Best of Florida

Following are "Best Tips" from your fellow TUG members, the best advice they can give to folks heading for one of the 13 Florida vacation areas listed below.

Orlando Area	7	Atlantic Side of Florida		Gulf Side of Florida
Florida Keys	2	St. Augustine Area	1	Florida Panhandle
		Daytona Area	1	Clearwater/St. Petersburg	7
		Cocoa Beach Area	2	Sarasota Area	2
		Vero Beach Area		Sanibel/Captiva Islands	2
		Palm Beach Area	1	Fort Myers Area
Main Menu		Fort Lauderdale Area	4	Marco Island and Naples
		Miami Area

Orlando Area

Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Poinciana

Back to menu

Sightseeing Tip: If you've had a hectic week visiting amusement parks, take a day to visit Bok Tower Gardens to unwind, before returning home. The 157 acre garden has thousands of flowering plants & tall oaks, palms & pines. Breathtaking Bok Tower is in the midst of all the lush landscaping. Visitors are allowed to walk around Bok Tower, but not allowed to enter it. There is a daily carillon recital at 3 P.M. There are all types of birds. There are squirrels everywhere and are so tame. On our visit, one ran up my leg. You can buy peanuts in the gift shop for the squirrels or bring your own. Admission is $4. for adults, $1 for children(5-12). On Saturday between 8 & 9 A.M., admission is free. For more info, call or write to: Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, Fl. 33853 - 941-676-1408 -- From Linda Hanson

Disney World Tip: Before you visit Walt Disney World for the very first time, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.Wandering into the parks, unprepared, can be very disappointing for children, especially if the lines are just unbearable for some of the more popular rides. Go early, and have a "plan of attack" ready. The 3 best books I found (all available from your public library) are:Walt Disney World With Kids by Kim Wright Wiley (updated yearly); Unofficial Mini-Mickey by Sehlinger; and any book by Rita Aero - she has one for older adults, one for traveling with children, etc. Pick the one most applicable to you. Make reservations for lunch in advance, and most importantly, have a great time! -- From Melinda Boeh

Disney World Tip: Twenty years ago on our first visit (July 4th) to WDW, with 3 young children (ages 4-7), we tried to see it all in 2 days. We encountered massive crowds, off the wall high temperatures, high humidity, & lightning filled afternoon showers(usually over in about an hour). My tip is to take a trial size container of baby powder in your backpack or fanny pack. It sure helps all the chafing caused by the heat. I didn't have any on our first visit & one of my kids really needed some. I asked a mother with a diaper bag among the crowd if she had any & if I could borrow a couple of squeezes from her container. She had some & most graciously allowed us to run to the restroom & take care of the problem. Hope this helps first time visitors! -- From Linda Hanson

Driving Tip: We purchased a map (I think at Walgreen's in Lake Buena Vista) last time we were there and it's called "Portrait Orlando". It is a map with the replicas of the various attractions in the Orlando / Disney area and roads as if it were 3-d but it's not 3-d actually. We have a 1992 edition. It is a super wonderful map. Three times I have written to the publisher - Meridian Graphics, Inc, 5446 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 200, Atlanta GA 30341 (404) 454-6280, but no one has ever acknowledge my letter even though I sent a self - addressed envelope, asking if they had a newer map and if they were still sold in the Orlando area. If visitors can find one of these maps, they will really enjoy it and it's how we found an entrance to the Disney World that wasn't the usual path. -- From Gerri Brown

Avoiding Traffic Tip: Another way to keep out of traffic and get to Disney World and other Disney attractions is: From the airport take 523, then south on I4. Take the #27 exit (Lake Buena Vista area). #27 is Apopka-Vineland Rd. Just a block or two take a left on Hotel Plaza Rd. This turns into Buena Vista Drive. (Actually, along the Hotel Plaza Road on the left side of the road is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress which is an incredible hotel if you can con your way past the security guard and go take a self-guided tour. They have big tennis championships there which we have seen on TV before (we're not into tennis- just happened to be watching one day). Ritzy ritzy.) Anyway, continue on Buena Vista Road and veer towards the left and you will come to Disney Village Market Place. A really neat little "free" Disney attraction with lots of cute shops and pastries. Good place to get a bite and sit and people watch too. There are a lot of the Disney resorts along the Buena Vista road that are well worth stopping and seeing. Continuing on you will see signs that direct you to Epcot and Disney World. Pleasure Island is along this road, also. Another not well advertised thing to see is the Disney Institute. It mostly caters to people staying at Disney resorts, but if you can get into a class (sign up when you first get in Orlando) they have unique once in a lifetime - one-day classes on weird things like "how to make a canoe", I mean stuff you would never do except when you wanted a really unique experience. Some really neat classes.Also, continuing on Buena Vista drive turns into Vista Blvd. This will take you to the Grand Floridian Beach Resort, Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian Resort and the Wedding chapel. We took a day just to go around and see these resorts, and walk around them. Free entertainment. And they are magnificent. Wilderness Lodge is truly something to see and the outside area around the pool reminds you of Yellowstone with glaciers shooting up. The camping area is back on this route, too. Anyway, taking this scenic route, you miss the bumper to bumper traffic off the I-4 and the off ramp, etc. -- From Gerri Brown

