by DK
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Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
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Skate and Shake Skating Center (386 672 8500), 25 miles (40 km) south in Ormond Beach, may be a bit of a drive, but it’s a great way for kids to get lots of exercise even when it’s pouring outside. Call ahead.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Daytona Beach
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The modest Marine Science Center (www.marinesciencecenter.com), 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Daytona Beach in Ponce Inlet, has exhibits, aquariums, and guided beach walks.
Shopping
Daytona’s Downtown Shopping District has many antique stores, bookstores, and clothing shops.
Next Stop…
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum
Go 10 miles (16 km) south to see the tallest lighthouse in Florida (www.ponceinlet.org), on the north bank of Ponce de Leon Inlet.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS)
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Letting Off Steam
Burn off excess energy on the nature trails in the Tuscawilla Preserve, or take a turn in its Sensory Garden, which has herbs, native wildflowers, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and a rock garden. The garden serves as the entry to the Klancke Environmental Education Complex.
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Digital
Download the free MOAS iPhone app from itunes.apple.com/us/app/moas/id391833573?mt=8 to stroll through the virtual galleries of the museum, get in-depth artist biographies, and check out exhibition and event schedules, as well as ticketing information.
Next Stop…
Devil’s millhopper geological state park
Head 121 miles (195 km) northwest to the Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park near Gainesville. A 120-ft (36.5-m) sinkhole, it is one of Florida’s most unusual parks. Summer visitors who climb all the steps to the bottom of the sinkhole can experience cooler temperatures and views of diverse wildlife.
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Blue Spring State Park
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Head northwest to the excellent Appleton Museum of Art (4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, 34470; 352 291 4455; www.appletonmuseum.org). The museum’s pre-Columbian and African collections are likely to keep kids enthralled for quite a while. The museum’s gift shop, which offers art-inspired merchandise, is worth a visit.
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Ocala National Forest
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The dragsters and vintage cars at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing (www.garlits.com), in Ocala, will fascinate kids and car buffs.
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Ocala Thoroughbred Farm Country
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The Carriage Museum at The Grand Oaks Resort (thegrandoaks.com), in Weirsdale, has rides fit for royalty, but kids may like the life-size horse models as much as the vehicles.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
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Letting Off Steam
Kids can run around the house’s extensive grounds to burn off excess energy.
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Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
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Go to Smiley’s Antique Mall (17020 SE County Rd 234, Micanopy, 32667; 352 466 0707) for Star Wars™ figures and cowboy collectibles.
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Florida Museum of Natural History
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Letting Off Steam
Head 4 miles (7 km) southwest to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (www.kanapaha.org) to see the hummingbird garden, wildflower meadow, and “children’s garden” featuring a treasure wall, a hedge maze, and a koi pond.
< More Things to Do: The Northeast
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
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Take Cover
Travel 5 miles (8 km) south to check out the Asian wing and gardens of the first-rate Harn Museum of Art (SW 34th St, S Hull Rd, 32611; www.harn.ufl.edu). Kids may especially like the Ancient American collection with its Mayan and Aztec works.
< More Things to Do: The Panhandle
South Walton
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Letting Off Steam
Deer Lake State Park (6350 E County Rd, 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, 32459; 850 267 8300) and Point Washington State Forest, south of Freeport on I-98, have excellent hiking paths. For canoeing and kayaking, head to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (7525 W Scenic Hwy 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, 32459; 850 267 8330).
Shopping
Big Mama’s Hula Girl Gallery (3031 E Hwy 30-A, Seagrove Beach, 33308; 850 231 6201) is just one of the funky galleries that abound in South Walton’s villages, with folk art that will delight all ages. Bargain-hunters can head to Silver Sands Premium Outlets (10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy, 32550; 850 654 9771) for popular brands such as Esprit, Gap Kids, and OshKosh B‘gosh.
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Film
The town of Seaside was the set for The Truman Show, a satirical comedy starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, and Laura Linney.
Take Cover
Take a 15-mile (24-km) drive inland to the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center (4956 State Hwy 20, 32439; 850 835 1824; www.eowilsoncenter.org) for nature dioramas, a working beehive, live turtles, snakes, and frogs, as well as films about nature.
