%20(1).png){kind=spacer}
.png)
Florida is without doubt an endless playground of welcoming water, soft sand and blue sky with more than enough things to do to keep visitors busy. After multiple visits to the kingdom, the studios and the garden, it’s time to ramp up the creativity when your family gathers and explore some of the off-the-guidebook places both the young and the young again can enjoy.
Jacksonville
The mission of Catty Shack Ranch, a favorite of national and international visitors, is to provide a safe, loving environment to endangered big cats. In addition to offering a life-long home to the great cat species, the facility and volunteers educate visitors and supporters about the resident animals. Tours begin with an introductory video explaining the ranch’s history. During a self-guided walk around the grounds, volunteers share facts about each species on view, along with the dangers they face in the wild...and in captivity. Current residents include tigers, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, foxes and coatimundis (the last two species being “honorary cats”).
Cape Canaveral
For over 100 years, The Wizard of Oz has been enchanting audiences of all ages. After a welcome greeting by the 12-foot Tin Man, step onto the Yellow Brick Road and into a magical world at this new museum featuring 2,000+ iconic memorabilia items. Delve into the captivating history behind the timeless MGM movie, see original film props, and take photos with life-size Oz characters. On display are original first editions of 40 Oz titles and the first known pre-publication copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in May 1900. In the Immersive Oz Experience, guests are part of the Tornado scene, Munchkinland and the Witches’ Castle, and then can skip down the Yellow Brick Road to party with Oz citizens inside Emerald City.
Cocoa Beach
It’s called the Space Coast or Treasure Coast, but the stretch of sand from Cocoa Beach south to Fort Pierce deserves the name Surf Coast. Waves are decent along the shoreline and just the right size for beginners, making it a blast for all ages. Home of Kelly Slater, widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time, Cocoa Beach has earned a reputation as the East Coast Surfing Capital. The 800-foot Cocoa Beach Pier, which sports a sculpture of a surfboard with a wave curling overhead, is a central surf spot. If the kids are eager to hang 10, sign them up for lessons. Several surf schools in the area such as Cocoa Beach Surf School, have experienced instructors who provide training in all aspects of the sport including basic board skills and water safety.
Sarasota
Multiple displays and gardens are guaranteed to keep all ages engaged. The Howard Bros. Circus Model, consisting of more than 42,000 pieces spread over 3,800 sq. ft., is a historically accurate rendition of an early 20th century circus. Marvel at the logistical engineering required to move an entire tented city from town to town each day. The Greatest Show on Earth® Gallery has a collection of wardrobes, performing props, circus equipment and parade wagons. Think you can walk the tightrope, balance horseback, or squeeze into a clown car? Several interactive galleries allow you to try just that!
Tampa
Spend quality family time while introducing the younger set to “real” music during the Florida Orchestra’s Classical Kids performances. The program offers a limited number of free tickets to its Masterworks shows for children ages five to 18, accompanied by a paying adult. In addition, the orchestra’s pop-up concerts, Instrument Petting Zoo (yes, touching is allowed!) and semi-annual Pops in the Park concerts are great ways for families to experience and enjoy classical music.
Anna Maria Island
This Gulf Coast barrier island is an incredible place to relax, unwind and mingle with the locals away from the hustle of traditional tourist attractions. One of the most magical experiences on Anna Maria Island is horseback riding in the surf. Even if you’ve never been in the saddle, this is an activity all ages can enjoy. Ride along the beach through shallow waters to a sandbar; on the return, your horse may swim. Many of the horses are rescues with fascinating histories specifically trained to provide a safe, relaxing ride as they walk the shoreline. Multiple local tour companies have experienced staff members to show you the ropes before they hand you the reins such as C Ponies located in Bradenton.
St. Petersburg
Multiple areas on the new St. Pete Pier offer options for the whole group. At the nautical-themed Glazer Family Playground, the young ones can burn off energy by sliding, swinging, climbing and more. The Museum of History offers unique exhibits for teens: The Odditorium has a two-headed calf and a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy; the Flight One Gallery has a working replica of the Benoist XIV airboat; and Schrader’s Little Cooperstown sports the world’s largest collection of baseballs. Between activities, cool off at Majeed Foundation Splash Pad, an interactive fountain and splash pad with vertical water jets. Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center is a must-see for people of all ages, offering interactive exhibits, video presentations, a touch tank and docent-led tours. Overall, the complex is a fun exPIERience.
Fort Walton Beach
Heritage Park & Cultural Center, which houses the Indian Temple Mound, also includes the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, and the Civil War Exhibit Building. A big plus for families is that one admission price covers all four museums! The prehistoric temple mound was built as a ceremonial and political center by the Mound Builder culture between 800-1400 A.D. and is thought to be the largest prehistoric earthwork on the Gulf. Standing 12 feet tall and measuring 223 feet across its base, it’s estimated 200,000 basket loads of earth were used to create this structure.
Panama City Beach
WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind with 29,000 square feet of “edu-tainment.” An experiment gone wrong lifted this once top-secret laboratory from the Bermuda Triangle to Panama City Beach where it landed upside down. With the ceiling under your feet and the ground above your head, WonderWorks will literally turn your world upside down. Pass through the inversion tunnel to realign yourself and begin an adventure through six Wonder Zones for loads of family fun! Feel the power of 74 mph winds in the Hurricane Shack, experience zero gravity in an astronaut-training gyro and then, nail it by lying on the death– defying Bed of Nails. With over 100 hands-on exhibits, you find something challenging for every age.
Pensacola
Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just a family in search of high-flying fun, “The Blues” show is a heart-thumping display of high-speed passes, slow rolls and very tight turns. The highest speed is 700 m.p.h. — just under Mach 1! Blue Angel pilots visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to meet fans, answer questions and sign autographs after their Wednesday practice flights. The museum is one of the largest in the world with more than 4,000 artifacts and 150+ beautifully restored aircraft. Experience the thrill of flight in the simulators and catch all the drama in the Giant Screen Digital Theater.
Stay up to date with the latest articles, news and all things boating with a FREE subscription to Marinalife Magazine!
