|
|
Nature Beaches Cruises & Tours Family Friendly Resorts Custom Eco-Tours Disney |
 Florida
Family
FUNClick the region of interest on the map for a list of family-oriented resorts and the fun activities nearby Florida has long been the family fun destination of choice for people the world over. There are activities and attractions to suit all age groups distributed throughout the state. Absolutely Florida would like to help simplify the decision-making process by listing a broad selection of Florida's family-friendly attractions, resorts and accommodations. Each selection is ideal for parents who are looking for a little breathing space while the kids have all the fun they can handle. |
| Region 1 Southeast Florida Family Lodging Palm Beach The Breakers 1 South County Road, Palm Beach 561/655-6611 Historic prestigious hotel features week-long summer camp packages, including culinary, etiquette and money management camp for children, and business seminars for adults. Daily supervised activities for children, ages 3-17. Discounts for families with a child in summer camp. Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach 561/582-2800 Free children's program for ages 3-12 include an assortment of activities such as water olympics, scavenger hunts and crab races. Water sports, golf and tennis for parents. Ritz Carlton Palm Beach 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach 800/241-3333 Ritz Kids' entertains guests ages 4 and up for about $5 per day. Weekend evening pizza parties, $20. Golf, tennis, boating, well-earned massages for parents. Broward County Registry Resort and Spa 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston 800/247-9810 Daily children's program, activities include games, swimming and crafts, $30, including lunch. Evening dinner program, $20. Golf, tennis, racquetball, famous spa and spa restaurant Boca Raton Boca Raton Resort and Club 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton 561/395-3000 Daily children's program for ages 3-17, plus tennis clinics on clay courts for kids as young as 6. Other amenities include a fitness center,private beach, marina and championship golf. Discount packages available. Hollywood Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort at Hollywood Beach 2711 S. Ocean Drive, Hollywood 800/2374667 Daily activities for children ages 5-12, $10 a day, $5 for a half day. Rooms have refrigerator and microwave and there's a nearby deli and convenience store. Miami Beach The Fontainebleau Hllton 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/538-2000 Volleyball, dancing and a host of other fun activities, for ages 5-17.Teen programs featuring beach olympics, kite flying, video games and trips to Parrot Jungle, the Miami Seaquarium and other attractions. Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort 9701 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour 800/999-9898 Harbour Kids Club teaches new crafts and games for $ 15 for a half day, $30 for a full day. Key Biscayne Sonesta Beach Hotel Key Biscayne 350 Ocean Drive, Key Biscayne 305/361-2021 Daily children's program features trips to area attractions including MetroZoo and Seaquarium, for guests ages 5-13. Free, except for meals and admission to attractions. Jet skiing, kayaking, tennis. Miami Doral Golf Resort and Spa 4400 N.W. 87th Ave., Miami 305/592-2000 Daily children's program includes tennis, fishing, golf, arts, crafts and games. For children ages 4-12, $25/half day, $40/full day. Five golf courses, 15 tennis courts and spa and fitness center. Islamorada Cheeca Lodge P.O. Box 527, Islamorada 800/327-2888 Eco-tours to nearby islands, fishing, snorkeling and scuba. Children's programs emphasizing outdoor activities for kids age 6-12. $14/ half day, $26/ full day. Key Largo Sheraton Key Largo Resort 97000 S. Overseas Highway Key Largo, 800/826-1006 Tennis, parasailing, Jet skiing, sailboarding, sailing, and diving at nearby John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Daily children's programs include snorkeling lessons and lessons along a nature trail. $25/ day for kids ages 5-12. Friday evening pizza party, $10. Hawk's Cay Resort and Marina Mile Marker 61, Duck Key 800/432-2242 Dive trips, glass-bottom boat tours, kayak excursions, parasailing and aquacise lessons about the environment for kids and adults. The Island Pirates Club, for kids ages 5-13. $20/ full day including lunch, and $10/ half day. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening program for kids include a movie and pizza. Key West Sheraton Key West 2001 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West 800/452-3224 Coral Reef Kids Club Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening program. Activities include face painting, storytelling, treasure hunts and movies. Also offered during the day on weekends, $15/ child. Fitness center, bicycle rentals, free transportation downtown, snorkeling trips and sunset sails. Wyndham Casa Marina Resort & Beach House 1500 Reynolds St., Key West 800/235-4837 Free children's program for kids ages 6-12 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. daily. Region 2 East Central Florida Vero Beach Disney's Vero Beach Resort 9250 Island Grove Terrace, Vero Beach 800/359-8000 A Disney resort that delights parents, teens, even toddlers. Children's programs in the morning and evening for ages 6-12. 