From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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Florida is a mecca for families year-round, due mainly to theme-park powerhouse Orlando; but the Sunshine State has many other great areas.

Orlando
Summer is high season (and hot season) in the theme parks, but crowds lessen near the end of August. As for the heat: take a break from the theme parks in the afternoon, maybe swim at your resort; then head back for the evening. Also: Disney-goers can cool off in two terrific waterparks included with Park Hopper Plus passes. Meanwhile, Universal Orlando-goers can cool down on the wet rides in Islands of Adventure.

Top Ten Things to Do in Orlando

Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn- waterparks, character breakfasts, entertainment

Family Reunions- Disney has online planning tools

Elsewhere in Florida

Amelia Island - northeast Florida

Historic St Augustine- miles of beaches

Space Coast: an hour from Orlando, beaches plus Kennedy Space Center

Miami: Sonesta Key Biscayne Resort

The Breakers, Palm Beach - a landmark; huge Family Ent'nment Center

Everglades National Park -unique in the world

St Petersburg/ Clearwater Beach- west coast

Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay - coasters plus African animals; lots of wet rides

Sanibel Island- unspoiled beaches

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort: big beach, big bay, picture-perfect village, in NW Florida

^{*photo (c) Teresa Plowright}