Next Stop…
Indian Temple Mound Museum
Located in Fort Walton, the Indian Temple Mound Museum (139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, 32548; 850 833 9595; www.fwb.org/museums) is on the site of a ceremonial and burial earthwork built by early Native Americans of the Mound Builder Culture, who lived between AD 800 and 1400. The museum has objects crafted from stone, bones, shell, and clay from this culture, as well as finds relating to the region’s early explorers, and the later settlers.
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Air Force Armament Museum
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Letting Off Steam
Head 5 miles (8 km) south to Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton’s beach community. This long strand stretching out to the neighboring town of Destin is accessed by bridges at each end. There is plenty of space on the beach for running around, and quiet picnic areas. The less crowded beaches are closer to Destin. Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park (www.gulfarium.com), a small aquarium, and the diminutive but fun Emerald Coast Science Center (www.ecscience.org) nearby.
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Gulf World Marine Park
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Letting Off Steam
Drive 9 miles (14 km) to St. Andrews State Park (4607 State Park Lane, 32408; 850 233 5140; www.floridastateparks.org/standrews), on a barrier island off of busy Panama City Beach. The park’s beach is relatively quiet, and offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, as well as two nature trails. Take the shuttle (850 233 0504) to Shell Island for a spot of beachcombing and a rock jetty that creates a shallow area in the water perfect for young kids.
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ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Conservatory
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Letting Off Steam
Go 14 miles (22 km) northwest to Camp Helen State Park (www.floridastateparks.org/camphelen), which is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on three sides, and by Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. A private company resort from 1945 until 1984, the huge park offers lots of space for picnicking, as well as swimming, beachcombing, fishing, and hiking.
< More Things to Do: The Panhandle
Pensacola
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Letting Off Steam
The US 98, leading south to Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa I
sland, passes through the community of Gulf Breeze, and the glorious Gulf Islands National Seashore. Go to the Naval Live Oaks area (www.nps.gov), on the US 98 east of Gulf Breeze, for miles of picturesque nature trails and swimming in Santa Rosa Sound. There is also a campground with a covered picnic pavilion, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Maps are available at the park’s Visitor Center (1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, 32561; 850 934 2600).
Shopping
The Quayside Art Gallery (17 E Zarragossa St, 32502; www.quaysidegallery.com) is southeastern Florida’s largest cooperative artists’ gallery. Go to the Blue Moon Antique Mall (3721 W Navy Blvd, 32507; 850 455 7377) for old postcards, toys, jewelry, vintage pottery, and glassware.
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Digital
Learn about Pensacola’s history at www.visitpensacola.com/articles/pensacola-history. Visit uwf.edu/anthropology/research/colonial/trail to find out about the discoveries along the Colonial Archaeological Trail.
Next Stop…
Fort Pickens
World War II gun emplacements are some of the military artifacts that come to life at Fort Pickens (www.nps.gov), 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Pensacola. Completed in 1834, it was the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay. National Park Service Rangers lead tours at 2pm daily.
< More Things to Do: The Panhandle
National Naval Aviation Museum
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Letting Off Steam
If kids need a break, head 8 miles (13 km) west to the Perdido Kids Park (3453 Nighthawk Lane, 32506) on Perdido Key. An imaginative multilevel wooden play area, it includes climbing areas such as mock forts, a lighthouse, a pirate ship, and Blue Angels planes. There is also a special toddler area, designed for children aged 2 to 5.
Shopping
Everyone will enjoy the Museum Shop, which is well stocked with caps and T-shirts for all ages, kids’ clothing from infant bodysuits to aviator jackets, Blue Angels souvenirs, DVDs, flags, posters, and toys. The cute aviator bears wearing goggles, helmet, and scarf are irresistible.
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Digital
Learn about the exciting Blue Angels flight team and see a demo flight on www.blueangels.navy.mil. The museum website, www.navalaviationmuseum.org, has an electronic scrapbook with photos of important events in aviation history.
