Anyone with experience vacationing in the Florida Keys? -

We have three kids (all under 4) and want an easy beach vacation, with warm, clear water, nice sandy beaches, palm trees, and beach bars (for mom and dad). Key West is a little too hectic we hear (for a family of 5). Any suggestions on other beaches near Key West? How far is it to drive to South Beach from that general area? Thanks.

I have lots of experience in the Keys. Bahia Honda State Park is a gorgeous beach about 30 miles north of Key West. You can camp in the Park itself. The distance to South Beach is about 3 hours without traffic.As another poster noted the keys are not known for sandy beaches- more the snorkeling, diving, boating, fishing. Another beach is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo. You can camp there as well or stay at a close hotel. South Beach is about an hour and a half without traffic.There are no beach bars near either of those beaches. You might want to consider Key Biscayne in Miami. It has nice beaches and it is very close to South Beach and Coconut Grove. I don t know about the bars there since I haven t been there for awhile.

First, they don t really have sandy beaches in the keys, everything there is coral reef. Only man made beaches have sand they are very small. Most of them charge admission including the state parks.Downtown Miami to Key West is over 150 miles. The adults will love Key West as drinking is the major activity centered around Duval Street. The kids will find the place dull, all the major sights can be seen is half a day but there really isn t much else for them to do at night, Key West is a very small island. My advice is to try one of the resort hotels that has activities or at least a play area for kids of that age. Have a good trip.

Try one of the other keys, like Marathon or Largo. As a native Floridian, when I think about going the the beach I don t think of the keys. That s a long drive to get to Key West very expensive. How about the quiet kid friendly areas about Fort DeSoto Park, south end of Pinellas County, Honeymoon Island Beach, upper Pinellas Co or Bradenton Beach, Bradenton, Fl. This are some of my favorites, all on Florida s Gulf Coast. I m not a fan of the Atlantic side beaches, but there is always Daytona or St Augustine. Good Luck enjoy

What you described apparently want is the SOUTHWEST coast of Fla, eg., Sanibel/Captiva; Marco Island; Venice; Ft Myers Beach, Longboat Key, etc. The Florida Keys south of Miami have few beaches those that are belong to resorts are small. That being said there is a public beach in Key West Casa Marina Resort has its own small beach. The atmosphere at Casa Marina is not all that hectic. It s at least a 4 hr. drive from Miami Beach to Key West, even when traffic is light.

You didn t mention where you are flying in to, but guessing your not flying direct to Key West.Why not try Fort Lauderdale beaches? There are nice beach bars, great sand, clear water for swimming, palm trees and a even jungle gyms set up on the beach for the little ones. You can rent hobie catamarans, jet skis, sail boards, etc. too!Where ever you end up - have fun!

Try looking up Tranquility bay beach house resort while looking up please remeber that there is also a juvinille center named this. so keep looking if you cant find the resort. its wonderful. houses right on the beach walk off you porch right into sand if you find the right one. I have a family of 4 my kids are 8 and 11 but loved it and i can see kids under 4 liking it too. there are plenty of pools. perfect spot for the younger ones.

I am seriously thinking of moving to NYC. What are the better parts to live in? -

I m an actor and production assistant. I m not familiar at all with the city and was just wanting a heads up. I know Manhattan is the best part but was open to other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

If u have the money, then the Upper West Side is quite good. Brooklyn and Queens also have nice places. Good luck!

How do I get out of a Hotel Reservation.? -

I have a hotel reservation book for the 11th of this month. Turns out I booked for the wrong hotel. Not my fault I was given the correct hotel branch just wrong location. Anyways, I tried to call and get my hotel reservation transferred to the correct hotel. They told me I can t change or cancel my reservation. Any ways can someone tell me how to get out of this? My credit card has already been charged

It s very unusual that they would charge your credit card already. I d say you need to phone your c.c. company about that. Any hotel should be able to cancel your reservation anytime before 6pm of the day of your reservation.This doesn t sound right. It could be the weekend staff isn t up on how to do those things, phone tomorrow during the day and speak to a manager. Oh, and you don t owe them an explanation. Just tell them you re calling to cancel a reservation. It s actually a courtesy on your part. And please ask about your card being charged!!

If you mean the reservation is for Nov 11, it s far too late to get any refund from the hotel. All reservations come with some cancellation penalties. In most cases, you can cancel a hotel reservation certain hours or days BEFORE the check in date. Check to see what the terms and cancellation policies are with your reservation to make sure the hotel has not overcharged If it s for Dec 11, cancel it right away.Not knowing the reason you re given the incorrect branch and location information, you might be able to get reimbursed by the person who screwed up.

Call them and ask them again, only this time you ll be speaking to someone different. Explain your situation in the calmest, most benign possible manner, basically tell them what they want to hear, while advocating your position. Very easy, go with your gut instinct and the people skills should flow. At this point, this new person may go ahead and cancel your reservation, or transfer it to another hotel. They should, considering it s in the same hotel chain. If not, ask to speak to a manager. Because you booked the wrong hotel, as part of the same chain, the manager will fix this up for you. Nothing is impossible, and everything is possible.

If you booked through Expedia/Pricline/Orbitx etc. You are SOL the hotel has nothing to do with it. They don t even have your card info. The online booking agency did it. That s what this sounds like since most hotels won t take an advance deposit unless there is a huge event in town.

Is Arlington, TN a safe town? -

Based of off statistics for Arlington and people who live there. NOT from Shelby County statistics because that includes Memphis.

Yup sure is!

Nope. Giant kid-eating cockroaches everywhere.