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USA Thursday to Sunday getaway this weekend. Beach and relaxation

My spouse and I are looking to fly from the Midwest to a beach front hotel or Resort for the weekend starting this thursday. Obviously it's short notice but there are always great deals.

We've been to Key West so don't need to go there this time. Been looking at Gulf shores, Pensacola maybe even Key Largo. Has to be warm.

She wants to relax and lay on the beach and read a book and have cocktails for a few days.

Hotel/resort ideally needs to be on the beach

I can only do that for a day or so and I'll need to do a little sightseeing and maybe check out some history. Even if it's by myself. Not opposed to renting a car but it's not a necessity. But overall neither one of us have too much for requirements.

We do like to go dive bar hopping. But want to stay with an uber ride to the resort / hotel at night . We are mid to late 50s and healthy and active. Not huge Partiers but we do drink. We're not Club type people. She loves live music. But we're not going to be out real late and get crazy....

Hopefully that's enough to go on. Almost booked a Pensacola Beach location but wanted to get some feedback in case there's some Hidden Gem that I'm missing.

We are seasoned Travelers and usually do a couple International trips per year plus a handful of long weekend trips throughout the year

We like clean and tidy locations if possible we're pretty easy going and wouldn't mind keeping it under $5-600 a night if possible. If not we're pretty open if the value is there. We don't have high society tastes necessarily.

Would like to be within an hour of a an airport that can connect to Dallas Chicago Atlanta or Charlotte

Thoughts?

Posted by
3294 posts

I'd consider the VA coast. Sand, nice places to eat crabs with beer, history in the area.

Of course, since you are Midwest, there is the Lake Michigan beach area, either the IL side, the WI part, or the IN coast including the National Seashore. We vacationed there as kids in the 60s often.

Posted by
8484 posts

Traverse City, Michigan or Door County Wisconsin.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Padre Island, Texas

Posted by
1188 posts

Have you been to Clearwater Beach? Easy to reach from the Tampa airport and has a bit of Old Florida vibe. Also Dunedin, Safety Harbor, the Pinellas Trail, Tarpon Springs, etc. offer beyond-the-beach activities, dining, bars, and a little history.

Posted by
598 posts

Pensacola beaches are pretty. Navarre is, too , which is not far. https://www.getrelaxing.com/ they have showers and places to rinse off your feet at the end. I think I would prefer a gulf beach vs the bigger waves of the ocean but I have spent quite a bit of time in Pensacola so I may be biased.

If you go ,I recommend a dolphin cruise, too and Fort Pickens would give you a history opportunity.

Posted by
351 posts

Blockquote

We did end up picking Pensacola but are doing it over 4th of July weekend. Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.