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HALL OF FAME: FAMILY OUTINGS
BEST OF THE BEST ATTRACTIONS BUTTERFLY WORLD Coconut Creek, 954-977-4400 www.butterflyworld.com Visitors feel as if they've entered a secret, magical garden as they walk down flower-lined paths with butterflies freely flying around them. Flowers, trees, caves, a waterfall and many colorful butterflies are all part of this largest single butterfly habitat in the world. Eighty species from around the globe reside in the gardens, along with hummingbirds, lorikeets and other birds. Kids are particularly captivated by the bug museum that features some pretty fascinating creatures, as well. Butterfly garden workshops and educational programs are offered. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. FLAMINGO GARDENS Davie, 954-473-2955 www.flamingogardens.org If you've ever wanted to escape the concrete jungles of South Florida, this is the place to go. A massive canopy of lush vegetation through acres of gardens and ecosystems offers relief from both the heat and the doldrums. The gardens are an Everglades wildlife sanctuary, providing ample opportunities to see wildlife. There's a free-flight aviary, birds-of-prey center, wildlife presentation and an alligator lagoon. Take a narrated tram ride through the tropical rain forest, native hammock, wetland areas and groves. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. LION COUNTRY SAFARI West Palm Beach, 561-793-1084 www.lioncountrysafari.com Come in close contact with lions, white rhino, African elephants, chimpanzees, zebras and giraffes all from the safety of your car -- probably the closest many will come to an African safari. An audio guide to the animals on the preserve is given to visitors as they enter and collected as they leave. The walk-through exhibit area allows guests to hand-feed giraffes and enjoy a petting zoo, aviaries, and bird, reptile, alligator and squirrel monkey exhibits. Ride the 55-foot Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, take a boat ride, play miniature golf, and cool down at Safari Splash, an interactive water "spray" ground. Staff says rainy days are a great time to visit because the animals are usually more active. Visit web site for hours, admission prices and discount coupons. METROZOO Miami; 305-251-0400 www.miamimetrozoo.com Visit animals from throughout the world in an open-air setting, hand-feed giraffes, and laugh and learn at wildlife shows. Enjoy playground fun, and keep cool with water-play areas, fans and misters throughout the park. If hoofing it around the zoo doesn't appeal, rent a family safari cycle, ride the monorail, or take a narrated tram tour. There's always something new being added to the zoo, so repeat visits are worth it to take in the latest features and attractions. The zoo offers spring and summer camps, overnights, behind-the-scenes adventures and toddler programs. Go online for admission and hours, a great interactive map and to purchase and print tickets in advance (you'll even save a little this way). MIAMI SEAQUARIUM Biscayne Bay, 305-361-5705 www.miamiseaquarium.com Exciting shows, great exhibits and enjoyable, educational presentations still reign in this beautifully landscaped park and venerable Florida attraction, once the setting for the TV show Flipper of the 1960s. Watch the antics of Salty the Sea Lion, get splashed by Lolita the Killer Whale, and witness the grace and intelligence of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in shows that include jumps, spins, tailwalks and flips, and audience participation. For the ultimate hands-on experience, take a swim with the dolphins in an exciting and educational two-hour program. The seaquarium offers spring, summer and days-off-from-school camps, and a new Mommy & Me program. Go online for admission, hours and to print tickets in advance. PALM BEACH ZOO AT DREHER PARK West Palm Beach, 561-547-9453 www.palmbeachzoo.org Home to more than 1,100 animals on 23 acres of lush, tropical landscape, this zoo has even been featured on Animal Planet's The Ultimate Zoo series. The zoo was also chosen to receive two rare Malayan tigers born in captivity. Panthers, black bears, river otters, eagles and alligators are waiting around every corner in the compact and up-close zoo. Get lost in an Asian rainforest, and explore ancient Mayan civilization. There are lots of programs and special events for kids, plus the children's wildlife carousel, and equally fun Interactive Play Fountain. Bring swimsuits. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. JUNGLE ISLAND Watson Island, 305-400-7000 www.jungleisland.com Spend a day feeding birds, fish and flamingos at this exotic animal park on 18.3 acres, just east of downtown Miami, formerly known as Parrot Jungle Island. Covered walkways throughout will keep you protected, rain or shine. Discover some of the world's most amazing birds in the Winged Wonders show, brave reptiles and snakes in the Reptile Giants show, and see unique, exotic, un-caged creatures in Wild Encounters. Don't forget a bathing suit for the three-story-tall Hippo Slide that's sure to cool you down and maybe make your stomach flip with its 40-degree drop. Visit the web site for admission prices, hours and to print tickets in advance. BEST OF THE BEST PLACES TO SKATE BRIAN PICCOLO SKATE PARK Cooper City, 954-437-2626 www.broward.org/parks/skate.htm Inline skaters and skateboarders know that if you really want to skate, this is the place to go. The park appeals to a wide range of ages and skill levels from beginners to experts. Mini-ramps, a small street course and a large street course with launch boxes and launch ramps, grinding boxes, half-pipes, quarter-pipes, bowls and more, plus a spine ramp and vert ramp, make this the largest and most diverse course anywhere in the region. Helmets are required; pads highly recommended. Lessons are available for inline speed skating. Skaters must be age 6 or older. Beginners should come to first session on weekend mornings when the park is less busy. BMX bikes are allowed but have separate sessions. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. BEST OF THE BEST MUSEUMS SCHOOLHOUSE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM 129 E Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach 561-742-6780 www.schoolhousemuseum.org The Schoolhouse Children's Museum seamlessly merges learning with fun through interactive exhibits. Children can put history into context by dressing up in pioneer clothing, milking a life-sized cow or seeing how a general store and post office operated 100 years ago. The most popular play area is a pepper patch where the kids work together to pick peppers, pedal a tractor and operate the conveyor belt. Another favorite is the Orange Blossom Express, where they can ring the bell, shovel coal into the steam engine or read about trains while traveling in the passenger library. While they play, you can read the wall plaques to them, explaining interesting historical facts related to the play theme. Not only will your children learn about history, but the building itself is historical and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The museum also offers classes and tours, so be sure to call ahead or check the Web site for the latest offerings. CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF BOCA RATON Boca Raton, 561-368-6875 www.cmboca.org The exhibits at this historic destination (the oldest building in the city) offer hands-on exploration of history, the sciences, culture, art and humanities -- all with the emphasis on fun for little ones. Kids can create their own artwork with large magnetic pieces on wall-size metal boards, make their own postcards and even mail them, shop at an old-fashioned grocery store, learn the workings of a bank with teller windows and a vault from which they can retrieve a prize, play musical instruments, dress up, explore books and crafts from throughout the world, go on a fossil dig, explore space and more. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. MIAMI MUSEUM OF SCIENCE Miami, 305-646-4200 www.miamisci.org The Museum of Science can inspire people of all ages, cultures and walks of life to appreciate the relevance of science in our lives and the universe. Special traveling exhibits, as well as permanent ones such as the gravity playground, help kids learn the scientific aspects of the world around them through hands-on interaction. This is the only science museum in South Florida to create, design and produce its own traveling exhibitions. The Wildlife Outreach Wonders program uses live animals to teach students about Florida's unique, fragile environment. Not to be overlooked is the planetarium, where young children enjoy learning about astronomy and the wonders of the night sky. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY AND SCIENCE Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-6637 www.mods.org With the words "science" and "discovery" in its name and exciting permanent and traveling exhibits, little and big kids always find something new at this Kids Crown favorite. Hang out with bats and turtles. Explore the Everglades. Meet alligators, get charmed by a 12-foot snake, pet a big green iguana, and fly like an astronaut. Explore outer space, operate a replica of the Mars Pathfinder, and calculate how much you would weigh on other planets. Then immerse yourself in a five-story, giant-screen adventure at the Blockbuster IMAX Theater. Be sure to pick up a couple of items from the gift shop so you'll have unique birthday gifts on hand for the next party your child attends. