|
Florida:
Fort Lauderdale, Family Vacation Ideas.
 Once
known as a spring break place for college kids, Fort Lauderdale has grown up and
out of that image. Now visitors will find classy shops, world-class art, and a
new Florida-chic attitude. The
beaches, waterways and parks
frame a rich menu of activities and make it easy to unwind and escape from the
stresses of everyday life. Imagine more than 300 miles of navigable waterways
and 40,000 resident yachts. Providing sophisticated fun- in-the-sun, Greater
Fort Lauderdale offers family vacation fun beyond-the-beach.
Chase butterflies. If
you’re looking for beauty and tranquility then Butterfly World is a must see.
Thousands of live, rainbow-hued butterflies dwell in ten acres of waterfalls,
orchids, roses and tropical gardens that are also home to fish, hummingbirds,
lorikeet, insectarium, butterfly farm and outdoor cafe. Butterfly World is
located in beautiful Tradewinds Park. Bonus points: Two coloring books
for are posted in a download space at the website- “Flying Colors” for toddlers
and “A Children's Book of Colors.” Need to know: Admission discount
coupons are available on their website. (Butterfly World 3600 W. Sample Road,
Coconut Creek, FL, 33073. 1 (954) 977-4400 or
www.butterflyworld.com)
Let their dreams take
center stage.
At Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre all productions are performed by young
people - the actors, the technicians, and the backstage crew members are all
between the ages of 6 and 18. Their productions are ideal for any family, and
are sure to inspire young thespians to get involved in theatre. (At Fort
Lauderdale Children's Theatre 640 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
33312. 1 (954)
763-6882 or
www.flct.org)
Get back to nature.
At the Flamingo
Gardens & Wray Botanical Collection visitors are invited to connect with nature
and savor the beauty of the wild. The 60-acre botanical gardens and wildlife
sanctuary features exotic and native plants, citrus groves, Florida’s “Champion”
trees, and a 200-year-old hammock. A free-flight aviary, a bird of prey center,
as well as alligators, flamingos and bobcats round out this experience of the
wilder side of Florida. Need to know: Tickets for children 4-11 are only
$8 and children under 3 are admitted free of charge; senior citizens, armed
service personal, and students also receive discounted tickets. (Flamingo
Gardens & Wray Botanical Collection
3750 S.
Flamingo Road, Davie, Florida, 33330.
1 (954) 473-2955 or
www.flamingogardens.org)
Dive in to discovery.
 With
over 200 fascinating interactive exhibits the Museum of Discovery & Science is a
great place for families. For nature enthusiast the museum has the largest
living Atlantic coral reef in captivity, complete with sharks and thousands of
fish and other marine life; bats, snakes, alligators, iguanas and turtles
complete the diverse menagerie. Future space explorers will want to check out
the museum’s new space exhibit and take the simulated trips to the Moon or Mars.
For families with children under seven there is a specially designed Discovery
Center offering hands on exploration. Bonus points: Of course, the
Blockbuster 3D Imax Theatre is also a must-see for the entire family with
feature programs like Mysteries of Egypt, Wired to Win, and Imax Deep Sea 3D.
(Museum of Discovery & Science 401 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33312. 1
(954) 467-6637 or
www.mods.org)
Ride into the sunset.
For the family
with burgeoning bronco-riders and wannabe cow pokes, Broward Country’s oldest
and largest public riding stable is the ideal location. At the Bar-B-Ranch
riders of all ages and levels can go on scenic trail rides, take both English
and Western riding lessons, or participate in a riding day camp. (Bar-B-Ranch
3500
Peaceful Ridge Road (SW 121 Ave.) Davie, Florida, 33330. 1 (954) 424-1060 or
www.bar-b-ranch.com)
Learn
something new.
In
Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki
means “a place to learn” and that’s just want the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the
Big Cypress Reservation is; the Seminole Tribe of Florida assembled the museum’s
exhibits which demonstrate the history, culture, and way of life of their
Seminole ancestors. Outside the museum is a 60-acre cypress dome laced with
nature trails and bordering a living history village. Need to know:
Children under the age of 6 are admitted free, seniors/students/children are
only $4. (Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Big Cypress Reservation (HC-61), Clewiston,
Florida, 33440. 1 (863) 902-1113 or
www.seminoletribe.com/museum)
Step back in time.
The Old Fort
Lauderdale Village and Museum is located in the city’s historic first hotel on
the banks of the New River. Inside the museum hosts permanent collections
(including preserved and recorded oral histories) and changing exhibits which
depict the 1870 to 1939 development of the city of Fort Lauderdale. Also on site
is the King-Cromartie House which depicts pioneer lifestyle circa 1907. Nearby
is a replica of Broward County’s first school house from 1899.
Need
to know:
Children under the age of 6 are admitted free while tickets for children between
the ages of 6 and 16 are only $3. (The
Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum
231 SW
2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
33301. 1
(954) 463-4431 or
www.oldfortlauderdale.org)
Discover the joy.
