NotUrsula
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2002
Longboat is Monied. Capital M. The multi-millionaires on Longboat tend to be just a wee bit younger than the ones in Naples; lots of 40-50-something early retirees on Longboat. A fair number of celebrities as well; mostly the sort who prefer to fly below the radar. The majority of the island is residential, so you don't get loud partiers on the sidewalks late at night ...
... which you definitely do on Clearwater Beach. Clearwater is a much more egalitarian atmosphere in general, and has a number of gimmicky beach bars that attract large numbers of twenty-somethings. It has actual parking garages that were built just to serve daytripping beachgoers; the only place in Florida that I know of where that has been done. (In general, I avoid Clearwater Beach like the plague. The only reason I go there is to rent boats out of the main marina.)
If your DD is traveling with younger children, I'd say that Longboat would be the better bet.
If there is a question of aquarium visits for kids, there are famous dolphins at the one in Clearwater (CMA), but adorable manatees and thrilling big sharks at the one in Sarasota (Mote Marine).
... which you definitely do on Clearwater Beach. Clearwater is a much more egalitarian atmosphere in general, and has a number of gimmicky beach bars that attract large numbers of twenty-somethings. It has actual parking garages that were built just to serve daytripping beachgoers; the only place in Florida that I know of where that has been done. (In general, I avoid Clearwater Beach like the plague. The only reason I go there is to rent boats out of the main marina.)
If your DD is traveling with younger children, I'd say that Longboat would be the better bet.
If there is a question of aquarium visits for kids, there are famous dolphins at the one in Clearwater (CMA), but adorable manatees and thrilling big sharks at the one in Sarasota (Mote Marine).
