Florida: Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass Marriott Resort and Spa - Four Pools, a Beach, and a World Famous Golf Course.
Sitting right on a beautiful stretch of beach between Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Sawgrass makes the ideal family vacation spot for relaxation and fun in the sun. The resort is set amid 350 acres with freshwater lakes, ponds, gardens, the world-famous THE PLAYERS Stadium Course and an easy access to the Atlantic Sea for beach time.
Pillow spots: Featuring all of the comforts of home the spacious guest rooms, suites and two-bedroom vacation villas provide the ideal family vacation spot. Each room offers high-speed Internet, signature plush bedding and wide-screen, plasma television. Enjoy a wide range of amenities, including separate rooms, sweeping lake and lagoon views, and full kitchens. Bonus points: Guests 18 years and younger may stay in a room with a paying adult at no additional charge when using existing bedding. Need to know. The villas are pet friendly.
Activities: Guests are invited to live the TOUR Player experience at Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa – marked by award-winning luxury, world-renowned PGA golf, and truly endless recreation. With access to world renowned golf, fresh and saltwater fishing, a beautiful beach, four pools, spa, seven restaurants and two lounges, the resort makes an excellent family vacation spot any time of year. Need to know: Bikes are available for rental. Bonus points: There is a workout studio, featuring an array of cardio equipment, each with a private television and Cybex strength-training equipment; a movement studio ideal for private workouts and supervised classes in Pilates, Yoga, Aerobics and Spinning.
Only for kids. For an additional fee The Grasshopper Gang Kids Club offers both indoor and outdoor activities including: sandcastle sculpting, "pizza and pool" parties, "dive-in" movies, scavenger hunts, pajama parties, beach fun, nature hikes, as well as arts and crafts.
Activities for families. The resort offers many complimentary amenities including miniature golf and access to the Oceanfront Cabana Club. Fly kites by the sea, count shrimp boats of shore, golf with multiple generations, skim across wave tops on a catamaran. Bonus points: Every guest receives a Summer Value Book with discounts for local attractions in the town of St. Augustine. So you and your family may visit places like the Alligator Farm and Fountain of Youth for a discounted price.
Value added: Children age five and younger eat for free on property. The family golf advantage allows youths age 17 or younger to play golf for free on Dye's Valley Course after 2:00 p.m. when an adult game fee is paid.
Discovery: Included as one of one of the "Top 50 Favorite Family Resorts" by Better Homes and Gardens, the reputation of Sawgrass needs no explanation, it is terrific for all ages.
Here’s the deal. “Experience More for Less” - Florida Family Vacation Packages. Enjoy the unique opportunity to live the TOUR Player experience at Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort - marked by award-winning luxury, world-renowned PGA golf, and family-friendly recreation. Book one of the exceptionally priced Florida vacation packages or getaway specials online today for Marriott's "Look No Further" Best Rate Guarantee.
Location: Located along the Atlantic Coast midpoint between Jacksonville and historic St. Augustine. Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa 1000 PGA TOUR Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.
www.SawgrassMariott.com
Fun stuff in the area.
Look for alligators with the birds. The lush tropical grounds make an ideal habitat for not only a variety of alligators but hundreds of other wild residents as well. Within the Alligator Farm & Zoological Park complex monkeys, birds, crocodiles, turtles and snakes also thrive. In addition to daily wildlife presentations it is possible to meander along a raised boardwalk well above but in view of more than 50 alligators and reptiles. The wooded walkway makes it easy to observe nesting birds without being intrusive. Bonus points: Entertaining (and educational) 20-minute alligator and reptile shows take place hourly throughout the day, and spring through fall they often conduct narrated feedings. Need to know. Visit the website to print out a dollar off coupon towards admission. (Alligator Farm & Zoological Park. 999 Anastasia Blvd. St. Augustine. Toll-free 1-800-966-7275, 1(904) 824-3337 or
www.alligatorfarm.com)
Catch a moonrise if you’re lucky. The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is completely automated, the lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation. Most days visitors explore the grounds, historic keepers' house and climb the 219 steps to the top for an exquisite view of the area. Docents and staff historians provide information about the lives of the keepers and their families. Bonus points: There is something intriguing about being able to stay after closing and for a few lucky folks every month on the-full-of-the-moon that is possible. (St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. 81 Lighthouse Avenue 1(904) 829-0745 or
www.staugustinelighthouse.com)
Can you believe it? A trip to Northeast Florida can not be called complete without a trip to the Original Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum. The St. Augustine Ripley's is located in Castle Warden, an historic Moorish Revival style mansion built in 1887. In 1950 it was purchased for Richard Ripley’s heirs to showcase his collection of unbelievable curiosities. It features of 800 shocking exhibits that will amaze and astound you. Open 365 days a year, there is no excuse for not going. Not to be missed. Be sure to look around The Cargo Hold, Ripley’s unique gift shop. It has one-of-a-kind and unique treasures, perfect for gift giving, from places like Morocco, Indonesia, Thailand, India, China, and Africa. Need to know. Go to the website and print off a dollar off coupon for every member of your family. (Ripley’s Believe It Or Not 19 San Marco Ave. St Augustine, FL 32084. (904) 824-1606 or
www.staugustine-ripleys.com)
Take a walking safari. Jacksonville Zoological Gardens abounds with natural beauty. Showcasing the wonders of Africa and the world, the 73-acre zoo and botanical gardens provides habitat for rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, leopards, elephants, giraffe and zebra. In addition to a train within the park and gardens, they also have boat excursions along the adjacent waterways. From the baby animal nursery to the programs featuring up-close and hands-on encounters, it is and enchanting place for a day adventure. The zoo has a train that can take you all around the zoo as well as a unique carousel with wild jungle animals. Bonus points: It is possible to arrange a Behind-the-Scenes Tour. The personal walking tours are conducted by expert zookeepers and offer a closer look at the animals from a different angle. Visit their night dens; learn about their care and feeding, animal habits and more. Current tours feature animals in the African Plains, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, cheetah, jaguars and Cape buffalo. Not to be missed. The zoo offers After Dark Programs to allow you and your family to experience the zoo in a different light. Check websites for special times and events. (Jacksonville Zoological Gardens. 8605 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, 32218. 1(904) 757-4463 or
www.jaxzoo.org)
Dinosaurs in space. Museum of Science & History is the perfect destination for the little historian or scientist in your family. Featuring a museum full interactive exhibits plus a planetarium it is a day’s worth of fun and learning. In the Florida Naturalist area see staff attending to American alligators, gopher tortoises, various native snakes, and birds. Time travel through 12,000 years before Jacksonville became a city you see today. Learn about the ancient Timucua Indians; discover the hazards of the great fire; fly through a World War 2 Navy hangar and visit a '50s house. Bonus points: This summer MOSH opens their new exhibit full of animatronic dinosaurs and ice age animals. Not to be missed. For families with preteens or teens music is the answer and during the summer months on weekend nights the Alexander Brest Planetarium conducts Cosmic Concerts. Enjoy a laser light and music experience under the 60-foot dome. The energizing evenings combine a full-color laser projection system and hundreds of special effects with an 18,000 watt sound system creating a total visual and auditory music experience. Need to know. Check the website for daily show times for things like Animal Feeding or the Extreme Science Show. (Museum of Science & History 1025 Museum Circle Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 396-7062 or
www.themosh.org)
For fun, kid-friendly
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