Family vacations and Florida remain synonymous, from its top tier theme parks to its natural wonders. Parents can head south with ease, knowing the Sunshine State always perpetually shines bright with options for the whole clan.
Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Although most of its emphasis is on real-world critters, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of Walt Disney World’s four theme parks, is dedicating some serious real estate to creatures of the sci-fi kind. On May 27, the park opens its latest section, which it dedicates entirely to the world found in director James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster, “Avatar.” Guests embark on an adventure with Alpha Centauri Expeditions, an interstellar tour group, which takes them to the planet Pandora with its bountiful bioluminescent rainforests and floating mountains. A pair of rides serve as Pandora’s main attractions. Avatar Flight of Passage invites guests to hop on a mountain banshee for a trip above the jungles of Pandora. Take a boat ride on the Na’vi River Journey with its glowing rainforest, and have an up-close-and-personal meeting with an alien shaman. Parkgoers can refuel at Satu’li Canteen, designed to resemble a repurposed military mess hall. Other not-to-miss attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom include Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris. The former is a white-knuckle roller coaster ride through the Himalayas to the base of Mount Everest, where a ferocious yeti awaits. The Kilimanjaro Safaris drops guests in the middle of the park’s wildlife refuge, which doubles as an East African savanna. Don’t expect animatronic animals. Elephants, lions, giraffes and oodles of other real animals call the safari grounds home. Don’t leave before Rivers of Light, a new nighttime show blending water, fire, light and projected imagery synced to music.
2901 Osceola Parkway, Orlando. 407-939-5277, disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom.
Clearwater
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Clearwater celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Its reputation for sugar sand beaches and clear Gulf waters continues scoring high marks from critics and drawing the sun-worshipping masses. Some enjoy street performers and special events at Pier 60, Philadelphia Phillies spring training at Spectrum Field and Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The latter lays claim to Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail, made famous in the “Dolphin Tale” films. Yet, Clearwater’s biggest draw remains the beach itself. Popular lodging options include the Sandpearl Resort and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. Consider exploring the acclaimed natural setting of Caladesi Island State Park, located off the beach’s north end. Hop the ferry at Honeymoon Island State Park or skipper your boat to the island. You can’t camp on the island, but you can sleep on your boat at the dock. Some visitors kayak a 3-mile trail, complete with mangroves. Clearwater lies west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg in Pinellas County.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Travelers often land at this love letter to the U.S. space program. Equal parts history lesson and science study, the experience blends actual spacecraft and NASA memorabilia with kid-centric flash. Dad may go ga-ga over a real Saturn V moon rocket. The kids will likely scream while riding the Shuttle Launch Experience, a thrill ride simulating the space shuttle's eight-and-a-half minute ascent into orbit. All ages might drop their jaws while watching 3-D Imax space flicks, "Journey to Space" and "A Beautiful Planet." A definite buzz — and we're not talking about astronaut Aldrin — centers around the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction. Approximately $100 million was sunk into this 90,000-square-foot tourist draw. Guests get up close and personal with the actual shuttle, which flew 33 missions and has the weathered look and traces of space dust to prove it. The shuttle comes complete with its two solid rocket boosters and orange external tank. Visitors get to see it with its payload doors open, which is just what it looked like when it undocked from the International Space Station.
Fla. 405, Kennedy Space Center. 1-855-433-4210, kennedyspacecenter.com.
Biking at Everglades National Park
Some say biking through this subtropical wilderness is the best way to experience its trademark wildlife and landscape. Biking is allowed in certain areas of the park. The Pineland trails, with their dense foliage and open wet prairies, feature a 43-mile network of trails for hiking with some open for biking. The area near the park’s Flamingo Visitor Center offers a pair of trails known for their bird-watching spots. The Shark Valley section of the park is arguably the most popular for biking. It features a 15-mile scenic loop where folks can snag picturesque views of tree islands, the sawgrass prairie and animal residents. Deer, otters and even the Florida panther call the Everglades home. Yeah, you’ll likely see alligators and other critters at a close vantage point. However, for the safety of visitors and the creatures, rangers remind the public to stay at least 15 feet away from all wild animals. Guests can park their bikes and get a better view of the ecosystems by taking walks along the boardwalks and unpaved trails. Bike rentals are available at the Flamingo and Shark Valley visitor centers.
40001 Fla. 9336, Homestead. 305-242-7700, nationalparks.org/explore-parks/everglades-national-park.
HarborWalk Village
Destin’s waterfront shopping and entertainment district overflows with entertainment options for families. After filling the brood’s bellies at one of several restaurants, stroll the area and choose a way to top off the evening. A bevy of hocus-pocus takes place in the Bart Rockett Theater. Rockett, the theater’s namesake, puts on a Vegas-style magic production in his intimate digs. This summer, his kids, Kadan Bart and Brooklyn Rockett, bring their show to the stage. Billed as the world’s youngest professional magician, Kadan put the judges of “America’s Got Talent” under his spell. Other attractions at HarborWalk include zip lines, an interactive simulator ride, an escape room, and a real pirate ship. Guests can set sail on the Buccaneer for a cruise featuring a treasure hunt, sword fights, face painting, water gun battles and more. Each Saturday evening throughout the summer, the Rock the Docks concert series provides the soundtrack.
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