Tag: FLORIDA

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Florida Jacksonville United States

Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens- 2022

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Ring in the season with Jacksonville newest holiday attraction!  Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is a family friendly experience that gives the guests an opportunity to explore one of the city’s top parks under twinkling lights.  The park is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring a million “dazzling” lights, whimsical displays, decorative holiday sculptures and loads of Insta-worthy displays.

An evening at Dazzling Nights would be perfect for a family night or even a date night!  It is an event for all ages!

The Arboretum typically closes at sundown, and was not designed to be visited at night.   Therefore, some parts of the trail can be a little dark.  Make sure your cell phone is fully charged so you can use the flashlight mode, or pack a flashlight. The only time we noticed it was dark was when we were in the laser light section of the forest.

Dazzling Nights Highlights

  • Giant, shimmery, twinkling Christmas Tree
  • Stunning Moroccan lantern canopy
  • Syncronized lights
  • Inflatable kids play area
  • 8,000 square foot lighted maze
  • Giant tunnel of stars
  • Foggy laser forest
  • Snow!
  • Festive Music

Dazzling Nights Event Details

Dates:  Dazzling Nights runs from now until Sunday January 1, 2023.

Times:  First entry is at 5:30 PM and the last entry is at 9:00 PM.  Closed Christmas Day.

Tickets:  The cost is $25 per adult.  Children’s tickets (ages 3-13) are $22.   Children 2 and under are free.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.  

Parking:  On-site parking is available for a fee ($12).  Spaces are limited and parking passes must be purchased in advance.  

Off-site parking is available at the Southside Commons Shopping Mall.  Parking is free and includes a complimentary shuttle.  A map is available here.

Visiting the Jacksonville Arboretum

The arboretum is centrally located in the heart of Jacksonville, Florida wedged in between downtown and the beaches. It is easily accessible from the 295 beltway via the Monument Rd exit. The physical address is 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225.

Our Opinion- Updated After 2022 Visit

The Dazzling Nights display is back for the second year at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens.  Just as we suspected, the 2022 display is bigger and better than last year.  In a word?  It’s awesome!  The production company has brought in an entirely different display that will absolutely wow you.

The Jacksonville Arboretum has paved the loop that surrounds the center pond making this year’s walk even easier for visitors.  Our favorite part of this year’s show was the glowing Moroccan lanterns that dot the sky and form a stunning canopy.  It’s a true show stopper (and it photographs well!).

After you pass through the Moroccan lanterns, you’ll find a tunnel of stars that is totally Instagram worthy!  

 

Kids will marvel at the illuminated kinetic balls that are synchronized to holiday music.  The light/music show is super impressive and was really well done!  They’ll also enjoy playing on the inflatable slides featuring a giant Yeti! 

Last year, there were people who felt the trails were too dark and hard to navigate.  This year, they brought in lights to help illuminate the wooded areas even more.  These lights kind of take away from the immediate area that surround it, but you may not even notice.  

I’ve read lots of comments on Social Media in regards to the ticket price.  Tickets are $22 for children (ages 3-13) and $25 per adult.  Parking is also $12 if you park on-site (free if you use the shuttle).  For our family of 5 it would cost $128 to enjoy the event (with on-site parking).  Is that steep?  Yes.  The event is definitely costly to visit with as a family. 

If you buy a single ticket, or even a pair of tickets, it’s definitely more affordable.

Is it worth it?  I must say, this year’s display was better than last.  I love watching the Dazzling Night event evolve and can’t wait to check it out next year! I think that when you think about the cost of the event, it’s important to note that Dazzling Nights serves as the main fundraiser for the Jacksonville Arboretum.  As someone who frequents the Arboretum, it’s easy for me to see the improvements that have been made with money from last year’s event.  I look forward to seeing how the Dazzling Nights event continues to grow, I have a feeling it’s going to be a staple here in Jax for many years to come.

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Updated 12/1/22 with new pricing, ticket information, dates and 2022 review.

Categories
Florida Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

Everything is AWESOME at Legoland Florida

Welcome to Legoland Florida!

Legoland Florida is one of the newest theme parks to enter the Florida market.  They just recently celebrated their 10th birthday!  The theme park is located in Winter Haven, about 30 miles southwest of Orlando and 45 miles east of Tampa.   The complex features the theme park itself, a waterpark, three on-site accommodations (Legoland Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel, and Beach Retreat), and a brand-spankin new park based on Peppa Pig. 

The park was built on the former Cypress Gardens theme park.  Legoland Florida has preserved the timeless botanical gardens and re-themed the water park and several attractions to go along with the Lego brick theme. 

The park is most definitely geared towards kids, but you’ll want to pay close attention to the ride requirements before queuing up.  We suggest measuring your kids ahead of time and researching which rides they can go on, or measure them at the entrance of the park and refer to the infographic (and map) to determine which rides they can enjoy.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure you pack a pen or a marker in your bag so you can mark up your park map with rides your kids can go on.

Legoland Florida Rides

The Legoland Florida theme park has ten sections each with its own unique Lego theme.  The sections are rather small, in comparison to Disney, but there is still plenty to do.

In this post, we’ll explore the various sections of the park and list out the rides and main attractions in each. We’ll further explore the rides and go into more detail about them in an upcoming post.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to stop by the infographic at the park entrance so you can see which rides your kid(s) can ride based on their height(s).

The Beginning

Naturally, the entrance to the park is known as The Beginning.  This section does not have any attractions however, this is where you’ll find the primary gift shops, some restaurants, and administrative buildings such as guest services.

We suggest skipping this part of the park when you enter and hitting it on your way out so that you don’t have to tote your shopping bags around the park.  Prepare to be amazed by The Big Shop!

Fun Town

Fun Town is where you’ll find the first attractions.  A two-level carousel called Grand Carousel and the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater which features 4D films.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to grab Legoland’s #1 snack while you’re here!  Granny’s Apple Fries are legit!

The Grand Carousel Legoland Florida

Heartlake City

Heartlake City opened in 2015.  It has 1 ride- Mia’s Riding Adventure, a theater, and a heart-shaped fountain with Lego brick instruments.

We opted to hit up Duplo Valley a second time and skipped this section entirely- with the exception of the kids posing with some of the Lego Friends character statues.

Miniland USA

This section just underwent an extensive remodel.  Miniland USA features scaled models of Washington DC, New York City, Las Vegas, Florida, and more.   It is extremely impressive!

It was cool to see what the Legomasters are capable of.  There are lots of moving objects, and interactive elements mixed in as well.  Throughout the displays, there are buttons that you can push to get parts of the exhibit to move.  In the Florida section, you’ll even find a rocket launch at the replica of the Kennedy Space Center.

Being a huge American History nerd, I was drawn to the mini-version of DC’s National Mall.  

Duplo Valley

Duplo Tractor Legoland Florida

This area was designed with toddlers in mind.  It hosts two rides Duplo Train, and Duplo Tractor, an air-conditioned playground called Duplo Farm, an outdoor playground, and a toddler splash pad.