Restaurant Tip: Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse serves Prime Rib, 20 oz. cut, with all the trimmings (tossed salad, homemade rolls, choice of baked potato, steak fries, homemade garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, or seasoned rice) for the fantastic price of $9.95. Or if you are really hungry, order the 32 oz.Prime Rib for $16.95. We have only eaten Prime Rib which is excellent, but there are many other choices (steaks, chicken, ribs, lamb) on the menu. The lines are long so go early or expect to wait awhile. Reservations are made for 6 or more. There are 3 locations- 4744 N. Dale Mabry (near Raymond James Stadium) Tampa, Fl., ph. #-813-873-SAMS, 18409 US Hwy. 19N, Clearwater, Fl., phone is 727-519-SAMS, 800 Altamonte Dr.(I-4 Exit 48), Orlando, Fl., ph. #- 407-332-SAMS -- From Linda Hanson

Shopping Tip: To avoid paying premium prices at the Disney Theme parks, try shopping at the Belz Factory Outlet Store - "Character Warehouse", located near Universal Studios. Closeout Disney clothes, beach towels, collectibles, etc. For example, I purchased baby outfits for $4.99 that were regularly $29.99!!! Worth your trip!!! -- From Mark E. Bye

Florida Keys

Key Largo, Marathon, Islamorada, Lower Matecumbe, Key West

Restaurant Tip: Our favorite restaurant in the Florida Keys is Snooks at Key Largo. You can dine inside or outside overlooking the beach. We prefer the outside shortly before sunset for the view. The service is excellent; dress is casual outside; the seafood and other dishes are superb; prices are very reasonable for the Keys.
-- From Kent and Marion Shamblin, Afton, MN

Restaurant Tip: the best place to eat in key west ( I've been there 10 times) is Cafe des Artiste on Simonton Street. I've eaten at just about every restaurant in key west. This one doesnot do any advertising. It is a top shelf, gourmet French restaurant. Louie's Backyard may be more popular because of its heavy advertising and its waterfront location, but if you are interested in fine, fine food, Cafe des Artiste is where it's at. From Jerner@aol.com

Atlantic Side of Florida

.

St. Augustine Area

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: For dinner I would recommend Panama Hatties ... There is musical entertainmentnightly, with very good food and excellent prices. On Sunday and Tuesday nights the band is Les Patterson and Friends, a group of older musicians who all played with name bands, and all of whom happened to retire to St. Augustine. Les Patterson, for example, played with the Les Brown, Glen Miller, Tony Poster, Jack Teagarden, and Bob Crosby groups, as well as touring with Bob Hope on USO shows. The other members have equally impressive resumes. The food, drink, and entertainment at Panama Hatties drew me back each night. The entertainment there on nights that Les Patterson's group plays elsewhere is a reggae singer, player, which is good, but not quite as impressive as the Les Patterson group, which is extremely professional. -- From Melvin Henley

Daytona Area

Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores. New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: A restaurant we would recommend is Norwood's at 400 Second Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Prices are very moderate and the food is plentiful and delicious. Service is with a smile. The place was packed each time we went with a wait of 15-20 minutes. The building itself is worth walking though. A wine and cheese shop is part of the building.
[Editor's Note: Check out Norwood's website at http://nsns.com/norwoods/ ]

Cocoa Beach Area

Titusville

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: Here is a tip on a great restaurant in Titusville, FL (not too far from Cape Canaveral).The Dixie Crossroads serves great seafood! We've made a point of detouring two or three hours out of our way just to go there. They offer wonderfully fresh shrimp, delicious corn fritters, and lots more! Every time we've gone to Florida since we've been married, we've tried to go there at least once. Their web site is http://www.nbbd.com/dixiecrossroads/. When we brought a friend there (on our last trip to Orlando), she was so impressed that she insisted that we go back a second time before we went home to Virginia. This was one of the visits that took us out of our way -- but it was worth it! -- From Kristin L. Bishop

