20 Kid Friendly Vacations for Spring Break in Florida
Florida is the Southeastern most state in the USA. Since it is mostly bordered by water, it has various spots that attract visitors all year long.
They are attracted by its beaches, National Park and amazing all round scenery. Keep in mind that this is the go-to place for students for spring break parties.
Children can also come down to these spots and have an amazing spring break. In this article, we shall discuss the best kid friendly places for a spring break vacation in Florida.
20 Kid Friendly Vacations for Spring Break in Florida
1. Walt Disney World
This is the ultimate kids dream located in Orlando, Florida. The glorious establishment has been in business for over 51 years and was founded by Walt Disney and Roy Disney alongside WED Enterprises.
Due to the massive number of visitors per day, it is advisable for a kid to travel with an adult as opposed to being alone. There are a lot of great activities to get involved in including Disney’s boardwalk, Disney Springs, Theme parks, Waterparks, Character experiences and Nighttime parties.
You can check out Disney’s home page to get more information on places to stay, the various park tickets and also to make reservations. This shall greatly improve your experience at Disney World.
2. Daytona beach
Daytona Beach is a city located in Florida. The name is a bit confusing. However, when you get there, you’ll notice that the city is located along the Atlantic coast hence the beach reference.
It is packed with a lot of activities enjoyed by adults and children alike. The city is famous for its beaches and the Daytona International Speedway.
This is one of the most known racing hubs for NASCAR. You can also check out the Ocean Center, Daytona Beach Bandshell, Daytona Beach Pier, St. Augustine History Museum and the Sunglow Fishing Pier.
The kids can also participate in paddle boating and ziplining on the beach. You can check on the individual websites of these places to get a price quotation for all activities.
3. Key West
This is an island city located approximately 90 miles north of Cuba. Despite being so far away, the area is a famed tourist attraction.
The island is known for watersports, beaches, historic sites and a lively nightlife. A quick search shall introduce you to places like Key West Aquarium, Smathers Beach, The Hemingway Home and museum, Key West Lighthouse, Sunset Key and Fort East Martello Museum, Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden and Key West Ghost and Mysteries Tour.
Since it is an island, you should have some experience swimming. It might also not be particularly comfortable for those afraid of the sea.
This is one of the most expensive areas to get lodging so you have to plan adequately.
4. Panama City Beach
This is a city located in the North Western area of Florida. It is commonly known for its white sand beaches fronted by the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Since it is a beach city, most of its famous attractions are beaches where you can have parties, go surfing and build sand castles.
Aside from the beaches, you can also check out the terminal escape room of Florida, Cypress Springs Eco adventure, Pier Park, Shipwreck Island waterpark, Conservation Park and Race City.
If you prefer water activities, you can go snorkeling and scuba diving in the ocean.
5. Anna Maria island
Anna Maria Island is located in Manatee County, Florida. It isa barrier island on Florida’s golf coast. Most of the activities here are water based due to its geographical location.
The most common go to spots for beach activities include Coquina beach, Rod and reel pier, Bridge Street pier, Cortez Beach, Manatee Public beach and Bean Point Beach.
At the beach, your kids can enjoy activities like building sand castles, deep diving, snorkeling, surfing and dolphin tours. Other tourist attractions include Anna Maria Bayfront Park, De Soto National Memorial, Florida Maritime Museum and Palma Sola Botanical Park.
You can also book private tours with charter companies in the area. Here, you can sail on boats, go fishing and also do private tours to heighten your experience.
6. St Augustine
This is one of the longest standing establishments in the United States of European and African American origin. Located in the Northeast coast of Florida, the city as a rich history.
It boasts some of the most incredible historical sites in the Florida area. The city is also famous for its Spanish colonial style architecture which attracts visitors all year round.
When vacationing with kids, you can check out Castillo de San Marcos National monument, St Augustine Alligator farm, Fort Matanzas National Monument, St Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park and Colonial quarter.
After enriching their minds with history, they can slop down to Anastasia State Park and St Augustine Aquarium to observe sea life.
7. St Petersburg
In the Tampa Bay area lies the beach city of St. Petersburg commonly nicknamed Sunshine City. Unlike most places in the area, the city is known for its sunny weather thus attracting a lot of tourists.
