If you are looking for some family fun , check out some of these Tampa attractions, Orlando activities and Daytona events. There’s also some activities if your traveling in Jacksonville or on the other end of the state looking for family fun in Miami. These family-friendly attractions are sure to be hit with your family!
Tampa
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is comprised of eight themed areas including Morocco, Bird Gardens, Stanleyville, Congo, Jungala, Timbuktu, Nairobi, and Egypt. It features several major roller coasters, water rides, plenty of kid-sized attractions, some midway amusements, live shows, expansive animal exhibits, themed shops, and theme park dining. If you want to see animals, they tend to be more active in the morning. If you’re there for rides, the lines for the major coasters and water rides get longer as the day goes on. Busch Gardens offers a variety of guided tours for both animal exhibits and rides, which can be booked online.
10165 N McKinley Dr., Tampa, FL 33612. Hours: Daily, 9am-7pm; Admission: Adults: $74.95; Children ages 3-9: $64.95; Children under three: Free
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry, also known as MOSI, is the largest science center in South Florida at over 400,000 square feet and with more than 450 exhibits! In addition to being home to Florida’s only IMAX Dome Theatre, MOSI is also known for its Kids in Charge! Program. This program is uniquely designed for children twelve and under and based on cutting-edge theories about learning and skill building. It emphasizes the value of learning through play by bringing together science, creative thinking, and inspiring the imagination. According to their website, general admission prices also include the following: MOSI, Da Vinci- The Genius, one Saunders Planetarium show, one standard IMAX Dome Theatre film and Kids in Charge!
4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9am-6pm; Admission: Adults: $25.00; Seniors: $22.95; Children ages 2-9: $19.95; Children under two: Free
Orlando
The Magic Kingdom at Disney World
The Magic Kingdom is the most visited attraction at Walt Disney World. Visitors arrive at the Magic Kingdom via a ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon or a Monorail ride. The park is divided into seven themed lands centring out from Cinderalla’s Castle: Main Street, U.S.A. area, Adventureland area, Frontierland area, Liberty Square, Fantasyland area, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, and Tomorrowland® area. This park is full of fun rides, shows and charcter meetings. Three of the larger rides include Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Special events at Magic Kingdom include Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. To young children, the Magic Kingdom is a dream come true, and the park can be enjoyed by adults alike.
3111 World Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Hours: Daily, 9am-7pm; Admission: Adults: $79.00; Children ages 3-9: $68; Children under three: Free
Universal Studios Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando, open 365 days a year, offers visitors a journey into many award-winning movies through rides and performances. Movies such as Shrek, Jaws, ET, Men in Black, and Twister each has its own unique, unforgettable attraction. The streets in the park are filled with restaurants and shops, and there is usually a daily parade in the middle of the day. The brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is scheduled to open June 18, 2010.
6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819. Hours: Daily, 9am-TBD. Admission: Adults: $79.00; Children ages 3-9: $69.00; Children under three: Free
Daytona
Daytona 500 Experience
Does your family have a love for Nascar and racing? After Indianapolis, the Daytona International Speedway is the most famous racing track in the U.S. Built in 1959 to keep auto racing off the beach, the speedway hosts eight races a year with the Daytona 500 being the most notable. Located just outside the Daytona International Speedway is the Daytona 500 Experience, a racing-themed amusement complex and museum. Featuring exhibits on the history of racing along with numerous interactive displays designed to put guests in the driver seats. You can design and test a racecar, try to be a member of the maintenance crew in the pit or call the race in a virtual broadcast. There are also several trivia games that test visitor’s knowledge of racing.
1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114. Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9am-5pm: Admission: Adults: $24.00; Seniors: $19.00; Children ages 5-12: $19.00; Children under five: Free
The Daytona Beach Boardwalk
The world-famous Daytona Beach Boardwalk boasts thrill rides, go-carts, video arcades, skill games, delicious food, souvenir shops and a “Salute to Speed” exhibit. The Daytona Beach Pier, which stretches a quarter-mile into the ocean, provides fishing opportunities and a restaurant. Don’t miss the historic open-air Bandshell, built in 1938 and still the site of many free concerts and shows throughout the year. Special events are also held at the nearby Oceanfront Park.
1200 Main St., Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Hours: Daily, 6am-11pm; Admission: Adults: $5.00; Children ages ?: $3.50 Can you verify this information? Is it $5 to walk on the pier?
Jacksonville
Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex
Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex is the home to North Florida’s only year round NHL Sized Ice Rink. I love ice skating and can’t wait to take my step daughter for the first time this summer. Rental skates are available in sizes Youth 6 through Adult 14. Hockey and Figure Skates are available. Aside from public skating, the Jacksonville Ice and Sportsplex offers five basketball courts, five volleyball courts, 9,000 square feet of indoor soccer, lacrosse and football turf surface, multi-purpose class and fitness space with two walled mirrors, concession stands, and fully-stocked pro shop.
3605 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Hours: Vary; Admission: Monday thru Friday matinee sessions and Tuesday evening family skate sessions: $9.00 with rentals included; Friday night and Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions: $9.00 for admission & $3.00 for rentals; Saturday night cosmic skate: $10.00 including rentals. Rink Walkers (for kids under 48″ in height only): $3.00
Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing is a mini theme park with a water park, game room, go carts, laser tag and putt-putt golf course. We are planning on taking my step daughter and nieces this summer. This looks like so much fun and there is no driving needed to accomplish all this fun in one day!
1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32250. Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 10am-10pm; Fridays,10am-12am; Saturdays, 9am-12am; Admission: Varies depending on attraction
Miami
Monkey Jungle
Monkey Jungle in southern Miami-Dade County is a truly unique park. The park is organized with three demonstrations, each highlighting one of the major areas of the park- the wild monkey swimming pool, the Orang Utans, and the Amazonian Rainforest. One of the more fun activities at Monkey Jungle is feeding the monkeys. You can purchase peanuts and dried fruit at the entrance and leave treats for the monkeys in hanging baskets. They’re never far away, and they keep an eagle eye on those baskets- as soon as food is deposited, they run over, pull the basket up to the caged “roof”, and dig out the treats.
14805 SW 216 Street, Miami, Florida 33170. Hours: Daily, 9:30am-5pm; Admission: Adults: $29.95; Seniors: $27.95; Children ages 3-9: $23.95; Children under three: Free
Coral Castle
Coral Castle, also known as Rock Gate, contains over 1,100 tons of carved coral rock and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visiting the castle is a marvelous experience. You truly cannot grasp the wonder until you view the massive chunks of coral rock with your own eyes. Visitors may take a 30-minute audio tour, offered in English, Spanish, French or German.
28655 South Dixie Hwy., Homestead, FL 33033. Hours: Sundays through Thursdays, 8am-6pm: Fridays & Saturdays, 8am-9pm; Admission: Adults: $9.75; Seniors: $6.50; Children ages 7-12: $5.00; Children six and under: Free
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