Restaurant Tip: Flaminia's was recommended to us by a relative who lives in Cocoa Beach. It is a very small Italian restaurant, located on A1A in South Cocoa Beach just north of Patrick Air Force Base. It has a very casual atmosphere (shorts and tee shirts are fine) but excellent food at excellent prices. They also have take out and do deliver. Do not expect anything fancy, but you will find good homemade italian food at extremely reasonably prices.(Flamina's, 3210 South A1A, Cocoa Beach - 783-9908) --- From Rita Flynn
[Editor's Note: And here's a website article on Flaminia's at http://www.dining-out-guide.com/flaminias.html ]

Vero Beach Area

Vero Beach, Palm Coast, Sebastian

Back to menu

Palm Beach Area

Delray, Palm Beach Shores
Hutchinson Island, Stuart, Jensen Beach

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: One of the restaurants we enjoyed recently while staying at the Palm Beach Shores Resort on Singer Island is the Jupiter Crab House. This restaurant is right on location. It is also apparently one of two or so in Florida. This is where the hot breakfasts are served also. It is right on the beach but the dunes do not allow an ocean view. The atmosphere is very casual. It seems a fine place for families to have dinner. The service is good and all the staff is friendly and accommodating. The best part is the food. The garlic bread served to each table is great. The fresh fish is wonderful and prepared several different ways . All are great. They also have a fabulous raw bar selection, everything is very fresh. Prices are moderate. The wine selection could be be better but was adequate for our needs. We choose to eat there two of our nights on vacation and we liked the food there the best. This restaurant is located in North Palm Beach Shores, about 15 minutes from Palm Beach. Enjoy! -- From Ginny B.

Fort Lauderdale Area

Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: The early bird gets the worm or translated into the lingo of South Florida, the early bird gets a sumptuous meal at a bargain fare. Many fine restaurants offer "early bird specials" for those seated before an appointed time which varies with each establishment. Most feature a full meal from appetizer to dessert including beverage. Some dinners start as low as $5.95. One well known eatery, Hollywood's Deli Den, even offers an "Early, Early Bird" requiring seating by 4:30 and with prices starting at $4:95. The early birds or sunset dinners at Yesterdays are especially good values. Yesterday's Restaurant, located on the Intracoastal Waterway and Oakland Park Blvd.in Fort Lauderdale offers a fine dining experience. Prices for complete dinners for those seated by 5:30 P.M. are only $14.95. You can enjoy a wide selection of detectable dinner choices and eat while watching beautiful boats parade by, fish frolic and a fantastic sunset. While Yesterday's is an easy drive from Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and North Dade, it might be fun to reach this restaurant by Water Taxi. -- From Ernie Hirsh

Sightseeing Tip: Ft. Lauderdale Water Taxi on the Intercoastal Waterway. It was recommend to us and it sounded like fun. Hop aboard, go one way ($7.50) Round Trip ($14) or all day, on and off as much as you like for $16. You MUST call for one, or they might not stop! We rode from Commercial Rd. the furthest north they come, to Las Olas area, then to the Marina for an early dinner, then back to the car. Our "captains" gave us stories of buildings, homes and yachts and history along the way. We saw many multi-million dollar homes and yachts in the canals. -- From JoAnn

Restaurant Tip: The Aruba Beach Cafe (Pompano Beach) This is a place were you can definitely get your money's worth, savoring the food as you look out on the ocean -- From hahjaj

Spa Tip: Fairways of Palm Aire Spa/Health Club (Pompano Beach) Do you want to experience a place for total relaxation and pampering while in the area? Don't leave FL without spending a little time on yourself. Children under 16 are not allowed. -- From hahjaj

Miami Beach / Hollywood Area

Back to menu

Gulf Side of Florida

Panhandle Area

Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach

Back to menu

Clearwater/St.Petersburg/TampaArea

Includes Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, N. Redington Beach, Treasure Island, Crystal Beach

Juice Tip: We love fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juice, but we were having trouble finding any near our Timeshare on Treasure Island. We had been stopping at this shop for the oranges, wandered out back of the souvenirs and here was a juice bar! You can buy pt, qt, or gal. They stamp a card for each purchase. I take it back each year and by 2001 I may get a free gallon. Florida Orange Groves, 1500 Pasadena Ave, South, Rt 693, St Petersburg. -- From Jean Benjamin

Restaurant Tip - Favorite in St. Pete: We go to an Italian restaurant, C.D. Roma's. It has the best bread sticks! The prices are reasonable and even has lower early bird prices. Not fancy, no need to dress up. Clean and friendly . Located south of Tyrone Mall, Rt 693, in St Petersburg. -- From Jean Benjamin

Finding Hot Spots Tip: Ask local realtors (in Florida they are as plentiful as sand) for the "hot spots"....they know the areas well. They also may be able to make a difference on your next exchange with RCI or II or whatever, since they know what sells and rents the best. -- From Winnie Wickstrom

