Off Topic Help

[P-Dub]

Wife and I are thinking about Florida in November around Thanksgiving time. Clearwater area. Been to Maui a bunch of times and want to go someplace different.

If anyone can help me out with where to stay, weather, etc... I would appreciate it. Is it warm enough there to enjoy at that time? She likes the sun, beach and pool.

Please PM me with any information you can offer, I don\'t want to clutter the board. Thanks........

[Dick Powell]

I like Clearwater a lot. I stayed at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort many times for conferences. Big white sandy beach out the back door. Lots of sea food on Gulf Blvd. Not Maui but an easy trip to get to since when you leave Tampa airport, you are going away from the traffic. Plus, you can see the gigantic Scientology headquarters heading towards the gulf.

[vired]

also i think tampa bay downs is running. great place to go and watch races

[ajkreider]

If you have the time, I\'d check out the Dali museum in St. Pete. Nice part of town for lunch, too.

[P-Dub]

Thanks guys.

TB Downs already on the radar.

[P-Dub]

Dick Powell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like Clearwater a lot. I stayed at the Sheraton
> Sand Key Resort many times for conferences. Big
> white sandy beach out the back door. Lots of sea
> food on Gulf Blvd. Not Maui but an easy trip to
> get to since when you leave Tampa airport, you are
> going away from the traffic. Plus, you can see the
> gigantic Scientology headquarters heading towards
> the gulf.


Thanks Dick. We are probably looking for very close beach access and if it\'s right out the back door even better.

[ajkreider]

Also, depending how adventurous you are, there\'s a swim-with-manatees thing in Crystal River.  It\'s about 75 miles north of Clearwater.  Haven\'t done it myself, but everyone swears by it.

[trackjohn]

PDub:

About 3 years ago I spent > 4 months in the Tampa/Clearwater area...some parts of Tampa are not great, some terrific... Clearwater is a \'home run\'...is about a 30-45 minute ride from Tampa, has a terrific beach with decent restaurants. At that time of year you won\'t have an issue in getting a reservation at a nice hotel. The weather might be cool at night (65) but should be plenty warm for swimming in the day. The Tampa airport is one of the best in the country in ease of access and Tampa Bay racetrack WILL be open that time of year...is definitely worth a visit or 2 or 3!

[Topcat]

Tampa\'s very much a \"cowboy\" town.   Some like that aspect, some don\'t.

[trackjohn]

Agree... especially if you travel outside the \'city\'... Clearwater isn\'t...is basically a beach resort.