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Florida Jacksonville United States

10 Free Things to do in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville Arboretum
The kids and LB at the Jacksonville Arboretum.

Jacksonville, Florida has started popping up more on the vacation destination radar.  The River City has great weather year-round making it the ideal destination for outdoor family fun.  Our list of Free Things to do in Jacksonville offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities for you to enjoy.  

Free Things to do in Jacksonville, Florida

Enjoying a picnic on American Beach

1. Hit the Beach

It wouldn’t be a proper trip to Florida without a visit to the beach.  Our family loves spending the day frolicking in the waves and digging our toes in the sand.  Jacksonville has 22 miles of beaches for you to explore!  Grab some sunscreen and a towel and head out to Jacksonville Beach for a day.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to check out the newly rebuilt Jacksonville Beach Pier!

2. Visit the Riverside Arts Market

The Riverside Arts Market is held every Saturday alongside the St. Johns River.  Here you’ll find fresh produce, food trucks, local artisans, and musicians.  It’s a great way to spend the morning!

While you’re in the area, be sure to stop by The Cummer Art Gallery, Memorial Park or Riverside Park.

Pro-Tip:  The Cummer Art Gallery has free admission on the first Saturday of each month.

3. Hit Up the Art Walks

While we’re on the subject of the arts, you should check out our art walks!  The Downtown Art Walk takes place on the first Wednesday of the month.  It includes over 40 open galleries for you to peruse.  The Museum of Contemporary Art also offers free admission on this night.

On the second Tuesday of each month, Jacksonville Beach also hosts an art walk.  

Both events go from 5 – 9 PM.  

4. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

The Timucuan Preserve protects salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks and the 6,000 years of human history of this area.  The 46,000-acre preserve includes miles and miles of hiking trails that travel through diverse ecosystems.  

The park encompasses Kingsley Plantation (below), Fort Caroline (below), American Beach (which provide African Americans beach access during segregation),  Cedar Point, Theodore Roosevelt Area, and more.

Kingsley Plantation from the waterfront.

5. Explore Kingsley Plantation

Kingsley Plantation is the oldest plantation home in Florida.  t was once the home to Zephaniah Kingsley, a slaver who established plantations between South Carolina and Spanish Florida. The home is maintained by the National Park system as part of the Timucuan Preserve. It is a great place for visitors to stop in and learn about our nation’s dark past.

The site features 25 of the remaining 32 slave quarters, the main house, a barn, and a dock.  There is plenty of signage throughout the site that tells the story of the people that once lived and worked here.  Access to the main home is limited in order to help preserve the home.  However, the ruins of the slave quarters are available to tour.

Firing Cannons at Fort Caroline National Memorial

6. Fort Caroline

Fort Caroline is known as the Atlantis of Florida because nobody knows where its actual location truly was.  When most people think about forts in northeast Florida, they picture the Spanish fortress Castillo de San Marcos or the Civil War era Fort Clinch. It is often forgotten that the French had a short tenure in the area before they were almost completely wiped out by the Spanish.

Pro-Tip:  Many of the top attractions in Jacksonville offer free admission to children during the month of November.

7. Spend Time at the Arboretum

The kids and LB at the Jacksonville Arboretum.

The Jacksonville Arboretum is a hidden gem.  So much so that we almost hate sharing it with you.  Seven easy to navigate trails surround a beautiful lake and wind through this 120-acre urban park.  The three miles of trails surround a beautiful lake filled with turtles, fish, and alligators.

Locks of Love Bridge- Northbank Riverwalk

8. The Riverwalk

The mighty St. Johns River runs right through downtown Jacksonville.  Both the north and the south bank are lined with parks and paved trails for urban hiking.  We love walking the  from the Riverside Arts Market across Locks of Love Bridge to Corkscrew Park on the northbank.

The southbank is also great!  After a trip to MOSH (Museum of Science & History) we like to walk to Friendship Fountain and down the riverbank.  The southbank is lined with art like a mosaic mural and the Lone Sailor.

Castaway Island Preserve

9. Explore the Largest Urban Park System in the United States

Hitting the parks is one of the best free things to do in Jacksonville.  The Bold City has the largest urban park system in the entire United States!  The city is home to over 80,000 acres of parks.  We have an impressive 400 city parks, 7 state parks, and 3 national parks!  Be sure to look into our favorite parks:  Castaway Island Preserve and Sheffield Park.

State Parks:  Big Talbot Island, Little Talbot Island, Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park, Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park,  George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park, Amelia Island State Park

National Parks: Fort Caroline, Kingsley Plantation, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

10. Visit the Largest Candy Store in the Southeastern US

Located in a historic 22,000 square foot mansion, Sweet Pete’s is the largest candy store in the southeastern United States! The venue features a restaurant, ice cream shop, and a factory where they make candy on-site.  It’s so fun to watch the chocolatiers and candy makers work their magic.  Sweet Pete’s also offers candy making classes that are highly recommended by the 5 Suitcases Crew!

We hope that our list of 10 Free Things to do in Jacksonville inspires you to get out and explore the First Coast!

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Categories
Florida Florida State Parks St. Augustine State Parks United States

Stunning Anastasia State Park

Gulf Island National Seashore

Anastasia State Park plays an important role in the history of St. Augustine- the oldest city in the United States.  The park was once a coquina quarry that was mined to help construct the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Today, the site is home to Anastasia State Park, which has pretty much anything a beachgoer may be looking for:  white quartz sand beaches, paddling, surfing, swimming, trails, wildlife, camping, bicycling, etc.