A unique spin on the traditional children’s museum, the My Jewish Discovery
Place is a hands-on, interactive museum with a focus on Jewish culture, history
and values. The museum is dedicated to providing a stimulating environment in
which creativity, learning and play function as a bridge to understanding a
multi-cultural world. (My Jewish Discovery Place 6501 West Sunrise Blvd.,
Plantation, 33313.
1 (954) 792-6700 or
www.sorefjcc.org)
Ride a trolley.
Downtown Fort
Lauderdale is a great place to enjoy a day (or night) out, and with the
complimentary trolley service through the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment
District there’s every reason to put it high on your to-do list. Restaurants,
shopping and the arts are all centered in the downtown district including the
Old Fort Lauderdale Village, Las Olas Boulevard, the Museum of Art, and the
Stranahan House as well as many other points of interest. (The Trolley
Las Olas
Boulevard,
Downtown Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. 1 (954)
761-3543 or www.riverwalk-ae.com)
Do what you “Wannado.”
Unlike any other metropolis in America, Wannado City™ is a complete city created
from the point of view of its kidizens™. It's an entertainment park with
pint-sized fire and police stations, a hospital, bank, flight training center,
circus, theater, television studio, radio station, fashion house, dance club and
newspaper — all designed to inspire kids, ages 4 to 11, to play grown-up and
live out their dreams Wannado City™ even has its own monetary system. Once a
child runs out of Wongas™, he or she selects a new career to earn some more.
Great news for young families, Wannado City,
America's first indoor role-playing theme park for kids, has partnered with the
exhibition and created several Tut and Egypt related experiences for children.
Receive a coupon for admission to Wannado City at the museum. Then make time to
uncover never before seen artifacts and translate Egyptian Hieroglyphics; see a
new show, King Tut, the Boy King. (Wannado City™ 12801 Sunrise Boulevard,
Anchor D Sunrise, FL 33323.
1-888-WANNADO 954.838.7100
or
www.WannadoCity.com)
Trip Reads
- Books to
enjoy with the kids.
Boys Who Rocked the World:
From King Tut to Tiger Woods.
Written and illustrated by
Lar Desouza
and Mattie J. T.
Stepanek. Featuring boy heroes from around the world and
across the centuries, Boys Who Rocked the World profiles already famous heroes
along with those who have been overlooked by history or not yet credited for
their contributions. Included in the lineup of the famous are King Tut, pharaoh
of Egypt at age 9; Elvis Presley, winner of a singing contest at 10; Pablo
Picasso, accepted into the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona at 14; and Tiger
Woods, the youngest golfer to win the U.S. Junior Amateur at 15. (Ages 9-12)
Legends of the Seminoles.
Written
by
Betty Mae Jumper,
Peter Gallagher. For the first time, the Seminole stories and
legends told to children late at night around the campfires, and handed down
through generations have been set down for all to enjoy. These rich tales impart
lessons about living in the natural world, introduce adventurers good and bad,
human and animal and attempt to explain why the world is the way it is. (All
Ages)
Waiting for Wings.
Written and
illustrated by Lois
Ehlert. This inventively designed picture book follows the life
cycle of the butterfly from a caterpillar to a beautiful vibrant butterfly. With
rhyming text and wonderfully colorful collages this is a delightful way to
introduce young children to the world of the butterflies. Near the end are
several pages of detailed information of butterflies including a visual glossary
for butterfly identification and ideas for growing a butterfly garden. (Ages
3-7)
More Vacation Ideas
Florida: Key Largo and the Upper Keys, Taking the
Kids.
Pack up and head
south from Miami along US #1 (a.k.a. The Overseas Highway). Distance is measured
by mile markers, the closer to Key West the smaller the number. The “wows” and
“cools” start as Homestead fades in the rear view mirror. From Key Largo and
Tavenier to Islamorada and Marathon the views are awesome and the opportunities
for mini adventures endless.
More
Florida: Key West and Lower Keys, Taking the Kids.
A vacation in the Florida Keys can be almost magical. The Overseas Highway
(a.k.a. U.S. Route 1) is an extraordinary rolling field trip. Distance is
measured by mile markers, the closer to Key West the smaller the number. Cross
the Seven-mile Bridge and you will be in the Lower Keys. From Big Pine and
Grassy Key all the way to Key West there are dozens of opportunities for mini
adventures and plenty of stuff for building one-of-a-kind memories.
More
Florida: Miami, Taking the Kids.
Commonly known for its
fabulous restaurants and lively nightclubs, the city also has a softer side for
families. Our action list includes the fun stuff for families. Think about
sunshine and shopping, Cuban coffee and luscious pastels, theatre and dance and
all things on the water including fishing, sailing, wave running and skiing.
Discover parrots, pirates, and monkeys. Wiggle your toes in the sand at Crandon
Park. Sign up for salsa lessons or kick back and relax. Urban and definitely
tropical, Miami has fun stuff to do with the kids.
More
Content created by Travel Communications Inc. Photos by VisitFlorida. Copyright
2/2006.
|