? Florida Suggestions ?

I'm looking for suggestions on some things to do while I am in Florida for a little over a week. I'll be arriving in Orlando the evening of June 28th. I'll have a rental car for a couple of days until my week long conference starts on 7/1. I would like to go scuba diving at least one day (I'm considering the West Palm Beach area) and I'm open to checking out what else FL has to offer. Once the conference starts I'll be in meetings all day. The hotel I'm staying at is in Lake Buena Vista. I've never spent any time in Florida before. I'm open to good suggestions from maggots who have been there before. I fly back home on July 6.
Thanks.

Epcot serves alcohol.

Go drink "around the world."

Orlando as a city sucks.
Stay as much time outside of Orlando as possible.
Make sure you have 10$ at all times with you in cash while driving around to pay for all the stupid bullshit toll roads.
There are a ton of good restaurants in Orlando though.
Ming-Court is pretty good stuff.

St Augustine isnt too far and worth checking out so long as you stay away from the touristy places. There's also Daytona \ Cape Canaveral \ Cocoa Beach area which can be pretty nice.

Normally Id reccomend going down to checkout the everglades, but this time of the year you WILL get eaten alive by mosquitos. The mosquitos down there too, are not normal, but a super breed. Theyre really vicious sneaky little fuckers.

Tampa, where I grew up, can be a decent place too. Ybor city for good cuban food and such. Further north of Tampa is Tarpon Springs, which although a bit touristy, has really damn good greek food and cheap sponges.
Further north of tampa is Hudson and Arapeka which has, IMO, some of the best fishing in all of the state. Its absolutely amazing up there, especially to think thats how all of FL once was. edit: the water out there is also crystal clear, migth be a good option for scuba

South of Tampa, I guess you can checkout the Sunshine Skyway which is a cool bridge.

Other than that, prepare for stupid hot and humid weather.
pm me if you got any other specific questions

Leave Orlando.

Skip Daytona.

Go to Coco Beach.

Florida is like Mexico, everything gets better the further south you go.

Sannibel Island by Fort Myers. Nice white sand, shallow blue water and lots of dolphins. Plus pretty chill compared to any of the southeast beaches.

Diving in west palm is worthy, especially if you don't feel like driving all the way to the keys.

And yeah, st augustine is nice. Old spanish town that is one of the few places that held onto its history rather than building stripmalls over it.

But yeah, unless theme parks are what you're after, there's no reason to hang out in orlando.

Just north of there are a bunch of spring fed rivers with crystal clear water. Itchatucknee (sp?) is one of the more popular ones.

Check out St. Augustine. Cool old fort (complete w/ moat, cannons, and draw bridge) on the bay + the oldest city in the US (the Spanish settled there years before the Englsh came over). The original main street (now a pedestrian plaza) has retained some of it's feel (cobblestone streets, the original buildings, etc), however the conversion to tourist souvenir shops has whittled away it's character. Cape Canaveral is interesting too, seeing the size of the Saturn V rocket it's hard to imagine the thing ever even got off the ground. There's a good museum there + you can tour the hangars where the Space shuttle gets prepped for launches. Both places have nice beaches close by as well + some good beach side sea food restaurants to enjoy the evenings.

You can train with Mike Seipel at Barefoot International and Fly High Ski School, 3201 Tuxedo Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Call 800-277-5446.

Learn to barefoot. My buddies & did this camp a while back. If you are a rookie, they'll get you on your feet. If you know what you're doing, they'll teach you new things, backwards, foot holds, etc. Good time.

Don't forget to drink from the fountain of youth old man.

Re Sanibel \ Captiva Islands, I honestly dont know their condition after last years hurricanes. Might be worth investigating that beforehand...

Go to Worth Ave in Palm beach and max out your credit cards, just for a laugh. Don;t worry- everythign will fit in your duffel!

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Originally Posted by Vets

I would like to go scuba diving at least one day (I'm considering the West Palm Beach area) and I'm open to checking out what else FL has to offer.

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MacArthur State Park in Juno Beach has a nice reef 50 yards from shore. I have seen Black Tip and Nurse shark, as well as rays there.
Also, there is good diving at the Hobe Sound beach which is on the north end of Jupiter Island.

I would also add something regarding the theme parks...

I happen to love coasters and such, but would avoid the Orlando theme parks at the end of June at all costs. They will be teeming with people, as kids have just gotten out of school and parents will be taking them there.

Best time to go to Universal or Disney is the first 2 weeks in September, IMO. I did, and it was a ghost town!

Sprite

Drive to the keys...


scuba at Looe Key, which is amazing....search online...


I have been all over florida, and my family has had a house on Big Pine Key my whole life.....the central keys rule....key west is shitty

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Originally Posted by pechelman

Re Sanibel \ Captiva Islands, I honestly dont know their condition after last years hurricanes. Might be worth investigating that beforehand...