Our boys are obsessed with trains, tractors, construction trucks, rescue vehicles, etc so this section was perfect for them.We enjoyed this part of the park so much that this is where we started and ended our day.  The lines are typically extremely short making it easy to ride these rides multiple times.

Lego Kingdoms

Journey back into medieval times at Lego Kingdoms.  The Dragon is a remodeled roller coaster from the park’s Cypress Garden days.  Here, you’ll also find a toddler friendly ride called The Royal Joust, a small circular rollercoaster called Merlin’s Challenge, and a playground known as The Forestmen’s Hideout.

The boys loved The Royal Joust but our daughter (almost 8) was rather bored with it.  We all were huge fans of Merlin’s Challenge.  We took advantage of the playground, as well.  The kids really seemed to enjoy it.

Land of Adventure

You’ll find a treasure chest of fun in this Ancient Egyptian themed section.  Don’t miss Beetle Bounce, Coastersaurus, Lost Kingdom Adventure, Safari Trek, and Pharaoh’s Revenge- a super fun playground.

The Lost Kingdom Adventure is an indoor ride that would be perfect to escape into in the event of rain or extreme heat.  The ride is comes equipped with laser guns that you aim and shoot at targets to collect points.  It’s a lot of fun.

The Lego Movie World

Masters of Flight Legoland Florida

This section is centered around The Lego Movie.  There are three main attractions here including Masters of Flight, a flying theater attraction, Unikitty’s Discodrop, and Battle of Bricksburg a super wet family-fun ride.

We skipped Battle of Bricksburg since it cooler out and we didn’t want to spend the day wet however, it looked like a ton of fun!  

Lego City

Cruise into the heart of Lego City for trunk loads of fun! Kids can act like grown-ups and drive almost every vehicle imaginable!   Here you’ll find Ford Driving School, Ford Jr. Driving School, Flying School, Boating School, and Rescue Academy.

A Lego Mustang at Legoland Florida

Pro-Tip:  The Rescue Academy attraction requires way more physicality than it looks!  Guests have to pump a two-sided lever to get get their fire truck to race across the track to the “fire”.  Then, run out, put out the fire, and maneuver the fire truck back to the finish line.  It’s a work out.

Lego Technic

In this section you’ll find Technicycle, a pedal-powered spinning machine that propels you into the air, The Great Lego Race coaster, and AQUAZONE Wave Racers.

Imagination Zone

This zone features 2 spaces where kids can get creative!  At Build & Test kids can build race cars and zip lines, and Lego Mindstorms  is an exhibit where they can build robots. At WB Games Zone kids can play video games.  There is one ride, Kid Power Towers, where guests hoist themselves to the top and free-fall to the bottom.

This is a great area to hang out in the event of rain or extreme heat!

Pro-Tip:  Kid Power Tours requires you to use your muscles to hoist yourself up to the top of a tower.  It requires quite a bit of effort.

Some of the attractions that were originally part of Cypress Gardens have been re-themed, renovated, and renamed.  The wooden rollercoaster once called Triple Hurricane was renamed to Coastersaurus.T  he Okeechobee Rampage coaster was renamed to The Dragon.  An inverted coaster called Swamp Thing was renamed Flying School and

Brickbeard's Water Stunt Show

We cannot recommend this live-action water ski show more!  The show is performed a couple of times a day on Lake Louise.  The show stars Lego characters and a handful of water skiers and boaters. It is awesome!  The show was humourous and full of a ton of action. 

We were impressed by the athleticism and how closely the boats maneuvered towards one another at high speeds.

The show lasts about 30 minutes.  It was a nice way to break up our day and rest our feet for a few.

Restaurants at Legoland Florida

There are a handful of restaurants scattered around the park.  The serve up kid favorites such as cheeseburgers, pizza, tacos, sandwiches,  fried chicken, popcorn, and ice cream.  

We ate at Kick’n Chicken Co. and were not impressed.  We ordered a family size bucket of the hand-breaded chicken tenders and some fries. The chicken was stringy and tough.

The park permits you to bring food items that do not require heating and drinks, as long as they are not in a glass container.  We packed juices, sandwiches, and peanut butter crackers for snacks. 

Pro-Tip:  There is a Publix grocery store right across from the park.  You can easily stop by there to grab some snacks to bring into the park before you begin your day.  The store opens at 7 AM.  

If you are unfamiliar with Publix, they are well-known for their sub sandwiches which we lovingly refer to as “Pub Subs”.

Legoland Florida Water Park

Believe it or not, the Legoland Water Park is open year round! USA Today named it one of the best waterparks in the USA.  It includes a lazy river, 14 water slides, and play areas.

The Legoland Water Park was originally part of Cypress Gardens.  The original park had five rides.  When the waterpark was acquired by the Legoland corporation (Merlin Entertainments), they added a sixth attraction for toddlers called Duplo Splash Safari.  

Admission to the water park requires the purchase of a ticket to the theme park in addition to a seperate ticket for the Water Park.  

Pro-Tip:  If you are visiting Legoland Florida during the shoulder season, and your ticket includes the Legoland Water Park add-on, consider grabbing lunch at the Water Park.  You’ll find the lines are much shorter than in the main park.

The hours and days are seasonal, so be sure to refer to the official website for specific information.

Legoland Florida Tips for Packing

Packing for Legoland is similar to packing for any other family theme park.  Our Legoland Florida tips include bringing along a backpack.

We also packed a pair of undies and shorts, just in case.  We did notice the some of the bathrooms are spaced pretty far apart.  Grab a park map or download the park’s app so you know where to find the bathrooms for potty breaks.

As always, you should make sure you’re wearing proper shoes when you’re at a theme park.  Theme parks, in general, require a lot of walking and standing.

If you’re traveling with younger kids, you will probably want to have a stroller handy.  Our boys rarely ever use a stroller anymore, but we always bring one with us to theme parks so they can hop in and hop out throughout the day.  It was also handy for storing our bags.

Other Legoland Florida Tips for Packing:

  • Sunscreen: It’s Florida, lather up.
  • Cooling Aids: If you’re visiting during the hot months, consider packing a Cooling Towel or a fan
  • Umbrella: It rains almost every day during the summer. Pack an umbrella.
  • Portable Charger: Let’s face it, you’ll be taking a gazillion photos and probably checking the app often! Pack a portable charger, or you’ll regret it.
 

Visiting Legoland Florida

Many people think Legoland Florida is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando.  It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

If you’re driving, Legoland Florida is easily accessible via I-4 (via Orlando or I-75 (via Tampa).  

If you are flying, you can fly into either the Tampa International Airport or the Orlando International Airport.  The Tampa airport is about 60 miles away and about an hour drive.  Whereas the Orlando airport is about 52 miles away and will take you about an hour (depending on Orlando traffic).  Either way, you’ll most likely want to pick up a rental car to make your way from the airport to the theme park.

