we are thinking about a trip to Florida next spring break (2013). I'm wondering what are some good places to go other than the obvious, WDW. We will definitely check out Disney but will probably spend a week there and a week elsewhere. Any suggestions for kid friendly but not too expensive places would be super helpful.
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DSJ
Thrifty Member
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 10:28a
Disney cruise? 9-)
ultramailbag
New Member
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 10:42a
It really depends on their age. Some other things (some more expensive than others) Universal , Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach, Salvador Dali museum in St. Pete, Ringling Brothers museum, Deep Sea fishing trip, Discovery Cove, Wet n Wild, Canoeing at Wiki Watchi,
jaimelobo
Senior Member - 4K
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 12:24p
If the kids are adolescent boys, definitely take them to South Beach - you be considered the greatest parents on the planet!
DSJ
Thrifty Member
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 12:50p
jaimelobo said: If the kids are adolescent boys, definitely take them to South Beach - you be considered the greatest parents on the planet!
SoBe with the 'rents and no cash?
Like taking a diabetic to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory...
Fatbargain
Shopaholic Member
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 4:31p
If they like nature ... a swim with the Manatees in Crystal River is something they will always remember. I think it's about $40. but usually a Groupon discount somewhere. Renting a tube and meandering down the spring run at Ichetucknee Springs State Park will set you back about $5.00 a person and is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. Renting a houseboat on the Suwannee River for the weekend and visiting all the natural springs along the way and sleeping with alligators just outside your boat is an unforgettable experience but about $400. a night. A visit to Saint Augustine our oldest city is fun for all ages. Lots to see and do and the beaches there are beautiful.
This is all in Northern Florida but you can swim with dolphins and snorkel the coral reefs of our Southern state parks also for a lot less than what you will spend in the tourist traps of Central Florida ... plus you will see the "REAL" Florida.
DSJ
Thrifty Member
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 5:41p
Fatbargain said: plus you will see the "REAL" Florida.
Old florida stuff Weekie wachie - for canoe or kayaking, not the mermaids (awful show) Homosasa springs zoo Seven springs St Augustine - nice fort, good food, lots to see Gaterland lots of ziplines around the state now. Some are $$$$ though
SinglePapa
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Apr. 6, 2012 @ 7:45p
Any deals on ziplines? We're driving between Miami and Orlando next week
daml
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 8:35a
take LOTS of money,,,,i mean LOTS....and carry your gun if you have a carry permit ....a set of earplugs will come in handy,,and hope you are fluent in Spanish...speaking english wont help you much down there,,and watch out for 95 year-old drivers.....
kenyanboy
Broke Member
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 8:58a
daml said: take LOTS of money,,,,i mean LOTS....and carry your gun if you have a carry permit ....a set of earplugs will come in handy,,and hope you are fluent in Spanish...speaking english wont help you much down there,,and watch out for 95 year-old drivers.....
you need to stop watching and quoting from the media (both liberal and conservative). it's nothing like that in tampa bay, except the snowbirds from up north between oct and march, but their money is always welcome. thank you and come again.
aleck
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 8:58a
daml said: take LOTS of money,,,,i mean LOTS....and carry your gun if you have a carry permit ....a set of earplugs will come in handy,,and hope you are fluent in Spanish...speaking english wont help you much down there,,and watch out for 95 year-old drivers.....
Obviously spoken by someone who has not been there for a while and gets his news from blogs.
shank
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 9:35a
Take them down to the Keys. While there are no amusement parks, major tourist attractions, the air and ocean temps should be in the mid 70's, there are all kinds of outdoor activities. 2 weeks can go by very quickly driving from Miami to Key West and back, with hotels, food, and activities to fit all budgets.
my3floridaboys
Blissful member
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 10:05a
Forever Florida Eco Safari, Brevard Zoo has zip lines and is pretty inexpensive, State Parks (Wekiva Springs, Blue Springs), Canaveral National Seashore. Rent kayaks, surf lessons, tubing, fishing, snorkeling. All within 1 1/2 hrs from the mouse's house.
