I have been to Florida several times, but at least 3 of them were to the Orlando area, and the only other time I can remember is going to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl in 2010.

I've always wanted to go to Pensacola for a Blue Wahoos minor league game. What other places are worth visiting? We should be able to go down for a week in April but haven't decided on a location. My wife found Port St Joe and it looks nice. It's also close to Panama City. 

Clearwater to St. Petersburg; Siesta Key; Naples; Marco Island; Marathon (especially if you like salt-water fishing) .................

Siesta Key/Captiva is a great place on the Gulf, some of the most beautiful beaches in FLA.   My personal favorite place is Key West.  Not much in the way of beaches, but a really cool town with lots to do and a unique vibe.  The drive from Miami to Key West is almost worth the trip itself.  

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

My personal favorite place is Key West.  Not much in the way of beaches, but a really cool town with lots to do and a unique vibe.  The drive from Miami to Key West is almost worth the trip itself.  

+1. Doesn’t really help you from the sound of where you wanna go but it is a really cool place. Especially if you like drinking. Clearwater beach is nice. I’d never been on the gulf side until visiting once and it sure beats the east coast beaches. 

Captiva/Sanibel or Long Boat Key are my suggestions. 

I personally hated Key West and thought it was a dump. If I wanted that vibe, I’d rather just head to Bourbon Street.

Miami. Girlies there on standby, waving just to say Hi.

Gulf side and Miami for me. 

Key West is fun, but just ok. You don't go there for a "beach" experience.

Sorry you had to experience Orlando several times. I really dislike that city, has to have one of the worst highway systems in America.

I think I like Largo w/ Pennekamp state park the best.  Don't be in a hurry with the drive in the keys, enjoy and be patient

posted by Automatik

Gulf side and Miami for me. 

Key West is fun, but just ok. You don't go there for a "beach" experience.

Sorry you had to experience Orlando several times. I really dislike that city, has to have one of the worst highway systems in America.

I’m going back to Orlando in July for sure, but that’s for work. I might go to Orlando in October for an event I want to attend. Neither trip would be going to Orlando for Orlando’s sake. The October trip will probably be Orlando for the day/night and somewhere else for the rest of our stay to make it more interesting.

Decided on Panama City Beach in early April. Can't wait.

posted by justincredible

Decided on Panama City Beach in early April. Can't wait.

The most beautiful beaches in the state are the upper gulf beaches - like where you're going.   Good choice. 

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

The most beautiful beaches in the state are the upper gulf beaches - like where you're going.   Good choice. 

I could walk to the beach from my office. I honestly get bored with how great it is to live in Florida, sometimes I want to go visit the Midwest. 

posted by brutus161

I could walk to the beach from my office. I honestly get bored with how great it is to live in Florida, sometimes I want to go visit the Midwest. 

I wouldn't want to live there.  I like seasons.  I'm in Alabama and I really like the weather here.  No winter to speak of.  Great spring and fall.  Summer is hot, but that's what air conditioning is for.  

You like seasons?  Come back to Ohio and you can experience all 4 in the next 7 days.  It's currently winter.  Summer will be here next week.

posted by ernest_t_bass

You like seasons?  Come back to Ohio and you can experience all 4 in the next 7 days.  It's currently winter.  Summer will be here next week.

Haha. Don't miss snow in April!

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

Haha. Don't miss snow in April!

I'm the only one in my family that even misses snow at all.

posted by brutus161

I'm the only one in my family that even misses snow at all.

I miss it a little around Christmas.  But no other time.  What bothered me more about winters in Ohio (grew up in Columbus and also lived in Cleveland for 10 years) is the cloudiness.  The older I got, the more that would break my will every year.  I love Ohio dearly, but the gray winters could just about drive me off a bridge.

posted by Dr Winston O'Boogie

I miss it a little around Christmas.  But no other time.  What bothered me more about winters in Ohio (grew up in Columbus and also lived in Cleveland for 10 years) is the cloudiness.  The older I got, the more that would break my will every year.  I love Ohio dearly, but the gray winters could just about drive me off a bridge.

Plus we only get snow around holidays like 30% of the time anyway!

I don't mind the snow.  I don't mind the rain.  Heck, I don't even mind the clouds.  What I have grown to hate the most, and can make any of those three miserable is WIND!  I hate the wind!

posted by ernest_t_bass

I don't mind the snow.  I don't mind the rain.  Heck, I don't even mind the clouds.  What I have grown to hate the most, and can make any of those three miserable is WIND!  I hate the wind!

Don't take a job in downtown Cleveland if you don't like the wind.  That's the windiest place I've ever been - everyday, all year long.  Wind off the lake and buildings compounding into wind tunnels.  Right in your face every time you walk outside.  

It was 81 about ten days ago; 2" snow this morning; 81 next Tuesday. 

Good times