The Legoland Hotel

Our Littles at Legoland Hotel Florida

About 130 kid-steps away from Legoland Florida, you’ll find the Legoland Hotel and the Pirate Hotel.  Seriously, staying at the hotel totally makes the experience.  It is a kids-dream come true!  

While Pirate Hotel is centered around…well…pirates, the Legoland Hotel has several different thematic rooms.  Each room comes with a seperate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed and a pull-out trundle.  The grown up section has a cozy king-size bed.

The hotels are combined and share 3 restaurants, several play spaces, 2 pools, a miniature golf course, and more!

The other lodging option is the Legoland Beach Retreat.  Lego brick inspired beach bungalows are grouped together.  Each grouping shares and outdoor play area that is within view of the backyard patio so grown-ups can kick up their feet and relax while their kids play.  There is also an awesome beach-themed resort-style pool.

All of the rooms have a separate kid’s sleeping area.  

Legolands World-Wide

Legoland Florida is just one of many parks in the Legoland chain.  There are eight other Legolands scattered across the globe.  The other parks are located in:  New York, California, Denmark, Germany, Italy, The UK, Malaysia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.  Future parks are scheduled to open in Belgium, South Korea, and China.

Legoland Florida is the second largest Legoland park after Legoland Windsor.  The park sits on 145 acres and features more than fifty rides, shows, attractions, shops, and restaurants. 

Can I Combine Legoland with Another Theme Park?

Many visitors from out of state combine a trip to Legoland with a visit to another theme park.  The Disney World complex, Universal Studios (along with Islands of Adventure), SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are all about an hour away from Legoland.  You could easily stay at the Legoland Hotel and visit one of these other parks.  

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Updated 3/5/2024

Categories
Florida Hotel Review Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

The Super AWESOME Legoland Hotel Florida

Resort Style Pool Legoland Hotel Florida

This year we celebrated the boys 4th birthday with a trip to the Legoland Hotel.  The kids were over the moon the entire weekend!  Staying at the Legoland Hotel was icing on the (birthday) cake for our trip.  It truly helped make the trip one that the kids will remember for years to come.

One of the biggest perks of staying at the hotel (aside from free parking) is how close it is to the Legoland Florida theme park.  The hotel is 130 kid-steps away from the entrance!  Another cool thing is the fact that every room comes with a seperate kid’s sleeping area.  The kid’s sleeping area has a bunk bed, a pull-out trundle bed, a tv, and space for them to build sculptures with their Lego bricks

Our Littles at Legoland Hotel Florida

The hotel is literally a kids dream come true.  The entire place is kid-friendly.  There are play areas all throughout the hotel including a massive one between the BRICKS Restaurant and Skyline Lounge just off the main lobby. Even the restaurants are kid-friendly fun spaces.

The elevators are also super awesome!  As they transport you to your floor, music plays, disco balls spin and strobe lights flash for an elevator dance party.  We convinced the kids that they elevator would only move if they were dancing so every time we stepped into it, they danced their little hearts out.  It was totally adorable!

Every single kid that we saw at the hotel wore a massive smile.  They all seemed to be having the time of their lives.  The play area was super lively.  The main floor of the hotel has an open floor concept so the lobby, play area, Skyline Lounge, and BRICKS Restaurant are all connected.  Because of this, the noise from the play area carries over to the restaurants and lobby making the entire first floor quite loud.

Types of Rooms

The Legoland Hotel features 152 rooms and suites, each extensively decorated with a Lego theme that your kids will love.  

Kingdom

Grab your crown and royal scepter and back to medieval times with the Kingdom Rooms!

The Kingdom rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Kingdom Room Legoland Hotel Florida

Adventure

Enter if you dare!  These Ancient Egyptian themed rooms are decorated with thematic sarcophagus, hieroglyphics, and more!  The Adventure Rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate

Argh!  Be it a sea adventure ye be craving?  Grab yer shovel and follow the map to the hidden treasure!  X marks the spot in the Pirate rooms.  

The Pirate room sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Friends

Grab your BFF, your favorite jammies and prepare for the ultimate slumber party (pillow fights optional!). 

The LEGO Friends rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Movie

Everything is awesome in the LEGO Movie theme rooms! 

The LEGO Movie rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate Island Hotel

Ahoy Mateys!  The newest addition to the Legoland Florida hotels is the Pirate Island Hotel.  The rooms are decorated to the max!

The rooms sleep up to five.  There is a seperate children’s sleeping area.  The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

All Rooms Include:

  • King size bed in the adult sleeping area
  • Separate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed, pull out trundle bed and entertainment unit
  • Welcome Treasure Hunt with LEGO prize
  • LEGO bricks to build during your visit
  • 2 TVs
  • Mini-Fridge
  • Keurig
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe
  • Toiletries

Pro-Tip:  The hotel rooms do not have a clock.  You will need to use your cell phone or a travel alarm clock to keep track of the time.  

Legoland Hotel Restaurants

The hotel has three different restaurants; BRICKS Restaurant, Shipwreck Restaurant, and Skyline Lounge.  Each eatery offers a unique family-friendly dining experience.

BRICKS Restaurant

Bricks Family Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.  

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast.   They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc.  Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

From 5 to 8, the restaurant features an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring traditional American foods.

Bricks Restaurant Legoland Hotel Florida

Shipwreck Restaurant

Shipwreck Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.  

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast.   They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc.  Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

At dinner, the restaurant serves up a 3-course family style feast!  The menu is all-you-can-eat  meals such as the Pirate Platter (beef brisket, BBQ pork, spare ribs, rotisserie chicken, smoked sausage, and sides), Seadog Skillet (flank steak, pork tenderloin, blackened fish, rotisserie chicken, shrimp, and sides), or a plant based skillet.

Skyline Lounge

This super hip restaurant serves up traditional American food for lunch and dinner.  They also have a full bar which serves up my favorite gin from the St. Augustine Distillery.  We sat down to a delicious steak dinner with cocktails and mocktails on our first night at the hotel.  It was a lovely way to kick off our birthday vacation.

Skyline Lounge at Legoland Hotel Florida

Pro-Tip:  There is a Publix grocery store across the street from Legoland Florida.  You can load up on snacks to munch on in the room, poolside or by the park.

Legoland Hotel Amenities

The Legoland Hotel property rests on the banks of Lake Eloise. There is a beautiful boardwalk that offers stunning views of this picturesque lake.

The main attractions on the property are the heated resort-style pool and the waterslide.  The maximum depth of the pool is 4 feet, although most of the pool is less than 3 feet.  While we were there, there were 5 lifeguards on duty the whole time (2 at the water slides and 3 at the pool).  The pool was filled with large LEGO bricks for the kids to play with in the water.

Our kids favorite things about the Legoland Hotel-

Scoop- “the pool”

Stinky- “the (water)slide and the pool”

Smiley-  “the play area and the pool”

We couldn’t keep the kids out of the play areas!  Their favorite was the large play area just off the main lobby and the pirate playroom in the Pirate Hotel.

