Looking for where to plan your next fun-filled family vacation? TradeWinds Island Resorts, on the beautiful white sand beach of St. Pete, Florida, is the place to be.
I recently visited TradeWinds Island Resorts with 13 other Macaroni KID publishers, and it was an absolute blast. One of the cool things here is that TradeWinds is two connected resorts — we stayed at the Island Grand Beach Resort and had full guest access to all the fun at the neighboring RumFish Beach Resort. As the resort says: Stay at one, play at two!
Here are five reasons to pack your bags and head to TradeWinds Island Resorts with your kids ASAP.
The author was hosted by TradeWinds Island Resorts to facilitate writing this article. All thoughts and opinions expressed are her own.
1. Endless activities
TradeWinds Island Resorts is a kid's dream come true! Your kids (and you!) will have a blast zip lining, bouncing around on the floating water park, zipping down the 3-story inflatable high tide slide (I took that plunge — and laughed the whole way down!), and paddle boating around the resort's lagoon.
You also won't want to miss Captain RedBeard's show at Pirate Island — it was so much more than I expected! Capt. RedBeard, it turns out, is quite a performer. He had the whole crowd laughing, talking pirate, and having a great time.
And that's to start: There's also a teen lounge, painting classes, crafting, dive-in movies, and a touch tank experience.
Want a night out? Under the Sea Camp opens Friday nights, so you can enjoy a guilt-free evening out knowing the kids are having a great time too.
The beach is also perfect for building sandcastles and playing beach soccer. And remember the Adventure Center, where you can sign up for all sorts of water sports like kayaking, parasailing, and paddleboarding. So you won't hear "I'm bored" from your kids here!
Want something more sedate or an afternoon to relax? There are seemingly endless beach chairs and cabanas to choose from, or you can get away from it all by renting a floating aqua lounger and relaxing in the water!
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 Photo courtesy TradeWinds Island Resorts |
2. An endless stretch of beautiful beach
The beach at TradeWinds Island Resorts is stunning. Soft white sand and calm waters go on and on. I found it irresistible and spent much of my time at the beach, either in the water or in the shade of a beach-view cabana, book and drink in hand. Plus: Sea turtle nests!
And the sunsets? Seriously out of this world. Make sure to grab your camera and take family photos during sunset!
3. The pools!
TradeWinds Island Resorts features nine pools, three hot tubs, and a kids' pool. There are so many pools available that none ever felt crowded, which made it easy to find the perfect spot to relax and have fun. Keep an eye on the events calendar while you're there — we had a fun afternoon playing Bingo and trivia poolside and watching kids participate in a belly flop and hula-hoop contest.
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4. Plenty to do nearby
If you're looking to venture out of the resort, plenty of family-friendly attractions are nearby. We took a short drive to Johns Pass, where we watched from the dock as dolphins played. There's also the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where kids can see sea turtles and other marine life. And for art lovers, the Dali Museum and Museum of Fine Arts is a must-visit. There are also plenty of shopping and dining options nearby.
5. The food!
OK. Let's talk about the food. We enjoyed every meal, from omelets for breakfast at Gulfside Grill at RumFish Beach Resort (where the world's nicest waitress works), to the finger-licking good fish tacos for lunch at Flying Bridge at the Island Grand, to the unforgettable dinner at the RumFish Grill, where a 33,500-gallon tank (built as part of Animal Planet’s hit series Tanked!) makes this spot a legitimate tourist attraction all on its own. You can even sign up to snorkel in the tank with the fish, all native to the area.
The food at RumFish was awe-inspiring — it's a mouthwatering menu! I finally chose the Blackened Mahi Mahi and Gulf Shrimp over Coconut Rice, with pineapple salsa and rum butter—a memorable meal, especially with the aquarium as our backdrop.
Want something more casual? We were seriously impressed with the sandwiches at the deli and snack shop in the Island Grand Beach Resort lobby, made as you like, wrapped up, and paired with chips for an easy meal to enjoy at the beach or pool.
After sunset, head to the Sandbar at RumFish Beach Resort, where kids can enjoy s'mores by the fire, and you can enjoy a cocktail fit for a beachside bar. This is a
I found TradeWinds Island Resorts the perfect destination for a fun-filled family vacation. And the memories you'll make with your family will be priceless. So book your trip to TradeWinds, and get ready for a vacation your family will talk about for years to come!