History of Anastasia State Park

In the 1500s, the Spanish crown laid claim to a vast area in the New World, including what is now known as Florida. The Spaniards struggled to establish a lasting presence in this area until in 1565 when Pedro Menendez founded St. Augustine.  His settlement was about 30 miles south of a French settlement called Fort Caroline on the St. Johns River, in present day Jacksonville.    Menendez was unaware the French had already settled in the area, and when he found out he aggressively worked to oust them. 

The French Huguenot leader, Jean Ribault, learned of the Spanish presence and sailed south to search for their settlement.  His ships were struck by a storm and most of the forces were lost at sea.  At the same time, Menendez marched north and found Fort Caroline completely unprotected.  The Spanish killed everyone but 50 women and 26 escapees. The French settlement in Florida came to a bloody end and the Spanish occupied the site as San Mateo until 1569.

When Menendez and his troops returned back to St. Augustine, he learned that Ribault and his troops were stranded south of the Spanish stronghold.  He quickly located the remaining Frenchmen and murdered all but the Catholics and a handful of women.  Hundreds of Huguenots died at the Massacre of Matanzas Inlet- just south of Anastasia Island State Park.

Ever since that dreadful day, the inlet where the massacre happened has been known as Matanzas meaning “slaughters” in Spanish.  Fort Matanzas, the Matanzas River, and the Matanzas Inlet were all named after the massacre.

More than 300 years ago coquina quarries located within Anastasia State Park were teaming with workers hauling out blocks of coquina rock.  The blocks were utilized to construct the historic Castillo de San Marcos, the crown jewel of St. Augustine.

The quarries were continuously used until the turn of the 20th century.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

In the 1940s, the Army Corp of Engineers dredged a new inlet that would link the Matanzas Bay with the Atlantic Ocean.  The area where they dredged traversed a peninsula which later became known as Conch Island.  Since then, the tides and currents have carried sands from Jacksonville Beach down to the tip of the peninsula, causing it to double in size.  Later, in 1964, Hurricane Dora deposited even more sand forming the area that we now know as Anastasia State Park.

Anastasia State Park is located near historic St. Augustine on Anastasia Island.  It features a wide beach with a lagoon and is bordered by rich tidal marshes.

Today, visitors can visit the coquina quarry, an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to construct the nearby Castillo de San Marcos.

Amenities at Anastasia State Park

  • Bicycling– over 4 miles of beach and several miles or park roads (some with bike lanes).  Bicycles are available for rent at the concession inside Anastasia State Park.
  • Boating
  • Camping- See below for more information
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Paddling-  Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are welcome along the Salt Run- the estuarine tidal marsh.  Rentals are available at the concession inside the park.
  • Playgrounds
  • Surfing
  • Swimming

Camping at Anastasia State Park

The campground features 139 sites for both RVs (up to 38 feet)  and tent camping.  The sites are all nestled in a beautiful maritime hammock juts a short distance rom the beach.

All sites have electricity and water, a picnic table, and a fire ring.  Some sites are paved.

Fun Fact:  Travel + Leisure Magazine has included Anastasia State Park on its list of America’s Prettiest Beach Campsites.

Visiting Anastasia State Park

Hours: 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year

Fess:  $8/vehicle

Location: 300 Anastasia Park Road
St. Augustine, FL 32080

What is there to do Nearby?

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Categories
Florida Orlando Peppa Pig Theme Park United States Winter Haven

Our 10 OINK-tastic Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips

The Kids Relaxing in Peppa Pig's house at Peppa Pig Theme Park- Florida

Hooray!  You’re going to Peppa Pig Theme Park!  Our Peppa Pig Theme Park tips will help your trip go as smoothly as possible.  We’ll tell you what to pack and what you can leave at home.  We’ll also suggest which rides to go on first, and share some insider tips.  If you wanted to, you could easily tack add on a day or two at Legoland Florida, since the two parks are located directly next to each other.

What is Peppa Pig Theme Park?

The Peppa Pig Theme Park opened, which opened in 2022, is Florida’s newest theme park attractions.  The sensory-friendly park is perfect for your toddler or pre-schooler.  The park has 5 oink-tastic rides, several play spaces, a splash pad, and other kid-friendly attractions.  The park can easily be paired with Legoland Florida, which shares the same parking lot.

Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips

Arrive Early

Like most theme parks, it’s best to arrive at the park early.  This way, you not only get the most bang for your buck, but you also beat a lot of the crowds.  When we visited Peppa Pig Theme Park, we arrived just before the gates opened.  After only 1.5 hours, we were able to do all of the rides that the park has to offer!  We noticed that Peppa Pig Theme Park seems to have a later crowd, by the time we left, the lines were long and the walkways were pretty busy.

Ditch the Stroller

Probably one of our most the most unconventional of our Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips, is to ditch the stroller.  Believe it or not, the park is actually quite small!  We brought our stroller to the park and didn’t end up using it at all!  We found that it was easier for us to park it in one place rather than continuously move it around.  We ended up parking our stroller in a central location (the Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster ride) and just went back to the stroller whenever we needed to grab something.

Our advice is to either leave it behind or park it and use it to store your belongings.  

Pack Your Own Snacks & Drinks

The park allows you to bring in your own food and drinks.  If your visiting during the warmer months, be sure to pack plenty of water! We bought these snack containers for when we travel and have found that they work great for our family!

