Only a lucky few know about all the special treasures that Florida holds. Beyond the beaches and theme parks, Florida is home to wild rivers and world-class art galleries. You can spend a day with the grandchildren roving sea towns on a scooter or searching for evidence of prehistoric animals. Here are some suggestions for getting the most out of the Sunshine state.
Northwest
The Suwannee River: Beginning its journey in the swamps of Georgia, the Suwannee River runs 266 miles through Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. Days on the Suwannee are simple and sweet; life along the river is much the same as it was when steamboats churned its waters. Explore the river from the Yellow Jacket Campground, which offers cabins, tent and RV sites, and a tree-swing big enough for three. Rent a pontoon boat and head upriver to Manatee Springs State Park. Manatees are commonly seen on the river from November until March.
Tallahassee:
Standing apart from the rest of the state is Tallahassee, the state capital; its gentle, sloping hills are a visual relief from the flat landscape of the rest of Florida. At the
Tallahassee Museum, six distinct areas tell the story of Florida's past and present. Among them are Bellevue Plantation, which was once the home of Catherine Murat, a great-grandniece of George Washington. Big Bend Farm allows children a hands-on approach to learning about early Florida farm life. At the
Museum of Florida History, artifacts from Native American settlers and Civil War soldiers bring history alive. In the Old State Capitol Building, visitors can vote on bills in mock legislative sessions.
Wakulla Springs State Park: South of Tallahassee, an amazing 250 million gallons of water flow from Wakulla Spring every day. A high platform allows the grandchildren to get some height for cannonball dives into the four-acre pool around the spring. Remember the Creature From the Black Lagoon? It was filmed here.
West Coast Central
Anna Marie Island: Renting a scooter is the best way to explore Anna Marie Island, just seven miles long, and south of Tampa. Australian pines shade most beaches, where sea turtles nest from May to October. A favorite pastime is digging up coquina clams in the surf and watching them burrow back into the sand. The island is host to quaint seaside diners that feed those hungry after a day of collecting seashells, swimming, and sunset-watching.
Bradenton: The cast of a 19-foot mastodon greets visitors to the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. This museum has the largest natural and cultural history collection on Florida's Gulf Coast. Inside you'll find the Bishop Planetarium, an all-digital, full-dome theater that makes learning about the stars and planets fun. You'll also find Snooty, the oldest living captive manatee, at the Parker Manatee Aquarium.
Sarasota: The John and Mable Ringling Estate has
three different museums in its beautiful gardens that serve as the perfect backdrop for an afternoon picnic. The Museum of Art houses 21 galleries, including an awe-inspiring collection of Peter Paul Rubens paintings. The Cà d’Zan, the Venetian-style winter mansion of the Ringlings, affords a peek into the lives of the rich and famous before the market crash of 1929. After our visit, my son Jake, 8, said, "I want to get a gold door for our house." Your grandchildren may have the most fun at the Circus Museum featuring memorabilia of The Greatest Show on Earth. One highlight is a 3,800-square-foot, scale model of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus from days gone by. The
Mote Marine Aquarium tells the story of the waters off the west coast of Florida through living exhibits. Your admission includes an opportunity to visit the dolphin and whale hospital for stranded animals.
Venice Beach: No one knows for sure why the beaches of Venice have so many prehistoric shark teeth, but it's the easiest way to hunt fossils in Florida. Start your search as high tide ebbs. Rinse off in the Children's Fountain at Centennial Park. Just south of Venice, Sharky's on the Pier is a great place for lunch or dinner, with crayons and a children's menu for the grandkids.
South
Everglades City: A visit to Everglades City is a step back in time. When I asked at the general store where I could get a pair of flip-flops, the clerk said, "There's the hardware store down the road, but you'd better hurry up cuz I heard he was going fishin'." How perfect to find a place where people actually close shop to go "fishin'." Everglades City is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, a maze of mangrove forest and waterways at the northwest end of Everglades National Park. At the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, you can book a guided boat-tour, or rent a canoe to explore the area at your own pace. Small cabins at Glades Haven have all the comforts of home.
East Coast Central
De Leon State Park:
Make pancakes on your table's grill at the
Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant located in this state park about 25 miles inland from Daytona Beach. Pitchers of pancake batter are served along with your choice of fillings, like chocolate chips, blueberries, or pecans. After eating your fill, step outside to take a soothing dip in the freshwater springs. The waters are a constant 72 degrees F year round.
Northeast
Amelia Island: About 30 miles north of Jacksonville, wild Florida is at its very best. Eight different countries have laid claim to Amelia Island since 1562. After a visit to the 50-block Fernandina Beach historic district, head to Fort Clinch State Park and explore one of the best-preserved 19th-century forts in the country. Period reenactors will help you experience garrison life. After you visit the fort, try your luck on the fishing pier.
Related Information
Snooty the manatee celebrated his 60th birthday in 2008. He's more than nine feet long and weighs more than 1,200 pounds. Grandparents may remember him from a Captain Kangaroo documentary on manatees.
It took more than 50 years for Howard Tibbal, a master model-builder, to complete the world's largest miniature circus at the Circus Museum.
If you don't find any shark teeth on Venice Beach, the downtown Chamber of Commerce provides free teeth to children.
If the Florida Keys are in your vacation plans, find out about these family-friendly resorts. Elsewhere in Florida, you can snorkel with manatees in the Crystal River, Experience NASCAR Racing at Daytona, or Countdown With Your Grandchildren at Kennedy Space Center.
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