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE MUSEUM West Palm Beach, 561-832-1988 www.sfsm.org Its mission: "To excite curiosity and further the understanding and appreciation of science and technology." Your mission: bring the kids and have fun at both traveling and permanent exhibits, including Ancient Egypt, where an authentic mummy and artifacts show the unique ways Egyptians celebrated life, as well as space-shuttle artifacts and meteorites. There are dozens of aquariums ranging from 10 up to 900 gallons, displaying animals from throughout the world and include a living coral reef, sharks, eels, mangrove sea life and a "touch tank." Live images can even be viewed online. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. YOUNG AT ART CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Davie, 954-424-0085 www.youngatartmuseum.org You'll be hard-pressed to find a better place for creative learning experiences than here. This unique, hands-on children's museum sparks artistic flare and encourages kids to laugh, play, touch, create and learn, too. The exhibits are interactive areas where kids learn about different cultures, history, the environment and more. Kids can make passports, write stories, create music and art, go on an archaeological dig, create origami, learn about recycling and more. Art camps, studio art classes, toddler programs, drop-in workshops and traveling exhibits round out the offerings here. Also, the Young at Art Museum has a great gift shop for that birthday kid who has it all. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. BEST OF THE BEST LIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN MIAMI CHILDREN'S THEATER Kendal and Coral Gables, 305-233-2206 www.miamichildrenstheater.com The Miami Children's Theater is a professional theater training program for children between the ages of 4 and 19. Its mission, according to founder and director Angela Ardolino, is to "change children's lives through the arts." The Miami Children's Theater has been extremely successful at this for the past 12 years, offering classes in acting, dancing, music, improvisation, singing and stagecraft. Classes are designed to develop imagination, self-confidence, discipline, concentration and character. The theater offers summer camps, as well as year-round programs at both the Coral Gables Youth Center Theater and the Russell Theater at Alper JCC. Students get the opportunity to work with professional directors, choreographers and voice coaches, all of whom are particularly skilled at working with young artists. Students then have the chance to apply their skills in professional stage productions, which include plays as well as musicals. Visit the Web site to find out more about class schedules and to purchase tickets for any of their upcoming productions. ACTORS' PLAYHOUSE THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES Coral Gables, 305-444-9293 www.actorsplayhouse.org All the world is indeed a stage for the professional adult performers who present fully staged musicals in this historic theater. Classic stories and new musical works are brought to life through the Theatre for Young Audiences, offering a cultural and entertaining experience for the whole family. Through partnerships with Miami-Dade Public Schools, Actors' Playhouse also provides educational resources for teachers and activities for children and their families. Summer camp programs and a Theater Conservatory are also offered. BROWARD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Fort Lauderdale, 954-462-0222 www.browardcenter.org Large-scale, Broadway-style touring shows featuring the likes of Elmo, Clifford and Dora and professional theater for young children in the smaller Amaturo Theater, make every family presentation here an engaging experience for adults and children to enjoy together. To help families and teachers make the most of the theater experience, study guides to most children's productions are available at the center's web site. Through its Student Enrichment in the Arts program, the center has made the performing arts an important part of a complete education for more than a million students. Visit web site for show schedules and prices. FORT LAUDERDALE CHILDREN'S THEATER Fort Lauderdale, 954-763-6882 www.flct.org Through the years, FLCT has evolved from a place for children to develop acting skills to an organization using theater as an educational tool. FLCT offers ongoing classes in drama and music theater at the Rehearsal Hall in downtown Fort Lauderdale and Young at Art Children's Museum in Davie. FLCT produces five full-scale productions each year, in addition to a touring creative dramatics troupe, the Imagination Squad, which travels to community centers, schools, festivals, birthday parties and special events. All productions are performed by young people with actors, technicians and backstage crew members ranging in age from 6 to 18, taught by professional staff. Visit web site for information on shows, classes and prices. RAYMOND F. KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS West Palm Beach 