Family Vacation Spots
When it comes to family vacations, Florida knows best. Whether you’re on the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, or even in Central Florida, there is something for every family and every family member; be it the beach, downtown, or at a theme park.
Best Beaches and Beach Resorts
When it comes to a great spot for the family, there are few places better than the beach. Whether you want to lay out in the sunshine, stroll along the sand, or play in the water, there’s something that each of you will like. Don’t stray far from the waves when you rest up in a beach resort.
Perhaps the best beach to which you should bring the family is one of the most iconic American beaches: Daytona Beach. Gracing 23 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, the beach’s soft sands are so inviting for a day of sandcastle-building, laying out, or even just taking a stroll. Not only is the beach itself fantastic, but it’s the attractions both on and near to the beach that make it so family-friendly, providing the kind of variety that keeps everyone satisfied. Vendors on the beach are ready to provide everything from the basics like snacks and sunscreen to the more thrilling options like JetSki rentals, snorkeling gear, and more! Near to the beach you’ll find a theme park, waterpark, bandshell with performances through the summer, and plenty of shopping and restaurants.
In Daytona Beach, you’ve got your choice of beachfront accommodations that make it easy to transition from the room to the sand with the young ones. Oceanside Daytona offers 165 spacious rooms, including one-bedroom and Penthouse suites, as well as a freshwater pool that is a delight to swim in and overlooks the ocean. Here’s a hint to parents - you can sip on some delicious beverages while lounging poolside and watching the kids swim. Built in 1973, Oceanside Inn is one of the staples along this stretch of A1A in Daytona Beach Shores. As of July 2019, the hotel is under new management and is already undergoing improvements and renovations.
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There are several beaches for you to enjoy in Sarasota, but our top recommendation is Siesta Key Beach. Consistently voted as the #1 beach in America, you will certainly understand its appeal when you see its expanse of crystalline white sands that lead to shallow waters perfect for wading. While you could probably spend your trip sitting on the soft sand and soaking in the sunshine, you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to get out on the water and have fun. Siesta Key Watersports, located south of the main public beach, has just about every kind of adrenaline-pumping watersport rentals you could think of, from roaring Jet Skis to high-flying parasailing! They also offer tours and cruises. Take things nice and easy with a paddleboard rental from Gulfside Paddleboards. You can rent a board from a couple hours to a whole week! They also offer delivery, and newer paddlers can take advantage of lessons.
Just a short walk or bike ride away from the public beach are the Siesta Key Beach Villas, a series of cozy, casual villas that exude a tropical theme for your own island-style getaway. These spacious villas range in size from studios to larger spaces with kitchens, dining and sitting areas, private bedrooms and more. Relax in a shaded hammock, take a walk out to the beach, or ride around Siesta Key Village on one of the Villas’ bike rentals.
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Most Amazing Museums and Downtown Hotels
Learning can be fun in a Florida museum! Especially when the whole family enjoys the experience together. Most museums incorporate the history of the area, from ecosystem info and ancient inhabitants to famous historical figures. Immerse yourself further into the local culture with a stay in a downtown hotel.
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Arts and Science District, the Museum of Discovery and Science is an incredible experience for your family. The museum features 120,000 square feet packed with dynamic science exhibits, both permanent and rotating. Kids ages six and under will enjoy hands-on learning in the Discovery Center; older children can board the 20-person airboat ride simulator for an amazing journey into the Everglades; the bi-level Florida Ecoscapes exhibit allows students to discover one of the world’s most unique ecosystems; Prehistoric Florida explores ancient species that lived millions of years ago; and there’s so many more exhibits to delight the whole family! Head outdoors to the museum’s Science Park, which expands the museum’s hands-on learning with multiple, content-rich opportunities in which visitors can experiment with basic principles of the physical world and come to intuitive understandings about how they work.
Relax at the only hotel on the trendy Las Olas Boulevard in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, surrounded by world-class restaurants, hopping nightclubs and enchanting courtyards. Unwind in a comfortable room in the Riverside Hotel adorned in Old-Florida design, or seclude yourself in a suite in the executive tower, where spectacular city and river views await. Classic guest rooms are located in the original tower of the hotel that was built in 1936; the special twelfth-floor suite is the grandest of them all, hosting a marble Jacuzzi, separate living area, wet bar and wraparound balcony. The hotel is minutes from the sandy white beaches of Fort Lauderdale. After a long day of fun in the sun, savor a decadent seafood meal at the hotel’s Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille – or visit the Indigo Restaurant for a variety of dishes prepared by their acclaimed chef while overlooking Las Olas Boulevard.