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Maybe they got bigger.

More sand, mobile homes falling from the sky etc.

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Originally Posted by uppernotmaster

You can train with Mike Seipel at Barefoot International and Fly High Ski School, 3201 Tuxedo Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Call 800-277-5446.

Learn to barefoot. My buddies & did this camp a while back. If you are a rookie, they'll get you on your feet. If you know what you're doing, they'll teach you new things, backwards, foot holds, etc. Good time.

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I agree, I learned more in a day than I do most summers. But last I heard Mike had closed the school and was focusing on the manufacturing side. Plus Ron Scarpa is much closer to Orlando and a big time snow skier.

http://www.ronscarpa.com/rs/servlet/FrontDoor

Or if Wakeboarding is your thing, try the all you can ride package at OWC.
I guarantee at the end of the day you will be able to wakeboard and you will be sore as hell.

http://www.orlandowatersports.com/

I like Orlando, lots of nice lakes and a ton of talent downtown.

The diving is pretty fair in W. Palm and much less crowded than in the keys.

Come visit me in Cocoa Beach - there are a couple of nice bars there. I arrive on Fri. the 30th and leave on the 3rd. You should be able to see a Shuttle Launch from Cocoa Beach or Titusville on the 1st or 2nd, since that's what I'm down there to cover..

I'm staying in the Hilton Cocoa Beach. PM me for my cell.

Bad timing. I am leaving that weekend for PA.

I woulda taken you fishing, though- if that helps.

Ditto on the get outta Orlando. Unless you know someone with a boat and a private ski lake, leave asap.

If you want good diving, check out the holes in central florida. Guarantee you have never dove anything like them.
http://underwaterflorida.homestead.com/springs.html

St Augustine can be pretty fun, too. Just really hot right now.

Pechelman, where'd you grow up? I am in St Petersburg.

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Originally Posted by warthog

Pechelman, where'd you grow up? I am in St Petersburg.

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Grew up in Carrollwood area in Tampa, then moved north to Lutz.
Went to HS at Hillsborough.
Coincidentially, I also lived in North Carolina and Cape Coral for a few years somewhere in between. lots of moving...

Ive always liked St Pete better than Tampa for some reason.

Thanks for all the replies. There is so much to do that I wasn't previously aware of.
MOHSHSIHd - Considering diving the Keys after hearing more about them. I was told that there is a 500 foot wreck only 50-70 feet deep there somewhere.
warthog - The springs sound unique. I'm also considering this.
Where ever I dive I'll bring the waterproof case for my digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get back home.
It sounds like I made the right decision to arrive a couple of days early and rent a car for those two days. However, with the many possible choices, two days may not be enough.

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Originally Posted by Vets

Thanks for all the replies. There is so much to do that I wasn't previously aware of.
MOHSHSIHd - Considering diving the Keys after hearing more about them. I was told that there is a 500 foot wreck only 50-70 feet deep there somewhere.
warthog - The springs sound unique. I'm also considering this.
Where ever I dive I'll bring the waterproof case for my digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get back home.
It sounds like I made the right decision to arrive a couple of days early and rent a car for those two days. However, with the many possible choices, two days may not be enough.

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here is some info I got from here: http://www.florida-keys.fl.us/divesite.htm

LOOE KEY REEF
Depth Range: 5-35 feet
Experience Level: Novice to
Intermediate and Advanced

One of the loveliest and most prolific reefs in the Keys. The frigate, H.M.S. Looe, accidently ran hard aground in 1744; remains of the ship lie between two fingers of coral near the eastern end of the reef although only the ballast and anchor remain visible to the trained eye. Totally unlike any of the reefs in the Keys, containing a variety of corals, monastera, sea fans and innumerable fish species this makes for an exceptional diving experience. Looe Key is a designated marine sanctuary.
*****


THUNDERBOLT
Depth Range: 75-120 feet
Experience Level: Advanced
Location: 24º39.48 80º57.90

A 188 ft. research vessel once used for studying lightning and sunk in 1986, rests upright in 120 feet of water. At 85 feet, her bow is dominated by a huge horizontal reel, dropping over the stern of the vessel divers can examine huge twin props. Large hatches off the main deck open into the engine compartments where it is possible to descend into the hull to 110 feet.
*****

Marathon Key (just north of Big Pine) is the typical jumping off point...lots of dive boats head out from there....

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Originally Posted by Tippster

Come visit me in Cocoa Beach - there are a couple of nice bars there. I arrive on Fri. the 30th and leave on the 3rd. You should be able to see a Shuttle Launch from Cocoa Beach or Titusville on the 1st or 2nd, since that's what I'm down there to cover..

I'm staying in the Hilton Cocoa Beach. PM me for my cell.