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471 www.kravis.org The Family Fare program is a perfect way for the entire family to enjoy the theater experience together. Affordable prices and convenient show times for comedy, dance and music shows make this a great way to introduce youngsters to the magic of live theater. Many students experience the magic of the performing arts for the first time through the center's Students and Teachers Arts Resource Series. Arts-education programming is taken to venues within the community, augmenting classroom studies for students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live theater. Visit web site for show schedule and prices. BEST OF THE BEST FESTIVALS COCONUT GROVE ART FESTIVAL In the streets of Coconut Grove 305-447-0401 www.coconutgroveartsfest.com Event dates: Feb. 16-18, 2008 This three-day cultural event attracts more than 150,000 people annually to view the works of more than 330 of the world's finest artists and craftsmen. Visitors have the opportunity to meet with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment and take a walk through history. Hands-on activities for kids include an area where they can create their own works of art. The festival is just south of downtown Miami, next to Biscayne Bay. It runs along the streets of McFarlane Road, and South Bayshore and Pan American drives. Free admission. LOVE JEN FAMILY FESTIVAL Nova Southeastern University campus Davie, 954-262-6900 www.nova.edu/msi/newsevents/lovejen.html More than just a fun family outing, Love Jen supports programs and services that help families cope with cancer. Established in memory and celebration of the life of Jennifer Masi, who died of cancer at age 14, event proceeds have benefited cancer victims and their families since 1991. Far from solemn, the festival grows more fun every year with interactive games, crafts, rides, stage shows and exhibits. Free admission, but many rides and attractions cost extra. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR AND EXPOSITION Coral Way and 112th Ave., Southwest Miami 305-223-7060, www.fairexpo.com Event dates: March 13-30, 2008 Known simply as "The Fair," this longtime South Florida favorite is one of the largest fairs in the nation, attracting about 800,000 visitors each year. The 18-day event offers dozens of rides, games, carnival food booths and shows. And it features almost 50,000 student and adult exhibits. New rides and shows that appeal to the younger and not-so-young are always being added, so the fair isn't ever the same year to year. Plenty of free parking is always available. Visit the web site for days, hours, admission prices and to get advance tickets. SOUTH FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach 954-771-7117, www.ren-fest.com Event dates: February-March, weekends Walk among kings, queens minstrels, magicians, knights and wenches. Cheer on your favorite at the joust, enjoy a human chess match, and test your skills at archery. Sideshows are plentiful, but some are inappropriate for kids. Be sure to pick up and read the program so you know which shows are appropriate for your family. The interactive Kids Kingdom includes rides, games, crafts and shows the likes of which you don't normally see in this day and age. Plenty of visitors come in costume, so here's your child's -- and your -- big chance to dress up and be king or queen for a day. Visit the web site for days, hours, admission prices and to get advance tickets. SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR West Palm Beach, 561-793-0333 www.southfloridafair.com Event dates: Jan. 18-Feb. 3, 2008 The oldest and largest outdoor event in Palm Beach County, this fair goes on for 17 fun-filled days and is the perfect way to spend time with the family. Highlights include agricultural and livestock exhibits, kiddie and thrill rides on the midway, top-name concerts and entertainment, community competitions and more. Visit the web site for days, hours, admission prices and to get advance tickets. SUN FEST West Palm Beach, 561-659-5992 www.sunfest.org Event dates: May 1-4, 2008 More than 275,000 visitors attend this waterfront festival each year, known for its renowned musical performers and art. National, local and regional bands appear on four different stages, performing jazz, rock, reggae, R&B and gospel music. Parents may be tempted to enjoy this one on their own, but the KidsFest is a great gathering spot for families, a mini-SunFest with kid-size fun, activities and entertainment. Visit web site for days, hours, admission prices and to get advance tickets. BEST OF THE BEST NATURE CENTERS ANNE KOLB NATURE CENTER West Lake Park, Hollywood 954-926-2480 www.broward.org/parks Explore this nature center up close and personal on a walking trail through mangroves and beach hammock, climb the observation tower to see the lake and ospreys in flight, and take a guided exhibit hall