There are several spots for you to enjoy your time out with kids including Great Explorations Children’s Museum, The James Museum of Western and wildlife, The Dali, Skyway Fishing Pier, Fossil State Park and Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge.
You can also enjoy the sunny weather at Treasure Island Beach, Spa Beach, Sunset Beach Pavilion, Gandy Beach, Gulfport Beach Recreation Area, Archibald Beach Park and Shell Key. Some of these beaches are public and do not require an entry fee.
However, for a unique experience, you can have to pay.
8. South beach
Often referred to as SoBe, South Beach is a neighborhood located in Miami between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is famous for its glamorous surroundings, celebrity chef eateries and beaches. The area also has impressive architecture and several shopping spots.
Though it has many nightclubs, it also has some impressive sights for kids of all ages. They include The Bass, Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Lincoln Road Mall, Sunset Harbour, South Pointe Park and New World Center.
You can also sign up for bike tours along South Beach. You can also check out Lummus Park, Art Deco Historic District and The Wolfsonian.
9. Miami beach
The city is connected to mainland Miami by bridges. It is surrounded by beaches that face the North Atlantic Ocean. Miami Beach is mostly known as a hub for the rich and famous bordering South Beach.
It has a number of great places to visit including Miami sea aquarium, Jungle Island, Crandon Park, Haulover Park and Flamingo Park. These are mostly water parks where kids can participate in water activities such as diving, snorkeling and swimming.
The kids can also take part in activities like the Food Network South Beach Food festival, Boating, open play basketball, aquatics, volleyball and baseball.
10. Florida Keys
This is a stretch of islands located on the Southern tip of the US State of Florida. They stretch for over 120 miles and are a well-known hub for tourists.
The islands include Key Largo, Middle Keys, Bahia Honda Key, Little Torch Key, Fiesta Key, Sunset Key among others. Since they are surrounded by the ocean, the most known activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and boating.
They are also a great place for a vacation for tourists. Some of the best places on these islands include the Dolphin research center, John Penne Kamp Coral Reef State Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Seven Mile Bridge and Crane Point Hammock.
11. Destin
Destin is a city in the North Western Part of Florida. Located in the Panhandle, Destin is a city known for its beaches and incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico.
It is also known for its seafood restaurants, challenging golf courses, plentiful fishing and challenging golf courses.
There are a lot of great places to check out with the kids while in the area including Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, Destin Harbor Boardwalk, Henderson Beach State Park, Norriego Point, James Lee Beach and Crab Island.
Here, you can enjoy all beach activities with you kids and partners. The sunny weather shall give you the best experience in the city.
12. Cocoa Beach
The city is located south of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Cocoa Beach is renown for having the best surfing opportunities in the area. It is also home to the Ron Jon Surf Shop.
The most kid friendly areas include Lori Wilson Park, Shepard Park, Sidney Fischer Park, Florida surf Museum, Lee Wenner Park and Tables Beach.
Here, you can go swimming, camping, explore the beach pier, surfing, paddling and do the infamous Half pipe at Cocoa Beach Skate Park.
The weather in the summer offers the best conditions to enjoy yourself in the city.
13. Amelia Island
Amelia Island is one of the cities in Florida with a rich history. It had been occupied by the Spanish, English and French before coming under the American rule.
The island city is part of the sea islands chain of barrier islands located on Florida’s Atlantic coast. While here, the kids can opt for the beach or a trip down history.
They can check out the Fort Clinch state Park, Amelia Island Lighthouse, Amelia Island Museum if History, Dungeness Ruins and the Island Art Association Gallery.
Alternatively, they can go to Drummond Point Park, Blue Door Artists, Peters Point Beachfront Park, Amelia Island State Park and Fort Clinch State Park. Almost all beaches are ideal locations for enjoying the waves.
14. Panama City beach
A waterfront town and vacation destination are what makes this beach city famous. Panama City Beach is located in North Western area of Florida. It has miles of white-sand beaches facing the Gulf of Mexico.
While visiting, you have to check out Florida 30A, Gulf World Marine Park, Shipwreck Island Waterpark, Camp Helen State Park, Zoo World Zoological Park and Sky Wheel Panama City Beach.
