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Florida is one of the best states for a family to enjoy an amazing vacation. The weather and the attractions have brought people from all over the country to relax and enjoy a vacation. Vacations can be expensive, so if you’re looking for cheaper alternatives to Disney World or Universal Studios, these are great alternatives to enjoy some family time.
1. Florida Museum of Natural History
The Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville is an excellent way for a family to escape the Florida humidity and learn some facts about the Sunshine State. The museum features many exciting exhibits, including over 50 million artifacts, fossils, specimens, and historic relics. The main attraction might be their award-winning Butterfly Rainforest, where visitors can walk through a forest with 50 different types of butterflies worldwide.
2. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Located on the Sante Fe River in High Springs, this state park has six natural hot springs — one big enough to produce 44 million gallons of water daily. The site is popular among campers and picnickers who want to enjoy the refreshing water. Visitors can enjoy swimming, tubing, snorkeling, and catching a glimpse of Florida wildlife like turtles and manatees. The park is a great family destination and charges less than $10 per vehicle to enter.
3. Visit St. Augustine
St. Augustine, settled in 1565, is the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States. The town offers a unique experience for tourists to experience a step into the past. Visitors can see the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. You can also take trolley tours to the old wooden schoolhouse and the St Augustine Lighthouse, which offers amazing views from its upper deck.
4. Enjoy the Cheaper Side of Disney
Walt Disney World is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Florida, but tickets can be incredibly pricey. For those looking for some extra Disney charm, Disney Springs is free to browse and offers a range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues for families not attending the park. Families can enjoy window shopping and walk along the West Side, The Landing, Marketplace, and Town Center, which offers many photo opportunities.
5. Take a Swamp Ride
Go to the Florida Everglades to get up close and personal with some of the state’s natural wildlife. Lake Kissimmee is one of the largest lakes in the state and offers boat rides where visitors can see the largest alligators in the country. Keep your arms and legs inside the boat at all times; alligators aren’t known for their pleasant personalities.
6. Explore Old Town at Kissimmee
After surviving the killer alligator tour, you and your family can have fun in Old Town Kissimmee. The town offers free entertainment each night, including a weekly classic car cruise. You can also ride the 86-foot tall Ferris wheel imported from Italy and test your video game skills in the town’s family fun center.
7. Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral can be a little pricey. Still, it is a great experience for anyone interested in space exploration. An adult ticket costs $75, while a child’s ticket costs $65 for a one-day pass. However, those fees will let you tour launch sites, meet real-life astronauts, and simulate a real blast-off in the Shuttle Launch Experience. Avoid the fees by hanging out at Playalinda Beach, offering soft sand beaches and epic views of free rocket launches.
8. Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge
This wildlife refuge is the only place in the world to observe the endangered Key deer. Nearby is Bahia Honda State Park in Monroe County, where an entry fee of $10 takes you to palm tree-lined beaches with crystal-clear waters and some of the best snorkeling in the state.
9. Have Fun at Cape Coral
Cape Coral is a great city for family fun. Sun Splash Water Park has over 14 acres of water slides, pools, lazy rivers, and other water-based attractions. The park is relatively cheap, with an entrance fee of about $35. Outside the park, the town offers kayaking routes, hiking trails, and fishing spots for the whole family.
10. Visit Marco Island
Just off the state’s southern coast is Marco Island, a great spot to see wild dolphins and manatees swimming in the water. Pack a picnic, go window shopping, or enjoy water activities like kayaking and swimming.
11. Sea Life Orlando Aquarium
For only $28, you can buy a ticket to enjoy the wonders of life underneath the sea. The aquarium is home to species of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and beautiful fish of all sizes. The 360-degree tunnel makes you feel like you’re swimming with these magnificent sea creatures. Kids can learn about these beautiful creatures through numerous tours and interactive videos.
12. The Wizard of Oz Museum
This museum, centered around the classic story, ranks as the fifth best museum for children in the U.S. The center features cutting-edge technology projecting images from the story across the ceilings and the floor. The Immersive Wizard of Oz Experience reveals the magical land that Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, Tinman, and Scarecrow travel as they journey to the Emerald City. The experience is a joy for kids of all ages.
13. Dezerland Park
Dezerland Park in Orlando can entertain you and your family for an entire day — maybe two. The park has numerous attractions, including go-karts, pinball arcades, bowling, trampoline parks, axe throwing, laser tag, ice skating, and miniature golfing. That sounds like a blast, and I might be booking my trip to Florida right now.
14. Visit Gatorland
This Orlando park offers a variety of options for families. The 100-acre property has thousands of alligators and crocodiles, petting zoos, ziplines, and a swamp buggy ride. The center might be the best spot to get up close and personal with these dangerous reptiles.
15. Ride the Orlando Starflyer
If you’re a thrill seeker, you will want to ride the StarFlyer at ICON Park. For about $12, adrenaline seekers can strap in and reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour as they soar 450 feet in the Florida sky. After the ride, you can tell your friends you were brave enough to ride the tallest swing ride in the world.
14 Coastal Towns That Offer Affordable Retirement and Quality
Retirement is not just about taking a long-deserved break; it’s about embracing a new adventure in life’s next chapter. What better way to start this journey than in a coastal town, where the sea meets the sky in a harmony of tranquil living? This post sails through the 14 most enchanting seaside towns, handpicked for retirees who dream of quality living without breaking the bank. We’ve anchored downtowns that tick all the boxes for an ideal retirement haven – affordability, rich quality of life, top-notch healthcare, and delightful weather. So, let’s dive in and explore these seaside gems where your golden years can truly shine.
14 Coastal Towns That Offer Affordable Retirement and Quality
10 States Americans Are Leaving in Droves and 5 States They Are Moving To
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10 States Americans Are Leaving in Droves and 5 States They Are Moving To