Some of the snacks we pack for theme parks include:

  • Fruit snacks
  • PBJs (Uncrustables work great!)
  • Peanut Butter Crackers
  • Muffins
  • Rice Cakes
  • Granola Bars
  • Nutri-grain Bars
  • Trail Mix
  • Dried Fruit

Plan on Eating Early

This is probably the one Peppa Pig Theme Park tip that will save you the most time!  The park has only one restaurant in it so you can imagine that it gets busy pretty quickly!  Plan on eating as soon as Miss Rabbit’s Diner opens to avoid crazy long tines.  We recommend the pizza and mac n cheese.  Be sure to save room for one of their fancy schmancy milkshakes!

Pack a Bathing Suit

What better way to beat the heat than to frolic around in the splash pad?  Bring a bathing suit (check out these Peppa Pig ones!), towel, water shoes, and sun screen!

Catch a Show

One way to make the most out of your day is to catch one of the shows.  Head to Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena to join in on the fun.  Your little one can join Peppa and the gang in a bit of singing and dancing.  Be sure to arrive at arena a little early so you can snag a bean bag or a spot up close!

Meet & Greets

You’ll also find Meet & Greets in the arena.  Be sure to snap a photo with Peppa or George!

Work Counterclockwise

Another one of our time saving Peppa Pig Theme Park Tips is to work your way around the park counterclockwise.  This allows you to do the more popular rides before the crowds start rolling in.

Our suggested order is:

  • Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster
  • Mr. Bull’s High Striker
  • Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride
  • Granddad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride and Sand Pit
  • Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure
  • Muddy Puddle’s Splash Pad
  •  Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour
After you’ve hit all of these attractions up, we suggest catching a show, playing int he lay areas, or visiting the air-conditioned theatre.

Seek Shade!

Another reason we suggest doing the park in the above order is the lack of shade in the park.  The attractions at the top of our list offer little or no shade.  You’ll find shade at Peppa Pedal Bike Tour (there’s even an air-conditioning vent under the tunnel!) and at the Muddy Puddle’s Splash Pad.

Grab a Pin

If it is your first visit, or if you are visiting for a birthday, be sure to stop by Guest Services and ask for a special pin.

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Categories
Travel Tips

How to Pack a Car for Road Trips- Our Set Up for a Family of 5

Photo by Dominika Roseclay on Pexels.com

We often get asked questions about how we pack a car for road trips so we though we’d share with you our set up for our family of five.  Be sure to watch the video of how to pack a car for a road trip so you can see how it all comes together!  If you have something that you’ve discovered works well for your family, we’d love to hear about it so we can try it!  Drop a comment below to tell us your ingenious idea!

About Our Road Trips

Our road trips typically last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours.  Whether we’re packing for the Florida Springs, a theme park, or our annual trip to Jellystone, how we pack a car for road trips is pretty much same.  Our video (below) shows how we set up the car when we bring along our dogs, LB and Parker, as well.  

When we take family road trips, we typically take our Ford Explorer.  Every once in awhile, we’ll take our Jeep Gladiator.  On longer trips, we use our cargo trailer, which you’ll see in the video.

How We Pack a Car for Road Trips

When we purchased our car we made sure it had three things: third row seating, a hitch, and captain seats (to easily access the third row).  These three features are key components on how we pack a car for road trips.  Our twins are still in car seats, so they sit in the captains seats.  Our oldest kiddo has the back two seats all to herself (unless we are traveling with the dogs).  The captain seats also helps to ensure all of the kids have their own space so there’s less arguing.  

In front of each of their seats, the kids have a hook to hang up their backpack.  This backpack is full of things to keep them occupied during the car ride (see our list of ideas in the “Great Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained” section below).  They also have access to a snack box that lasts them for both legs of the trip.

The hitch comes in handy so that we can use a cargo trailer to store our larger items.  This helps create more room in the vehicle when we’re traveling with our pups.  In the video, you’ll see we used a suitcase to store all of our belongings  on this particular trip…but that isn’t always the case.  We often leave the suitcases at home and pack into storage containers with lids, instead.  We’ve found that these fit better on our cargo trailer.  Each family member has a different color packing cube set.  We fill our cubes for our outfits for the trip and toss them into the tote.  It couldn’t be any easier!

Our Road Trip Essentials

You’ll find items like these every time we pack a car for road trips.  They help keep our  items tidy, organized, and most importantly- accessible.  Some things that we have found that work for us include lap desks, hooks, storage totes, tablet holders, and snack boxes.

  • Cargo Trailer
  • Bungee Cords
  • Lap Desks- these were in the video but we really love this one!
  • Backpack Hooks
  •  Tablet Holder- we use these ones so we can adjust them to see from the third row.  If you don’t need that flexibility, these are great too!
  • Snack Boxes–  we recently started using these snack boxes on road trips and our kids love them!  Some of the things we pack into them are: trail mix, peanut butter crackers, apple chips, dried fruit (bananas, coconut, strawberries, etc.), granola bars, Nutrigrain Bars, rice cakes, fruit snacks, etc.  We used these snack boxes on our last road trip (which was about 8 hours each way) and we found that it was enough snacks for driving up and back!  Only the Nutrigrain Bars needed to be replaced.  If your kid is a big snacker, you may need to replenish it before your return trip.
  • Collapsible Cooler

Great Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained!