tour, where you can investigate the fascinating mangrove ecosystem. Then hop aboard a 25-passenger covered boat for a narrated tour of the tidal creeks and open waters of West Lake. A 35,000-gallon aquarium and Nature Tots programs educate and fascinate little ones. Everyone benefits from the sea turtle awareness programs and hatchling releases. FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN Coral Gables, 305-667-1651 www.fairchildgarden.org This botanical garden with its extensive collections of rare tropical plants, including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines, is a popular tourist attraction but also very popular with kids. The 83-acre garden offers a unique environment in which to spend a day exploring and discovering with your child -- unusual tree trunks, enormous leaves, singing birds, butterflies, iguanas and even a rainforest. Fairchild plays an important part in preserving the biodiversity of the tropical environment and offers a variety of programs in environmental education, conservation and horticulture, including Let's Explore at Fairchild, a monthly children's program, free with admission. GUMBO LIMBO NATURE CENTER Red Reef Park in Boca Raton 561-338-1473 www.gumbolimbo.org Family-oriented programs that make learning about nature fun is what makes this place so popular. Inside, visitors can explore several exhibits and displays, aquariums and some live animals. Outdoor, view the world from a 40-foot observation tower, and take a stroll on an elevated boardwalk through the hammock and mangroves. Rare and endangered species such as the manatee, the brown pelican, the osprey and sea turtles can often be observed on or from the facility. MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS BISCAYNE NATURE CENTER Crandon Park, Key Biscayne 305-361-6767 www.biscaynenaturecenter.org On the north end of Crandon Park, this multifunctional center includes a reception area, exhibit space, gift shop, an audio-visual presentation room, demonstration lab and classroom facilities. Kids can even have birthday parties here. They are thrilled by the Seagrass Adventures where they drag a net in shallow water and "catch" all sort of critters, including sea horses and tile fish. Beach Babies is an educational program for 3- to 5-year-olds, with learning games, drawing, live animals and hammock hikes. Monthly beach cleanups and eco-restoration programs are also offered. Sunscreen and shoes that can get wet are essential when visiting here. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. OKEEHEELEE NATURE CENTER www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/nature/okeeheelee_nature_center Nature calls at this park with 2.5 miles of trails winding through 90 acres hands-on exhibits, animal encounters and a nature-related gift shop. Numerous programs for children and adults include touching a live snake, prowling for owls and discovering birds of prey. Check out marine life and feathered friends in the observation room, and take an imaginary dive trip to learn about coral reefs, whales, stingrays and more. A variety of special programs for varying ages are offered regularly, from deer walks and sunset safaris to making a terrarium and touch-tank demos. Reservations are often required. The Nature Camp provides interaction with numerous animals and lots of fun. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. BEST OF THE BEST PLACES TO SWIM AND SPLASH COCONUT COVE WATERPARK 11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton 561-274-1140 www.pbcgov.com/parks/aquatics/waterparks One of the best parts of this waterpark is the 986-foot inner tube float ride, which allows you to enjoy the sunshine and water at a leisurely pace. "We have a superb staff, and we do our best to make guests feel welcome and safe," said manager Andrea Walsh. The attractions are well-maintained, so they're up and running when you get there. In addition to the float ride, the park features two 220-foot water slides, a children's water playground, lockers, showers and a full-service concession stand. With more than 20 lifeguards on duty at all times, this park confirms its commitment to safety. CASTAWAY ISLAND AT T-Y PARK Hollywood, 954-985-1980 www.broward.org/parks/waterfun Water, water everywhere at this playground that actually features two places to get wet. The shallow, 3,000-square-foot lagoon is geared for the younger set and features a waterslide that looks like the top of an old galleon. The 9,000-square-foot interactive pool has six slides, a jungle gym, water guns and water tipping coconuts. There's even a double slide that two people can ride at the same time for a race to the finish. Funbrellas can be rented to keep guests cool and out of the sun. Sessions are one hour, 50 minutes and can be repeated. Visit web site for hours of operation and admission prices. RAPIDS WATER PARK West Palm Beach, 954-985-1980 www.rapidswaterpark.com