163-foot spiral water slide, and water attractions for youngsters. Teen program includes a day with a member of the Vero Beach Dodgers professional baseball team and a family trip to the game. Evening campfire and singalong. For parents, scuba lessons, tennis, croquet, volleyball, a fitness center, massages and bike rentals. Port St. Lucie Club Med Sandpiper Bay 3500 Morningside Blvd., Port St. Lucie 800/258-2533 Free childcare for babies as young as 4 months old. On-site circus for older children features juggling, a flying trapeze and clown lessons. Waterskiing, sailing, tennis and golf. Indian River Plantation 555 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart 800/444-3389 Beaches, an 18-hole golf course, tennis, swimming and a popular kids' camp with children's daytime and evening programs. Region 3 Northeast Florida Fernandina Beach Amelia Island Plantation 3000 First Coast Highway Amelia Island 904/261-6161 The daily children's program, for ages 3-12, includes golf, tennis and field trips, $18 to $21 per child. Children's evening dinner parties, $17. Golf, tennis, racquetball, fishing, bicycling, swimming and prisitne beach. Villas include a kitchen, living room and balcony. Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island 4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island 800/241-3333 Ritz Kids', for children 5-14, provides a full day or evening of games, crafts and fun. Kid's programs cost $30/ day and $25/ evening, including lunch or dinner. Golf, tennis, horseback riding, spa, and a cooking school for parents. Ponte Vedra Marriott at Sawgrass Resort 1000 TPC Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach 904/285-7777 Children's program includes indoor activities and visits to the nearby beach. Open to children ages 3-12, for $20. Evening dinner program, $15. Tennis, golf, a health club and spa for parents. Jacksonville Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Jacksonvllle 1617 N. First St., Jacksonville Beach 800/590-4767 Children stay and eat for free. plus children's program from Memorial Day through the end of August. Rooms include refrigerators and microwaves, a convenience store/deli Region 4 Southwest Florida Captiva South Seas Plantation P.0. Box 194, Captiva Island 800/227-8482 Daily and nightly programs for kids ages 3-11 include outdoor sports and lessons in local wildlife and conservation. New nature center with aquarium and touch tanks educates youngsters about marine life. Naples Ritz-Carlton Hotel 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples 239/598-3300 Free hour-long kid's program daily, plus Ritz Kids program $30/ child, ages 3-12. Themed dinner parties for kids every Saturday evening. Also, private baby-sitting for children of all ages. Naples Bath and Tennis Club 4995 Airport Road North, Naples 800/225-9692 Full-day summer camp includes two hours of tennis lessons daily, swimming, volleyball and more for kids, 5-14 for $25. Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club 851 Gulf Shore Boulevard North, Naples 800/237- 7600 Free Beach Klub daily, for kids ages 5-12. Golf, nature walks, shelling excursions, water sports, five restaurants, free transportation to downtown Naples and an orchid house with more thall 3,000 plants. A Free tennis, volleytball and golf clinic every Saturday for kids ages 11-16. Children under 18 stay free with parents. Marco Island Marco Island Hilton Beach Resort 560 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island 239/394-5000 Free daily and nightly children's programs. Health club, spa and rentals of assorted boats, sails and boards for water fun. Radisson Marco Island 600 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island 800/333-3333 The daily children's program occupies youngsters 3-12.Activities for teens, ages 12-16. Cost is $15 full day, $10 half day, and $17 for Friday and Saturday dinner program. Marriott's Resort and Golf Club 400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island 800/438-4373 Marriott's Beach Bandits educational program includes children's Everglades tour, a visit to the zoo or aquarium, for ages 5-12 for $29-$39 daily, including lunch. Wading pool, two playground and mini-golf for kids. Sanibel Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa 19260 Harbour Pointe Drive, Sanibel Harbour 813/466-4000 The Kids' Klub for ages 5-12 includes movies, pool games and crafts daily, and weekend evenings on demand, for $20/ full day and $5/evening. Golfing, tennis, kayaking, spa, evening dinner cruises, shelling excursions, eco-history tours and dolphin tours. Sundial Beach Resort 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel 800/237-4184 Daily children's program for kids ages 3-12, and Tiny Tots Tennis for kids as young as 4 are invited to join. The resort features an eco-center with a 180-gallon