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 Northwest Florida
- continue to Southeast US
*photo (c) Teresa Plowright