The key to a successful family road trip is keeping the kids entertained on the ride!  When we travel, each of our kids has a backpack full of things to keep them busy while we travel.  Believe it or not, we’ve actually managed to do a few 8 hour car rides without ever turning a tablet on!  Here are some of the things you might find in their bags:

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Categories
Florida Florida State Parks Jacksonville State Parks United States

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park- A Small But Mighty Stronghold

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park is one of the seven Florida State Parks located in Jacksonville.  The park itself is very small (it is only about 2 acres), but the site played an important role in the Civil War.   Since it was strategically located at Dames Point on the St. Johns River, Yellow Bluff Fort granted access to the island areas of Florida’s east coast.

By 1862, Union troops had already captured Fernandina, including Fort Clinch, and St. Augustine, and would end up taking Jacksonville in March of the same year.  

The park was added to the US National Register of Historic Place in 1970.  In all honesty, a lot of the park is open to interpretation.  There is not a lot of signages, and the park could use a little TLC.  With a bit of funding, this charming little park could be a great state park.

The History of Yellow Bluff Fort

At the time of the Civil War, Florida’s economy was poppin’.  The state thrived off of agricultural trade, livestock, and other goods.  Railroads and rivers helped transport supplies throughout the state.

When the war broke out in 1861, Florida joined the Confederacy.  General Robert E. Lee ordered the construction of defenses along the coast of the river to protect the supplies being imported via the river.  One of these earthworks, was Yellow Bluff Fort.

Fun Fact:  Earthworks are mounds of dirt used for defensive fighting.

Despite the name, there was never an actual fort on Yellow Bluff.  Instead, it was a fortified encampment. T-shaped earthworks covering about 1.3 acres were constructed on the banks of the St. Johns River.  These defensive mounds were commonly used throughout the Civil War because they were relatively quick to construct and rather inexpensive.  These mounds protected not only soldiers but guns and canons, as well.

Construction of the site began in 1862.  Interestingly, the site was occupied by both Union and Confederate troops during construction.  

At its peak, this small encampment was home for more than 250 soldiers.  Yellow Bluff Fort served to protect shipping supply lines to Jacksonville via the river.

The park is located on Yellow Bluff peninsula on the north side of the St. Johns River.  It is located on New Berlin Road.

Yellow Bluff Fort Today

Believe it or not, this small 2-acre state park is nestled in the middle of a neighborhood.  There are houses on either side of the park.  At the entrance of the park you’ll find a stone monument and a cannon beckoning you into the park.  There are additional cannons scattered around the property.

The monument tells a brief history of the site and how it once house both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War.  Today, the space is mostly an open area covered by the canopy of magnificent live oaks.  There are a few picnic tables, but other than that there are no amenities.

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic Park offers sweeping views of the Dames Point Bridge that spans over the St. Johns River.  It is easy to see why this spot offered such an advantage to the soldiers that camped here.

Today, mother nature has reclaimed much of the land.  Majestic live oaks, shrubs, magnolias, and other greenery cover what was once an important site in the area’s military history.

A Ghostly Urban Legend

Legend has it that the wife/lover of one of the 350 soldiers that were stationed at Yellow Bluff Fort haunts the park.  Woman in White, as she is known,  is said to appear crying at the base of the Confederate memorial during moonless nights.

Some stories say that she is dangerous and has been known to attack couples that visit the park.  One claim is that she tried to kill a man with her long, sharp nails.  

Long story short, if you run into Woman in White, let her grieve in peace.

 

What is There to do at Yellow Bluff Fort?

Very little physical evidence of the fort remains today.  One obvious feature is the extensive trench system that was dug for fortification.  The trenches were about 10-feet deep and in some places up to 15-feet wide.

A short trail meanders around the encampment , rolling down and then back up the namesake earthen walls of the “fort”.  You’ll also find an earthwork mound and trench system that was created by the Confederate Army to defend Jacksonville against the attacking Union Army.

The park has several picnic tables that are available to visitors.

Visiting Yellow Bluff Fort

The park is open from 8 AM until sunset.  It is open 365 days a week.

There are no fees to enjoy the park.

It is located about a mile off if Interstate 295.

Our Thoughts on Yellow Bluff Fort

The park offers great views of the river, and would be a great spot to enjoy a picnic.  But other than that, the park is just kind of…meh.  With a bit of funding, the park could be great, but as it stands a lot of it is left up for the visitor to interpret on their own.  If you didn’t know that the trenches and mounds were manmade, you’d think they were just part of the landscape.  There’s very little signage explaining the site.

If you’re a local looking for somewhere new to explore, or if you’re a visitor who is really into the Civil War, then the Yellow Bluff Fort may be worth a visit. Fort Clinch is another Civil War era fort that was an actual fort and is in remarkable condition.  We suggest visiting Fort Clinch over this faux-fort.

Despite its proximity to the cruise ship terminal, the park did not make our list of Things for Cruisers to do in Jacksonville. 

What is there to do Nearby?

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Categories
Florida National Forest Springs United States

Exploring the Beautiful Salt Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest

Salt Springs in Ocala National Forest

Salt Springs Recreation Area is one of the highlights of the Ocala National Forest.  The forest is just north of Orlando and is the perfect day trip for nature lovers!  It is a great spot for hiking, paddling, swimming and camping.  Within the forest there are four crystal-clear, picturesque springs just begging to be explored!  The springs are Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and the lovely Alexander Springs.