aquarium and 450-gallon touch tank. Five pools, three restaurants, clothing shops and suites with fully equipped kitchens. Sanibel Inn 937 East Gulf Drive, Sanibel Island 800/554-5454 Daytime and evening programs for kids ages 3 and older, about $10 a day. Environmentally-conscious landscaping, including bird and butterfly gardens and is created solely from native vegetation. Tennis, kayaking, bicycling. From May 26 through Dec. 18, rooms are $140 to $225. Rates in season are $260 to $395. Ft. Myers Area Pink Shell Beach Resort Resort 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach 800/237-5786 Free children's program features a different theme every day, plus a special teens' program. Volleyball, fishing, boating, tennis and swimming in three pools. Outdoor barbecue grills available. Palm Island Resort 7092 Placida Road, Cape Haze 800/824-5412 Kids are treated to free daily hour-long activities on this private island where cars are not allowed, and is only accessible by boat. Island Kids program from 10-3 Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. $25/day. Activities include fishing, nature tours, shell hunts, bike riding, tennis and water sports. Region 5 West Central Florida Tampa Area Saddlebrook 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel 813/973-1111 Daily Kids Club features games for children ages 4-12, nature walks, crafts and visits to nearby attractions. The cost is $12 for a half day and $25 for a full day. Evening programs are offered weekends for $10, on this 480-acre woodsy resort. Features includc golf and tennis programs, with an enormous 270 foot pool, six bars and restaurants, fitness center and a new European spa. TradeWinds Resort 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg 800/345-6461 Organized activities for kids aged 3-12. Little ones may enjoy programs such as cooking and crafts, while older kids get to write and star in their own Funniest Kids Videos. Most activities are free, although those including dinners, crafts, and travel away from the hotel, are priced $6-$20. Plus volleyball, poolside bingo, environmental programs, beach walks, gondola rentals, golf, tennis and more. Family-style suites, on-site Pizza Hut franchise & and ice-cream parlor. St. Petersburg Radisson Sandpiper Beach Resort 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg 800/333-3333 Free daily program for children ages 2-12. Evening dinner programs cost $10. Use of facilities at TradeWinds Resort. Tarpon Springs Innisbrook Hllton Resort Tarpon Springs, 813/942-2000 Kids tennis, golf, movies, swimming, nature walks and other supervised activities, for ages 4-12. A $22 / full day, half-day $11. Clearwater Radisson Suite Resort on Sand Key 1201 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater 800/333-3333 Free shell hunts, face painting, volleyball daily, from 10 a.m. until noon, for children ages 4-12. At dinner program three evenings a week, $15 to $20. Family activities, such as sandcastle building, scavenger hunts and pool-side bingo. Longboat Key The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort 1620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key 239/383-6464 Daily tennis programs, shell crafts, scavenger hunts and swimming in the pool, for children ages 3-17. Most activities are free. Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Clearwater Beach 715 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach 800/465-4329 Children under 12 stay and eat free. Free daily children's program, for ages 3-12. Evening programs with dinner, $10. Rooms include a refrigerator, microwave oven, blow-dryer and cable television. Convenience store. Region 6 Florida's Panhandle Steinhatchee Steinhatchee Landing Resort P.O. Box 789, Steinhatchee, Florida; 800/584-1709 Water sports for every family member - snorkeling, swimming, boating, and even dive for scallops! Scallop are bountiful here and the season lasts until September 10. These tasty mullusks move slowly under the clear shallow water and are easy to catch, and the Steinhatchee River is the super highway for scalloping. Steinhatchee Landing is nestled along the river's banks, and offers docking for guests, as well as canoeing, shuffleboard, tennis, basketball, volleyball and hiking. Cottages are equipped with complete kitchens, bbq grills, plenty of the conveniences of home. Panama City Area Seaside Cottage Rental Agency P.0. Box 4730, Seaside 800/277-8696 Camp Seaside, for kids ages 5-12includes daily art classes, croquet, archery, swimming and more, for $25, including lunch. Evening program, $15 Wednesday and Saturday. Marriott's Bay Point Resort 4200 Marriott Drive, Panama City Beach 800/874-7105 Golf, fishing, volleyball, massages, aqua aerobics, tennis, bicycling, dolphin encounter cruises. Themed activities with kids' program for guests ages 5-12, $25 Sandestin Beach Hilton Golf and Tennis Resort 4000 Sandestin Blvd S., Destin 904/26 7-9500 Daily children's program features swimming and games during the day and movies in the evening, for children ages 5-12, $22, including a meal. Golf, tennis and aerobics for parents. Pensacola/Milton Region 7 Central Florida Orlando Area  Holiday
