kissimmee vs miami holiday

ukbill69

Hello,

I wonder if anyone can help me here. Ive been to kissimmee twice over years and me and the mrs want to go back but have wondered if it would be better to go to miami for a change and if it was any better.

jeanniebeanie_2

ukbill69 wrote: »

Hello,

I wonder if anyone can help me here. Ive been to kissimmee twice over years and me and the mrs want to go back but have wondered if it would be better to go to miami for a change and if it was any better.

Personaly I really dislike Miami- even the sand is gritty and it's very built up. Unless I wanted the parks- which I do like, I wouldn't go to Kissimme either.

There are other lovely places in Florida.

Not far from Kissimmee is Mount Dora-a pretty small town with some lovely restaurants.

If you want beaches many people like Clearwater or Naples. My favourites are Sanibel and Anna-Maria Island-no high rises, you can still find secluded beaches and great seafood beachfront restaurants. The sunsets are breathtaking. Near Anna Maria is Sarasota, upscale shopping at St Armands Circle, and the Mote Marine Aquariun where they do a great Nature Tour by boat.

If you want sightseeing then St Augustine is lovely on the north Atlantic coast- stunning architecture and a lovely old fort.

http://www.memorable-beach-vacations.com/image-files/florida-st-augustine-lightner-museum-historic-flagler-alcazar-hotel-725w-5020.jpg

http://www.worldsbestbeachtowns.com/beachtown-images/Flagler_College_2005-Sept_fl_104.JPEG

http://moore-wm-melissa.com/st_augustine.JPG


Fernandina beach up there is nice too as is Hilton Head.

There are many state parks - just Google! Wonderful wildlife tours- Homossasa springs is good.

Tarpon Springs is worth a look- a Greek sponge fishing community.

If you do a bit of research you will find a beautiful Florida that many never experience, sadly.

stevie11

I would say it depends what sort of holiday you want and how many are in your party, kids etc. Do you want an active holiday or sit by the pool or beach relaxing holiday.

In addition to JeanieBeanie suggestions how about St Petes on the Gulf coast or the Keys. You could combine a twin center holiday, although I would say neither of those destinations are suitable to keep kids happy longer than a few days.

ukbill69

Just me and the mrs, love usa shopping and mrs says wants a beach holiday, but not sure.

bagby

we went to the keys - key largo, stayed overnight in key west - eye opener but very enjoyable. Key largo is laid back and not at all like orlando but we loved it. We went snorkelling on a day trip, when to some wild sea life park which we thoroughly enjoyed, it was a ram shackle place and nothing like sea world but very enjoyable. Went on an airboat in the everglades. Hotel in key largo was right on a private beach which was absolutely gorgeous. It was a two centre holiday with orlando.

eslick

any where outside of orlando would be better than orlando its ok for the parks but not much else. the Naples area or up the coast is very nice, but prefer Georgia and South Carloina myself.

If you love shopping I would fly into Miami, try Sawgrass mills for shopping one of the biggest designer outlets in the US and then go to the west coast for the beach part. There are also plenty of shopping on that coast as well.

exel1966

ukbill69 wrote: »

Hello,

I wonder if anyone can help me here. Ive been to kissimmee twice over years and me and the mrs want to go back but have wondered if it would be better to go to miami for a change and if it was any better.

If you've only seen Kissimmee/Orlando area in Florida then you really have missed out. Kissimmee to be honest is a pretty tatty area compared to a lot of southern Florida. It caters en masse for tourists and could really be named Tatsville.
There are so many better places, but that's all subjective of course, it will depend on what you're really looking for and what type of things you like to do/see.
Miami is a different kind of holiday altogether, it's a working city not specifically designed for tourists, the main attractions being Deco Beach/Ocean Drive and South Beach (SoBe), Sawgrass Mills, but right on the doorstep to Miami you have Fort Lauderdale with some quieter, better beaches and what the americans call their 'Little Venice' where the money is. Also you have the Everglades, a mere stones throw away and very much worth a visit to see close-up wildlife in a naural habitat.
The west cost/Gulf coast has the best of Florida's beaches, Naples area in particular, but that's a far more relaxing area, a 'money' area so not so cheap, but much better because of it and where the wealthier/older FL residents like to be and where life is a little calmer.
The Keys are really worth a visit, but it's a long, yet scenic and interesting drive to the Southernmost point in the US. It's very much geared up for tourists, but can be expensive at times due to it's popularity.

Try a few days in each area, it makes for a mucn better holiday.