One of our favorite things about Salt Springs is that it is perfect for families!  Most of the swimming area is actually quite shallow- once you get away from the entrance area. The park also permits floats, which makes the springs extra fun for kids!  We found a cove across from the entranceway and it was the ideal spot for our littles.

The closer you get to the spring vent, the deeper- and rockier- the water gets.   Rows of limestone rocks line the floor the the springs- almost as if an earthquake rumbled through the area causing a massive ancient ruin to collapse.  Other rocks look like giant fingers reaching out from the underworld.  It’s really quite magical!   These rocks allow you to stand around the vent, which can be very slippery at times.  You’ll probably want to pack some water shoes with you!  These will help protect your feet from the rocks and the blue crabs that inhabit the area.

Several visitors tried their hand at diving into the spring vents only to find they were almost immediately forced back up to the surface by the pressure.  Salt Springs is a 2nd magnitude spring which pushes about 55 million gallons of water out through the four vents.  That’s a lot of water pressure escaping through these small caverns!

The water at Salt Springs is a constant 72-degrees, which can be quite an adjustment in the summer months.  Once you’re in the water though, you’ll acclimate quickly.  You probably may have guessed by the name that the springs are a little salty.  The water is nothing like you’ll find at the beach however, it does have some salinity to it due to natural magnesium, sodium, and potassium salts.

Are There Alligators in the Springs?

Yes! There are most definitely alligators in the springs. And snakes. In fact, a rule of thumb here in Florida is that you should assume that there is an alligator in every body of freshwater.  That being said, alligators typically want nothing to do with you.  They are completely content laying on the bank of the spring catching some rays.  As long as you don’t approach them, you’re typically fine. Even during the summer, when the springs are jam-packed with people, there will be alligators present.  They tend to situate themselves outside of the run (where you can’t swim or tube) so that they don’t have to deal with you.  Chances are, if you kayak, canoe, or paddle board, you’ll spot a gator sunning on the banks.

What Animals Live at Salt Springs?

Around the springs you’ll find bears, racoons, deer, and an impressive number of vultures.   Inside the springs you may find fish, otters (in the early morning hours), turtles, and alligators.  During the winter months, you may also spot a manatee.  The spring is also well-known for having blue crabs.  These crabs are a small reminder that Florida was once completely underwater millions of years ago.  This is also why you can find shark teeth in Central Florida!

Where is Salt Springs Located?

The springs are a part of the Ocala National Forest.  Salt Springs  is easily accessible as a day trip from Orlando, Daytona, and Jacksonville.

Physical Address:  13851 SR 19, Salt Springs

Visiting Information

The hours vary by season so be sure to check their website to plan accordingly. During the summer months it is typically open from 8 AM until 8 PM.

The current fees are:

Weekday Day Use:  $8/person
Weekend Day Use:  $11/person

What is there to do at Salt Springs?

It goes without saying that most people visit this park to visit the springs.  This is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.  

Other activities include hiking, camping, boating, and fishing.  

Hiking:  There is a 1.4 mile Bear Swamp Trail loop that begins near the campground.  There is also the Salt Springs Observation Trail which is a 1.9 mile easy loop.

Camping  There are over 150 campsites at the park.  In fact, Salt Springs is home to the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest.  

Boating & Fishing:  Just outside of the park, you’ll find the Salt Springs Marina.  Parking is $10 and the site features a boat launch and kaya rentals.  There is not boating, paddling, or fishing permitted in the swimming area, so if you want to get your pole or paddle wet, you’ll have to do it here.

Fun Fact:  The above mentioned marina butts up to the edge of the park.  Many of the locals enjoy the springs from the boat launch rather than the park because it is more cost effective.  

Nearby Springs

The four springs of the Ocala National Forest all are within a 30 minute drive of each other.  Many visitors choose to “spring hop” and visit more than one spring in a day.  We like to take things a little slower, however, so we pick just one spring to visit each day.

Our Spring Essentials

Floats and Rafts

SportsStuff Noodler 2
River Run Inflatable American Flag 2 Person Tube Float with Cooler
Giant Flamingo Float
Giant Unicorn Float

More Fun Stuff!

Inflatable Kayak
Inflatable Paddleboard (I swear by this one!)
Full-Face Snorkel Mask

Safety

Puddle Jumper Vest
Swim Vest
First Aid Kit

Skin Care & Insect Repellent

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Towels & Swim Suits

Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s Boardshorts
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

When is the Best time to Visit? 

The springs are phenomenal year round!  If you want a glimpse of the manatees, come during the winter (January and February seem to be peak times).  If you want to kayak, canoe, or paddle board you can do so year round, but you’ll find it less crowded in the cooler months.  Just remember that you’ll have to launch from the marina next door as the park doesn’t allow paddling within its boundaries.

If you’re brave, you can swim year round.  The water temperature is the same all year.  Florida’s weather is really inconsistent in the winter.  We can go from being in the 80s one day to the 50s the next.  As long as you can handle the outside temperatures when you exit the springs, you can absolutely swim in the springs 365 days a year.

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Categories
Georgia Golden Isles United States

Summer Waves- Jekyll Island’s Exhilarating Water Park

Summer Waves Water Park is one of the most family-friendly attractions in the Golden Isles.  The park is known for it’s tranquil lazy river, riveting waterslides, and their bodacious wave pool.  The water park, located on Jekyll Island, offers amazing views of the Jekyll River and is the ultimate place to cool off during the summer months.

Attractions

Summer Waves Water Park has something for everyone whether you’re looking to just float down a lazy river or get your heart pumping on one of the exhilarating waterslides.

