip: if you’re traveling with kids, they have a ton of beach toys at the beach concierge hut for you to use (mostly stuff that’s been left behind by other guests).

Check rates for your stay here.

Longboat Key Condos & Vacation Rentals: Check here to find the best condos and rentals on Longboat Key. You can filter for your wish list (exact location, price, # of rooms, pet friendly, etc.). And if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to find many options under $100/night.

Search for Longboat Key condos and vacation rentals here.

Siesta Key

After years of hearing of its famed sugar white sand beaches, I finally made it down to Siesta Key recently. I honestly was not expecting to be suuuuper impressed. I mean, the whole gulf coast of Florida is pretty renowned for its white sand beaches. Is Siesta Key really that special?

Yes. Yes it is.

Come to find out…the sand is actually quartz so that’s why it feels so squeaky clean and fine.

So about the island as a whole…Siesta Key feels more like Anna Maria Island than Longboat, but it’s still different.

For starters, it’s separate from the other islands. You can’t get from Longboat Key/St Armands without going across the bridge to Sarasota, down the coast a ways and then across the bridge to Siesta Key.

There’s actually two bridges from Sarasota to Siesta Key, one in the middle of the island and one at the very northern end. There’s a small collection of restaurants (and maybe a couple of shops) around the bridge at Midnight Pass (the middle of the island), but by far the majority of everything else is concentrated up at the northern end on Ocean Blvd. It’s the area that feels most like a “town” on the island.

Whereas Anna Maria Island/Bradenton is pretty much one long stretch of shops, restaurants, and businesses, everything on Siesta is pretty concentrated into those two areas.

Most of the accommodations are around the Midnight Pass bridge or north of it. Driving south along the island, things are mainly residential (and not necessarily the kind of places you rent-I think people actually live there).

There are a TON of condo complexes, small inns, and vacation rentals on Siesta Key. The thing you have to be aware of is even if a place is on the beach side of the main road, it still may be a WAYS from the actual beach.

The island is fairly wide in one stretch and it looks like there are 2-3 condo complexes deep between the road and the beach so just watch out to make sure you’re getting something actually on the beach if that’s something important to you.

Back to the beaches…while there’s a continuous stretch of sand along the whole island depending on where you stay you may or may not have access right at your place or need to use a public beach access.

WELL…the public access at Siesta Beach is seriously impressive. I’m not exaggerating. Siesta Beach is the nicest public beach (facilities included) that I’ve ever seen. Anywhere.

After years of getting attention for “America’s best beach” and winning countless awards, it’s nice to see that they’ve invested in infrastructure that makes visiting it a pleasant experience.

There was a ton of parking (I’m sure not enough during high season but you only have so much!), drop off and loading zones, clean restrooms with a ton of stalls, a snack bar, shop with essentials like sunscreen, inflatables, beach toys, hats, etc., picnic tables and MORE.

Also there’s an accessible entrance (and I read that they also had beach wheelchair rentals available) which I had never seen before. There was a 5-6 foot wide industrial cloth/walkway from the facilities where you park down close to the edge of the water.

It’s an extremely wide beach (it seemed like ¼ mile plus from the parking lot to the water) so it’s amazing being able to walk (or push a wheelchair, pull a wagon, etc) to the shoreline without having to slug through thick, hot sand.

My pick on this island would be to stay towards the northern end of the island at a place that’s within walking distance to all of the shops and restaurants on Ocean Blvd. There’s so little parking in the area (and so few restaurants compared to how many rooms are on the island) that it would be nice not to have to worry about a car every time you want to go eat.

Tropical Breeze Resort: This little collection of bungalows would be the perfect place to stay. They’re right near a beach access point and within walking distance to all the spots on Ocean Blvd (without being right in the middle of everything). Check pricing and read reviews here.

If you want more of a hotel set up, this Hyatt looks pretty nice.

