Florida Family Vacations
Florida is a favorite for families, with its double whammy of theme parks and beautiful beaches; but beyond the best-known spots, other great Florida family vacations await. Below are a number of ideas and reviews (moving roughly clockwise around the state).
Florida Family Vacations:
Northeast Florida: Amelia Island
Amelia Island-- in the northeast near Jacksonville-- has lovely beaches, a historic fort complete with actors who play period characters, a quaint town with historic sections, delicious sea-food, and two fine resorts that welcome families.
The Amelia Island Plantation covers 1350 acres, has Kids' Camps for several ages, a daily "family -play" time with poolside activities.
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The Ritz Carlton has a kids' program, fine dining, kiddie pool, indoor pool, and lovely beach where shallow lagoons are great for tots.
Both properties have golf, fitness centers, etc. The Ritz has big-time celebrations for Thanksgiving, July 4th, etc.
45 minutes east of Orlando lies 72 miles of shore known as Florida's Space Coast: the place where the moon launches blasted away from earth, and site of the shuttle launches today. Big draw here is the Kennedy Space Center, and beautiful beaches. Less known are the eco-tours: this area has saltwater estuaries, marshes, and 250 sq. miles of wildlife refuges. The Space Coast also has cute towns to visit, such as Cocoa.
How much more fun can one city take? Top Things to Do in Orlando include: "the extras" at Disney World, such as the fireworks or live stage shows of the waterparks; tot-pleasers (Seuss Landing) and teen-pleasers (The Hulk thrill ride) at Universal Studios, and Blue Man Group; Discovery Cove (a Caribbean experience in the middle of Florida.)
For those visiting the Mouse, see Top Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World, and Where to Stay at Disney World, which covers the perks of staying at a Disney World Resort, whether it's a Luxury. Moderate, or a Value Resort.
Universal Orlando, meanwhile, has two theme parks, CityWalk entertainment zone, and three great hotels within walking distance; and guests get Front of the Line Passes for popular rides.
It's fun to visit the theme parks at a special time: such as Star Wars Weekends, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, in May; or Disney Christmas, or the Epcot Flower Show... Or head to Mardi Gras Weekends at Universal Orlando, late Feb. to April.
Save time for your resort, too, because Orlando resorts are colossal at family fun. The theme park resorts are obviously in that biz, but that's not all, folks: there's NickHotel, with two waterparks, and theming and entertainment by Nickelodeon; other top Orlando Resort choices have a lazy river pool, or 1500 acres with nature trails and horse-riding, or an annual winter event with ice sculptures, ice slides, ice caves...
Florida Family Vacations: Treasure Coast, Florida Keys
Heading further south: the "Treasure Coast" --named for treasure from shipwrecks-- has beautiful beaches, surfing, coral reef in some areas, and revived downtowns.
Disney's Vero Beach Resort -- in the style of "Old Florida" grand beach hotels-- has an inn and villas on 71 acres on a barrier island. Two hours SE of Disney; features include pool with 163-foot water slide; Pirate Ship wet-deck; miniature golf; kayaks, hobie cats, other watersports; biking; and maybe the chance to see sea turtles.
Club Med: Sandpiper
A rare all-inclusive within the US, this Club Med -- two hours from Miami or Orlando airports--has great ambiance, and outstanding kids programs: Baby Club Med for different ages, and action-packed clubs for older kids. Resort activities include waterskiing, wakeboarding, trapeze, inline skating, golf. Guests can take excursions to Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, etc. Note: this resort is on the St. Lucie River, not the beach.
Cheeca Lodge and Spa
In the Florida Keys, Cheeca offers: snorkelling over North America's only natural coral reef; "snuba", a way to dive 20 feet down without scuba gear, ok for kids as young as eight; saltwater lagoon stocked with fish; and Camp Cheeca for ages 6-12, is "an award-winning marine education/environmental awareness program".
Everglades National Park
Unique National Park, with "river of grass", hiking trails, camping, boardwalk nature walks, and marina and boat tours at Flamingo (which is also the site of Flamingo Lodge, damaged by Hurricane Wilma).
Sanibel Island & Captiva Island
On the (west) Gulf Coast near the bottom of the peninsula are Sanibel Island and Captiva Island: two beautiful islands for nature lovers. No beach pollution; visitors find miles and miles of beaches perfect for kids because of the gentle waves and shallow shoreline. The islands are famous for shelling, too. Several family-friendly resorts have activities, watersports, and miles of beach to explore.
Florida Family Vacations: Tampa Bay Area
St. Pete / Clearwater Beach
It dubs itself "Orlando's Beach", and this affordable west coast area two hours from Orlando has nature outings, miles of top-rated beaches, and some cultural gems in St. Petersburg. Fun outings include dolphin-spotting, shelling, and Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise.
Busch Gardens Africa - Tampa Bay
This 335-acre theme park has thrill-ride roller coasters, water-rides, lovely landscaped grounds, attractive African theming, kids play areas, and opportunities to view elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and other African animals - as well as the giant Budweiser Clydesdale horses.
Swim with Manatees: Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
75 miles north of St. Petersburg is one of the best places to see-- and even swim with-- these large gentle creatures in a natural habitat. (November to May are the best months.)
More Gulf Coast
Colony Beach Resort
This island resort on Longboat Key is just off the coast of Sarasota (central west coast), south of the Tampa Bay area. (You can drive right to the property.) Children's programs, for ages 3-6 and 6-12; teen programs; tennis; lots of watersports.
Northwest Florida Vacations
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
This giant 2400-acre resort has a beach side on the Emerald Coast (Gulf of Mexico) and also a bay side, with many activities: kids' sailing, kids' tennis, kayaking, putting course, Jolee Island Nature Park with pirate-ship playground, and a Kidzone with programs for ages 4-6 and 7-12. Watersports include body-surfing and Boogie boards (complimentary). Kids might also enjoy the Junior Golf Academy, with excellent instructors. Best way to get around is on bikes. This huge resort has many different lodgins and a picture-perfect Village of Baytowne Wharf. Read a review of Sandestin, and see many photos too.
Wakulla Spring
In a state park in the "Panhandle" near Tallahassee is one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. Swim or snorkel in the natural pool above the spring; see alligators on a river boat tour; or do a glassbottom boat ride; dine and/or stay at a historic lodge; take nature hikes.
And from About's Guide for Florida Travel, covering the whole state:
Florida Summer Fun from A to Z
26 suggestions, from Astronaut Encounters to Zip Up Your Saddlebags (- horsey fun in Ocala.) You'll be surprised at the variety.