Shark Tooth Cove- This fun and interactive kids’ zone boasts a large shallow pool, super fun slides, and other water features your kids will love.  Our favorite part about Shark Tooth Cove was the 360° seating, it made it easy to monitor the kids.  The boys didn’t want to leave this area!

Splash Zone– The Splash Zone has a handful of  giant water buckets that periodically tip to create a torrential downpour.  There are also water guns where your kiddo can take aim and douse their peers.

Frantic Atlantic- This was my favorite feature as a kid so I was really glad to see that it’s stood the test of time.  The Frantic Atlantic is a 500,000 gallon wave pool that produces waves over 2-feet tall.  Grab and inner tube and prepare to ride the waves!

Turtle Creek- I suppose I’ve always been an old lady at heart, but because I also always loved the lazy river growing up.  😂 The only thing missing from this 1/2 mile, slow-moving lazy river is a fruity cocktail.  

Nature’s Revenge- This 40-feet tall duo of waterslides features several twists and turns that send riders into a spiral before dumping them out into a small pool.  Smiley loved this ride (and it was my favorite, too!).  Minimum height:  42 inches

Force 3- This 32-feet tall double inner-tube ride spirals around 350 feet of twists and curves.  There are three different waterslides that are intertwined and will keep you entertained all day long!    Minimum height:  48 inches

Pirate’s Passage- Man, I remember when this slide opened I was absolutely terrified of it.  Okay…I should probably admit that I am still terrified of this damn thing.  This double inner-tube slide launches riders down a five-story pitch black enclosed tube.  It’s fast.  It’s terrifying.  It’s an absolute freaking blast.  Minimum height:  48 inches

Man o’ War- The park unveiled a brand-spankin’ new slide in 2022 called Man o’ War.  Four vibrantly colored slides are intertwined creating the ultimate waterslide experience!  The ride features two tube slides and two full-body slides.   Minimum heigh:  48 inches

Visiting Summer Waves Water Park

The waterpark is located at:

210 S Riverview Drive
Jekyll Island, GA

 

Summer Waves is typically open from 11 am to 6 pm, however, the hours do vary.  Be sure to check out their official website while planning your trip.

Admission to the park is $25/person Monday-Thursday and $28/per person Fridays- Sundays and Holidays.

Children ages 3 and under are admitted for free but must have a swim diaper (available for purchase at the park).

Our Summer Waves Water Park Essentials

What is there to do Nearby?

Jekyll Island is part of a chain of islands known as the Golden Isles.  This little corner of the Peach State is a haven for vacationers.  There is an $8/vehicle access fee to enter Jekyll Island.  The fee for oversized vehicles is $10.  Some of our favorite things in the area include:

Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Fort Frederica

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Categories
Florida Gainesville United States

Finding Shark Teeth with Mudslinger Tours in Gainesville, Florida

Sharks teeth discovered with Mudslinger Tours in Gainesville

Believe it or not, we have found more shark teeth in central Florida than we found on sandy beaches!  Despite being about an hour and a half from the nearest beach, Gainesville, Florida is a hot spot for finding shark teeth.  We recently went shark teeth and fossil hunting with Mudslinger Tours and we were absolutely blown away with our experience!

I’ve had several of my friends’ book tours with Mudslinger Tours over the last few years and they have all ranted and raved about their experience.  I’ve been wanting to go for years now but wanted to wait until the twins were old enough to really enjoy it.  Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait!  We walked away from our four-hour tour with about 100 shark teeth!

In all honesty, I didn’t have much hope of finding shark teeth.  I’ve never been very good at spotting them on the beach.  It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I actually found a shark tooth on the beach…and that was only because it was a megalodon tooth so it stuck out like a sore thumb. Aside from that treasure, I have only managed to find a dozen or so teeth on our beaches.  I guess,  I either don’t have the eye or the patience for it.  The fact that we found over 100 in less than four hours was pretty damn cool.  

It turns out, in order to find shark teeth…I had to leave the beach!

How Are There Shark Teeth in Central Florida?

For millions of years, Florida was underwater meaning you can find shark teeth pretty much all over the state.  Most fossil shark teeth are found in sedimentary rock- which was once the bottom of the ocean!  The best places to find shark teeth are at the beach during low tide and at the edges and bottoms of creeks and rivers.  Water erodes the harder sedimentary layers and helps to expose the fossil shark teeth.

Our Experience with Mudslinger Tours

We booked a half-day morning tour with Mudslinger Tours.  The morning tour lasted from 9 AM until 1 PM, which is more than enough time to get soaking wet in the creek and to find a plethora of shark teeth and fossils.

We left our house in JAX early in the morning and headed inland to Gainesville.  When we arrived at the home where the tours depart, we were immediately greeted by two of the guides and shown a collection of shark teeth and fossils that have been found in the nearby creek beds.  After a quick introduction and rundown of some rules, we walked about 150 yards down the road and down a narrow path in the woods until we reached the creek.  From here, our guide, Rob, split us off into groups.  We were all stationed far apart from each other in the creek, which was great because it gave us plenty of space to work and play.

Rob quickly showed us how to use the scoops and gave us some pointers to help us find the shark teeth.  The key is to dig at least elbow deep, so we found a hole and got to scooping.  We found teeth with pretty much every scoop of gravel we dug out of the creek.  It was absolutely incredible!  The whole creek bed was filled with teeth and fossils.