Siesta Key Condos & Vacation Rentals: Click here to find the best condos and rentals on Siesta Key. You can filter for your wishlist (exact location, price, # of rooms, pet friendly, etc.). And if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be pleased to find many options under $100/night. Search for Siesta Key condos and vacation rentals here.

Specific Island Comparisons

Now that you’ve read up on all three islands, you’ve probably got a feeling as to which one sounds best to you. But in case you’re still having a tough time making a decision, here’s some more info:

Best Beach: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Siesta Key has the best beach (sand!!!) hands down UNLESS you like shelling. The sand is like white sugar (quartz, and it’s because it has 0 shells in it. It’s SO beautiful, but you might be disappointed if you’re hoping to stroll the beach looking for shells.

Siesta Key also has the best public beach access. If you’re not staying somewhere right on the beach that could be important.

Longboat Key has virtually no public beach access (there’s some but it’s usually pretty hidden and parking is super limited).

Bradenton/Anna Maria Island has good access (Coquina Beach in particular has parking and some amenities), but there can be a lot of traffic.

Siesta Beach is 100% set up for people coming for the day (whether it’s from across the bridge on the mainland or from a condo that’s not right on the beach). Once you get there, it’s pretty easy to set up camp and they have everything you’ll need (restrooms, showers, snack bar, picnic tables, a small shop, etc.).

Best Shelling: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Longboat Key has the best shelling. As I mentioned above, Siesta beaches have no shells.

Anna Maria Island is decent but Longboat seems to be the best. Maybe it’s because there’s fewer people to pick them over.

Best Oceanfront Restaurants: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Anna Maria Island definitely has the best beachfront restaurants. It actually might be the only island with restaurants on the beach.

Longboat has a few on the bay and Siesta Key doesn’t seem to have many on the water at all.

But Anna Maria has quite a few spots where you can literally sit at your table with your feet in the sand. That’s pretty rare in this area where most beachfront property is taken up by condos and vacation rentals.

Don’t miss Gulf Drive Cafe, BeachHouse Waterfront Restaurant, Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, and Sandbar Seafood & Spirits.

Quietest Beaches: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Definitely Longboat Key. It’s the quietest area. There’s virtually no traffic. There’s also not much to do besides the beach, golf, and tennis. But it’s super close to St Armands Circle if you want to get out.

Best Grocery Store: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Longboat Key has a SUPER nice Publix (the prepared food section is amazing). Anna Maria Island also has a Publix on the north end, but there’s not a major grocery store on Siesta Key.

Best Resorts & Hotels: Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key

Longboat Key is really the only island with what I would consider a true resort…the Resort at Longboat Key Club. Plus that new St. Regis is coming soon! Otherwise, you’re looking at condos and vacation rentals pretty much everywhere.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

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The post Siesta Key vs Anna Maria Island vs Longboat Key: Sarasota’s Best Barrier Islands appeared first on Mousin' Around.

St Petersburg, FL: The Vinoy Resort & Salvador Dali Museum

caitylincoln — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 19:15:38 +0000

Since I’ve traveled to Florida SO much, I get asked a lot about the best places to live. (While there are places in Florida that I LOVE to visit, I wouldn’t necessarily want to live in most of them.)

Well, St Pete is at the top of my list of places that I could actually see myself living in Florida.

The city of St Petersburg (in between Tampa and St Pete Beach) is pretty large and there’s a lot to do. It’s becoming an increasingly sought after part of Florida for transplants who are drawn to the sunshine vibes of Florida but want to be part of a vibrant and up and coming community (not a retirement community).

On my last trip to Florida, I had a random list of things I wanted to do in the area (from seeing the manatees up at Crystal River to checking out Fort de Soto State Park) and I decided that downtown St Pete would be a good home base.

I LOVE this area so if you’re visiting for a sunshine getaway and don’t mind not being right on the beach, here’s how I spent a weekend in St Pete:

Where to Stay: The Vinoy

I love a historic pink hotel (read about my stay at the nearby Don CeSar in St Pete Beach here) so when The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club just wrapped up a HUGE renovation earlier this year, I knew I had to check it out.

