When it comes to the ideal family destination, Florida takes the cake.
It’s ground zero for fun – a magical, beach-lined palm-sprinkled fantasyland seemingly made for kids. Where else can they visit lands of make-believe, laugh at Goofy, embrace Cinderella, gasp at alligators, marvel at space launches, collect prehistoric shark teeth and admire authentic pirate treasures – all on a single trip? It’s no wonder wide-eyed kids, and their adult counterparts, consider Florida the most whimsical place on Earth.
And nowhere rolls out the red carpet for kids as spectacularly as the Sunshine State. They set the gold standard for family hospitality. Here's what you need to know about traveling in Florida as a family.
In two words: “Heck, yeah!”
Kids won’t whine, “I’m bored”, in Florida. Look in any direction and there’s something to do: Gator mini-golf, driving army tanks, airboating through sawgrass and mangrove swamps of the Everglades, monster truck rides through citrus groves, glass-bottom boat rides, deep sea fishing… The possibilities for fun are virtually endless.
If kids designed their perfect world, it’d probably look a lot like Florida. Kids love it here, and, with an endless bounty of family-focused amenities, so do their parents and guardians. Baby-changing stations are everywhere, as are stroller and locker rentals. You’ll also find plenty of travel apps and QR codes designed to make life easier, or perhaps more difficult… depending on how tech-savvy you (or your kids) are.
Crowned the “Theme Park Capital of the World”, Orlando’s bullseye for most vacationing families – and with countless activity add-ons within a two-hour drive, it’s the ideal hub. Even the airport monorail teases kids’ imaginations, eliciting priceless sighs, giggles and squeals of joy before they reach the baggage carousel.
For rugrats, target Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld, and Legoland, all featuring boundless eye candy they’ll gobble up. To crowbar tweens and teens from their smartphones, head to Universal Studios, Gatorland, Epcot and Hollywood Studios for slightly more grown-up fun. (Universal’s great fun for all ages.)
Busch Gardens in nearby Tampa (2-hour drive from Orlando) is also a blast, often offering great discounts.
If your kids thirst for speed, treat them to an “All Access Ticket” at Daytona International Speedway, about an hour’s drive from Orlando near Daytona Beach. They’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the famous racetrack, along with some amazing photo-ops.
Car buffs idle away hours at Dezerland Auto Museum in Orlando, getting up-close-and-personal with over 2000 custom and classic roadsters – including many famous movie cars.
Planning tip: Pay a few extra dollars for the “VIP” tour and score the
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