We worked out a system where one of us would scoop the gravel into the sifting pans, the boys would sift out all of the sand, and Smiley and whomever wasn’t scooping would go through the pan looking for teeth.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to establish a discard pile so that you don’t scoop through gravel you’ve already searched through.

Once we got into the groove, it was really easy to spot the shark teeth.  They ranged in size from being small enough to slip through the mesh on our sifters to being the size of a dime.  

The four-hour tour was a tad long for our little guys.  They’d scoop and sift for a while and then randomly abandon their equipment to splash around in the creek.  They had an absolute blast and all of that playing in the cool waters wore them out by the end of the day!  On the other hand, our eight-year-old was perfectly content scooping and searching through our pans.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to pack a snack or a light lunch along with plenty of liquids. 

Booking a Tour with Mudslinger Tours

To book your own tour with Mudslinger Tours, visit their Facebook Page.  Tours must be booked at least a week in advance.  A deposit is due at the time of booking and the remaining balance must be paid upon arrival.

The company operates out of a residence located at:

1414 NW 43rd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32605

Our Tips for Shark Teeth Hunting

The banks of the creek are filled with sharks teeth!  Unfortunately, shark tooth and fossil hunters are unable to dig in the banks.  In fact, you can’t use shovels to hunt in the creeks at all!  Instead, you have to wait for mother nature to erode the banks naturally. 

Here are some tips we learned from our pals at Mudslinger Tours:

  • The best spots to find the teeth are along the waterline at the creek.  This is because the rainwater erodes the banks and washes the shark teeth and fossils into the creek.
  • Find a hole and start scooping! The deeper down you can get, the more successful you’ll be.  We found that by moving a rock, or by finding a pre-existing hole, it cut down on some of the scooping.  The goal is to get in an area that is between elbow and shoulder deep.  If you reach clay, you’ve gone too far.
  • Establish a discard pile. Dump all of your excess gravel in the same pile.  This way, you don’t keep searching through the same bits of gravel.
  • Try scooping with your hands. The folx at Mudslinger Tours will provide you with a super sturdy metal scoop.  It had holes in it that allowed for the sand and water to exit the scoop.  Super handy!  Speaking of hands…you can also use your bare hands to begin establishing your digging hole.  You’ll be surprised by how much sand you can scoop with just your hands!
  • Make sure you’re not scooping in someone else’s discard pile. Your guide will suggest that you find a natural pile of gravel and start your hunt there.  If after a few scoops, you notice you’re not coming up with very many shark teeth or fossils, chances are you’re going through someone else’s discard pile. Move on.

Our Shark Tooth Hunting Essentials

Our kids wore their galoshes into the creek and they had to keep pouring out boot fulls of water and gravel.  In retrospect, we should have packed their water shoes.  Mudslinger Tours provides scoops, sifters, and baggies to collect your treasures.

It is forbidden to use shovels to extract shark teeth and fossils from the sediment.

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Categories
Florida National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores UNESCO World Heritage Site United States

Everglades National Park- Voted One of the Best National Parks in the USA

Everglades National Park has consistently been ranked as one of the top national parks.  It is one of the prime locations for wildlife viewing- after all, where else can you see alligators, crocodiles, dolphins, manatees, turtles, birds, and fish?  There’s more to do at the Everglades National Park than just scope out the awesome wildlife, it’s also a great place to hike, paddle, camp, and take a boat tour.

The Everglades is a true American treasure!  So much so that it is also a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. 

One of the most exhilarating ways to experience the park is on the water.  The swamp is full of narrow mangrove tunnels making parts of the Everglades impossible to explore unless you’re in a kayak.  

If you’re feeling slightly less adventurous, you can also book a boat tour.

The park is massive and there are no public transportation options.  You’ll definitely want to make sure you have access to a vehicle.  Since the park is so large, it is hard to see all of it in one day so if you’re limited to just one day, you’ll have to pick and choose what you want to do.  It is smart to plan your day based on the park entrance you’re closest to.  Everglades City is to the west, Homestead is to the south, and Miami is to the northeast.  

What is there to do at Everglades National Park?

There is no shortage of adventure in this 2,400 square mile park!  Popular activities include:

  • Hiking
  • Biking (rentals are available)
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Tram tours

Park Highlights

  • Shark Valley –  This section is prime gator country.  You’re pretty much guaranteed to see alligators, turtles, snakes, and birds here.  There is a 15-mile paved loop trail where you can walk, bike, or take a tram tour. There is a 45-foot observation tower that you don’t want to miss.  Bike rentals are available at the Shark Valley Visitor Center.  (Accessible via the Shark Valley Visitor Center).
  • Snake Bight Trail- This 1.6 mile (one way) trail follows a canal through a tropical hardwood hammock.  The boardwalk is great for bird watching.  (Accessible via the Flamingo Visitor Center).
  • Long Pine Key Trails-  Hike or bike a system of 22 miles of trails.  (Accessible via the Ernest Coe Visitor Center).
  • Flamingo Marina- Here you can rent canoes, kayaks, or bicycles.  You can also book a boat tour or enjoy a hike.  (Accessible via Flamingo Visitor Center).  

Camping in the Everglades

There are two drive-in campgrounds accessible from the Homestead entrance of the park.  Long Pine Key and Flamingo Campground both accommodate tents and RVs.   Flamingo Campground accepts reservations for some sites during the winter months.  Long Pine Key is first-come, first-served.  

