By Pauline Gill
Family Vacations Ideas in Florida
Florida is a wonderful vacation spot because it offers a wide variety of activities and a wide variety of weather depending upon what part of the state you visit. Visit the Florida Keys for a taste of the tropics. Visit the horse capital of the world in Ocala, Florida for sunny weather in the winter and hot weather in the summer. Enjoy the
beaches along the West coast year round and take in a baseball game during the early spring.
The Florida Keys
Southern most point in the United States.
The Florida Keys offers beautiful tropical weather year round. This is the place to visit if you want to dive or go snorkeling. Kids will love the Everglades National Park where they will see alligators and crocodiles as well as a large variety of birds. Kids will also love the Dolphin Research Center on Marathon Island. Go fishing off No Name Key Bridge on Big Pine Key Island. Travel to Key West and rent scooters for the day. See roosters having cockfights in the middle of the town. Visit Ernest Hemingway's home. Take time out to enjoy the beaches. At sunset, gather at the southern most point of the United States to watch the sun set over the water.
Ocala, Florida
Most people think of Disney World and Universal Studios when you mention Central Florida. There are other great places to visit, too. Ocala, Florida is the horse capital of the world. It is also a great place for a family vacation. Take a horse drawn carriage tour through the scenic farmlands. Go horseback riding in the Ocala National Forest. Take a bike ride from Ocala to Daytona beach on the East coast. Travel to Silver Springs, beside Ocala, and spend the day at the Wild Waters Water Park. Take a river cruise down Silver River in a glass bottom boat. You'll see alligators, turtles, osprey and monkeys.
Ft. Myers, Florida
Ft. Myers is located in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast. It is the City of Palms where palms line the streets. Visit the estates of both Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. You will see Henry Ford's cars and the inventions of both men. Fort Myers' beaches offer shopping as well as relaxing on the white sand shores. Travel to Sanibel Island for seashell collecting. During the early spring, you can catch a Boston Red Sox baseball game or a Minnesota Twins game. Rent a boat and spend the day on the Gulf Coast Waterway. Go shopping in the outlet malls and shopping malls. At the end of the day, take in the many family restaurants.
About the Author:
Pauline is a retired teacher with 27 years experience teaching English to high school students. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Language Arts and a Master of Education Degree. Now retired, she writes for eHow, Demand Studios, Bright Hub, and Helium. She has awards writing fiction including a published story with Women on Writing.
Photo Credits:
Pauline Gill
