Florida is definitely a place worth visiting in your lifetime. It’s a great location to visit with friends, regardless if it’s a spring break or not. It’s also a great place to pay a visit to while single. However, you can do, see, and experience a lot in Florida, even as a family. With that in mind and without further ado, here are some of the best ideas for a family weekend getaway in Florida.
Now, while Disney World would be an obvious choice, we’ve decided to skip it for the time being. There are just too many posts focusing on why you need to visit Disney World, how much you would have to spend to take a family of four there, etc. Instead, we’ll give you five other locations that are almost as exciting. Keep in mind that the list is arbitrary; it doesn’t contain all that Florida has to offer, and it’s not in any particular order. So, let’s get on with it.
- Orlando
The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that Orland has amazing theme parks. This is home to some of the most famous theme parks in the world, ranging from Walt Disney World Resort all the way to Sea World Orlando. Taking your kids, there is bound to be a vacation that your kids will remember and cherish.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there’s a lot of educational fun that you can visit. For instance, you can go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, where your kids can learn a lot about some of the most important figures from history and pop culture. Kids just learn better when they can see who you’re talking about. Their vivid imagination will do the rest.
Dining and shopping experiences in Orlando are quite great, as well. This means that you’ll have no time to find the right place, even if your kids are picky eaters. Also, they’ll bring home a nice souvenir or a new toy.
- Tampa Bay area
Speaking of amazing theme parks, Tampa Bay is home to one of the most incredible African-themed parks on the continent. Busch Gardens is one of the closest experiences to actually visiting Africa. The park’s Serengeti Safari offers a close-up view of African wildlife. No, it’s not like visiting a zoo, and this is a sentiment that your kids are bound to repeat.
Another amazing idea that you might not have thought of is the one of hiring a boat and going on an adventure. For instance, you could start at Treasure Island. Here, you can find some of the best Florida boat rentals around, pack your family, and embark on a real adventure, the likes of which your kids will never forget.
One thing that your kids are bound to appreciate is a visit to The Florida Aquarium. This is one of the best places for them to see the aquatic life up close. It’s a modern learning experience with a fully digitalized interactive experience.
- Miami
Miami is really an obvious choice that doesn’t take too much explanation and justification. First of all, it’s near the attraction we’ve already mentioned in the introduction. So, you might have a hard time explaining to your kids that you’ve decided to skip it this time.
Other than Disney World, you also want to visit Miami Beach. Sure, there may be more beautiful beaches elsewhere in the world (on some pristine tropical islands, perhaps), but there are no beaches that are more famous or renowned. Of course, if you’re not too big a fan of a crowd, it’s easy to understand why you might want to skip it.
Now, suppose you want to turn this visit into an educational event and take your kids on a few cultural rounds. In that case, this city has an incredible Frost Science Museum, and you can also visit the Miami Children’s Museum. Also, you shouldn’t forget about the Art Deco Historic District.
- The Florida Keys
Let’s say you have a few adventurous activities in mind. Maybe you want to take your kids snorkeling and diving. Still, since these are your kids that we’re talking about, you want professionals who would keep them safe and have enough skill to ensure that this is as fun as possible. Well, this is where you go.
There are so many outdoor adventures, even beyond the water. There are a lot of activities that are suitable for all ages. Families can kayak through mangrove forests, cycle on scenic routes, and generally have a blast. Since family vacations don’t leave a lot of options for you to work and travel, you want to pick a place with as much activity as possible.
The place is rich in culture, as well. Sure, your kids may be too young to admire Ernest Hemingway, but if they’re a bit older, this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
- St. Augustine
While historians argue about the age of Jamestown vs Plymouth, the truth is that the oldest city in the country is actually St. Augustine. Grown from a 16th-century Spanish colony, this place and its jewel, the Castillo de San Marcos, are some of the oldest examples of colonial masonry in the US.
The beaches are beautiful, and there are a lot of educational attractions, but this is really not what will really attract people here. Ghost tours and the haunted history of the city may be especially interesting to your kids.
The place also has a lot of pirate-related lore, which is especially interesting to the young ones. Nothing captures the imagination of a child quite like the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.
Wrap up
Ultimately, the spirit that you go in matters more than the destination or the budget that you’ve designated for it. You’re not going to impress anyone; you’re going to give your family a lot of bonding moments and memories that will last them a lifetime and spend some quality time together. Still, traveling with an entire family can be tough if you don’t have an entire itinerary planned. When picking a location, you need something for everyone. Fortunately, Florida doesn’t have a shortage of ideal spots for this type of vacation.
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