The Flamingo Campground offers eco-tents for a glamping experience.  Availability is limited so be sure to book these well in advance, especially during peak season.

Primitive camping is available throughout the park and requires a permit.  

Airboat Tours

One of the best ways to experience the Everglades National Park is by booking an airboat tour.  You definitely won’t regret it!  There are three authorized airboat businesses that offer tours inside Everglades National Park.  These tours take you deep into the Everglades for an up-close and personal visit with the wildlife.  The expert guides know exactly where specific animals (such as alligators) tend to hang out.  

When is the Best Time to Visit?

November to May is the best time to visit.  Not only does the humidity dip down a little bit, but the mosquito population also drops.  Since it is dry season, the animals tend to gather around water holes making them easier to see.  

The “Wet Season” is from June to October.  Afternoon thunderstorms are basically an everyday occurrence due to the high humidity.  Temperatures skyrocket to 100 and mosquitos, yellow flies, and other biting bugs are prevalent.  

Visiting the Everglades National Park

The park is so massive that it has several different entrances.  Shark Valley Visitor Center and Gulf Coast Visitor Center are located on the north end of the park.  Ernest Coe Visitor Center and Flamingo Visitor Center can be found on the south end.  

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle and is good for 7 consecutive days.  Other fees:  $15/cyclist, $25/motorcycle

How to Visit the Park For Free

Although some National Park sites are free, some of them require a fee to enter.    This fee ranges from $5 per vehicle to $35 per vehicle whereas some charge up to $20 a person. 

The National Parks offer Free National Park Days where you can access the park for free!  Learn more about these days.

If you have a fourth-grader, you can get an annual pass that grants you access to all of the parks for free!  Every year, starting on September 1st, all fourth-grade students are eligible for an Every Kid Outdoors Pass. The pass grants free access to the entire family!   Fill out the form at www.everykidoutdoors.gov

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Categories
Caribbean Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Dominican Republic

Playa Bachata Spa Resort- A Classic Caribbean Resort Nestled on a Stunning Beach

When we cruised to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic in March of 2022, cruisers that were unvaccinated were required to book a tour in order to get off of the ship.  Since the twins were only 4 (and not eligible for the vaccine), this rule applied to us. 

After doing a little research, we decided on booking a day at the Playa Bachata Spa Resort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.  

The main selling points for us were: 

  • the resort is literally right next door to the cruise port so that meant very little travel time
  •  it included lunch
  •  they had a lovely beach and pool
  •  Oh…and it included free drinks.

The Playa Bachata Resort

It took us less than 5 minutes to drive from the Amber Cove cruise port to Playa Bachata Spa Resort.  We were transported in a well-airconditioned Coach bus, which was a nice plus.  The resort itself was pretty much like the resorts you see sprinkled across the Caribbean.  It was nice and quaint and in need of a little facelift (which they were working on while we visited).  

The staff at Playa Bachata Spa Resort was very welcoming.  We got a personal tour of the entire complex which featured: the lobby, restaurants, local vendors, the beach,  and pool. 

 Interestingly, when we visited there were more people that were actually staying at the resort for an extended period of time, rather than on a day pass like cruisers are.  Many of the people that we spoke to were local Dominicans staying at the resort.  Perhaps this is why the staff all spoke to us in Spanish first before communicating in English (which is totally cool by the way, it is their home language after all!).  It was a great opportunity for me to practice using my conversational Spanish.

The Beach

The beach at Playa Bachata Spa Resort is absolutely stunning.  You can tell that they’ve put a lot of money into developing this area.  There were countless lounge chairs lining the beach as far as the eye could see.  The entire beach was lined with gorgeous, massive palm trees and outlined with beautiful shrubbery.  The beach was very attractive!

The beach also had a recreational area, a stage, and a swing that you absolutely have to stop by to get a shot for Instagram.  

Fun Fact: Bachata is a style of romantic music originating in the Dominican Republic.  

The waves on this side of the island are a bit intense, so this isn’t the best spot of snorkeling or for young children to swim out very far.  There was also a lot of seaweed in the water.  Our kids decided they wanted to spend the day poolside, much to my disappointment.

 

The Pool at Playa Bachata

The Pool

That being said, the pool was quite lovely.  It was conveniently located next to the bar and near the bathrooms.  Smiley bounced back and forth between the large resort-style pool and the kiddie pool, whereas the boys stayed in the shallow kiddie pool (pictured above).  The kiddie pool was tiny, but there were not a ton of young kids at the pool so it wasn’t an issue.   Chairs around the pool were a little harder to come by.  There’s also less shade on the pool deck.  

The Restaurant

Our day at Playa Bachata included lunch.  The resort has a large restaurant that serves Dominican food buffet style.  If you’re a little less adventurous when it comes to eating, they also served pasta, pizza, salad, and other very-American dishes.

Closing Thoughts on Playa Bachata

Overall, Playa Bachata Spa and Resort was a nice little spot.  The beach was beautiful and we really enjoyed the pool area.  The complex itself needs a little bit of work, but it appears as that process has started.  It was a nice place to spend the day- since we were required to book an excursion to get off of the ship.  

We’re planning on returning to Amber Cove/Puerto Plata in the fall of 2023.  By that time, the twins will have been vaccinated, so if these restrictions are still in place, we will be able to get off the ship without booking an excursion.  As of right now, our plan is to just hang out at the port area while we’re there.  Although we had a wonderful day at Playa Bachata, I don’t see us returning.

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