There's something for everyone from the thrill seeker to the laidback and lazy at this 22-acre water wonderland, the only large-scale water park in Southeast Florida. Splash in the cool blue waves of the wave pool, or just float around the lazy river. Ride down any of 19 waterslides, including Big Thunder, the largest water ride in Florida, which sends a four-person tube down a giant funnel, accelerating to more than 20 mph. Perfect for little ones and the whole family is Splish Splash Lagoon, with three new slides, a fort, water-shooting cannons, floating swamp animals, a shipwreck and more. Visit web site for hours of operation and admission prices. SPLASH ADVENTURE AT QUIET WATERS PARK Deerfield Beach, 954-360-1315 www.broward.org/parks/waterfun Looking like a big playground sitting in a shallow pool, this interactive water playground is a treasure for younger children who have to wait until they're bigger to enjoy many other water-park destinations. The depth of the pool ranges from zero at its edges to 18 inches at its deepest. Little tykes can crawl through tunnels, glide down five small slides, shoot spray guns and turn wheels and levers to make water rush through pipes and shoot into the air. This water park is perfect for 2- to 6-year-olds. Visit web site for hours of operation and admission prices. VENETIAN POOL Coral Gables, 305-460-5306 www.venetianpool.com A visit here could make you feel like you've left the country with its Mediterranean-style architecture, including wrought-iron entry gates, balconies, arching bridges made of stone and brick, fountains and cascading waterfalls. This historic landmark features an 850,000-gallon, spring-fed lagoon with coral caves and a palm-fringed island. Water temperatures average a refreshing 76 to 78 degrees. Children age 3 and younger are not admitted. Put it on the list to do when the kids are in elementary school. You won't be disappointed. Visit web site for hours and admission prices. BEST OF THE BEST INDOOR FUN BOOMERS! Boca Raton, 561-347-1888 www.boomersparks.com A state-of-the-art game room with all of the most popular video games, laser tag and a kiddie play area create a complete package of fun for a rainy day. But one of the best things about Boomers! is that the fun isn't only indoors. Bumper boats with water cannons, go-karts, a mini-golf course and a rock-climbing wall are outside. Bring your child's last report card to receive free tokens for every A and B. Another Boomers! in Dania Beach (954-921-1411) offers similar state-of-the-art indoor fun, plus mini-golf, go-karts and the Dania Beach Hurricane, the only roller coaster in South Florida. A family ride park is new at the Dania Boomers! with teacups, a carousel, wave rider and more. CHUCK E. CHEESE'S Multiple locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties www.chuckecheese.com There's no doubt about it; kids love it here. And why not, with their favorite stuff ���¢ pizza, videogames, skee ball, ballpits for toddlers and arcade-style games such as whack-a-mole all under one roof. Children can win tickets to take to the redemption booth for prizes. Chuck E. Cheese and his animatronic musical friends perform songs while children sing along. Sandwiches and salads are available, too, but most opt for the pizza, which ranges from traditional to specialty pies. DANDY BEAR Kendall, 305-386-5500 www.dandybear.com Step out of the heat and into the fun in this colorful and cheerful restaurant and play center. Animated singing characters, costumed characters, a large indoor playground and a redemption arcade, plus favorite foods (pizza, wings and even a salad bar) make this a fun place to eat and play. Birthday parties are a hit here, too. PLAYMOBIL FUN PARK Palm Beach Gardens, 561-691-9880 www.playmobilusa.com This 2,000-square-foot room is filled with Playmobil products just waiting to engage your child in imaginary play. The space is divided into themed areas with toys geared to toddlers, an area with trucks, planes and construction equipment, and another that resembles Noah's Ark. Boys gravitate toward the castle with a throne and a jail, while girls love the doll houses just outside the castle walls. In the center is an oasis of tables and chairs where snacks can be enjoyed and parents can chat. Be forewarned: You must pass through the Playmobil shop on your way out. BEST OF THE BEST PARKS C.B. SMITH PARK Pembroke Pines, 954-457-2650 www.broward.org/parks Home to the popular Chili Cookoff, there's outdoor fun for everyone at this diverse, 320-acre park. Some possibilities: Family camping with the comforts of hot showers; 24-hour security, grills and picnic tables; variable-speed batting cages for softball and baseball; covered driving range with lights and a short game area for golfers; fishing from the shore, the pier or a rented boat; and tennis, basketball, racquetball, biking, skating and several playgrounds. Not