Florida: Pensacola Beach & Perdido Key, Family Vacation Ideas – Golfing, Fishing, and Water Park Fun. Enjoy more than 50 miles of white sandy beaches, crystal clear emerald waters plus a quaint, historic downtown with 450 years of history. Explore Gulf Islands National Seashore, the longest tract of protected seashore in the country. Go fishing; build sandcastles; look for dolphins and count seabirds; practice your golf swing or just enjoy time at the beach.

Find for water, water everywhere. The 20-acre Waterville USA location in Gulf Shores, Alabama must be experienced to be believed. A waterpark and an amusement park - it’s all about fun in and around the water. For tykes they have a merry-go-round, bungee trampoline, mini train, mini golf, and a mini water world with frog, duck, and pelican water slides. Relax along the lazy river, and get a lift in the extra large bounce house. You will find a 25,000 sq. ft. wave pool, 60-ft. high speed water body slide, a three-person tubing ride, a turbo body slide with bumps all the way to the splash zone, and a thrilling 460-ft. dark, water tubing adventure.. Those looking for more hardcore thrills there’s the Cannon Ball, a wooden roller coaster which zings riders at speeds up to 50MPH. Bonus points: This is the home of the FlowRider an endless wave simulator that allows surfers or boarders to maximize practice time in controlled water over an inclined-trampoline surface. The wave never ends. After the park closes guests may join “night rider” sessions complete with music under the stars. Need to know. During the spring and fall only the amusement park is open. (Waterville USA 906 Gulf Shore Parkway, gulf Shore AL 36542. (251) 948-2106 or www.watervilleusa.com)

Try go-carting or miniature golf. The Track is an action – packed family fun recreation center. It is the perfect place for kids to be kids and adults to be kids too. Entertainment options include two junior level go kart tracks, The Kiddie Karts and The Rookie Karts, and the super challenging Wild Woody, a three – tiered go-cart / roller coaster hybrid. The complex offers themed miniature golf, blaster boats for splashing and bumper cars for bumping. Test your courage from the top of the bungee jumping tower, or enjoy the thrill of a skydiving effect on The SkyFlyer. For tykes in the family, you will find a mini train, carousel, spin tops, Ferris wheel, swinging boats and mini airplanes. (Gulf Shores Track 3200 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf Shores, AL 36542. (251) 968-8111 or www.gulfshorestrack.com)

Listen to the dolphins speak. Cruise the smooth water of the Wolf Bay; disappear into secret estuaries for a close-up view of nature; listen to island music; hear local tales of pirates, fishes, and pelicans; listen to dolphins with the area's only underwater hydrophone. See birds of prey, alligators, native plants, wild flowers, and enjoy the sea breeze. Take a two-hour cruise on a 40-ft. pontoon boat with a glass bottom. Bonus points: This is a perfect addition to a day out at Dauphin Island Estuarium - the aquarium of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on Mobile Bay. (L.A. Watersports Dolphin & Nature Cruises25991 W. Perdido Ave. Orange Beach, AL 36561. (251)550-8000.)

Cruise the waves and cast a line. Zeke's Landing Marina is one mile West of Perdido Pass Bridge, Orange Beach and it is the docking spot for Zeke’s Lady is a newly rebuilt 58-foot party boat available for daily walk-on trips (4-6 hours), private trips (up to 12 hours), and cruises. Captain Butch Tucker runs the Zeke’s Lady and shares his vast Gulf of Mexico bottom fishing experience with passengers. (Zeke's Landing Orange Beach, AL 36561 Toll-free 1-800-793-4044, (251) 981-4044 www.zekeslanding.com/zekes_lady.html)

Play golf every day. Four courses look promising for a family golf day. Locations include: Shalimar Pointe Country Club almost hidden along the Northwest shores of Choctawatchee Bay. The course offers lush playing conditions and beautiful views. Make use of the practice facility featuring a driving range, putting green, and chipping green. (Shalimar Pointe Country Club 302 Country Club Road Shalimar, FL. (850) 651-1416 or www.shalimarpointe.com) Scenic Hills Country Club is the only course in the state of Florida to host a U.S. Open event. Maintaining four sets of tee boxes on every hole, the 18-hole championship course mixes natural beauty with a challenging layout adaptable to all skill levels. The practice facility features a driving range, and putting green. (Scenic Hills Country Club 8891 Burning Tree Road Pensacola, FL 32514. 850-476-0380 www.scenichills.com). Tiger Point Golf and Country Club, built along the Santa Rosa Sound, features awesome waterfront views framed by lofty pines. The practice facility includes a driving range, two practice greens, practice bunker, and chipping green. (Tiger Point Golf and Country Club 1255 Country Club Road Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. (850) 932-1330, (850) 932-1333 or www.tigerpointclub.com) .The Club at Hidden Creek is well-known for its manicured greens, lush landscaping, and scenic rolling terrain. With four tee options on each hole the 18-Hole championship course layout provides a golf experience challenging to all skill levels. (The Club at Hidden Creek 3070 PGA Boulevard Navarre, FL. (850) 651-1416, (850) 939-4604 or www.hiddengolf.com).

Rent a DVD and just chill out. If slowing down and being a couch potato makes sense then it is easy to do. Rent the best that Hollywood has to offer with the latest releases available at Movies & Games! Enjoy unlimited access to award winning films, family favorites and the most current hits every day of your stay. It’s the perfect way to unwind together after a day of rich experiences. ( www.moviesngames.us)


Content researched and created by FTF staff. Images provided by Get More Vacationsand partners. Copyright 2011.