  • Free breakfast
  • Heated resort-style pool
  • Waterslide
  • Miniature Golf Course
  • Firepit
  • Character Meet-and-Greets
  • In-Room Treasure Hunts
  • Elevator Dance Party
  • Play Spaces
Play Area Legoland Hotel Florida

Visiting the Legoland Hotel Florida

Many people think Legoland is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando.  It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Visiting Other Theme Parks from Legoland Hotel

You can easily visit the other Orlando theme parks while staying at the Legoland hotel.  While we were staying at the hotel, we met several people who were splitting their time between Legoland and other parks.  Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios are all about an hour away.  

Our Thoughts on the Legoland Hotel

The Kids

The Grown-Ups

Our kids were obsessed with the Legoland Hotel.  We barely spent any time in our room at all.  We spent most of our time in the play areas, and took advantage of the heated pool.  The water slide was fast and lots of fun!

 When we weren’t playing with LEGO in the play areas, they were playing with them in the room.  

The hotel could use a couple of more amenities for kids to do.  Laser tag, for instance, would be a huge hit at the hotel.  Maybe even a dancing room (to continue the party from the elevator).

They gave the hotel 2 big thumbs up (each!).

The hotel was pretty great.  The rooms were a little tired and could use a little updating.  The TV in the kid area of our room didn’t work.  We reported it to maintenance and they were unable to fix it.  They offered us a free s’more kit for the fire pit as compensation.

The lobby is attached to a small play area and a large play area that is nearly always busy…and loud.  Get used to seeing kids running around everywhere as they shoot each other with LEGO guns.  We found the pirate play area in the Pirate Hotel much quieter.

It would have been nice if the mini-golf was free for hotel guests.

Seeing the kids so happy made it 100% worthwhile.  We looked at booking the hotel again the day after we got back from our trip!

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

MOSH- The Fascinating Museum of Science & History

MOSH, also known as the Museum of Science & History, is located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida and is the city’s most visited museum.  The museum’s primary focus is science and local history.  The museum is also known for hosting a new traveling exhibit every quarter which means it’s exhibits are constantly changing.  We’ve experienced several of the traveling exhibits and they are awesome but the museum’s normal collection is pretty stellar too.

The Exhibits of MOSH

The Natural Science Collection

Want to check out a dinosaur skeleton?  Or learn about the migration of North Atlantic Right Whale?  Are you curious about the body parts of a blue whale?

The science portion of the museum focuses mostly on animals found in northeast Florida. 

The “Atlantic Tails” exhibit is the first stop on your tour of the museum.  There is a life-size blue whale on display.  As you push buttons, the animals organs light up and there is a narration that tells you about them.  There is also a simulator that simulates dolphins echolocation.

The Florida Naturalist Center contains live animals such as owls, turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, fish, and even an armadillo.

The JEA Powerplay area which teaches young visitors about energy.  The area is extremely interactive and a huge hit with young visitors.

One of the main attractions is the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium.  More than 60,000 people see the planetarium show each year!  The planetarium has education programs and monthly Cosmic Concerts.  The Cosmic Concerts, combine music with a multi-colored laser show and video production

Another fun, interactive area features the human body.  Visitors can learn all about the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular,  respiratory, digestive, and other systems of the body.  Yes…it sounds boring, but it is AWESOME!  The kids favorite part is a screen that you can dance in front of and it show you what the skeletal system looks like as you groove.

The History Collection

Of course, it wouldn’t be MOSH- the Museum of Science and History without a little….well, history!  The History Collection teach visitors about the history of northeast Florida dating from pre-history to the present.  This collection includes about 25,000 objects that tell the story of the people, culture, and important events in our region.  Highlights include artifacts from Native Americans, early settlers, the Civil War,the Spanish-American War, the Great Fire of 1901, the 1950s, and more.

You could easily spend quite a bit of time in this “Currents of Time” exhibit since there are so many artifacts and placards.   We’ve used this space to have conversations about our nation’s dark past.  The kids were able to see artifacts that went along with our lessons about slavery, segregation, and colonization.

Visiting MOSH

Address: 

1025 Museum Circle
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Museum Hours

Mondays 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Tuesdays — Wednesdays Closed
Thursday — Friday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 — 5 p.m.

Tickets

ADULTS
$15.95

STUDENTS, SENIORS (55+) & MILITARY
$12.95

CHILDREN (3-12 YRS)
$12.95

MEMBERS and CHILDREN UNDER 2
FREE

Daily programs such as the Extreme Science! shows, Florida Naturalist’s Center shows, and the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium shows are also available for purchase.

What is there to do nearby?

There is plenty to do near MOSH.  MOSH is located on the Southbank of the St. Johns River.  Right behind the museum is Friendship Park, which has a super photogenic fountain that is a Jacksonville landmark.  There is a paved walkway along the Southbank that offers outdoor art and stunning river views.

  • Treaty Oak Park- a green space with a 200+-year-old tree
  • Landon Park- a super fun modern playground with a butterfly garden
  • Cummer Art Gallery & Gardens
  • MOCA- Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Jacksonville Library- Main Branch
  • Sweet Pete’s Candy

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Sweet Pete’s: The Largest Candy Shop in the Southeastern US

Sweet Pete’s is a kid (and grown-ups!) dream come true!  It is the largest candy store in the southeastern United States.  Sweet Pete’s is located in the center of historic downtown Jacksonville in a 22,000 foot historic mansion.

The candy shop features 3 whimsical levels of sweet treats.  The shop has an endless variety of candies ranging from sea salt caramels, toffee, lollipops, decadent chocolates and lots of classic candies.  

On the first floor you’ll find the chocolates and a restaurant with a bar. 

The second floor is home to classic candies and an observation area where you can watch the candymakers work their magic.  There’s also a remarkable ice cream shop.

The third floor typically is used to host birthday parties but may also be used for classes.

Each day, Sweet Pete’s offers candy classes and is available for field trips or parties.  Each of these offers kids an opportunity to learn how to make candy.

We’ve taken several classes at Sweet Pete’s and have loved every one.  Booking a class is a great way to enhance your visit.  We taken classes on how to make lollipops, chocolate bars, and gummies.  Smiley went on a field trip to Sweet Pete’s and made an amazingly delicious chocolate and caramel covered apple.  

One of the coolest things about this massive candy shop is the decor.  Each holiday the shop knocks it out of the park with their bright, colorful, and whimsical decor.  There is something to see in every square inch of the building!

There are several different ways to purchase candy at Sweet Pete’s.  The first floor has individually packaged chocolates and sweet treats.  There is also a display where you can select goodies for them to box up for you.

On the upper floor(s), you’ll find small containers that you can scoop a mixture of different candies into.  The price is per container- so you can fill it as full as possible.

Pro-Tip:  After we fill our containers with our favorite candies, we top it off with something small (like rock candy or chocolate pebbles).  Then, we give the container a little shake and the smaller candies fill in the void.