Saving Bucks Tips: For first timers or veterans....go to the Chambers of Commerce in some of the beach towns and get their coupon booklets. They have many offers from beach restaurants, souvenir & knickknack places, and shoppes! From buy one- get one free ice cream cones, to 10-15% off on your entire purchase, these coupon and discount books can make a difference in the money you STILL have at the end of the trip! Also, go EARLY to restaurants on the beach. Not only do they have the early bird specials, but you will be able to get in and out quickly, bypassing the long lines you will notice as you leave. If you hear of a good restaurant, but can't afford the evening prices, try the same place for lunch ... a LOT cheaper." -- From Winnie Wickstrom

Newspaper Article: Beaches offer lots of inexpensive treats, for shore by JANIS D. FROELICH of The Tampa Tribune. Here's a variety of great tips, many known only to the locals.

Restaurant Tip: My wife and I usually like to do one seafood buffet during any trip to the beach. There are no shortage of these in other beach towns we have been to - Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, or Panama City Beach. The only one we could find in the St. Peterburg area - and it took some looking - was at the Derby Club at the local Greyhound track, but it was excellent!! Very nice atmosphere (although patron dress was casual, the wait staff were in tuxes), all you can eat hand-carved prime rib and ham, crab legs, salad bar, and miscellaneous other dishes - for only $12.95, maybe the best buffet bargain I've ever seen. And to top it off - we won over $80 betting on 2 races!

Sarasota Area

Brandenton Beach, N. Bradenton Beach, Englewood, Longboat Key, Siesta Key

Back to menu

Restaurant Tip: Our visit to Sarasota was made complete with a visit to Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar. The atmosphere is New England waterfront. We had our dinner outside on the deck overlooking the creek. Lobster bake served in a bucket, clam chowder and seafood dishes were delicious. They serve meat dishes as well. Servers were a lot of fun - friendly, nautical atmosphere. Don't miss it! -- From Kathleen Simcock ["Try the Pan-Blackened Grouper at Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar in South Sarasota, Florida. A dozen oysters in the half-shell will go great as an appetizer."]

Restaurant/Sightseeing/Shopping/Nightlife Tip: Be sure to visit St. Armand's Circle on St. Armand's Key, just over the bridge from downtown Sarasota. It is especially nice at night when everything is lit up. It's a very safe area, lots of people out for a stroll at this time and shops are open til 9 or 10 pm. Restaurants we like here are Charlie's Crab and Hemingways. There is an excellent homemade sweet shop here too in addition to many other fine shops. Visiting St. Armand's Circle is a great evening activity. -- From Kathleen Simcock (Editor'sNote: On our first very trip to Florida (to a Delray Beach condo borrowed from a friend), the Sun Princess made me drive all over the West Coast looking for a "circle" that she vaguely remembered visiting years ago. Pulling over to ask directions in Sarasota after motoring through what seemed like most of the West Coast, a store owner told me that we had parked right on St. Armand's Circle, the "most famous circle in Florida." The Sun Princess' only comment - "Maybe this is it.")

Sanibel and Captiva Islands

Restaurant Tip: When visiting Shell Island Beach Club on Sanibel Island, I recommend visiting the Lighthouse Cafe for breakfast. They serve excellent food in a quaint island atmosphere. They make wonderful homemade muffins and the orange juice is fresh squeezed. Also, for the person who likes seafood omelets they are the best! - From Joyce Braman

Restaurant Tip: The Bubble Room-Captiva Island - Feast on huge portions of delicious food amidst an amazing collection of 40's & 50's memorabilia (lots of toys). The waitpersons add to the fun as do the creative names of the menu items. Included with each dinner are baskets of special rolls (my favorite is the pecan sticky buns), Greek or regular salads, stuffed potatoes or black beans & rice and more. "The Eddie Fisherman," a delectably seasoned Grouper fillet poached in a bag, is my favorite. I recommend sharing or doggie bags. The Bubble Room is a "not to miss" if you are on Sanibel or Captiva Islands and worth the trip from Ft. Meyers Beach -- Erni Hirsch

Ft. Myers Area

Bonita Springs, Charlotte Bay
Ft. Myers Beach, Lehigh Acres

Back to menu

Marco Island / Naples Area

Main Menu

Florida Vacation Area Contacts

TUG BBS

TUG Home Page

The information above is provided by TUG members, timeshare owners, and TUG volunteers and is solely the opinion of those individuals. The Timeshare Users Group is not responsible for the content of of this page. This information is for the personal use of our members only. Any commercial use of this material is strictly forbidden without written notice and written permission.

Send comments/feedback: