5 REASONS WHY KIDS LOVE FLORIDA GETAWAYS

Florida getaways are very popular with families with kids. After all, there are several places to visit here, and there are plenty of other options for families here looking for sun, sand, beach towns, or quiet getaways.

Relax in a beautiful Florida resort or check out a Disney-themed hotel – whatever you are looking for, you will find in Florida.

Reasons to visit Florida with kids

1. For the magical Disney World

Walt Disney World is a primary reason why families head for Florida. There are endless options and theme parks to choose from holidays to Disney. Plus, there are plenty of lodging options as well as endless fun activities for kids. Families can explore Downtown Disney which is chock full of venues for entertainment, shopping, and food.

Enter the Magic Kingdom for themed lands such as the Cinderella Castle or the old-fashioned Frontierland or the futuristic Tomorrowland. Children love the Animal Kingdom which takes them through an Asian jungle and land of prehistoric. Another favorite is Epcot which combines the world of science and technology. Families and children love to swim and snorkel in the Typhoon Lagoon.

2. For Glorious Beaches

Florida is loaded with sandy beaches with palm trees that are perfect for a family vacation, with some of the clearest water beaches in Florida being easy to reach from the major cities.

The famous beach destinations are St. Augustine, The Palm Beaches on Singer Island, Delray Beach, Hollywood Beach, and Naples are perfect for a family vacation destination. These beaches are wide where families can go for an evening stroll, bike, rollerblade, and more. One can take a swim in the turquoise waters along the white sandy beaches.

There are many delicious local restaurants along the beach side where the family can go for great meals and seafood. Clearwater Beach is another family-friendly beach where the whole family can spend quality time together at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Another of the beaches voted best for the whole family is the Siesta Key beach where they can enjoy beach volleyball or relax on the soft white sandy beach. The drive from Miami to Key West is an easy route to travel with children too, so you can see the sights and relax on the beaches around Florida. 

Staying near the parks? There are some fantastic beaches close to Walt Disney World that you can’t miss!

3. For outdoor adventure

Families with kids can do a lot more in Florida than just spend time on the beaches. There are several fun-filled adventurous activities that are suitable for all age groups when you explore the real side of Florida. For example, tubing by Orland is a pleasant surprise for the whole family, and it feels magical as one down the river with crystal clear greenery surrounding it.

Highland Hammock State Park with hundreds of years old trees is worth exploring. The Everglades National Park is a must-stop location for the whole family when visiting Florida. Participate in Florida Eco-Safaris to introduce your children to amazing wildlife in the open-sided safari. You spot black bears, Florida panthers, eagles, peacocks, alligators, and more.

4. For kid-friendly museums

Florida boasts of several museums, but the most popular among families are the kid-friendly museums. The Charles and Linda Williams Children’s Museum features a dedicated kid space with multiple building centres and interactive science experiments plus an educational laser show. Orlando Science Center is another famous museum that boasts kid-friendly exhibits and a planetarium and an atrium with live turtles, alligators, and fish.

Explorations V Children’s Museum focuses on preschool and elementary students while the Glazer Children’s Museum allows children to create their own noodle sculpture or a kaleidoscope. At Great Explorations, children can become designers, carpenters, or engineers and work together to build giant magnetic sculptures.

5. For great food destinations

Florida is loaded with great restaurants and independent joints that are kid-friendly. They serve not only an excellent menu for the whole family but have plenty of outdoor seating and wide sidewalks plus a huge dining room. Some popular names include Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Cuisine, Blue Willy’s Bar-B-Cue, Scuola Vecchia Pizza e Vino, Deck 84, The Wreck Bar, and many more.  Enjoy different cuisines and the pleasures of roadside barbecue with your kids.

Plus, if you are visiting Disney World but want to save a bit of money on eating out, head to International Drive in Orlando for cheaper restaurants (compared to WDW) and even some fun things to do outside of the theme parks.

Order kid-friendly food like hot dogs and fries or a pizza or top-notch pies. These food destinations specifically cater to the young’uns as well as have great views. The best part is that the food joints are spacious and serve more dishes that cater to grown-up tastes. Dune Dog Café makes for a natural choice for families and is just perfect for the young and the older palates. BurgerFi and Quarterdeck restaurant serves burgers, hot dogs, fries, sundaes shakes, and ice cream.

Best Florida Getaways with kids

1. Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale offers seven miles of beaches to enjoy; we recommend Hollywood Beach Broadwalk for a beach near outdoor cafes, shops and a farmers market or the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park for a quieter experience.

There are also plenty of awesome resorts here which include kids clubs as well, meaning you can relax whilst your kids are entertained. Fort Lauderdale has a system of canals too, so jump on a water taxi for a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing day.

2. Orlando

Of course, we couldn’t talk about the best Florida getaways without mentioning Orlando. With so many different theme parks that suit all ages, kids love a vacation here. If you want a good mixture of theme park time and relaxing, opt for a villa with its own pool so you can unwind on your days out fo the theme parks. 

3. Sanibel Island

There are many awesome things to do on the Gulf Coast of Florida and Sanibel is one of them. If your family loves water adventures, then this is the place for you. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming and cycling around this barrier island which is home to 15 miles of beautiful beaches.

4. Destin, Fort Walton

Enjoy the white beaches and clear waters in Destin. If you love theme parks but want a quieter alternative to the Orlando parks, then head to the Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park or the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in the area. 

5. Miami

Known for its laid-back vibes, trendy street art neighborhood (Wynwood), family-friendly beaches like Matheson Hammock Park and Miami Beach, as well as some of the best public pools, there is a lot of reasons families should visit Miami. As a major city, there is also some fun air-conditioned indoor play zone. 

6. Jacksonville

 Ideal for those looking for a budget-friendly Florida getaway, Jacksonville offers awesome beaches, surfing in Florida opportunities, delicious food and airboat tours on the Intracoastal Waterway. 

7. Florida Keys

 If your family enjoys snorkeling then make sure to visit the Florida Keys. Home to the only living-coral barrier reef in the USA, make sure to head to John Pennekamp State Park or the Fort Zachery Taylor State Park and Beach to explore the waters.

During Key West itinerary, make sure to explore the waters too. There are several centers you can visit if you are looking to swim with dolphins, and for a quirkier night’s stay, you can try camping on the beach. There are plenty of adventurous things to do in Florida, so make sure to plan at least a week here. 

8. Tampa

 When you aren’t enjoying the thrills of Busch Gardens or Adventure Island, you and your family can take park in one of the many water activities available in Tampa. Whether it is dolphin spotting, play water zones or water biking, there is something for everyone. 

Florida offers more than theme parks! Fantastic Florida hotels offer comfort and luxury whilst the attractions and activities are perfect for families looking to have a great time together.

Where are you heading to in Florida? Let us know in the comments below!