Inn Family Suites 14500 Continental Gateway Orlando, FL 32821 Email Us! 407-387-5437 NEW 2-Bedroom Kidsuites! ALL SUITE Resort approximately one mile from the Walt Disney World® Resort. FREE HOT BREAKFAST BUFFET, Kids 12 and under EAT FREE program, FREE SCHEDULED SHUTTLE to the four Disney Theme Parks. Two unique pools, huge game room, food court, lounge and restaurant provide everything a guest could wish for while on vacation! Buena Vista Palace Resort and Spa |
Nearby Attractions Other Southeast Florida Attractions Marine Life Center of Juno Beach Center's exhibits focus on Florida's coastal ecology and feature live endangered marine turtles. Location: Loggerhead Park, off U.S. 1 north of Donald Ross Road, Juno Beach. Closed Mondays. Admission: $2 donation suggested. 407/627-8280. Lion Country Safari Drive-through zoo with more than 1,000 animals roaming free in the 500-acre preserve. Also on the grounds is Safari World Amusement Park (free), guided boat tour and petting zoo. Located in Loxahatchee. 18 miles off 1-95 on S.R. 80/98. Adults, $14.95; children 3-15, $9.95. 561/793-1084. Butterfly World Three screened aviaries with thousands of butterflies. 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek, off exit 69 Fla. Turnpke. Adults, $10.95, kids 4-12 $6, info 954/977-4400 or 954/977-4434. Flamingo Gardens Guided tram and walking tours of 60 acres of citrus groves, subtropical forest and botanical gardens, free-flight aviary and Birds of Prey exhibit, Wray Home Museum, alligators and flamingos. Closed Mondays. 3750 Flamingo Rd., Davie. Adults, $8; senior citizens, $6.40; children 3-11, $4.50. 954/473-2955. Coral Castle Handmade fantasy kingdom made entirely of coral built over a 30-year period, with a timeless tale of unrequited love with mystical overtones. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Tours daily. 28655 S. Federal Hwy., Homestead. Adults, $7.75; seniors, $6.50; children, $5; free for children under 7. 305/248-6344. Fairchild Tropical Gardens Tram tours of the largest tropical botanical garden in the U.S.. Location: 10901 Old Cutler Rd. next to Matheson Hammock. Admission: $8 adults, children under 13 free with adult admission. 305/667-1651. Metrozoo Cageless 290-acre zoo fealures koalas, rare white Bengal tigers, exotic birds, apes, elephants and other animals. 3 miles west of U.S. 1 on Southwest 152nd Street (just west of Florida Turnpike). Adults, $8; children 3-12, $4. 305/251-0400. Parrot Jungle & Gardens Parrots, macaws and flamingos in a natural tropical hammock. Trained macaw and cockatoo shows. In Miami, off U.S. 1 south on southwest 57th Avenue (Red Road).Adults, $12.95; seniors, $11.65; children 3-10, $8.95. 305/666-7834. Theater of the Sea Swim with the dolphins or see them perform on a bottomless boat ride. Mile Marker 84, Islamorada, in the Florida Keys. Adults, $14.75; children 312, $8.25. 305/664-2431 Region 2 Nearby Attractions Other East Central Florida Attractions Kennedy Space Center NASA Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Center, (formerly Spaceport U.S.A.) Mail Code DNPS Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 407/452-2121; fax: 407/452-3043; Florida Launch Information: 800/KSC-INFO free Region 3 Nearby Attractions More Northeast Florida attractions Marineland of Florida Oceanariums featuring hundreds of marine animals from sharks to sea lions. Three dolphin shows daily. On AlA 18 miles south of St. Augustine. Adults, $14.95; teens 13-18, $9.95; children 3-12, $7.95.800/874-0492 or 904/471-1111. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Plenty of wierd-but-true for the whole family. 19 San Marco Ave., Sr. Augustine, Florida 32084. 904/824-1606 St. Augustine Alligator Farm Massive collection of alligators and crocodiles in a tropical setting. AlA South, St. Augustine, Florida 32085 904/824-3337 $$ Nearby Southwest Florida Attractions Babcock Wilderness Adventures Alligators, bison, panther, hawks and other wildlife on swamp buggy and nature tours through this 90,000-acre ranch. Located: 3 miles northeast of Punta Gorda on U.S. 17, then 18 miles east on S.R. 74 to S.R; 31, then 5 miles south. Adults, $17.95; children 3-12, $9.95. 239/489-3911. Edison and Ford Winter Estates Guided tours of the homes and gardens of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. On McGregor Boulevard, off 1-7S on Exit 22 (Colonial Boulevard) in Fort Myers. Adults, $17; children 6-12, $5. 239/334-7419 Nearby Attractions Other Central Florida Attractions click here for special section on Orlando attractions Click here for special section on Disney Attractions Bok Tower Gardens 128 acres of landscaped gardens surround the 205-foot Bok Singing Tower, the highest point on the Florida peninsula. Located3 miles north of Lake Wales off U.S. 27A. Adults, $4; children 5-12, $1. 239/ 676-1408 Fantasy of Flight World's largest collection of vintage aircraft also features sophisticated flight simulators of combat and bombing missions. Off 1-4, Exit 21, Polk City. Adults, $10.95; children, $7.95. 239/984-3500. |