ONE DESTINATION

Large group.  No kids.

We like to eat and drink and do shit.

We like fancy accommodations.

We did Key West last year and (other than mask BS) it was awesome.

Looking for different ideas.

Trip is January.

Grayton Beach?

Seaside?

Naples?

Alys Beach?

How long? Do you like out doors stuff ? Would you be good with a day or two at one place, then drive a few hours and spend a few more days, etc?  Do you want to visit the Big Black Rat ?

Manatees should be in the springs, so I'd say....

Start at Crystal River, stay a day or two at The Plantation and enjoy fishing, snorkeling/scuba, golf, check out the manatees, etc.  Pop over to Orlando, do some stuff there, stay at least one night at a disney property hotel so you can go eat and drink your way around the world at epcot and not have to worry about driving.  Next head down to West Palm/Ft Lauderdale and do more stuff, then head North to St Augustine to cap it off.

Saint Augustine works well fo both family-friendly and adults-only trips.  Search this forum for a thread where a few of us helped someone else out with ideas and featured for that area.

20 or so adults and we are not looking to check in more than once.

We aren’t going to move around to different resorts.


3-4 nights in one place.  We aren’t savages, but we need interesting stuff to do during the day and some nice restaurants to hit at night.

It can be nippy in North Florida in January - so I would pass on St. Augustine - I do love the place...if it was March or April - you are just not swimming untill May.

I would head to the Keys....

Do take the boat out to Fort Jefferson - awesome place and the bar on the way back is fun!

As you know - lots to see and do...and it will be warm....

Better yet - go to Marsh Harbor and really get away from it all

Red

I'd say drive down to south FL, then take the boat over to paradise island.

NW Florida can be miserably (if you are a Floridian) cold in Jan, I wouldn't bet my vacation on the weather. Naples will be crowded, but the weather is usually very nice, not really a party town.

In January you will be stuck in traffic forever.

Go to the Green Hotel in Costa Rica instead.

Broward has a bunch of stuff with Miami a short drive. its not all democrats but crime is not far at some of those places.   Lots to do on both strips and not far from it. Whether it be casino, museums, airboats and gator show, there is a water taxi in broward that does bar hopping.  A few comedy clubs around, one is at the Hard Rock casino. Couple gun stores, one has a fancy pistol range.  Fort Pierce has less stuff but there is a beach right next to the UDT/Navy Seal museum.  Its not been super packed the two times I went.  Things a little farther though and you might get bored sooner there. Is a skydiving place somewhere near it.


St Augustine has a lot like the others mentioned.   Has two forts.  

Honestly, South Beach or Fort Lauderdale. One of the hotels that are physically on the beach.  Lots to do, great restaurants, great bars on the water. Catch a charter and go sailfishing.

Marco Island may work well for you.

If you want to save some money, consider staying off the beach at someplace like the Gulf Town Center. There is a Residence Inn and a Courtyard by Marriot and it is much cheaper than staying on the beach. The advantage is that it is centrally located to all that SW Florida has to offer. If you stay on Marco, you’ll probably find yourself leaving the island every day anyway.

January will be a little odd. It’s “high season” for the snowbirds so the roads will be a little crowded along with the restaurants and bars. It may also be a little chilly at night (as in long pants and a windbreaker weather) and you probably won’t want to go swimming. As the locals say; “we don’t have Winter, we have about three months to paint your house, fix your roof and clear out the brush.”

There is a LOT to do but you will need to drive around a bit to see it all.

Beaches! There are several beaches in the area and unlike much of the east coast, each one is very different and has it’s own flare. Wiggins Pass State Park is probably our favorite. Pay attention to the swim warnings. There are some treacherous currents in some places. Tiger Tail is great too. Walk across the lagoon. Rent a Kayak.

Shelling. I recommend getting on a bout and heading out to the mangrove islands for a day of shelling. You never know what you will find. Generally, the harder it is to get there, the bigger and better shells you will find.

Fishing. The fishing has been a little off for the past few years. I’m not saying you won’t catch fish but it seems to be getting harder. A GOOD Guide will make all the difference. My usual guide closed his operation so I don’t have a recommendation for you.

The Everglades. January is a dry season so depending on what the SWFWMD is doing, tours may be limited to the deeper channels. ASK about what is available before spending a bunch of money on an airboat charter.

Paddling. Lots of Kayaking and Canoeing opportunities. Imperial River, The Calusahatchee, Estero Bay. We have only begun to really explore the inland waterways.

With I75 and US41 (Tamiami Trail) close by, you can get anywhere. Again, in January there will be more traffic so plan your day trips.

On Marco have sunset drinks at CJ’s but the food is meh Have Breakfast at Doreen’s.


ETA- Actually, for “fancy” Marco or Sanibel is probably what you are looking for. On Marco, I highly recommend the J.W. Marriott.