I have seen a recent trend emerging for family road trips. Maybe this is a symptom of the struggling economy or maybe it is that families are looking for variety and having a car allows this to happen. Suddenly, one road trip can turn into a bunch of mini-vacations.
I think this is the perfect way to see Florida. The State of Florida has so much to offer from pristine beaches to eco reserves to theme parks and it is a shame to travel all the way down there and confine yourselves to just one experience. By driving down or renting a car while there you can get a taste of everything Florida has to offer!
Me & my hubby road tripping through Florida’s Gulf Coast in style!
Recently my husband and I were lucky enough to spend a few days on the Gulf Coast of Florida. We rented a convertible and drove from the Tampa airport to our first destination, Anna Maria Island. About 40 minutes from the airport we pulled up to our private beach cottage in our little piece of paradise!
My husband and I LOVED Anna Maria. It was a perfect respite for the two of us. Beautiful beaches, no high rises, cute shops and restaurants and relaxation. Although maybe a bit too suburban for some, we loved the quaint, simple lifestyle of this spot as a stop for a few days on our road trip and would definitely return. (For more on our stop in Anna Maria read my blog post here.)
When we left Anna Maria we drove less than half an hour to St. Pete Beach where we stayed at the Tradewinds Island Grand. Although only minutes away these two Gulf Coast destinations offer something totally different!
Tradewinds Island Grand had everything a family could want. With newly renovated rooms starting as low as $149/night in the summer and beautiful, vast, white sand beaches, this is definitely a spot to add to your Gulf Coast itinerary!
Enjoying the gorgeous stretch of beach and ocean along Tradewinds Island Grand!
Tradewinds Island Grand is definitely geared to families. With a pirate show, bungee trampoline, water park, kid’s clubs, and more there is plenty to keep everyone busy. Be prepared that some of these are extra so you should take the time to plan your activities ahead of time.
The resort has plans for everyone in your party from children to grandparents with a variety of room options and activities created for specific age groups, even your teen! Or you can decide to stroll the beach and enjoy your private beach chair. One day my husband and I spent the whole day on the beach and even had a little nap!
Relaxing on the beach.
Tradewinds is quite big which means you have a number of options for pools, activities and also food. Our room had a great full kitchen so we enjoyed our breakfast and lunch in our room or on the beach (another great way to make this a VERY affordable stop!). Most of the restaurants were what one would expect from a large resort but I actually had the best meal of our whole road trip at the surprisingly fancy Palm Court Italian Grill right on site. As Tradewinds Island Grand is family focused I was not expecting much but was thrilled with this little hidden gem. The service was exceptional, the ambiance perfect and the food delicious. What a treat!
My husband enjoying our dinner at Palm Court!
As I embark on another Florida road trip next week I’m curious, have you traveled to Florida this way? If so, where did you go? Please share your tips and experiences!
*Portions of this trip were sponsored. The opinions and experiences and are all mine.