Planning a trip for a multi-generational group—grandparents, adult siblings, teenagers, and toddlers—means balancing wildly different energy levels and interests. You want enough activities to keep the kids from getting bored, but enough downtime so the adults can actually relax.
Mexico Beach, Florida, with its "Old Florida" charm, lack of crowds, and proximity to nature, is the absolute perfect canvas for this. Here is a field-tested, 7-day itinerary designed specifically for large families staying at a luxury rental like Fins With Benefits.
Day 1: Arrival and Settling In (Saturday)
Afternoon: Check-in is usually around 4:00 PM. Have the "advance team" (the first car to arrive) handle the major grocery run so the fridge is stocked when everyone else pulls in. Claim bedrooms, unpack, and let the kids immediately run down the boardwalk to see the ocean.
Evening: Keep dinner dead simple. Order a massive stack of pizzas from Caribbean Coffee & Cafe or throw some burgers and hot dogs on the grill at the house. Spend the evening on the deck watching your first Gulf Coast sunset together.
Day 2: The Classic Beach Day (Sunday)
Morning: Establish the "Breakfast Bar" (bagels, fruit, coffee). Head down to the beach early to set up your perimeter. If you rented chairs and umbrellas from Forgotten Coast Beach Co., they'll already be set up for you!
Afternoon: Rotate between the beach and the community pool. Toddlers can nap in the cool air conditioning of the house while grandparents read on the shaded balconies.
Evening: Host a big Taco Night dinner at the house. Afterward, break out the board games or head to the game room for some ping-pong and foosball tournaments.
Day 3: On the Water Adventure (Monday)
Morning: Split the group based on interests. Send the anglers out on a half-day inshore fishing charter with T-Man's Charters. The rest of the group can rent paddleboards or kayaks to explore the calm, clear waters near the shore.
Afternoon: Regroup at the house for a late lunch. The fishermen return with their catch! Spend the afternoon relaxing in the private hot tub or taking a golf cart cruise around the quiet streets of Mexico Beach.
Evening: Cook up the fresh fish caught that morning for an incredible, truly local dinner.
Day 4: Day Trip to Cape San Blas or Port St. Joe (Tuesday)
Morning: Take a short 20-30 minute drive to nearby Cape San Blas or Port St. Joe. For the adventurous, book a horseback riding session on the beach with Broke-a-Toe or Two-Bit Stable.
Afternoon: Grab lunch in Port St. Joe at Provisions or Krazyfish Grille. Stroll through the charming downtown boutiques and pick up some souvenirs.
Evening: Let the kids have a pizza and movie night in the bunk room while the adults enjoy a slightly more upscale "splurge" dinner at The White Marlin, enjoying incredible waterfront views.
Day 5: Scalloping or Shelling (Wednesday)
Morning: If you are visiting in late summer (August/September), book a pontoon boat in St. Joseph Bay for a family scalloping adventure. It's like an underwater Easter egg hunt that all ages can participate in! If it's not scalloping season, take the boat out for snorkeling, dolphin watching, and shelling on the secluded sandbars.
Afternoon: Return to the house exhausted and happy. This is a prime nap-time afternoon.
Evening: Low Country Shrimp Boil night! Dump it out on the table outside and enjoy a messy, memorable family feast.
Day 6: Pure Relaxation (Thursday)
Morning/Afternoon: No alarms, no schedules. Let everyone do exactly what they want. Some might want to play a round of golf at St. Joseph Bay Golf Club, others might want to read a book on the beach, and the kids will inevitably want to bounce between the beach and the pool.
Evening: Walk or take the golf cart to Mango Marley's for a fun, casual dinner out. Grab some ice cream at Tommy T's afterward.
Day 7: The Grand Finale (Friday)
Morning: Soak up the final hours of sunshine on the beach. Start doing a little bit of preliminary packing and laundry (having washers/dryers on multiple floors of the house makes this a breeze).
Afternoon: "Clean out the fridge" lunch—make massive sandwiches and platters out of whatever groceries are left.
Evening: Book a beach bonfire service through Forgotten Coast Beach Co. They will set up the fire pit, provide the wood, and even bring s'mores supplies. Gather the whole family around the fire on the beach to share favorite memories from the week under the stars.