Our kids love the second floor because they can fill their boxes with all kinds of different candies.  There are (what seems like) 50,000 different shapes of gummies (mermaids, unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks, animals, you name it!), taffies, and all kinds of other candies.

My favorite goodies, however, are found on the first floor.

Our Sweet Pete's Treat Recommendations

  • Sea Salt Caramels
  • Chocolate Covered Oreos
  • Chocolate Covered Popcorn
  • Chocolate Bar Your Way
  • Caramel Chocolate Apples
  • Caramel Pecan Clusters
  • Ice Cream

Fizzies & Fare

Fizzies and Fare is the restaurant located on the first floor of Sweet Pete’s.  The restaurant offers “light bites” such as burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and salads.  

The restaurant is most known for their outrageous milkshakes and whimsical cocktails.  They offer sever beer and wine.

We suggest grabbing a drink (whether it’s a milkshake or a cocktail), and enjoying it out on the luxurious porch.

The Ice Cream Shop

On the second floor, there is a charming little ice cream shop.  The ice cream is killer and the shop offers all kinds of kid-friendly flavors.  Although it may not be as over-the-top as the milkshakes downstairs, the ice cream definitely hits the spot.

Visiting Sweet Pete's

Address:

400 N. Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-6
Friday: 10-7:30
Saturday: 10- 7:30
Sunday– 10-6  

Sweet Pete’s is closed Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

What is There to do Nearby?

  • James Weldon Johnson Park
  • The Main Library
  • Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
  • Chamberlin’s Uptown (bookstore)
  • Northbank Riverwalk
  • Springfield Park

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Categories
Florida National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

11 Awesome National Parks in Florida

When most people think of Florida parks, they are more inclined to think of theme parks rather than National Parks or State Parks. But, did you know  there are 11 National Parks in Florida?  Sure, you probably know about the Everglades, but there are other National Parks, Monuments, Memorials, Seashores, and Preserves in the sunshine state.

Join us as we explore the National Parks in Florida!

National Parks in Florida

Big Cypress National Preserve

 Right next to The Everglades National Park is Big Cypress. National Preserves allow different activities than National Parks- meaning this may be a better option for you than The Everglades.  This is THE place to go if you want to do an airboat tour or swamp buggy tour.  This is also a really awesome place for a paddle if you’re into kayaking.

Amenities:  Boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, guided kayak tours, hiking, camping, off-roading, swamp tours
Entrance Fee:  Free
Address:  33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, FL, 34141 (visitor center)
National Park Website for Big Cypress National Preserve

Biscayne National Park

 Located south of Miami, Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater!  Take the boat tour to Boca Chita, an island with an incredible history.  The park is also well known for kayaking and snorkeling (you can even snorkel a shipwreck!).

Amenities:  Beach, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, guided eco-tours, fishing, lobstering, camping

Entrance Fee:  Free
Address:  9700 SW 328th St., Homestead, FL 33033
National Park Website for Biscayne National Park

Canaveral National Seashore

Imagine this; 24 miles of pristine, undeveloped beach that serves as a sanctuary for Florida wildlife.  That, my friends, is the Canaveral National Seashore.  The stunning, secluded park is adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.  

Amenities: Beach, Fishing, hiking, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding
Entrance Fee: $20 per vehicle
Address:  Various
National Park  Website for Canaveral National Seashore

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

  We’ve probably visited Castillo de San Marcos more than any of the National Parks in Florida.  The fort is located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine and is the crown jewel of the historic district.  I went to college a couple of blocks away from the fort and would sit its walls and study before class.

The Spanish fort dates back more than 450 years and is in impeccable condition. It is definitely worth the visit!

Amenities:  Historic site
Entrance Fee:  $15
Address:  1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084
National Park Website for Castillo de San Marcos

Desoto National Memorial

 Located on Florida’s west coast, this park is situated on a peninsula where the Manatee River meets the Tampa Bay.  Be sure to hit up the quarter-mile beachside trail that explains the story of the indigenous people and the Spanish explorers.  If you visit in the winter, you can catch the Living History Camp which features  folks dressed in period clothing demonstrating what life was like for the Spanish explorers.

Amenities:  Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, guided kayak tours,  hiking, living history camp, beach, fishing
Entrance Fee:  Free
Address:  8300 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209
National Park Website for Desoto National Memorial

Dry Tortugas National Park

This park is one of the most remote areas in the entire United States!  The park is 70 miles west of Key West. The park can only be reached by ferry (which is about $175 per person) or by seaplane (around $360 per person).

Since this park is so isolated, it makes it a bit challenging to visit…but it is so worth it!  One of the highlights of the park is Fort Jefferson, an impeccable Civil War era structure.  This place is also an incredible spot for snorkeling.

Since it is so costly to get there, you may want to consider camping there so you can get the most out of your trip.

Amenities:  Historical site, camping, beach, snorkeling, diving, boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming
Entrance Fee: $15 per person
Address:  The middle of the nowhere
National Park Website for Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park

 This is Florida’s most well-known natural attraction.  The Everglades are huge!  They stretch all across the state from the Atlantic to the Gulf.  Although the Glades are most known for alligators, you may also see crocodiles, manatees, and countless birds.  This is also a great place to do some hiking and kayaking.  The Everglades are definitely best experienced when you’re fully engulfed by them, so it’s best to see it by boat!

Amenities:  Guided tours, hiking, bicycling, boating, kayaking, canoeing, camping, fishing
Entrance Fee:  $30 per car
Address:  Multiple entrance points
National Park Website for Everglades National Park

Fort Caroline National Memorial

This memorial is a replica of a fort that once served as a stronghold for the French’s short reign in Florida.  The fort is built at a one-third scale of the original.  Fort Caroline is known as the Atlantis of Florida because nobody knows where its actual location truly was.

This is one of our favorite places to go for a hike with our pups.  Our kids love pretending to storm the fort and exploring the wooden structure.  Fort Caroline is a must-see if you find yourself in our hometown of Jacksonville.  Thanks to its proximity to home, is our second most-visited of the  National Parks in Florida.

Amenities:  Historic site, hiking trails
Entrance Fee: Free
Address:  12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226
National Park Website for Fort Caroline National Memorial

Fort Matanzas National Monument

 Fort Matanzas is truly a hidden gem. It is located 14 miles south of Castillo de San Marcos and is accessed via ferry.  After a short ferry ride across the Matanzas River, you’ll arrive at the old Spanish fort.  

Amenities: Historic site, beach, nature trail (boardwalk), marsh trail, fishing
Entrance Fee:  Free
Address: 8635 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080
National Park Website for Fort Matanzas

Gulf Islands National Seashore

 This national park follows the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle to Mississippi.  It is home to some of the best beaches in America and some pretty awesome forts.  One of the highlights is Fort Barrancas which dates back to the late 1700s.

Amenities:  Historic sites, hiking trails, beach, bicycling, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, camping, fishing, boat tour, swimming, snorkeling, diving
Entrance Fee:  $25 per vehicle
Address: Various
National Park Website for Gulf Islands National Seashore

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

 This park is near and dear to our hearts because it’s literally in our backyard.  The Timucuan Preserve has 46,000 acres of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.  Nestled in this iconic Floridian landscape, you’ll find Kingsley Plantation, a plantation home dating back to the 1700.

Amenities:  Historic site, hiking trails
Entrance Fee: Free
Address:  11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226
National Park Website for Timucuan Preserve

Check Out National Parks in Nearby States

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks
Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

How to Visit the Parks 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

While you’re exploring the south, be sure to check out the national parks in Georgia.

Other National Park Resources

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Updated: 3/19/24

Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Join in on the Fun with Kids Free November in Jacksonville

MOSH Mural

 Kids Free November is an annual event where kids under 12 get to experience the coolest places in Jacksonville for free!  It is an amazing way to expose your kids to new experiences around town.  Your kids will be able to explore, learn something new, and have hands-on fun all while enjoying quality family time!  Scope out the list of participating attractions below to start planning your family fun.  

Kids Free November Participating Locations

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is one of the most visited attractions in the city.  More than a million people a year flock to the zoo to glimpse at the 2,000+ animals.  Highlights of the zoo include:  The Range of the Jaguar, Land of the Tiger, Stingray Bay, The Giraffe Overlook, and the African Forest.

The Jacksonville Zoo is constantly evolving to become a destination your family will love.

The Deal:  Up to 5 children (ages 3-12) get FREE general admission with a paying adult.  Tickets must be purchased online and will not be available at the gate.  The ticket website will be available for Kids Free November reservations in mid-October.

Official Website

One of our favorite places to visit is the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary.  The Catty Shack is open for daytime tours, daytime feedings, and special night feedings (not available with this offer).  The facility rescues exotic animals and provides with with the care they need to live happy, healthy, lives.  The provide refuge for tigers, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, foxes, and coatimundis.  

Fun Fact:  When the wind is just right, we can sometimes hear the big cats roaring at our house!

The Deal:  Up to 2 children (ages 3-11) get FREE general admission with a paying adult.  This is valid only for daytime tours- not night feedings.

Official Website

Our family loves to spend time on the water!  If you haven’t taken your kids kayaking or paddleboarding, we strongly suggest doing so!  Kayak Amelia is located on Heckscher Drive.  They offer guided kayak, and SUP ecotours as well as rentals.    Reservations are required for guided tours (but not rentals).  

The Deal:  For any adult ticket purchased, you will receive a ticket good for a child ages 3-14 for free.  Good for guided tours and rentals.

Official Website

The Durkeeville Historical Society was established in 1998.  Their goal is to help educate people about this historic African American community.  The historical markers in this area highlight John Rosamond Johnson (wrote the music to Black National Anthem), James Weldon Johnson (who wrote the words for the Black National Anthem), Bessie Coleman (the first African-American female pilot), and more.

The Deal:  Up to 5 children (ages 12 and under) get free general admission with a paying adult.

Official Website

The Ritz Theatre and Museum is located downtown on North Davis Street. The Ritz is a 400-seat theatre, museum, and gallery in the heart of La Villa, a historic African American community.  Between the 1920s and 1960s La Villa was known as the Harlem of the South.  Today, the building stands as a reminder of the talented men and women who once graced the stage of this iconic theatre.

The Deal:  With the purchase of any adult ticket, you will receive a child’s ticket for children 7 to 17 for free.  There will be a special reading for kids on November 19th. 

Official Website

Our oldest is a huge fan of art.  We’ve discovered the museums are a great place to escape the Florida heat.  One of her favorites is the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.  The Cummer, as it is affectionately known, has one of the best collections in the southeastern United States.  The collection spans from 2100 BC through the present.  The grounds of the museum are absolutely stunning!  The 2.5 acres of meticulously maintained gardens are the perfect spot for a  picnic.    

The Deal:  Children ages 6 to 12 get in FREE with a general admission paying adult.

Official Website

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville is the only contemporary art museum in Northeast Florida.  They are offering free admission on Saturday November 5th from 11 AM until 5 PM.  The museum will offer kid-friendly activities, arts and crafts, and more!  If you can’t make it to the Family Day, kids can still receive free admission with a paying adult.

If you haven’t checked out the Da Vinci: Machines & Robotics exhibit at MOSH, yet, now is the perfect time to do so!  The Museum of Science and History is currently hosting an exhibit highlighting Jules Verne’s 1870 classic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”.  The Voyage to the Deep traveling exhibit brings to life Captain Nemo’s submarine and other wonders of his mythical world. In addition of the special exhibit, they also have a permanent exhibits such as:  Currents of Time, Atlantic Tails, and JEA PowerPlay.

The Deal:  Up to 5 children (ages 3 to 12) get in FREE per paying adult.

Official Website

Did you know that Jacksonville is home to the largest candy store in the southeast?  Sweet Pete’s is a candy factory and candy store located downtown.  They also have a scrumptious ice cream shop and a restaurant.  Our kids love picking out some candy and enjoying lunch on porch.  They also love the different candy making classes Sweet Pete’s offers.  

The Deal:  Up to 3 children tickets FREE with the purchase of 1 adult ticket for the Gummy Kabob Making Station.   

Official Website

Other Kids Free November Offers

King Pins Bowling Center is offering free bowling for up to 5 children (ages 3-12) with a paying adult.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events is offering 1 hour of unlimited arcade time free with any race purchase.  The offer is valid Monday through Thursday and is limited to one item per child.

iFly is granting free admission for 5 children with the purchase of the full priced 5 flight package by a participating adult.  The offer is not valid on Friday’s or Saturday’s and you must call ahead to book.  Be sure to mention Kids Free November when booking.

Main Event is offering free bowling shoes with the purchase of a bowling lane reservation with a one hour minimum.  This offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.  You must mention Jax Kids Free November upon arrival.  

Kids Free November Details

  • The event runs from November 1st – November 30th
  • Up to 5 children (depending on the venue),  ages 12 and under, get free admission with a paying adult.
  • No coupon or promo code is necessary
  • This deal cannot be combined with any other offers and cannot be used for special events.

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Updated: 9/16/2022

Categories
Florida Florida State Parks Springs State Parks United States

18 Gorgeous Florida Springs State Parks

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Did you know that Florida’s first tourist attraction was its fresh water springs?  For ages, people have flocked from all around to experience some of the most remarkable natural springs in the world.  In fact, Florida has more natural springs than any other place on the planet.

The Florida State Park system has created parks at  several of the 700 natural springs.  The parks offer amenities such as hiking trails and campsites.  Some parks also offer eco tours and watercraft rentals.

Florida Springs State Parks

Blue Spring State Park-  Blue Spring State Park is a great day trip from Orlando.  The park offers kayak and canoe rentals and has an excellent boat tour that will take you out on the Saint Johns River.  

