Family Attractions

When traveling to Florida with your family, kids will be easily entertained by the countless family-friendly attractions in Florida. For family fun, let Choice Hotels help you find the family attraction for your next adventure.

In Fort Lauderdale

Young at Art Children's Museum
11584 West State Road 84
Davie, FL   33325
954-424-0085

Located just outside of Fort Lauderdale in Davie, Florida, the Young at Art Children's Museum is a hands-on interactive zone for kids to learn and get creative! Here, they will enjoy the limitless possibilities of art. Permanent exhibits include the Global Village, Earthworks, Kenny's Closet by Kenny Scharf, and Playspace for Toddlers. Explore on your own, stop by the drop-in workshops, or sign up for one of the many educational classes.

Butterfly World
3600 W. Sample Rd.
Coconut Creek, FL   33073
954-977-4400

Wander through lush tropical rainforest while admiring thousands of butterflies soaring overhead and feeding on nectar blossoms. You'll also see hummingbirds, fish, small parrots, orchids, waterfalls and more.

In Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
370 Zoo Pkwy.
Jacksonville, FL   32218
904-757-4463

The zoo is a great family adventure spot, offering Northeast Florida's only walking safari, and over 2,000 exotic animals! Exhibits include the popular Range of the Jaguar, the Giraffe Overlook and the Savanna Blooms garden. Be sure to check out the calendar for exciting events all year round.

In Miami

Dolphin Cove
Key Largo, FL   33037

Head south from Miami to the beautiful Florida Keys and make sure to visit Dolphin Cove in sunny Key Largo, for an experience that is educational and fun! The marine education center offers dolphin swimming, Everglades's tours, interactive activities, and more. Guests can enjoy Structured Dolphin Swims or Natural Dolphin Swims, to get up close and personal with the animals. Or, step out of the water and behind-the scenes, with the Trainer for a Day program where you learn all about the mammal facility and experience what an animal handler's day is like.

Everglades Alligator Farm
40351 S.W. 192nd Ave.
Florida City, FL   33034
305-247-2628

Located at the entrance of Everglades National Park, this is South Florida's oldest alligator farm. Here you'll find more than 2,000 alligators. Take an airboat tour, or see one of many alligator, snake and wildlife shows.

Miami Children's Museum
980 MacArthur Cswy.
Miami, FL   33132
305-373-5437

Exciting for visitors of all ages, this 56,500 sq ft museum includes 12 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center, Kid Smart educational gift shop, 200-seat auditorium and Subway restaurant. Also offers hundreds of interactive exhibits, programs and classes, and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.

Miami Metrozoo
12400 S.W. 152nd St.
Miami, FL   33177
305-251-0400

This cageless zoo is "Rated among the top 10 zoos in the U.S.," and five times larger than the average U.S. zoo with 300 acres showcasing more than 2,000 animals, representing almost 400 species. Enjoy an elevated monorail, safari cycle rentals, guided tram tours, behind-the-scenes zookeeper tours, animal feeding encounters, exotic animal presentations and more.

Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Cswy.
Miami, FL   33149
305-361-5705

Experience world-class marine life shows and attractions. The Miami Seaquarium is a leader in manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and release, and here you can discover their true beauty. There's also a "Swim With Our Dolphin Program," where you can join the staff and learn dolphin behavior - up close.

Monkey Jungle
14805 S.W. 216 St.
Miami, FL   33170
305-235-1611

Monkey Jungle is home to nearly400 primates, most running free on a 30 acre reserve. This is one of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the United States, and the only one open to the general public for exploration. Bring the whole family to a place "where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild!"

Parrot Jungle Island
1111 Parrot Jungle Trl.
Miami, FL   33132
305-400-7000

A one-of-a-kind family attraction where visitors can interact with parrots, reptiles, fish, flamingos and more. Enjoy a variety of shows, jungle trails, a petting farm, educational exhibits, and much more. Parrot Jungle is located on 18.6 acres between downtown Miami and South Beach, and is home to more than 3,000 exotic animals and 500 species of plants.

In South and Central Florida

Florida Surf Lessons
561-625-5375

With many locations up and down the east coast of South and Central Florida, surf lessons are a great way to spend the day for children, teens, or anyone that is young at heart! Lessons are available one-on-one or in groups, for a couple of hours or for the full day. Don't miss a chance to enjoy the sand, sun and surf on many of Florida's beautiful beaches.

