Choose from walking, riding and even sailing tours. The “Living Exhibit” demonstrates how the Seminoles lived in south Florida during the late 1800s. While you snorkel, parasail, jet ski and play on huge inflatables in the middle of the ocean. At 165 feet tall, there are 219 steps to the observation deck. Make a stop at the Shark Valley Visitor Center in the northern end of the Everglades and take a tram ride (may have to buy tickets well ahead of time for this) or if you have your bikes or want to rent them you can take the 15 mile bike ride into Shark Valley – which we recommend! Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant serves shrimp caught by their own fleet of commercial shrimp boats. Florida is the perfect family road trip destination. The bar has a unique wrap-around mural of the Florida Everglades, which you’ll promptly ignore when you make a few new best friends. Life- size wax statues of the presidents and an extensive collection of political artifacts are only part of the fun. The donations arrived in a variety of formats, including native granite, quartz, boulders, fossils, blocks from old buildings and even a human skull. (954) 563-5393, www.bonnethouse.org Catch the curb service and have your food delivered to your car. In the fall and early winter, clouds of Monarch butterflies stop in the area during their migration to Mexico. And depending on the weather you may even be riding through rain puddles with alligators sitting right in them. 358 22nd Ave. South There is also a small restaurant here where you can grab lunch and a beer. (727) 821-7391, www.floridacraftsmen.net Walk through the eight-foot tall English oak doors of the Blue Anchor Pub and you'll take a step back to 19th century London. Florida Southern College is home to the largest single- site collection of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings in the world. Closed in July, August and September. 81 Lighthouse Ave. Big Cat Rescue is a 45-acre wildlife sanctuary and home to 140 wild cats representing 16 species. 954-921-3500, www.VisitHollywoodFL.org Canopy Walk at Myakka River State Park (561) 495-0233, www.morikami.org and (561) 404-2000, www.aos.org Among Solomon’s quirky collections? 5 Free Things To Do With Kids In Orlando, Florida. 4931 South Peninsula Drive Have you thought about renting an RV for your trip? 2816 NW County Road 661 We also had a great time going to Volcano Bay and highly recommend if you are going to Universal plan a day at Volcano Bay! Potter's Wax Museum. The Lodge was built in 1937 by financier Edward Ball and is open year round. (863) 675-2891 Another idea is to take a cruise when you are in Miami! Florida Craftsmen Gallery Try for a personal tour by Howard or Peggy, his wife. Spook Hill Nightlife is entertainment in the famous Dollar Bill Bar. This 35-acre site includes the main house where you will see murals on the ceilings, faux marble on the walls and floors, and the courtyard with carousel animals. We really enjoyed the aquarium and the kids loved being able to feed the sharks! (321) 268-5000, www.dixiecrossroads.com We also wanted to share one of our top camping trip planning apps: The Dyrt Pro Camping App. 18020 US Highway 19 NW and 16300 US Highway 19 The Crowley Museum and Nature Center sits on 190 acres of native land adjacent to the Myakka River. Things to Do in Florida, United States: See Tripadvisor's 12,642,570 traveller reviews and photos of Florida tourist attractions. The Air Force Armament Museum houses Air Force aviation warfare armament from the early days of World War I right through to today’s high-tech planes and bombs – and it won’t cost you a dime. Cabbage Key Inn O’Toole’s Herb Farm Everglades Lounge at The Clewiston Inn (561) 744-6668, www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/s tates/florida/preserves/art5522 Saved by the Historical Society of Martin County in 1955, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and provides a look at life as the area entered the 20th century. One of the oldest attractions in the U.S. Search for them all and find hidden images painted within them. We also recommend checking out Historic Tours of America, they offer great package and other ideas of things to do in the area. Now serving as a museum, it contains some of the original remaining stock, furs, hides and equipment to provide a look at how settlers lived in this remote outpost. This house of refuge, built in 1876, is the only one remaining of 10 commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the barren east coast of Florida. There was plenty to do with younger kids and the older ones could go on almost all of the rides. (863) 696-1112, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Lake-Kissimmee (863) 956-4990 Plus there is under the sea bowling and a lot of yummy restaurants in the area. This preserve has several different habitats including beach dunes, coastal strands and mangrove wetlands. How about other fun things to do around Florida?! Aside from its natural beauty, it also boasts historic landmarks and family-friendly attractions without the crowds of tourists you’re used to in other parts of the state. Great tips from Global Munchkins on visiting Universal: The Best Universal Orlando Tips From A Pro Plus for only $5 you can take your picture with a baby alligator! We have reviews of the best places to see in Florida. Hotel: Best Western Plus Kendall Hotel & Suites We did not stay here but do to its location it would be great for visiting Shark Valley. Contact various charters for diving. For even more history, consider visiting the Castillo de San Marcos Monument in St. Augustine! The excursion includes the Clewiston sugar mill, the sugar refinery and citrus juice plant, and a tour of the renovated Clewiston Museum. Museum-quality interpretive signs along the improved trail provide detailed information regarding the Calusa Indians. Rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines bloom around the 83 acres of the gardens. Cape Canaveral If your only reason for v isiting Cape Canaveral is to leave it behind, come again. Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park The semi-circle of 25 tabby cabins (originally 32) just south of the house provides one of the most intact examples of slave life in the state. 209 Reid Street 18700 County Road 325 South and 14531 County Road 325 E St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Flicks and waves of blue-green light look like flying embers from an undersea fire, but they are naturally occurring bioluminescent organisms concentrated in the lagoon waters of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. (850) 482-9598, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Florida-Caverns 501 Central Ave. The Floating Chapel combines the traditional appeal of a church setting   with the unexpected—and totally romantic—place at the famous St. Petersburg Pier. Welcome to Miami! Get Dramamine and be prepared for the long and bumpy boat ride. A couple of our kids were a little freaked out about it but when it was said and done everyone had fun! Weddings on Water Charnow Park (386) 736-7529, www.floridastateparks.org/park/De-Leon-Springs (727) 938-3711, www.tarponsprings.com Covering nearly one-half of a city block, the museum includes restored cigar workers’ houses and a garden. Historic sailboat trips daily. Largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture www.VisitHollywoodFL.org AirBnB: Check out this gorgeous condo less than 200 feet from the beach! Check out this house with a hot tub and deck as well as bikes to use during you stay! The view doesn’t get better than this and the list of amenities just goes on and on. With the assistance of Colonel Hermann and his father, General George Patton saved this rare breed of horses from the Russian advances of WWII, a story recounted in the 1963 Walt Disney movie “Miracle of the White Stallions.” Now, you can see the original white Lipizzans of Austria perform the rare and beautiful “Airs Above Ground.” These horses are known for their distinctive leaping and “flying.”. We stayed here and it was great! Seriously, it is an island 70 miles off of Key West with the bluest water you have ever seen and a beach filled with conch shells. Prince William County – National Museum of the Marine Corps. Visit the “Child of the Sun” Visitors Center, featuring drawings, photographs and furniture. The Kingsley Plantation sits on the northern end of the island, overlooking the Fort George River. Voted the best river/lake for canoeing in Florida twelve years in a row, the Peace River is rife with sharks’ teeth. (407) 436-1054, www.desertinnrestaurant.com For every Mystery Spot or trippy theme park there are … And the fort offers the best photo opportunities. Along with a colorful (and haunted) history, the opera house has modern-day activities including operas, a community chorus and a theatre group. Their presence here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food in normal times and has been important aid to human survival in times of distress and critical need.” Come in August to attend the festival in honor of this marsupial. Monticello is a beautiful small town in North Central Florida with loads of Southern charm by day... and ghostly spirits by night. Travel Babbo shares: Why We Prefer Universal Orlando To Disney World The South’s most haunted town Luxury Villa: This incredible Luxury Stay has a Private Pool and Balcony overlooking the gorgeous Destin Beach. (Drivers are advised to not stop along the Interstate except for an emergency.) Scalloping at Steinhatchee Landing Resort Former Key West residents determined to have the last quirky word can be found in this historic cemetery. Download the App. It is an amazing and magical place. It is about a 38 minute drive to Shark Valley Visitor Center. Kite surfing combines kite flying, wakeboarding and windsurfing for a great new version of fun in the sun – perfect with Fort Lauderdale’s calmer waves and tropical breezes. The gardens feature six different time periods and Japanese styles. Crosses Interstate 75 south of Ocala, between Exit 67 (CR 484) and Exit 68 (SR 200). (727) 823-3767, www.salvadordalimuseum.org Don’t forget to check out Miami Beach while you are there! Check it out here! Sugarland Tours The Gibson Inn and Avenue Sea Historic Smallwood Store Mission San Luis (850) 973-3282, www.elmerslibrary.com You can see dozens of wild alligators, white-tailed deer and even a wild turkey or two. McKee Botanical Garden Then of course there are all the Disney properties. (727) 483-9020, www.weddingsonwater.com Go to South Beach and see what South Beach is really like! (904) 940-4123 or (800) WGVGOLF and (904) 940-3673, www.wgv.com/hof/hof.php (813) 248-4961, www.columbiarestaurant.com (800) 500-5583, www.babcockwilderness.com Voted one of the best beaches in Florida. It is a great place to stop, eat lunch and take a swim before heading on. Sponge docks We just sat in our car and waited our turn. Coastal dune lakes An 88-acre wildlife sanctuary where nature-lovers can fish, bike, hike and kayak through more than 1,500 acres of mangrove forests and marshes. It was even the one-time summer vacation home of President Jimmy Carter. (386) 497-2511, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ichetucknee-Springs Well, it’s about 160 miles. 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