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I have polished off quite a few drinks on the beach at this Hilton.Vets,if you don`t want to drive go to Cocoa beach and "Chill at the Hil".But if I was you definitely do a road trip to the northern keys.If you jump on the toll road you can cruise at 85MPH and no stops except to pay tolls.It cost around 18 dollars to go one way to the keys via the toll road.You catch it outside of Orlando on the way to Cocoa beach.Try Penacamp state park for a good 2 tank dive.Its on a protected reef and there is a nice seven foot Bullshark that you might get lucky enough to see there.Gas is cheaper there than Cali also.P.M. me if you need more info.Me and the Mrs make the trip every year driving to the keys.If you go to Penacamp make sure to reserve ahead of time.They fill up fast.Don`t forget South beach for a "Call a Cab" at Wet Willies.

I go down to Tampa quite a bit, actually like an hour south, near Bradenton cause I have lotsa family there. Anna Maria Island is a really chill location with a total beach town vibe (cause it is, I guess) lotsa small shops, burger joints and some really sweet white sand beaches. Oh yeah, smoking hot chicks too :) If you make it down that way, make sure to grab a burger and a pitcher at Skinny's

I'll 2nd Sanibel/Captiva. Beautiful islands. I was there shortly after the hurricane and it wasn't too bad. Ought to be just about back to normal by now. Very quiet place.
I love the Keys and have had some great dives there, but having a rental car for a couple days doesn't really leave you much time to do anything there. That's a looooong drive from Orlando.

OK, let me do a mini-hijack. My brother and his woman live in the Tampa area. My parents, wife and I, and some aunts and uncles are going to be in FLA for the week around Christmas.

Last year they rented a house on the beach somewhere near Tampa. If I am going to FLA for Xmas and missing a week of skiing, I want it to be cool. Can anyone recommend a place where we might be able to rent a big house for a week that is REALLY cool? I am thinking the Keys...clear water, a little more exotic than Tampa (maybe they live in Tarpon Springs, I don't fucking know).

HELP MAKE MY WEEK OF MISSING SNOW NOT SUCK.

Indian Rocks Beach for beach'y stuff and a town

For clear water generally you have to go far away from developed places, ie Hudson and Arapeka as mentioned above.

Otherwise, you could go further south to Pine Island area which is nice and quiet but a bit closer to civilization and stuff than Arapeka.

I'm surprised at all the good info since florida usually gets bashed here.

My .02

The area around Orlando is world class, if your into wakeboarding, barefooting, or slalom sking. If not leave asap, the theme park traffic is bad this time of year.

The fresh water diving that warthog suggested is almost as good as the cenotes in mexico. You don't have to be overhead environment/cave certified if you dive the caverns and not the caves.

The big ship your thinking of is the 510 foot, Spiegel Grove, it's off Key largo.
It's an advanced dive (130' max) but well worth doing since hurricane dennis set it upright from it's side. There are fish ( grouper) on it, 5'-6' feet long.
I dove it in May, vis should be even better now.

Sanibel/Captiva are back to normal. I windsurf/kiteboard from the Sanibel causeway, and was there this afternoon. The only issue is the traffic delays from the new bridge construction.

Pm if you do head down to dive since I have friends in the business.

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Originally Posted by RootSkier

OK, let me do a mini-hijack. My brother and his woman live in the Tampa area. My parents, wife and I, and some aunts and uncles are going to be in FLA for the week around Christmas.

Last year they rented a house on the beach somewhere near Tampa. If I am going to FLA for Xmas and missing a week of skiing, I want it to be cool. Can anyone recommend a place where we might be able to rent a big house for a week that is REALLY cool? I am thinking the Keys...clear water, a little more exotic than Tampa (maybe they live in Tarpon Springs, I don't fucking know).

HELP MAKE MY WEEK OF MISSING SNOW NOT SUCK.

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Sanibel/Captiva, Pm for beta

Wow - no love for this, huh?

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ima...2_sts1_big.gif

You might even get to see it blow up.... :(

Hook, PM sent.
Tippster, That looks like it would be cool see in person. I'll have to see when my meetings end on the 1st and 2nd, unless they will be willing to work the launch around my schedule:wink:
TWINS, Thanks for the driving tips. Do I need to upgrade the rental car for the Florida "Autobahn"? (I can compare it to the real one I drove on in Germany)
Also, thanks to everyone for all the responses. I'll be looking into all that I can fit in to the time while I am there.

I lived in FL for 8 years.
It's OK but in the summer it SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The women are outstanding.
Good scuba/snorkel in the Atlantic; OK surf by Melbourne on the Atlantic.

FYI....Kennedy Space Center is lousy; good stuff is off limits post 9-11. I went four years ago and we all thought it was a let down: me, my g/f, my kids.

im drunk so didnt bother to read nay rplies, but i wouild suggest south beach....look at models and visit my friend jay...he is bouncer ther...thast all i got ewhile drunk

edit........just peed in a sink...........