Next Stop…
Fort Barrancas
Located near the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas (3182 Taylor Rd, 32508; 850 455 5167; www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-barrancas-area.htm) is a two-part fort worth exploring. Its strategic location on a bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay inspired three nations – Britain, Spain, and the US – to build forts here. The Visitor Center screens an informative film. The Spanish Water Battery is a gentle 500-ft (152-m) walk, while the overlook near the fort’s entrance offers beautiful views of Pensacola Bay.
< More Things to Do: The Panhandle
Tallahassee
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Letting Off Steam
Tallahassee has excellent parks with wooded areas and lakes. Tom Brown Park (1125 Easterwood Dr, 32312) has tennis courts and nature trails. The Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park (4000 N Meridian Rd, 32308) offers 10 miles (16 km) of trails, including Bluebird and Butterfly trails.
Take Cover
Visit the Challenger Learning Center (200 S Duval St, 32301; 850 645 7827; www.challengertlh.com), which features shows such as Hubble Space Telescope at its IMAX® Theater.
Shopping
Head for Market Square (1415 Timberlane Rd, 32312; 850 906 2453), where kids will like the toys and the soda fountain treats at Lofty Pursuits. Governor’s Square Mall (1500 Apalachee Pkwy, 32301; 850 877 8106) has stores such as Justice, for tweens, and Lids, a world of sports team caps.
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Digital
Learn about Florida’s ancient Native American settlements and ceremonial mounds at lostworlds.org/ancient_civilizations_florida.
Next Stop…
Mounds of history
Head 6 miles (10 km) north to Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park to learn about Native American history. The site of an important ceremonial center, it has two remaining large mounds and one smaller mound. Visitors can hike the nature trails and picnic near the two large mounds. 22 miles (35 km) east is the Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, which has one of the largest surviving mounds in Florida. The mound is a truncated pyramid and rises over 42 ft (13 m). Visit www.floridastateparks.org for more details.
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Mission San Luis
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Letting Off Steam
While the paths of the vast grounds provide plenty of scope for exercise, any excess energy can be expended on a nature trail in the wooded area behind the Spanish home. Pick up a brochure in the Visitor Center to identify some of the dozens of butterfly species that can be spotted here.
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Tallahassee Museum
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Letting Off Steam
The zoo’s paths, and the many acres of grounds, provide plenty of opportunities for walking. If any energy is left, take advantage of the museum’s wooded nature trail.
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Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
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Take Cover
A short drive south is Books-a-Million (3521 Thomasville Road, 32308; 850 893 3131; www.booksamillion.com), a bookstore well stocked with choices to please all ages, from tots to teens, as well as a range of genres for adults. Be prepared to be wheedled into a purchase.
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Wakulla Springs State Park
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Take Cover
If it rains, head for the Wakulla Springs Lodge and enjoy a treat at the Soda Fountain.
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San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
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Letting Off Steam
Only the Everglades can boast more species of birds than the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (fws.gov/saintmarks), located 5 miles (3 km) southwest of the state park. The refuge has forests, swamps, marshes, and a salt water estuary, which explains the huge variety of birds. It also has Florida’s second-oldest lighthouse, built around 1830. The Visitor Center has road and trail maps, including part of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
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Apalachicola
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Letting Off Steam
Located about 15 miles (24 km) east of Apalachicola on a barrier island, St. George Island State Park (floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland) boasts 9 miles (14 km) of pristine, dune-backed beach, with pavilions for picnics, as well as a lighthouse. The 2½-mile (4-km) trail to Gap Point meanders through a pine forest to Apalachicola Bay. The 1-mile (2-km) East Slough Trail offers boardwalks and resting benches.
< More Things to Do: The Gulf Coast
Busch Gardens, Tampa
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Letting Off Steam
With climbing nets, bridges, crawl tubes, and a multilevel maze, Treetop Trails (on site), a three-story play area in the Jungala area, gives kids plenty of exercise. If any energy remains, head for Adventure Island (www.adventureisland.com), a tropical-themed water park just across the street. This features Riptide, a 55-ft (17-m) slide, Wahoo Run, a river raft ride, and twisting spirals on the Aruba Tuba run.