And honestly, it was everything I hoped it would be.

The Vinoy Park Hotel originally opened in 1925 and hosted countless celebrities and presidents through the roaring 20s, the depression, and the post war boom until falling into disrepair in the 1970s.

The hotel sat shuttered until it was added to the National Register of HIstoric Places, saved from demolition, and restored to its original glory in 1992.

The Vinoy has undergone another couple of expansive renovations since then and just reopened this spring as THE place to be in St Petersburg.

It’s retained ALL of its historic charm without skimping on any modern luxuries.

The rooms are completely modern and luxe with a grandeur that gives a nod to the hotel’s history.

This may not be a beach resort, but it’s still a destination. The pool deck is pretty swanky and with onsite restaurants, shopping, tennis, and the nearby Vinoy Golf Club, it has everything you could want on vacation.

One of my favorite things about this place is the location. It’s within walking distance to the St Pete Pier and the Dali Museum which are two of my favorite spots in St Petersburg.

My other favorite thing about the Vinoy is that it’s part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and has a pretty good point redemption rate. I was able to stay here using a few 35K free night certificates which I felt was an overwhelming value for a place like this!

Book your stay at the Vinoy here.

***Want to save major $$$ on your next trip? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at high end resorts and hotels (including the Vinoy!). Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here. Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money.

Things to Do

I mentioned that I decided to stay in St Pete because it was a good home base for doing a few different things on the gulf coast, but there were also a couple of things I wanted to do specifically in St Pete.

The Dali

I’ve been wanting to visit The Dali for YEARS. The Salvador Dali Museum has the greatest collection of Dali’s work outside of Europe, and it is a great collection.

The museum itself is pretty spectacular too. The collection’s new home debuted in 2011 and it’s since become a hub of the arts in St Pete.

The museum features 2,400 works of Salvador Dali collected by A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse beginning with the purchase of their first Dali painting (Daddy Longlegs of the Evening, Hope!) in 1943. The couple actually met Salvador Dali and his wife Gala in 1943 and the two couples maintained a long friendship.

Whether or not you’re a big Dali fan (I’m not going to lie, his work is pretty odd), this is a world class art museum and it’s pretty wild that it’s located in St Pete.

Besides the museum’s permanent collection and visiting exhibits, the museum has recently invested in the “Dali Dome” which features daily 360 degree multi sensory presentations featuring Salvador Dali and his work.

The wild success of the traveling Van Gogh exhibits in the last couple of years has proven that there’s definitely an audience for this type of exhibit, but I love that this one is permanent and attached to a world class museum featuring the artist.

So if you’re visiting the museum, definitely do the add on to experience the Dali Dome as well as the galleries.

St Pete Pier

I see a lot of things when I’m traveling and one thing it’s taught me is that it’s amazing what you can create when you have money and a vision.

Well the Glazer Family (the billionaire owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) have really invested in the St Pete Pier and it is SUCH A NICE PLACE. The whole waterfront area of the St Pete peninsula is pretty lined with parks and running/biking trails, but the St Pete Pier has really become the hub of it all.

There are some parks/playgrounds out on the pier plus several restaurants and it is just such a nice place to walk, hang out, and watch the sunset.

Other Museums

If you’re a museum person like me, there are a couple of other really interesting looking museums to check out in St Pete too:

Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement

Chihuly Collection

Where to Eat

I definitely didn’t have time to do the food scene in St Pete justice, but here are a couple of places I tried that I liked:

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar

There are a few of these along Florida’s Gulf Coast, but this one has to win for best view. If you want to eat on the St Pete Pier, this is probably your best option. I had a fantastic grouper sandwich!