Our favorite thing about this spring is that there is a launch area for inner tubes so that you can float down the spring.  The exit landing is a short hike back to the beginning of the run.

If you plan on launching a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, consider putting in at nearby French Landing.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park- The Ichetucknee Springs are iconic Florida springs.   People come from all around to float down the river.  There are several different launch sites, so be sure to  do your research before you head out.  The park has kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards available to rent.  There are also vendors that rent out inner tubes.

This popular destination often closes due to reaching full capacity early on.  If the park is closed when you arrive check nearby Poe Springs, Rum Island, Ginnie Springs, or Gilchrist Blue Springs.

Wekiwa Springs State Park-  Did you know that you could find emerald springs and a lush tropical hammock just minutes from downtown Orlando?  Wekiwa Springs is Orange County’s oldest tourist attraction and the perfect place to hit up during your Orlando vacation!  They offer canoe and kayak rentals on site.

The park also has several trails ranging from 8/10 mile to 13.5 miles in length!  From the trails you might spot white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, turkeys, and many other birds.  You might even spot a bobcat or Florida black bear!

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park-  Gilchrist Blue Springs is one of Florida’s newest state parks.  The park offers an impressive spring that leads out to the Sante Fe River.  The park offers camping, and kayak/canoe rentals.  The park is located right next to Ginnie Springs, Rum Island, and Poe Springs, so if it is at capacity, you can always try one of those.

De Leon Springs State Park-  This park served as one of Florida’s first tourist attractions.  Visitors would cruise down to the springs via steam boat to relax and unwind in the springs. 

Today, De Leon Springs has relics that help document the history from the park- all the way back to its days as a plantation.

The park offers kayak rentals, boat tours, and has a popular restaurant where you can make your own pancakes.  Be sure to check out the hiking trails while you’re there.

Silver Springs State Park-  This is probably the most commercialized Florida spring.  One of the main attractions is the glass bottom boat ride- Florida’s oldest attraction!  The 30 minute tour will set you back $12/person, where as the 1.5 hour one is $25/person.  It is an amazing way to experience the springs!  

Silver Springs State Park also has kayak, SUP, and canoe rentals. You can even book a guided paddling tour!

Silver Springs also has a restaurant on site where you can purchase sandwiches, wraps, burgers, chicken tenders, salads and more.  There is also an ice cream shop on the property.  You could easily spend an entire day at these springs!

Madison Blue Springs State Park-  Did you know that Madison Blue Springs was voted as America’s #1 Swimming Hole? Spend a day here and it is easy to see why!  Pack an innertube so you can kick back and enjoy this amazing spring!

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park-  Located on the Suwannee River, this first-magnitude  spring is the perfect place to take a dip or paddle.  The park also has a unique feature- a nature limestone bridge that crosses the spring run.  Be sure to check the Florida State Park official website before heading to these springs (and any on the Suwannee), as it sometimes gets browned out from the rain.

Fanning Springs State Park- Also located on the Suwannee, you’ll find Fanning Springs.  These springs are known for their abundance of underwater wildlife!  You’ll find turtles, bass, flounder, mullet, bowfins, and even manatees (on cooler days!).  

Fanning Springs is also known as a training site for divers.  The maximum depth is about 21 feet, making it a great place to begin learning how to scuba.  

Troy Springs State Park-  Troy Springs is a hidden gem along the Suwannee River.  Like the neighboring springs, it is well-known as a paddling, snorkeling, and scuba diving site.  One thing that set this site apart from the rest, is that just under the water’s surface you’ll find the remains of a Civil War-era steamboat.  The Madison was scuttled in 1863 to prevent it from being captured by Union Troops.  

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park-  This amazing park has two major springs, a spring run, and six sinkholes all in near-perfect condition!  The park was named in honor of a world-class underwater explorer and diver so it is no surprise that cave divers from all over the world flock here to explore the underwater caverns.  To date, more than 33,000 feet of underwater passages have been surveyed, making it one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world!  

Don’t worry, if diving isn’t your thing you can also swim and paddle here! 

Rainbow Springs State Park- Picture this- ornamental gardens, waterfalls, surrounding a sapphire blue spring.  That, my friends, is Rainbow Springs.  

This is one of the state’s most popular springs, so it often hits capacity very early in the day.

Manatee Springs State Park- The park has a 800-foot boardwalk that runs through the cypress forest and looks out onto the emerald green springs.  The park was named for the manatees that flock to these waters in the cooler months.  

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park-  This spring is small but mighty!  It measures an impressive 351 feet deep! Unfortunately, there is no swimming at Werner-Boyce (due to the mangroves), but it is a popular place for paddling.  The Salty Dog offers kayak and canoe rentals on-site.  There are also guided paddling tours and kayaking lessons.

Wakulla Springs State Park-  This sapphire blue spring is the world’s largest and deepest freshwater spring!  The spring maintains a year-round temperature of 70 degrees (a bit cooler than most other Florida springs).  

The park offers historic boat tours and has concession stands and a restaurant on site.  

O’Leno State Park & River Rise-  This unique park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.  It is one Florida’s first state parks!  The CCC constructed a suspension bridge and other structures amongst the trees on the banks of the Santa Fe River.  There are more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to explore.

Homosassa Springs  Wildlife State Park-  Anytime the word “wildlife” is included in the name of a park- it’s gotta be great! This park is home to the endangered Florida panther, red wolves, key deer, Florida blackboards, the elusive bobcat, manatees, an abundance of birds (even flamingos!), and of course, fish, turtles, and alligators.  

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park-  Naturally, we’ve saved one of the most unique springs for last!  Weeki Wachee is home to the famous mermaid shows!  The iconic mermaids perform in a stunning, natural, spring.  Oh…and there is also a water park here called Buccaneer Bay.  The waterpark features two water slides that dump out into the springs.  There is also a play area designed for children 6 and under.

In addition to all of the commercial hooplah- visitors can swim or paddle in the stunning water.  The park is also known for housing the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States.

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Post Updated: 3/5/23

Categories
Florida St. Augustine United States

St. Augustine Alligator Farm- An Alligator Frenzy

St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm offers the quintessential Florida experience.  Trust me, there is nothing more Florida than witnessing a bunch of alligators basking in the sun.  The Alligator Farm is one of St. Augustine’s premier attractions- outside of pirates, forts, and historical sights.  The park offers a sanctuary to these reptiles and many more awesome animals.

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm is an interesting family-friendly place to visit. Plan on spending about two hours at the zoo to really enjoy the experience.  

History of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm that you see today is more than 100 years in the making. The park began as a small exhibition of Florida reptiles in the late nineteenth century.  Since then, it has grown from a roadside attraction into a modern zoo that serves as a base for researchers and zoologists.

In the late 1980s the zoological park became nationally accredited due to their quality of care of their collections.  Today, the farm is the only facility in the world that currently features all 24 species of crocodilian.