In Orlando

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park & Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Lake Buena Vista, FL   32830
407-824-4321

Where else can you experience a melted ski resort in the middle of Florida? At Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park experience waterslides, wave pools, river rapids and relaxing beaches. There's something for everyone, including the little ones.

Discovery Cove
6000 Discovery Cove Way
Orlando, FL   32821
407-370-1280
877-4-DISCOVERY

Nestled in Orlando is a tropical hideaway that is focused on exploring. Guests can interact with dolphins, birds, fish and rays, and explore the wonder of coral reefs and grottos. Featured attractions include a dolphin swim, tropical river swim, sting ray lagoon, "twilight discovery" summer evening program, or the exciting trainer for a day program. Set your own pace and explore one, or explore them all!

Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trl.
Orlando, FL   32837
407-855-5496
800-393-JAWS

Step through the gaping gator mouth entrance to get up close and personal with gators and crocs, birds and bears, turtles and iguanas and much more! Don't miss the three great shows, Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestlin', and Up Close Encounters. Explore the breeding marsh with boardwalk, petting zoo, swamp walk, educational shows, and more, all right here in the "Alligator Capital of the World."

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium
8201 International Dr.
Orlando, FL   32819
407-345-0501
x3

Robert Ripley traveled the world collecting the unbelievable, the inexplicable, the one-of-a-kind, and you can experience some of his collection here!

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 SeaWorld Dr.
Orlando, FL   32821
407-351-3600
800-327-2424

Majestic killer whales, leaping dolphins, soaring birds, live shows and so much more. The whole family will find SeaWorld awe-inspiring.

Universal Studios Florida
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, FL   32819
407-363-8000
877-278-6386

See what it's like to be a star, as you go behind-the-scenes at the number one movie and TV based theme park. Enjoy motion picture simulation rides like Shrek 4-D, rollercoasters like the Revenge of the Mummy, outrageous shows like Animals on Location! at the Woody Woodpecker KidZone, and more.

Universal's Islands of Adventure
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, FL   32819
407-363-8000
888-U-ESCAPE

Don't miss out on these islands of adventure, filled with epic adventures themed around myths, legends, comic books, cartoon heroes and children's stories. Check out the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman in Marvel Superhero island, visit the Cat in the Hat in Suess Landing, get wet and wild on the Jurassic Park River Adventure, and don't forget Toon Lagoon and the Lost Continent for even more adventure!

Walt Disney World^®
Lake Buena Vista, FL   32830
407-939-2648

Visit the wonderful world of Disney! Enjoy days filled with excitement and something for everyone at each of the four world famous theme parks. Bring the whole family and discover the magic at Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Magic Kingdom.

Wet 'n Wild
6200 International Dr.
Orlando, FL   32819
407-351-1800
800-992-9453

This waterpark offers 30 acres of world-class signature thrill rides. If you're in the mood to relax, the park also offers a lazy river and a wave pool. There's even beach volleyball on regulation-size courts.

In Tampa

Adventure Island
10001 Malcolm McKinley Ave.
Tampa, FL   33612
813-987-5600
888-800-5447

Features 30-acres of thrilling slides, a wave pool, waterfalls, lagoons, lazy river, volleyball courts, and much more. Race three other competitors in Florida's first four-lane mat slide.

Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew Rd.
Plant City, FL   33565
813-717-9865

See over 150 life-sized dinosaurs and search for authentic fossils to take home, all in an outdoor setting.

Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL   33602
813-273-4000
800-FL-FISH1

Visit one of the top aquariums in the world, featuring over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals. The aquarium offers dive shows daily, as well as a catamaran Eco-tour. Exhibits include 500,000-gallon tank where visitors can actually dive in and swim with the fishes! Other must-sees are the Bays & Beaches, Dragons Down Under, and the No Bone Zone exhibits. And don't forget to stop by the Aquarium Gifts Shop before you go.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
1101 W. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL   33604
813-935-8552

Named "the #1 family zoo in the U.S." by Child Magazine. See more than 2,000 animals and experience rides, shows, restaurants, interactive exhibits, and much more.

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