Paradeco Coffee Roasters

We stopped here for breakfast on the morning that we walked from the Vinoy down to the Dali Museum. It’s such a cute vibe! They have great coffee and their breakfast offerings are good but it’s kind of vegan-ish which you’ll either love or hate ; )

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

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Manatees & Mermaids: My Favorite Natural Springs in Florida

caitylincoln — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 17:32:14 +0000

When you’re planning a trip to Florida, it’s easy to get distracted by the state’s “world class” attractions…theme parks and beaches!

But there’s a lot more to Florida than that.

The area just north of Tampa is home to some of Florida’s best natural springs and I think they’re a must see.

The Best Natural Springs in Florida

I’ve got two favorite springs in the area, and not only are they good for different types of experiences, but they’re good for visiting during different times of the year. they’re good for different things…

Three Sisters Springs at Crystal River is best for manatee spotting in the winter.

Weeki Wachee Springs is best for swimming in the summer and their legendary mermaid show.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting these Florida springs:

Swimming with Manatees at Crystal River

Swimming with manatees is a bucket list Florida experience and the only place you can do it is near Crystal River.

There are a couple of ways you can do this. While you can swim up Crystal River into the Three Sisters Springs, it’s only accessible by boat on a tour. There are a lot of tours that operate out of Kings Bay on Crystal River with permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service from November 15 through March 31. Tour operators include snorkel tours, kayak tours, and paddleboard tours.

If you don’t want to actually swim with the manatees, but you still want to see them, you can do that at Three Sisters Springs from their boardwalk.

I did this on my last trip and it was GREAT.

Winter admission to the boardwalk (November 15 through March 31) is $20/adult and $7.50/child (5 and under are free).

When temperatures dip low during the winter months, manatees come in from the gulf to the warmer water in the springs. On a cool, overcast day, it’s not uncommon to find 100 manatees in the spring.

On the day I visited, it was actually about 80 degrees and sunny but it had been cool a couple days before so the manatees still showed up.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see the manatees from the boardwalk and honestly felt like I didn’t miss out on a lot by not actually being in the water with them.

But I will say from what I’ve observed…if you’re going to swim with the manatees, you definitely want to do a tour that takes you up into Three Sisters Springs. This is where the crystal clear water is (the bottom of the spring is white sand) and to me, it just looks a lot more inviting than swimming out in the murkier water in the Crystal River or even near Homosassa Springs.

Seeing the Weeki Wachee Mermaids

My other favorite natural Florida spring is Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

Do you have a “thing” that you’ve wanted to do since you were a kid? Something that seemed so fantastic and wonderful as a child and as an adult you know it’s probably pretty silly but you just can’t let go of it?

Well, my “thing” has always been the Weeki Wachee Mermaids. Yep, MERMAIDS. In this somewhat remote part of Florida, there’s a beautiful natural spring where live mermaids have been performing an underwater show for visitors since 1947.

Isn’t that just the greatest thing you’ve ever heard?? Once Florida’s most popular attraction (until the mouse moved into Orlando), the mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs are one of the few remaining truly great old Florida roadside attractions.

Besides the mermaid show, you can also swim in the springs. A visit to the springs is like spending a day at the swimming hole. The water is clear and cool and they’ve got plenty of fun built up around it (slides, a jumping platform, a lazy river) plus a River Boat Cruise or kayak rentals to explore the winding Weeki Wachee River.

A bit about the history of Weeki Wachee Springs:

The spring was named “Weeki Wachee” by the Seminole Indians (it means “little spring” or “winding river”) and the spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. It’s thought to be the deepest underwater cave in the world. The Weeki Wachee River, which flows from the springs, runs 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

Then there are the mermaids. Part synchronized swimming and part underwater ballet with a few “how did they do that” tricks thrown in with some fun music… if you ever played mermaids in the bathtub when you were a kid, this is going to knock your socks off.

The mermaids perform four shows a day, 365 days a year and they’ve been doing it since 1947.

