Beachcomber By The Sea

When you see how close the beach is at the aptly named Beachcomber by the Sea, you’ll wish you were already in your swimsuit, but that’s easily remedied. Get your day off to the right start with the resort’s continental breakfast, served daily. Head back to your condo and start digging through your bags for the sunscreen and inflatable dolphins. Beach chairs are available, but if water sports are more your thing, ask about wave runners and parasailing – the front desk will hook you up. Go for a swim in the outdoor pool (heated seasonally) or for a relaxing soak in the hot tub. When the kids get hungry, fire up the poolside bbq grills. Let your little helpers carry burgers, hot dogs and sides. Then lay out condiments and toppings and let everyone go to town.

Modest one-bedroom condos sleep four to six guests and are a great home base for when you aren't exploring the area. A family field trip to the Winn Dixie Grocery Store (just across the street!) is definitely in order – your full kitchen won’t stock itself. Bake your famous chocolate-chip cookies and allow the little ones to assist with the mixing (and the tasting!). Enjoy the cookies while you watch a sitcom rerun on the Flatscreen TV with premium channels. The resort offers coin-operated laundry facilities. Go ahead and get your laundry done so that when you get home, all you have to do is unpack.

Beachcomber by the Sea is a short walk to Pier Park Mall. Pick up some new jeans at American Eagle. Department stores include JCPenney and Dillard’s. For those who love a good bargain (who doesn’t?), there’s Marshalls and Target. Reward yourself for a well-planned vacation with a visit to Massage Envy Spa for a facial or massage. Surprise the little ones with a trip to Toy Kingdom. Hungry? Red Robin, Dave & Busters and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville are just a few of your dining choices. Stop by the Starbucks for a caffeine fix. But wait, there’s more! Pier Park has an amusement park that features twelve rides for all ages. Gulf World Marine Park is only a mile and a half away from the resort. Meet and interact with dolphins, penguins and harbour seals. Go on a Swim Adventure with a dolphin or snorkel with cownose and southern stingrays in the Stingray Interactive Program. Shipwreck Island Waterpark is just over four miles from the resort. The Tadpole Hole’s children's activity pools will be a big hit with the little ones. The sixty-foot tall Pirates Plunge dual slides allow you to challenge another rider to see who will finish first. Kids and grownups can ride together on the Zoom Flume mat slide. Shipwreck Island has two rides that have height restrictions: Raging Rapids is a white water rafting inner tube ride, and the Tree Top Drop is sixty-five feet tall and features two slides.