This is the time of the year when our family’s Internet searches tend to include words such as Florida, beach, vacation rental, oceanfront and, when my 9-year-old is nearby, Legoland.
I’ve lived in Florida as a kid and adult, and now that I’m a Georgia resident I can’t resist returning at least once a year. The trips have broadened beyond Daytona Beach, where I grew up, and Walt Disney World, where I often visited with my parents when rides required tickets, not $100-plus admission and Fast Passes.
As a mom, I’ve introduced my son, Ty, to the beauty of 30A in the Panhandle and hours of shelling in southwest Florida. I’ve detoured off I-4, I-75 and I-95 to stop at roadside fruit stands, visit the Brevard Zoo to feed the giraffes, and I woke him up at midnight to watch a space shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
The beauty of Florida is choice, whether you’re a beach lover, theme park fan, seeking adventure or seclusion on unspoiled barrier islands, on a budget or ready to splurge.
30A beaches
The beaches along Highway 30A could be considered an extension of greater Atlanta, based on the prevalence of license plates from metro area counties and our experience meeting Atlantans on the sand, streets and parks in the Panhandle communities. Towns such as Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove and Alys Beach offer vacation rentals in the form of condos, cottages and million-dollar villas and homes. Amphitheaters in the towns feature outdoor movies and concerts during the spring, summer and fall, and other events include the Seaside School Half Marathon (presented by Vera Bradley) in February and the 30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach in March. The 28-mile roadway along the Gulf of Mexico includes accommodations such as the luxury WaterColor Inn & Resort and a mix of local eateries, both casual and upscale, as well as food trucks. Although 30A has become more packed with traffic jams, especially on holiday weekends, the area's clear blue water, sugary sand beaches and charming, well-designed communities with an urban feel will make it hard for you to resist coming home with a round blue and yellow 30A sticker on your car. visitsouthwalton.com, @SouthWalton.
Legoland Florida Resort
If you have a Lego lover in your life, a stay in the Legoland Florida Hotel may be on his or her bucket list. The 152-room hotel opened in May 2015 adjacent to the world's largest Legoland park, on 150 acres in Winter Haven. It's 45 minutes from downtown Tampa and Orlando's theme parks. The colorful, blocky exterior is like walking into a bin of Legos, and the rooms and suites have pirate, Lego Friends, adventure and kingdom themes, from the walls to the bedding to the carpet. The hotel has a pool (complete with Lego-shaped floats), entertainment and early access to the park. In 2015, new attractions at the park included Heartlake City, a "Star Wars"-themed miniland model display, the World of Chima interactive water ride and the Legoland Water Park, which has a separate admission. In 2016, a new 4-D movie at the park (premiering Jan. 29) will reunite the stars of "The Lego Movie." 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, Fla. 1-877-350-5346, florida.legoland.com, @LegolandFlorida.
Universal Studios Florida
Orlando's theme parks offer new attractions from year to year, including Universal's expanded Harry Potter experience. The new Diagon Alley achieves a level of detail not seen in many other parts of the park. The brick wall that opens into the alley is hidden among several muggle-style buildings. Once inside, shops line the street, with windows displaying magical necessities as a dragon stands guard (and occasionally breathes fire) from the top of Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Get in line early for the Escape From Gringotts ride, as the wait can become longer later in the day. This simulated experience, the latest of the Potter attractions, takes you deep into the bank's vaults and brings you face-to-face with Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort. One must-see shop, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, is stocked with everything from Fainting Fancies to Puking Pastilles. Riding the Hogwarts Express requires a park-to-park pass, but it's worth it. From King's Crossing Station, you can run through the brick wall to platform 9¾, board the train and make your way into Hogsmeade Village (located in Universal's Islands of Adventure). 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando. 407-363-8000, universalorlando.com, @UniversalORL.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Old Florida attractions include this beloved roadside spot known for its live mermaids. The first show at Weeki Wachee's underwater theater was on Oct. 13, 1947. In 2008, Weeki Wachee became a state park. Kids and adults are still entertained three times a day with its version of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" in the 400-seat submerged theater. It's a much different performance than can be found about two hours to the east at Walt Disney World Resort, and even fuzzy cellphone recordings of the show can delight kids after the visit is over. The 538-acre park, located about an hour north of Tampa, also has a river boat cruise, a beach acre, animal shows, canoeing and kayaking, and Buccaneer Bay, a flume ride. 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Fla. 352-592-5656, weekiwachee.com, @WeekiWacheeSpgs.
The Everglades
Zoom through the mangroves and grassy marshes in an airboat or supply your own power in a kayak. There are many ways to check out nature and the diverse wildlife of the Everglades. You can even spot alligators from the safety of your car on I-75, appropriately nicknamed Alligator Alley for the numerous gators who sun near the interstate between Naples and Fort Lauderdale. Don't worry. A fence keeps them off the highway. Everglades National Park (nps.gov/ever, @EvergladesNPS) offers camping, hiking, biking, boat tours and ranger-led programs, but step out of the park to experience the thrill of an airboat tour, provided by many companies, several of which have gator shows and animal parks. Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center, 32016 Tamiami Trail East, Everglades City, Fla. 239-695-3941, evergladeschamber.org.
About the Author