The property with the springs was purchased by former US Navy man Newt Perry in 1946 and after he cleaned it up (cars and old refrigerators had to be hauled out of the springs!) he developed a method of breathing underwater from an air hose attached to a compressor (instead of a tank strapped to your back), built a small 18 person underwater theater and began recruiting young women whom he trained to breathe from the hoses and perform underwater tricks (like drinking a soda or eating a banana).

It became a wildly successful roadside attraction in the 1950s and really exploded when ABC (yep, the American Broadcasting Company) bought the spring and built the modern 400 person theater. And the mermaids have been a going concern ever since.

Tips for Visiting Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Get there early! When I visited during the summer, we arrived about 30 minutes before the park was scheduled to open and it was PACKED. Also, this was on a Thursday, so on Saturdays and Sundays you definitely want to get there plenty early. The park closes when it reaches capacity and sometimes on a summer weekend day that happens well before noon.

You can’t buy tickets online in advance, you just have to wait in line. Make sure you have cold drinks and a little shade because it is HOT waiting out there.

When you first get into the park, you’ll either want to go straight to Buccaneer Bay to set up camp (especially if you’re trying to get one of the like 5 lounge chairs) or to the Mermaid Show. I personally would go to the Mermaid Show first and then head to Buccaneer Bay and try to find a spot that’s a little further away from everything (the ones closest to the springs are the ones that will go first).

It’s a pretty good bargain! Tickets are only $13/adult ($8/child ages 6-12 and free for children under 5). The $13 includes admission to the springs (including Buccaneer Bay Water Park), the Mermaid Show, wildlife shows, and the 20 minute river boat ride (when it’s operating). That’s a pretty good bang for your buck!

Take shade! It is hot, hot, hot and there’s not really any shade. You can take umbrellas and we even saw some people with full on shade tents set up.

You can’t take floats. You can’t take your own inflatables, but you can take a noodle or life jacket for children.

Sign up for the River Boat Cruise early. This wasn’t running when I visited and that was disappointing because it would’ve been a great way to see the river. It’s free, but availability is limited so you have to sign up when you get to the park and they’ll tell you when to come back for your cruise.

Kayak rentals have to be reserved in advance. They’ve recently changed how they handle kayaking on the Weeki Wachee River and now you have to book through the state park. And you have to do it in advance. You CANNOT do it once you arrive at the park. They’ll put you in your kayak at the launch site, you float down the river a few miles and then they shuttle you back to the park.

Pack a cooler or buy food once you get there. You can pack a full size cooler (no alcohol), but they also have full concessions on site.

Find out everything you need to know about Weeki Wachee Springs State Park from the official website here.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

On the same trip that I visited Three Sisters Springs at Crystal River, I also stopped by the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

It’s close to Crystal River, and everybody I walked to said it was a “must do.”

After seeing it, I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a must do but some people definitely may enjoy it more than others.

For starters, on the day that we visited, the water in the springs (they call it a “fishbowl”) wasn’t nearly as clear as what we saw at Three Sisters Springs and there weren’t any manatees there so even though they have an underwater viewing area, we didn’t really see very much.

There were a few manatees out more towards the river, but the water was pretty murky so it was hard to see them.

The other component here is a small zoo with a collection of animals that are local to Florida. All of the animals are rescues or animals that are unable to survive in the wild for one reason or another, but the habitats are all pretty small and resemble cages more than what you’re probably used to seeing at larger, more modern zoos.

Tickets to the wildlife center are $13/adult and $5/child (5 and under are free) and if you have children, this is a pretty good bang for your buck. Whether or not you see manatees in the spring, you’ll have plenty of other critters to look at (in the summer too).

But if you’re short on time and wanting to just see the “best of the best,” I would definitely prioritize seeing the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs if you’re visiting during the winter months.

A tip for visiting: If you park at the main visitor center, you’ll have to take a tram over to the park, but there is a small parking lot right across the street from the park.

Want to Read More Posts about Florida? I’ve got plenty!

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