Eyewitness Travel Family Guide Florida
Page 35
< More Things to Do: Orlando and the Parks
Winter Park
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Letting Off Steam
Next to Rollins College is Dinky Dock, a public park with grills and tables for picnicking, and a sand beach with opportunities to swim.
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Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours
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Letting Off Steam
Go 11 miles (18 km) southwest to Bill Frederick Park and Pool (3401 S Hiawassee Rd, 32835; 407 246 4486), at Turkey Lake, for boat rentals, largemouth bass fishing, and a wooden playground with a maze of tunnels and swings.
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LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
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Letting Off Steam
Run around in LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, or go to Rotary Park (300–398 6th St NE, Winter Haven, 33881) to burn off excess energy. The park offers a skate park, a sand volleyball court, and walking paths.
Shopping
Find everything from LEGO® toy sets and LEGO® exclusives to T-shirts and souvenirs in the LEGO® Studio Store (in Fun Town). Pick up Star Wars™, The LEGO Movie™, NEXO KNIGHTS™, NINJAGO™, and other such toys. There are also bins of individual parts for imaginative builders at Pick-A-Brick (in Fun Town).
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Digital
LEGO® Club offers “Master builder” videos, how-to instructions, comic books, and a free magazine with discount coupons for toys and park admission. Check out www.lego.com/en-us/club/member for more information.
Take Cover
If rough weather threatens, head for the LEGOLAND Hotel (877 350 5346; www.legoland.com/florida/legoland-hotel/overview), at the entrance of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. A paradise for LEGO® lovers, the hotel has 152 themed rooms in LEGO® decor, interactive play areas, a pool, and a restaurant (see LEGOLAND Hotel).
Next Stop…
From pretty gardens to a Ranch
Head 8 miles (13 km) southeast of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort to the Bok Tower Gardens (1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, 33853; 863 676 1408; boktowergardens.org), a huge botanical garden and bird sanctuary. Named for Edward W. Bok, an influential publisher, the gardens boast the Singing Tower, which is known for its 45-minute live carillon concert at 1pm and 3pm daily. Dotted with camellias, magnolias, and azaleas, these woodland gardens have plenty for families – picnic areas with sandboxes and toys, reading benches, a vine-covered arbor tunnel, and even secret garden areas.
Alternatively, the Westgate River Ranch (3200 River Ranch Blvd, Frostproof, 33867; 863 692 1321; wgriverranch.com), 33 miles (53 km) southeast of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort near Lake Wales, holds a live rodeo every Saturday night, with bucking broncos, bull riding, rodeo clowns, and genuine cowboys. Kids will love petting and feeding barn animals such as lambs, calves, and baby goats in the petting farm. There are also pony rides on offer.
< More Things to Do: The Space Coast
Kennedy Space Center
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Letting Off Steam
Kids can crawl and climb through tunnels, scamper over a rock wall, and command a mini-shuttle in the Children’s Play Dome (on site), a play area with an outer space theme. If commanding rockets does not use up enough energy, head 8 miles (13 km) south to the Rotary Riverfront Park (4141 S Washington Ave, Titusville, 32780), which has a playground and a fishing pier along the Indian River.
Shopping
More than 3,000 space-themed items are available at The Space Shop (NASA Central; www.thespaceshop.com; 9am–3pm), including T-shirts, commemorative medals, space-themed LEGO®, and even full replica flight suits.
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Digital
Visit NASA Kids’ Club at www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash for contests and space-themed games featuring Buzz Lightyear for younger kids, and news and pictures taken from space by astronauts for older kids. National Geographic offers an interactive guide to the solar system at science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system.
Next Stop…
Nearby Space History
To discover more about space history, head 13 miles (21 km) west to the US Space Walk of Fame Museum (4 Main St, Titusville, 32796; 321 264 0434), with displays on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and other shuttles. Or head 12 miles (19 km) east to the Air Force Space and Missile Museum (191 Museum Circle, Patrick Air Force Base, 32925; 321 853 9171) to see restored items from the US Air Force’s space launch activities. The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum (6600 Tico Rd, Titusville, 32780; 321 268 1941; www.valiantaircommand.com), 8 miles (13 km) west of the Kennedy Space Center, is for those interested in terrestrial flight. The museum displays, repairs, and flies vintage airplanes.