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Encompassing 20 acres of tropical gardens, historic homes, a laboratory, and museum, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers are a wonderful place to spend a day filled with whimsy. The inventor Thomas Edison and the auto magnate Henry Ford where close friends and shared estate grounds for their winter vacation homes, which now make up the museum property. Walk beneath the tall oaks and swaying palms, or amongst the fragrant blooms of the botanical gardens, tour the historic buildings that include Edison’s Botanic Research Laboratory, and visit the Edison Ford Museum to view an impressive collection of inventions, artifacts and special exhibit galleries. If you work up an appetite from walking, visit the Banyan Café or an onsite food truck.
Live the barrier island life at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. Located on Sanibel Island, just across the water from Fort Myers, this resort has everything you could need right on site, so you have no need to leave the luxury! Boasting miles of shell-strewn beach, this resort boasts spacious, fully-equipped condominiums so that you can have all the comforts of home while enjoying a tropical paradise. The living spaces come in various sizes for your secluded getaway or family vacation, and all are complete with kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas. Shop and dine directly onsite at any of the resort’s locations and enjoy high-end amenities such as tennis facilities, multiple swimming pools, children’s activities, and the Kay Casperson Lifestyle Spa and Boutique.
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Real Thrilling Theme Parks and Exciting Accommodations
For the thrill-seeking family, Florida offers not only adventure parks and roller coasters, but also hotels that are loads of fun! You may get just as excited about your colorful, kid friendly hotel room as you will about the roller coaster that goes 60 mph.
Everyone can get their kicks at Fun Spot America Kissimmee, a family-friendly theme park with several locations throughout the U.S. - and we’ve chosen its Kissimmee location because of this area’s reputation as a family vacation destination. Combining theme park thrills with classic midway games and satisfying eateries, there is something for everyone at this park. Ride the only wooden roller coaster in Florida that goes upside-down, scream in suspense as what goes up must come down on the Screamer, swing into the sky on the Hot Seat, or take it easy with scenic views from the carousel or while playing games at the midway or arcade. There are also kiddie rides for smaller tikes, and lots of places to stop for snacks. Perhaps one of the best perks of this park? It offers all of the thrills and excitement of bigger theme parks at a fraction of the cost, so you can keep coming back for more fun!
Magic Moment Resort and Kids Club is a boutique hotel with a big dream, promoting quality time for families in an era when this has become a rarity. Magic Moment is passionate in creating an environment of togetherness, making every moment count with all kinds of unique touches that make it fun for everyone. The luxurious lobby area is great for adults, while it’s contrasted by the special area for young ones: a kid’s club with bright colors, comfy couches, toys to share, video games, tabletop games, and more! The pool is another venue for adventure, and even has a snack bar to keep the little ones’ “hanger” at bay. When you want to spend some quiet time together, sit and tell stories in the beautiful garden area.
If you can ever convince the kids to go back to the suite, you can enjoy the absolute beauty and finery of the contemporary-chic decor, special little touches like big bathtubs and fluffy bathrobes. Mornings are easier for kids to get through with breakfast at the resort’s eatery (pro-tip: make them smile with Mickey Mouse pancakes) and you’re close enough to all of Orlando’s big attractions without having to pay Orlando resort prices!
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Masterfully blending the animal experiences of a zoo with the heart-pounding thrills of a theme park, Bush Gardens Tampa Bay is a completely unique family attraction. Each section of the park is themed for a different region of the world and the animals found there, featuring animal exhibits that educate and provide up-close connection with the animals and rides that correlate to the animals. For instance, you can learn all about the stealth and speed of cheetahs as you watch them dart around their exhibit, and then hop aboard Cheetah Hunt, which is built with the same cheetah speed and even soars above the cheetahs themselves! The park’s newest ride, Tigris, is Florida’s tallest launch coaster takes you along 1,800 feet of steel track at more than 60 miles per hour to mimic the awe-inspiring agility of the world’s largest and most powerful cat: the tiger. In addition to exhibits and rides, there are many live performances that run throughout the day, from animal demonstrations to musicals, dances, ice shows, and more! Throughout the park are fantastic shops and delightful eateries.
A family favorite because it offers something for everyone, Innisbrook, a Salamander Resort may not be the first place you think of when you think “family resort.” But, once you see all the kid-friendly activities they have to offer, you’ll see this resort in a whole new light! The fun begins at the six swimming pools, including the Loch-Ness Monster pool with crazy, twisty waterslides that’ll have you all screaming with joy. There’s also a zero-entry pool for toddlers who want to play in shallow waters, and even a sandy beach for building sandcastles. After water play is over, towel the kids off and watch them monkey around on the playground or zoom around on bikes. And the golfing here is not just for the grown-ups; they have a fantastic mini-golf course!Now, this is still a luxurious resort, so that means beautiful guest rooms or suite accommodations that make you all feel like resort royalty while you relax after a long day of play. (The adults may want to take the relaxation to the next level at the brand new full-service luxury spa, featuring 12 treatment rooms, personalized services and much more!)
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