The Alligator Farm Experience

You will be submerged into the alligator culture from the moment you step foot in the complex.  The first habitat houses baby alligators.  You won’t believe how incredibly cute and cuddly these little guys look!

Right by the first enclosure you’ll find a fake gator that your kiddos can sit on and pose for a picture.  

Pro-Tip:  If you want to get a picture with your kids sitting on the fake alligator do it as soon as you arrive… you know before your kid is hot and cranky from the Florida sun.

Just beyond the baby gators you’ll find a spectacular discovery:  albino alligators.  These dudes look AWESOME!

Our favorite part of the park was probably the Alligator Swamp exhibit.  There is a boardwalk that runs the length of the habitat.  Below you’ll see alligators sunbathing on the banks of the swamp- just like you’d see in the Everglades or the Okefenokee.  

The gators are EVERYWHERE!  It’s eerie to see them piled on top of each other in the water and on the banks.  The whole time we were crossing our fingers that one of the kids didn’t decide to hop in and go for a swim!

On our most recent visit we got to witness real carnage!  We watched as an alligator charged after a bird and made it his mid-morning snack.

Pro-Tip:  Speaking of feeding the alligators… pack your change so you can buy some treats (dog food) to feed the gators.

Animals That Can Be Found at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm

  • Alligators
  • Crocodiles
  • Komodo Dragons
  • Lemurs
  • Tamarins
  • Galapagos Tortoises
  • Birds (parrots, cockatoos, cranes, hornbills, storks, vultures, etc.)

Other Attractions

  • Fossil Discoveries
  • Educational Shows
  • Feedings
  • Playground
  • Restaurant & Bar
  • Zip Through the Zoo

We cannot wait to go back when the boys are a bit older so we can all enjoy the Zip Through the Zoo!  The park has a zipline and ropes course that traverses seven acres! The course features over 50 different obstacles that give you a birds-eye-view of the animals.  

Coming Soon:  Python Challenge and climbing wall.

Visiting the St. Augustine Alligator Farm

The zoo is open every day from 9am to 5pm. In the summers, they remain open until 6pm.

We suggest purchasing your tickets online, in advance.

Pro-Tip:  Plan your visit for early in the day to avoid the hot Florida sun.

What is there to do Nearby?

Although the St. Augustine Farm lies outside of the historic district, there is still plenty to do nearby.

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Cruise Travel Florida Jacksonville United States

Things for Cruisers to do in Jacksonville

Are you cruising out of Jacksonville, Florida? There are plenty of things for cruisers to do in Jacksonville, near the cruise port. Our city is the largest city in the United States, square milage-wise which means that everything is spread out. You’ll either want to have a car or have to rely on Uber to get around because our public transportation system isn’t the greatest.

The cruise port is located in the northern part of Jacksonville, north of downtown, and relatively close to the airport. The closest hotel to the port is a Holiday Inn Express and Suites, but there are plenty of options near the airport.

Things for Cruisers to do in Jacksonville

Shopping

The closest shopping to the cruise port is the River City Marketplace, which is just under 9 miles away. Here you’ll find a wide range of stores where you can pick up anything you may need before your trip. There is a Walmart here along with clothing stores, makeup stores, etc.

Beaches

The cruise port is located in an industrial area, so you’ll have to drive a few miles east to hit the beaches. Nearby beaches include:

Huguenot Park

Honestly, this is the beach that we frequent the most. During the spring and summer months, you can find us here at least 2 days a week. You’re able to drive on the beach, which makes it super convenient if you’re traveling with kids or if you are bringing along a bunch of stuff.

Huguenot Memorial Park is a 450-acre horseshoe-shaped peninsula that is surrounded by 3 bodies of water: the Fort George Inlet, St. Johns River, and the Atlantic Ocean. The park is famous for birding, the ability to drive on the beach, and for the one mile of jetty rocks that are used to guide ships into the mouth of the St. Johns River. The jetties, as well as other areas of the beach, are well-known for fishing.

Blackrock/Boneyard Beach

Shhh, this is one of Jacksonville’s best-kept secrets! This secluded beach is located just off of Heckscher Drive. A 1/2 mile trail through the woods dumps out onto a photographer’s paradise. The beach is covered with sun-bleached fallen trees. The beach is named after rock-like soil formations. This Mars-like beach is out of this world!

Our Guide to Blackrock Beach will help you find this hidden gem and give you all the info you’ll need to plan your trip.

Little Talbot Island State Park

This park has 5 miles of premier beaches and 3 miles of biking trails. It’s a little more of a drive to get there (compared to Huguenot) but it’s worth it! A long boardwalk empties out onto a spectacular beach that is a bit less crowded than Huguenot. Plus, you won’t have to worry about looking for cars when you’re walking out to the water.

History

Jacksonville is full of historical sites for visitors to explore. A quick Google search would tell you that Yellow Bluff Fort and the El Faro Memorial are both located very close to the cruise port. I promise you, you’ll regret taking the time to visit Yellow Bluff Fort. Honestly, it’s just a grouping of earthworks (man-made mounds) that are remnants of an encampment from the Civil War. I’m a history nerd and I found it boring.

We suggest visiting Kingsley Plantation, instead. The plantation is located several miles down the road from the cruise port, but it is worth the visit. The property belonged to Zephaniah Kingsley who spent 25 years there. The plantation was originally 1,000 acres, most of which has been overtaken by mother nature. The owner’s house was built between 1797 and 1798 and is the oldest surviving plantation home in the state. There are 25 slave cabins that are still remarkably pretty well intact.

Across the river, you’ll find Fort Caroline, a site that memorializes the short-lived French presence. Although the fort is a replica, it’s still a pretty neat place to visit. There are a handful of trails nearby that are great if you love spending time outdoors. Just down the road is the Ribault Monument which commemorates the 1562 landing of Jean Ribault near the mouth of the St. Johns River.

Zoo

The zoo is located just a couple of miles away from the cruise port, making it easily accessible to cruisers. If we had a few hours to kill before our ship pulled out, this is where we will spend our time.

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is one of our favorite hangout spots. The zoo is one of our city’s main attractions, with more than a million visitors checking it out each year. The zoo has over 2,000 animals and just as many plants in its gardens.

Food

If you’re looking to grab a bite nearby, the closest place to eat to the cruise port is Wendy’s. There are plenty of other options at the River City Marketplace, less than 10 miles away.

Some of our local favorites include:

Palm’s Fish Camp– Great seafood, pizza, and incredible drinks.
Green Papaya– Delicious Thai Food.
New Berlin Fish House & Oyster Bar– A great seafood menu and a wonderful brunch menu, as well.
Happy Taco Feliz- This food truck has an incredible selection of authentic Mexican food.
FujiYama– The best Japanese and sushi in the area.

But wait, there’s more!

There’s plenty of stuff to do in the River City! From wildlife sanctuaries to art museums, we have it all. We have plenty of more suggestions in our 10 Fun Things to Do in Jacksonville article if you have a bit more time and are able to venture further away from the cruise terminal

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