to be overlooked is the cool aquatics complex Paradise Cove, with two large water playgrounds -- one for toddlers and the other for older kids -- a rushing water-tube ride and two 350-foot slides. The water park does have a separate entrance fee. Visit web site for details. CRANDON PARK Key Biscayne, 305-361-5421 www.miamidade.gov/parks/parks/Crandon_beach.asp With the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Biscayne Bay to the west, Crandon offers a day at the park and a day at the beach all in one. Explore dunes, mangroves, and coastal hammock and sea-grass beds, and observe herons, ospreys and brilliantly colored butterflies. The Bear Cut Preserve is a designated natural Environment Study Area, and naturalists offer guided tours on trams. The 2-mile sandy, lagoon-style beach is consistently named among the top 10 in the nation and has plenty of picnic areas, grills and parking, as well as cabana rentals. Biking, kayaking and an amusement center with a splash fountain and historic carousel add to the fun. Crandon also offers a first class marina, championship 18-hole golf course and 27-court tennis center. OKEEHEELEE PARK West Palm Beach, 561- 966-6600 www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/locations/okeeheelee.htm Not content to win for its nature center, this park is also a Kids Crown favorite in the parks category. With more than 1,700 acres, this park has a lot to offer. For the active and adventurous, there's a BMX track and water-skiing, in addition to canoeing, kayaking, tennis and exercise courts. Go fishing from the pier, rent bicycles, play volleyball, or just relax while watching the kids enjoy the playgrounds. On this park's grounds, you'll also find an equestrian center, the popular nature center, and Pooch Pines, a dog park where your dog can run and play in a fenced in area designed especially for off-leash recreation. SUGAR SAND PARK Boca Raton, 561-347-3906 www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/parks/sugarsand.cfm This 132-acre park caters to every age and pretty much every interest with recreation facilities, including a community center with a theater and science center, baseball and softball fields, an inline hockey rink and a three-level playground featuring interactive components that demonstrate various principles of science. The Children's Science Explorium offers hands-on, interactive exhibits designed for ages 6 to 12. The 150-seat Willow Theatre presents a variety of shows, plays and entertainment. Many classes and special events are also offered. TRADEWINDS PARK Coconut Creek, 954-968-3880 www.broward.org/parks/tw.htm There's more to this 699-acre park than Butterfly World and the annual holiday tradition, the Holiday Fantasy of Lights, though that's certainly enough to put it on the map. Educational farm tours, complete with a cow, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens, help visitors learn about native farm animals. Guided horseback riding is available on weekends, and the steam-train rides on train cars are a popular monthly outing for many families. Jogging and bike paths, fishing, two raised boardwalk nature trails, athletic fields, two playgrounds and canoe, kayak, paddle boat rentals round out this park's amenities. TROPICAL PARK Miami, 305-226-8316 www.miamidade.gov/parks/parks/tropical.asp Visitors can enjoy bicycling, walking or running on the miles of paved pathways, or shape up on the fitness trails or at one of the park's two boxing centers where lessons are available for those age 10 and older. The Equestrian Center hosts more than 40 horse shows annually while the park's fishing lake is stocked by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission and also hosts several annual fishing tournaments ever year. Boating, tennis, racquetball, basketball, soccer and and plenty of tot lots make it no wonder that this park attracts about 1 million visitors annually. BEST OF THE BEST VACATIONS WALT DISNEY WORLD www.Disneyworld.Disney.go.com/wdw/index How do we love Disney? We can't possibly count the ways. For starters, this magical world is only a car ride away for South Floridians -- and even with high gas prices, that's much less expensive than airfare. Plan your trip to coincide with Florida residents discount offerings and save even more. There's a variety of hotels and packages from affordable to luxurious over-the-top accommodations that make Disney doable and desirable for everyone. But what we really love about Walt Disney World (besides Mickey, Minnie, It's A Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean), is the magic in the air and the wonder and excitement in the eyes of our children. No matter what category is on the Kids Crown ballot for vacations, our readers always vote in overwhelming numbers for "Disney." A Hall of Fame winner indeed. Return to Kids Crown Home |
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