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Florida Family Resorts @ Orlando (37)

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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 Vacations for families: Overview
LOTS of ideas, roughly clockwise around the state. Florida has many different areas for families!

Walt Disney World: Top Ten Tips
Still in a class of its own as a Florida vacation -- and even globally-- is Disney World, with its four giant theme parks and two waterparks. Travel With Kids has info on where to stay, what to do... Start here, with Tips to help you have the best possible time.

Florida Vacations: Amelia Island
Amelia Island, in the northeast not far from Jacksonville, has lots to offer as a beach getaway; historic town and fort also.

Space Coast
45 minutes east of Orlando is 72 miles of shore known as Florida's Space Coast: the place where the moon launches blasted off, and where space-shuttles launch today. Big draw is the Kennedy Space Center, and beautiful beaches. Less known are the eco-tours: this area has estuaries, marshes, and 250 sq. miles of wildlife refuges. Cute towns, too, like Cocoa Beach.

Clearwater Beach-- St. Petersburg
This affordable west coast area two hours from Orlando has nature outings, some cultural gems, and miles of top-rated beaches. Read about local attractions; fun outings such as dolphin-spotting, shelling, and Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise; and resorts that welcome kids.

Spring Break -- at a Florida Beach?
Seems such a natural combination: most school-age kids get a nice break in March or April, and Florida's beaches make lovely getaways. But spring break at Florida beaches is known for partying by college spring-breakers. What's a family to do?

Sanibel Island
Off the west coast near the bottom of Florida are Sanibel Island and Captiva Island: two beautiful islands for nature lovers. The beaches are famous for shelling, and several resorts welcome families.

Everglades National Park
The legendary Everglades are a wonderful place to visit, and can easily include education-as-fun as kids learn about this unique ecosystem.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
This 335-acre theme park has thrill-ride roller coasters, great water-rides, lovely grounds, attractive African theming, and opportunities to view elephants, rhinos, giraffes, etc. A fun, pretty park that's manageable to do in one day.

Wakulla Spring
In the Panhandle near Tallahassee is one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. State Park; swimming; hiking; river boat rides; old lodge-- neat place to visit!

Florida Vacations Idea: swim with manatees
A unique idea, on a Florida vacation: swim in a natural habitat with these gentle giants.

Salvador Dali Museum
An unexpected thing to do in Florida, if you're near St. Petersburg: families with older kids should seize the chance to visit the Salvador Dali Museum, the world's top collection of the works of this artist who succeeded perhaps too well at celebrity; this museum has canvasses that will impress even the most art-allergic teen.

Lots more ideas for Florida Vacations
About's Guide for Florida Travel covers more regions, plus beaches, theme parks, maps, photos, and general trip planning.