< More Things to Do: The Space Coast
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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Letting Off Steam
Merritt Island is a wilderness area, and disturbing the animals here by running and making a noise is frowned upon. Head for Jetty Park Fishing Pier in Cape Canaveral to catch and release fish in some of the best waters in the state, or check out Seminole Rest and Turtle Mound in the middle of the Canaveral National Seashore. These archaeological sites prove the presence of Native Americans here 4,000 years ago.
Shopping
Choose from a variety of hats, caps, T-shirts, totes, badges, pins, and books at the gift shop in the Visitor Center.
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Digital
Go to www.floridabirdingtrail.com for a list of 500 sites across Florida ideal for bird-watching.
Film
The Big Year (2011), about watching rare birds, and starring Jack Black and Steve Martin, was partly filmed at Merritt Island.
Take Cover
If rain threatens, head 20 miles (32 km) south to the town of Cocoa Beach, which has ample restaurants and shops.
Next Stop…
The Botanical Garden
Zip 40 miles (64 km) south to the Botanical Garden at the Florida Institute of Technology (facilities.fit.edu/botanical_gardens.php). This unique 15-acre (6-ha) garden is dotted with more than 300 species of ferns, palms, and tropical plants.
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Cocoa Beach and Pier
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Take Cover
Head for the Dinosaur Store (250 W Cocoa Beach Causeway, 32931; 321 783 7300; www.dinosaurstore.com), which has a vast selection of dinosaur teeth and replicas, meteorites, and toys. Kids will like the fake shrunken heads and arcade games.
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Ron Jon Surf Shop, Cocoa Beach
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Letting Off Steam
Alan Shephard Park (299 E Cocoa Beach Causeway, 32931; 321 868 3258), two blocks away, offers ample opportunities to run around. There is also access to a white-sand beach, and restrooms.
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Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
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Letting Off Steam
The ramped treehouse in the Imagination Center (on site) is a high-energy climb and run. The museum’s park has nature trails that offer tree-shaded places to cool off.
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Brevard Zoo
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Letting Off Steam
The Treetop Trek Chutes & Ladders (on site; www.treetoptrek.com) activity course runs on rope bridges, tightropes, and zip lines through, around, and 20 ft (6 m) above the zoo.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Jacksonville
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Letting Off Steam
Go 15 miles (24 km) east to Atlantic Beach, where Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (www.coj.net) offers swimming, surfing, biking, and a freshwater lake with a water playground for younger kids. Older kids can opt for canoes and kayaks.
Shopping
Drop in at Peterbrooke Chocolatier (2024 San Marco Blvd, 32207; 904 398 2488 www.pe
terbrooke.com) to pick up gourmet chocolates, and then take a tour of their production facility just down the street. The St. Johns Town Center™, a shopping and entertainment venue, houses many kids’ apparel stores. Younger children will enjoy the kids’ train and the koi pond.
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Digital
In 1864, a Union transport ship named the Maple Leaf was sunk by a Confederate torpedo in the St. Johns River, where it stayed until 1989. Take a look at what divers were able to bring up from the bottom more than 100 years later on www.themosh.org/curator.html.
Next Stop…
Bridge to the Islands
Broward Bridge, across the St. Johns River, is the gateway to Amelia Island (www.ameliaisland.com) and Fernandina Beach. This impressive bridge is more commonly known as the Dames Point Bridge by locals, and the “bowtie bridge” by kids.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
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Take Cover
If it rains, head to one of the zoo’s many indoor exhibits. The Discovery Building, in the Play Park area, runs excellent interactive educational programs for kids.
Shopping
Drop in at Mombasa Gift Shop (at Main Camp), Village Market (in Range of the Jaguar), or The Kids’ Shop (near the train station) to pick up plush toys, trinkets, apparel, puzzles, and other goodies.
Find Out More
Digital
Visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org for fun games, coloring pages, and quirky animal trivia.
Next Stop…
Huguenot Memorial Park
A horseshoe-shaped peninsula, the Huguenot Memorial Park (10980 Heckscher Dr, 32226; 904 251 3335) is popular with local families, surfers, and windsurfers. The park, 15 miles (24 km) east, is home to a variety of wildlife, and offers plenty of surfing, birdwatching, and windsurfing opportunities. Although the park gets crowded in summer, it can be an enjoyable outing in early spring or late fall. Be sure to check the tide tables (www.srh.weather.gov/jax/tides.shtml) – the shallow tidal pools are great for younger kids. Driving on the beach is allowed, but be warned – it is easy to get stuck in the sand.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Talbot Islands State Parks
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Take Cover
Head for the Ribault Club visitor center (www.nps.gov) to check out exhibits on the environment and culture of northeastern Florida.
