The Best of Florida Family Holidays

Florida always makes the top 10 lists of most desired family holiday destinations thanks to those powder-white beaches, year-round sunshine and expansive theme parks. Florida is the fourth largest US state and there is no shortage of other activities to keep you busy. Here are some tips on where to base yourself to get the most out of your Florida family holidays…

Accommodation in Florida

Cheap holidays to Florida 2013 aren’t hard to find and one of the reasons is the diversity and wealth of accommodation on offer. Florida is geared towards family holidays and this is reflected in the low accommodation prices.

Family rooms in hotels such as those found on Orlando International drive and the always-popular city of Kissimmee provide exceptional value for money. All-inclusive family holidays to Florida will be the best money saving option and remember to ask about free child places for additional savings.

The Theme Park Capital

Florida is much more than just theme parks but this activity is one of the main reasons why Florida is so popular with families. With this, Orlando is an ideal base if your intend to visit the major theme parks such as the world’s largest Legoland park, Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios Florida. 

Orlando is also home to the 84,000 acres of thrill rides and water parks that make up Aquatica Orlando. In addition, the city has something for all ages and tastes, from world-class golfing to shopping to chilling out by Lake Eola.

Florida National Parks

A major bonus of a holiday to Florida is that it’s quite easy to combine visits to theme parks, beaches and state parks during your stay. The beautiful Wekiwa Springs State Park can be reached by taking a 20 minute drive north from Orlando. This park offers 13 miles of trails as well as kayaking and canoeing along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run.

If you’re looking to base yourself near the famous Everglades for some mangrove adventures, the Fort Lauderdale area is a good bet, or you can try the camping grounds of Everglades City and Marco Island on the Gulf Coast.

Life’s a Beach

At 1,350 miles, Florida has one of the longest coastlines in the US, second only to Alaska. Some of the best beaches in Florida include the three miles long, Clearwater Beach close to Tampa and the stunning Delray Beach in Palm Beach County, which attracts one million visitors per year.

If you’re after something a little more unspoiled, try Canaveral National Seashore. A car-free stretch of sand also free of tourist shops and motels, it’s a slice of natural Florida perfect for quiet family excursions by the sea and a good place to spot sea turtles.

Image by Steve Winton, used under Creative Comms license