if you're a baseball fan, be sure to take in a spring training game.
also:
FREE or inexpensive TO DO ______________________
Beaches Some beautiful state or National parks (Everglades, Ft DeSoto near St Pete, Ocala National Forest, etc)
Historic St. Augustine (someone recommended Key West, only prob w/Key West is..it's a long ways from anything else and eats a good deal of time in travel)
Tarpon Springs (north of Clearwater) historic Greek fishing community. Excellent Greek food, sponge docks, some cheap boat rides, etc
Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa (only 3 miles from Busch Gardens). Great museum for kids (as opposed to Dali in St Pete which may bore them IMO)
vickh
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 5:28p
best/cheapest way to get one way from orlando to miami (public or car rental...)??
vickh said: best/cheapest way to get one way from orlando to miami (public or car rental...)??
If you're just one person...I'd price out Amtrak or a bus trip one way. Flying is expensive, a one day car rental will likely cost you at least $40-$50 including all taxes and fees when you're done, plus the gas to drive 250 miles. If you're 2 or more people, I'd say a cheap rental is still your best bet. Just make sure they don't charge you a one way drop off fee in Miami, that could be a deal killer.
FattestGuy
Thrifty Member
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 6:52p
Do the crystal river trip. Did this last year with my 10 y/o's and they talked about it for weeks.
vickh
Senior Member - 5K
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 6:57p
MISTERCHEAP said: vickh said: best/cheapest way to get one way from orlando to miami (public or car rental...)??
If you're just one person...I'd price out Amtrak or a bus trip one way. Flying is expensive, a one day car rental will likely cost you at least $40-$50 including all taxes and fees when you're done, plus the gas to drive 250 miles. If you're 2 or more people, I'd say a cheap rental is still your best bet. Just make sure they don't charge you a one way drop off fee in Miami, that could be a deal killer.
thanks MrC. It's 3 people. cheapest bus fare is $35 pp
Any rentals that don't charge drop off fee ?? I thought they all did...
vickh said: MISTERCHEAP said: vickh said: best/cheapest way to get one way from orlando to miami (public or car rental...)??
If you're just one person...I'd price out Amtrak or a bus trip one way. Flying is expensive, a one day car rental will likely cost you at least $40-$50 including all taxes and fees when you're done, plus the gas to drive 250 miles. If you're 2 or more people, I'd say a cheap rental is still your best bet. Just make sure they don't charge you a one way drop off fee in Miami, that could be a deal killer.
thanks MrC. It's 3 people. cheapest bus fare is $35 pp
Any rentals that don't charge drop off fee ?? I thought they all did...
check them out. sometimes if you're dropping off within FL, they don't. I don't know exact details off hand. You'll have to research it...use a site like Orbitz to price it out and compare 5 or 6 companies.
FattestGuy said: Do the crystal river trip. Did this last year with my 10 y/o's and they talked about it for weeks.
was this to see the manatees?
Logan71
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Apr. 7, 2012 @ 8:38p
I drove from TX to FL so my 4yr son could see one of the last shuttle launches. Granted, there are no more, but the Kennedy Space Center day tour was some of the best money I've every spent on a 'entertainment park' of sorts. Rich with history, a couple of rides, but nothing like the hectic go-move-push-step-in-something-gooey experiences of Six Flags, SeaWorld, etc...
Also, we were there for 8 days, and managed to visit the Brevard County zoo - It was a treat as well - One of the nicest I had been to.
hashir
Senior Member
posted: Apr. 8, 2012 @ 2:28a
Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space Center, Legoland, SeaWorld, and Aquatica(across the street from SeaWorld).
lindalee23
Member
posted: Apr. 8, 2012 @ 7:05a
MISTERCHEAP said: FattestGuy said: Do the crystal river trip. Did this last year with my 10 y/o's and they talked about it for weeks.
was this to see the manatees?
Yes, I did this myself and it was one of the best experience of my life.
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