Shopping
Visit Island Outfitters (235 E Gulf Beach Dr, 32328; 850 927 2604; sgioutfitters.com) on St. George’s Island for handcrafted necklaces, T-shirts, beach bags, and flip flops.
Next Stop…
Kingsley Plantation
Located on the northern tip of Fort George Island, this plantation (www.nps.gov/timu) was named for Zephaniah Kingsley, who owned four major plantations in the area. In 1814, he and his wife Anna Madgigine Jai made the island their main residence, and more than 100 slaves worked on the plantation. Walk the grounds to see the restored slave cabins, the “Ma’am Anna” house, a barn, a kitchen house, and the main clapboard house.
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Fernandina Beach
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Take Cover
Visit the Amelia Island Museum (www.ameliamuseum.org) to learn about the history of Amelia Island. Housed in an old jail, this small museum’s exhibits focus on the Timucuan Indians, the Civil War, railroads, and Spanish missions.
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Fort Clinch State Park
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Letting Off Steam
Amelia Island’s beaches offer plenty of room to run about. Families can choose between the lively Main Beach Park (32 N Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, 32034), with a beachfront playground and barbecue grills, or the peaceful sands of Peter’s Point Beach Park (1974 S Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, 32034).
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Cumberland Island National Seashore
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Take Cover
Parents might want to plan a visit to see the history exhibits in the Ice House Museum (near the ferry dock; 912 882 4335) to round off the outing – or during rough weather.
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St. Augustine
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Letting Off Steam
The grounds of Castillo de San Marcos offer lots of space to run around. Or visit the Fort Matanzas National Monument, a small island fort that guarded St. Augustine from the south, by taking a ferry from the Visitor Center.
Take Cover
The eccentric Robert Ripley traveled the world looking for objects that were both weird and wonderful. After his death, his collection became the core of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum (19 San Marco Ave, 32084; 904 824 1606; www.ripleys.com/staugustine). It is a good place to while away an afternoon browsing through the astonishing displays.
Shopping
Most kids will enjoy browsing the shops lining St. George Street, where much of the merchandise on sale is inexpensive but fun. Choose from a variety of candles, candies, T-shirts, and jewelry.
Next Stop…
Black raven pirate ship
If the kids have had enough architecture and highbrow history for a while, take them to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina to see the Black Raven Pirate Ship (www.blackravenadventures.com). Climb aboard the ship for a tour of the Matanzas River. The adventure includes a theatrical show with sword fights, sea shanties, games, and more.
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Lightner Museum/Ponce de León Hotel
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Take Cover
Children will love the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum (12 S Castilo Dr, 32084; 877 467 5863; www.thepiratemuseum.com), which has hundreds of fascinating artifacts, including the world’s only known pirate treasure chest. Movie buffs can see Captain Jack Sparrow’s sword from The Black Pearl. Kids can learn about the Golden Age of Piracy through interactive displays.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Castillo de San Marcos
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Take Cover
If inclement weather threatens, head for the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (38 Cathedral Place, 32084; 904 824 2806; www.thefirstparish.org). The historic cathedral was built around 1797, and it has a splendid bell tower.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Environmental Education Center
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Letting Off Steam
Just east of the A1A are three walkovers that cross the dunes to an untouched stretch of beach, and on the west side are nature trails, boat launches, places to fish, and 10 miles (16 km) of hiking and biking trails.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Anastasia Island
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Take Cover
Head to the 299-seat World Golf Hall of Fame’s IMAX® theater (www.worldgolfimax.com), which has a 3-D digital projection system and the largest digital screen in the southeast. Or go 2 miles (3 km) west to Whetstone Factory (139 King St, St. Augustine, 32084; 904 217 0275) to learn the candymaker’s secrets and do a little taste-testing along the way.
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Marineland Dolphin Adventure
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Take Cover
If inclement weather threatens, visit the Authentic Old Jail (167 San Marco Ave, 32084) in St. Augustine. Costumed actors make the tour interesting and fun, if a bit spooky.