You should also check out beaches including Russell Fields Pier, Beach Access, Panama Beach Service and children’s favorite Super Bungee Amusement Centre.
The most famous activities include Coastal Wildlife Adventures, Dolphin watching, whale watching and snorkeling.
The clear blue waters at St. Andrews State Park provide for the best maritime experience.
15. Sanibel Island
This is an island located off the South West coast of Florida among the famed barrier islands. The island has sandy beaches with an abundance of shells.
It has been voted the best shelling beach and one of the best shelling beaches in Florida. The most common beaches on the island include Bowman’s beach, Blind pass beach, Captiva Island, North Captiva Island, Turner beach and Gulf side City Park Beach.
Despite having great beaches, the island city also has other places that would make a good vacation.
They include Sanibel lighthouse, Watson Macrae Gallery, Hirdie-Girdie Gallery and the Captiva Chapel by the Sea. A visit to both types of places would make for a great vacation for the family.
16. Clearwater
This is a city located Tampa Bay, Florida. It is a common tourist attraction for sunny weather and coastal beaches.
Clearwater also boasts a great sunset at the pier making it a dream vacation spot. One of the best tourist attractions is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The aquarium is home to a number of dolphins, sea turtles and other marine mammals. Aside from this spot, you can also check out Honeymoon Island State Park, Cala desi Island, Sand Key Park, Florida Botanical gardens, Empower Adventures Tampa Bay and Largo Central Park.
The kids can also check out Largo Central Park, Celebration Station, Heritage Village and Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail.
17. Sarasota
Sarasota is one of the cities located South of Tampa. In the old days, Sarasota was known as the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus.
Over the years, there have been several cultural areas that have been instituted. The city is also known for its amazing nature that consist of mysterious mangroves, sprawling parks and white sand beaches.
The cultural centers include Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Sarasota Opera House, Art Center Sarasota, Wyland galleries, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature.
Other notable places include the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Siesta Beach, Lido Key Beach, South Lido County Park, Sarasota Bay, Saint Armands Key and Urfer Family Park.
You can check out all types of locations to get more out of the vacation.
18. Naples
Naples is a city in South west Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. One of its iconic symbols is the Naples Pier which was erected in 1888. At the moment, it is a famous fishing and dolphin-spotting destination.
The city is surrounded by white sand with miles of beach area. You can check out the arts and culture centers in the city before going to explore the beaches in their plenty.
These include Naples Depot Museum, Cambier Park, Gardner Colby Gallery, Naples Art Institute, Opera Naples, Downtown Naples, Aldo Castillo Gallery and the Naples Train Museum. These spots help you understand the city and its rich history.
You can then move on to visiting the beaches that include Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Lowdermilk Park, Moorings Beach Private Park, Beach Access and North Gulf shore Beach Access.
19. Orange City
Orange City is unlike most Florida vacation areas. It is one of those areas that are not common for their beaches in the state of Florida.
However, it can also serve as a good spring break vacation. One of its infamous vacation spots is the Blue Spring state Park which brings in the most traffic in the area.
You can also check out Lake Beresford Park, Hontoon Island Adventures, Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, Lake Monroe, Valentine Park, PFC Emory L. Bennett Veterans Memorial Park and East Central Regional Rail Trail.
Most of these places offer sightseeing opportunities to heighten your experience.
20. Dunedin
This is an island city located on Florida’s gulf coast. Dunedin is linked to the mainland by the marvelous Dunedin Causeway which welcomes you to the island with a view of St. Joseph Sound. The city is popular because of its annual Scottish celebrations.
Dunedin, being a coastal city, also boasts some impressive beach areas. They include Dunedin Beach, Three Rooker Island, Oasis beach and Honeymoon Island Beach.
It also has some cultural centers like Dunedin History Museum, Edgewater Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Pop Stansell Park and Palm Harbor Museum.
Spring break is a time of parties and vacations around the USA and the world. Since it involves extensive gatherings, it is important for you to note that there is a lot of traffic in this period. Therefore, it is advisable to make adequate research and book your trips in advance to get the very best out of your vacation.
It is also advisable to start preparing your funds beforehand as it often becomes expensive due to the large number of people in the area.