A continuation of the many exciting and fun Floridan cities for a family to visit is found in the second article of places to visit with your family. Remember to revisit part 1 of places for families to visit in Florida. The experience that the Roze Team had visiting places in Florida like Disney’s EPCOT Theme Park and being involved in NASA’s space activities produces good memories that aren’t forgotten.
Cocoa Beach
Why Did We Choose It?
Cocoa Beach is a small town with beautiful beaches and a range of affordable lodging options.
What to Do?
Cocoa Beach is a little surfing town approximately an hour outside of Orlando with plenty of family-friendly lodgings and activities. Visitors could spend the majority of their holiday at the beach or surfing because Cocoa Beach is known for its tremendous waves, and surfing lessons are offered by family-owned businesses such as Sobe Surf. Cocoa Beach features 6 miles of beaches, and the Cocoa Beach Pier is a terrific area to hang out, eat at one of the many restaurants, or watch the sunset.
The Cocoa Beach Skate Park is a free outdoor skate park with two bowls and a half-pipe, as well as bleachers and a grassy area to watch the action. Cocoa Beach also has a Ron Jon surf shop open 24 hours a day. The world’s largest surf shop, at 52,000 square feet, contains everything you need for a day of surfing. Finally, a trip to Cocoa Beach should include a stop at The Kennedy Space Center, where the family may witness a rocket launch, see the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, and speak with an astronaut.
Where to Stay?
The Beachside Hotel and Suites is a freshly rebuilt motel-style hotel with a seasonal heated lazy river and a sandy play area for children. Other benefits include a complimentary breakfast to get your day started. There are big one-bedroom suites with living spaces and balconies among the options. The pet-friendly hotel is about a block from the beach and provides complimentary bikes as well as surfboards and boogie boards to use for the day.
Naples
Why Did We Choose It?
Naples is ideal for families that want to unplug and spend their days resting.
What to Do?
Naples was designed for rest and relaxation, and the Gulf Coast city is great for individuals who consider lounging on the beach and collecting seashells to be a productive day. There are numerous seaside resorts and motels to select from for a relaxing vacation, and the nearby beaches’ mild surf and low waves are ideal for even the youngest family members. Naples Pier, Clam Pass Park, and Vanderbilt Beach Park have some of the nicest public beaches.
Away from the beaches, spend the day at the 43-acre Naples Zoo and its adjoining floral gardens. Naples also boasts a number of tranquil parks and preserves with walking and hiking trails, and several parks, like the Gordon River Greenway, feature canoes and kayaks for leisurely excursions. If massages and facials are your ideas of relaxation, there are spas in Naples that offer services for the entire family. Lexi’s Place provides tiny manicures and pedicures, as well as robes and sparkling drinks.
Where to Stay?
La Playa Beach and Golf Resort is one of the area’s top-rated resorts, with an 18-hole golf course, a magnificent spa, and a stunning beachside restaurant. The resort also features four pools and a beach where guests may hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and jet skis. La Playa Beach and Golf Resort also provides private beach cabanas and easy babysitting services.
St. Augustine
Why Did We Choose It?
This 400-year-old city provides an insight into Florida’s history, and children will enjoy the many exhibits and museums.
What to Do?
St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. and was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. The Historic District is the heart of St. Augustine, where visitors may stroll down brick-paved streets, dine at restaurants and cafes, and see the oldest schoolhouse in the United States, which dates back to 1716.
A vacation here should also include a stop at Castillo de San Marcos, a fort used to defend Florida against invaders. The fort is open seven days a week, and visitors can choose between formal park ranger presentations and self-guided tours.
Another must-see sight is Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, which contains indoor and outdoor exhibits telling the tale of the early Spanish explorers and the Native Indians who lived in the area. Admission to the park includes a cannon firing demonstration, a drink from the Fountain of Youth, a natural spring containing over 30 minerals, and a visit to the planetarium.
Book a tour of Flagler College, which is housed in the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel built by Florida entrepreneur Henry Flagler, to experience St. Augustine’s stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture. The college is open for visits between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and guests should purchase tickets in advance because popular tours are limited to 30 persons. Potter’s Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, and the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum are among the other must-see attractions.
Where to Stay?
A modern resort in the heart of St. Augustine is the Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort. The seaside hotel has a large pool and is only 10 minutes from the attractions of downtown St. Augustine. There’s also a turf-lined space for lawn games like cornhole and Connect-4, and the hotel conducts daily activities. A stay includes a complimentary made-to-order breakfast, as well as a complimentary happy hour with select beer, wine, and cocktails at the end of the day.
Boca Raton
Why Did We Choose It?
Boca Raton has many smaller museums for younger children to explore, as well as wonderful beach and hotel alternatives.
What to Do?
Boca Raton is an excellent family holiday destination, with numerous indoor and outdoor museums for younger children. Sugar Sand Park is a 132-acre indoor and outdoor children’s amusement complex that includes a playground, treehouses, and carousel rides.
The Children’s Science Explorium is located on the Sugar Sand Park grounds, where little children can interact with the interactive displays or go on a guided outdoor nature walk. The museum organizes “Friday Night at the Museum” on Friday nights, which includes a movie night and experiments for children ages 7 to 12. Weather permitting, the Explorium also hosts telescope nights for youngsters above the age of eight, and The Willow Theater hosts family-friendly concerts all year.
The Boca Raton Museum of Art is well worth a visit. The museum offers free entrance to children, as well as significant exhibits and events, cultural programs, and workshops. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a traditional Japanese garden and museum that displays the history and culture of Florida’s Japanese community, is another excellent outdoor activity.
The Museum of Discovery and Science is also nearby in Boca Raton. The museum is one of the largest in the state and features hands-on interactive exhibits as well as movies on the IMAX 3D movie theater’s 60-foot-high screen.
Where to Stay?
The Boca Raton is a nearly 100-year-old upscale hotel featuring a kids’ program, The Banyan Bunch, that offers crafts, reading, and games to children aged 4 to 12. The Harborside Pool Club at the resort features three pools, a floating river, and water slides, as well as luxurious cabanas with butler service. Older members of the family will appreciate the championship golf course, tennis and pickleball facilities, and private beach on the property.
Some cities in Florida are well-known for providing these advantages to families visiting the Sunshine State. Articles 1 and 2 highlight the benefits of visiting different cities in Florida with your family. Enjoy your visit to Florida!