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Originally Posted by Tippster

Come visit me in Cocoa Beach - there are a couple of nice bars there. I arrive on Fri. the 30th and leave on the 3rd. You should be able to see a Shuttle Launch from Cocoa Beach or Titusville on the 1st or 2nd, since that's what I'm down there to cover..

I'm staying in the Hilton Cocoa Beach. PM me for my cell.

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shuttle launches are better than any amusement park. i'm from tvillle and have seen dozens. night launches are the shizz. i could probably get my father to pull some contacts for a VIP pass. the last time i did that we were literally the closest people possible to the launch.

apres surf dinner at dakine diego's in satellite beach is a must do. killer burritos and beer outside on a deck across from the beach. they show surf movies on a big screen at night too. (might be cool to see if they would show some tgr ski movies - i'm sure they would).

also, the indian & banana river is excellent for kite and windsurfing. flat shallow water with a large wind window. the causeway in tville or kelly park in merritt island are popular.

Greetings from the Sunshine State.
Flew into Orlando yesterday.
I was able to haul ass fast on the Florida Turnpike.
I'm currently in Key Largo. I did two dives today - absolutely beautiful!
I'll be doing two more dives tomorrow morning. I brought the underwater case for the digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get home.
It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Originally Posted by Vets

If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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Originally Posted by Vets

It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

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That's because you're surrounded by more water than decaying old people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vets

Greetings from the Sunshine State.
Flew into Orlando yesterday.
I was able to haul ass fast on the Florida Turnpike.
I'm currently in Key Largo. I did two dives today - absolutely beautiful!
I'll be doing two more dives tomorrow morning. I brought the underwater case for the digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get home.
It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Come back in two months. September is when it is the worst. You do get used to it real quick, though.

Can't suggest too much in Key Largo. Usually fly right through there, since it is the Miami of the Keys. One suggestion- on the way back, don't take the 8 mile causway. There is an alterante road that snakes around it. At the end of that road, there is a funky FL swamp bar. You can't miss it, right after the toll. Stop there for a beer, and a view into the old Florida. There are some characters in there.

If you go a bit lower on the keys, Islamorada is a cool spot. Bud and Mary's is always hopping, and you can swing into the original Florida Sportsman shop, that is now a Bass Pro. The restaurant next door has some of the best Mahi sammies in the world. Stop at a place called Robbies, right after one of the bridges. You can hand feed Tarpon that are bigger than you. Pretty cool to do, once.

On the way home, take Rt 1- if you have time. You will be blown away by the homes, the beaches, and the shittiest drivers in the world. Plus, you will have a reason to never go to Miami ever again, as if anyone needs one.

Glad you are having fun in our state. Too many times, I see my hometown judged thru Mouse colored glasses. There is a lot to do here. And hey, it ain't Wisconsin.

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Originally Posted by warthog

Come back in two months. September is when it is the worst. You do get used to it real quick, though.

Can't suggest too much in Key Largo. Usually fly right through there, since it is the Miami of the Keys. One suggestion- on the way back, don't take the 8 mile causway. There is an alterante road that snakes around it. At the end of that road, there is a funky FL swamp bar. You can't miss it, right after the toll. Stop there for a beer, and a view into the old Florida. There are some characters in there.

If you go a bit lower on the keys, Islamorada is a cool spot. Bud and Mary's is always hopping, and you can swing into the original Florida Sportsman shop, that is now a Bass Pro. The restaurant next door has some of the best Mahi sammies in the world. Stop at a place called Robbies, right after one of the bridges. You can hand feed Tarpon that are bigger than you. Pretty cool to do, once.

On the way home, take Rt 1- if you have time. You will be blown away by the homes, the beaches, and the shittiest drivers in the world. Plus, you will have a reason to never go to Miami ever again, as if anyone needs one.

Glad you are having fun in our state. Too many times, I see my hometown judged thru Mouse colored glasses. There is a lot to do here. And hey, it ain't Wisconsin.

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I took a drive to Islamorada this evening. I had a world famous fish sandwich at Craig's. Yum. I missed the Tarpon handfeeding. However, I am typing with both of my hands now. ;)

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Originally Posted by jibij
Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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This sounds more interesting (and less expensive) than the Florida Turnpike. I'll checkout my maps and time available.

go to the No Name Pub in big pine....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jibij

Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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When you cross the Sanibel causeway, look for a green ford pickup parked by the kiteboarders. You'll be in my hood and we can grab a beer, or I'll bring an extra rig if you kite. The winds been so-so lately.

I-75 to the west coast of Fl is like the turnpike (Fast) but somewhat out of your way.

The diving here is meh, lots and lots of big sharks here now following the Tarpon. Your better off diving where you are.

pm for cell digits if you do come over.