Tag: FLORIDA

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Disney Florida Orlando United States

Disney Springs During COVID-19

Disney Springs

Our family has been quarantined since the beginning of March. This weekend we did the unthinkable- we visited Disney Springs during COVID-19.

Let me begin by saying we haven’t been out to eat at any restaurants, the kids haven’t been in any stores, and Ashley and I only run out to grab the essentials. We’ve been very careful about social distancing and are taking all of the precautions necessary to keep our kids safe.

We haven’t stayed entirely at the house- we’ve been exploring the local parks like the Castaway Island Preserve, Fort Clinch State Park, and the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. We’ve also visited the Jacksonville Zoo nearly every week since they’ve been very cautious.

After doing a bit of research, we decided to venture out to Disney Springs during our mini-vacation to central Florida.

https://youtu.be/p0WeGtqQkws

What is Disney Springs?

Disney Springs is essentially an outdoor mall and entertainment complex following many of the Town Center models found in most cities. It features countless Disney themed stores, as well as other shops and restaurants centered around Lake Buena Vista.

What precautions is Disney Springs taking for COVID-19?

  • Masks are required for everyone 2 and older. This rule applies to not only in the stores but in the outdoor areas as well. This is strictly enforced. You may remove masks while eating or drinking. There are several places where you can social distance, remove your masks, and simply breathe.
  • All visitors have their temperature checked before entering the property. When we arrived (in the late afternoon) there was no wait time. Several staff members were on hand to check your temperature.
  • There are hand sanitizer stations at the entrance of every shop and restaurant.
  • At the entrance to each shop and restaurant, a “cast member” is keeping track of how many people enter the building.
  • There are reminders posted everywhere about maintaining social distancing. There are also markers on the ground indicating which way to walk (in some areas).

Did we feel safe?

In a word, yes.  We were very impressed by all of the precautions that Disney has taken to keep its patrons safe.  Honestly, every single person that we passed (that was over two) was wearing a mask.  Even little toddlers being pushed around in strollers were wearing masks.  We took advantage of the countless hand sanitizer stations and washed our hands before we ate.  Honestly, everywhere you looked there was someone wiping down a surface.  It was quite impressive.

The only times we didn’t have our masks on is when we were rehydrating, sharing a Dole Whip (mmm, Dole Whip), and when we ate dinner at Rainforest Café.  We did find a place by Lake Buena Vista where no one else was around so we were able to sit down, take our masks off, and cool down a moment.

I will say that wearing a mask for long periods of time in the Florida heat is uncomfortable, and this is coming from a pro-mask Florida girl.  Keep in mind that although the thermometer might read 95, you have to take into account the humidity.  Florida, in the summers, can be miserable.  I imagine that it is even more unbearable for people who are not accustomed to high humidity.  Make sure that you stay well hydrated, especially since you’ll be required to wear a mask.

What are the highlights?

  • The NBA Experience
  • Rainforest Cafe
  • T-Rex Restaurant
  • Characters in Flight
  • The Lego Store (and nearby sculptures)
  • Word of Disney-  the largest Disney character store in Walt Disney World Resort-and on Earth!
  • Goofy’s Candy Company
  • Splitsville Luxury Lanes
  • Disney’s Day of Christmas (store)

Where is Disney Springs located?

Physical address: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Hours: 10 AM- 10 PM

Our Thoughts on Disney Springs

Disney Springs is a great place to visit if you want a watered-down version of the Disney experience, without the steep ticket price.  This, by no means, means that Disney Springs is cheap.  We bought the kids each a stuffed animal (that was “on-sale”) and they were $25 each.  We also had dinner at Rainforest Café and spent $100 on a turkey wrap, shrimp tacos, 2 kids meals, and 2 alcoholic beverages.

This is a fantastic location to pick up souvenirs.  There are a ton of Disney themed stores that offer anything you can think of; candy, kitchen accessories, clothes, toys, bags, etc. Be sure to check out the World of Disney store- it’s the largest Disney store on the planet.

Our Disney Springs Essentials

Mickey Mouse Backpack Safety Leash and Harness
Mickey Mouse Water Bottle with Straw and Lid
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen

While You’re in Orlando

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Exploring Jacksonville’s Stunning Castaway Island Preserve with Kids

Castaway Island Preserve

Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day to day life? Castaway Island Preserve is one of our favorite parks in northeast Florida. In fact, when pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become at one with nature.  This is hands-down one of our favorite parks in Jacksonville.

Pro-Tip:  Be sure to pack plenty of water!  Even though the trail is short and extremely easy, it’s important to stay hydrated.

We strongly suggest visiting the park early in the morning or on a cool day.  The trail is lightly shaded, in parts, but it is easy to get overheated in the hot Florida sun.  Full disclosure:  the park is miserable in the heat… as are most places in Florida.

What is the history behind Castaway Island Preserve?

The land for the Castaway Island Preserve was set aside in 1999. The city of Jacksonville designed the space to help manage growth, protect the environmentally sensitive salt marshlands, and improve water quality in the area. Today the preserve covers over 200 acres.

For some of the best views of the Intracoastal and marsh, check out the observation outlooks.  Head down the Island Trail and veer right to the boardwalk.  The boardwalk takes you straight out to the marsh.

There’s an additional boardwalk that leads to a floating dock that serves as a launch site for kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards.  To access this boardwalk, follow the main entrance road to the very back of the park.  The launch site is right at the edge of the parking lot, making it easy to put in your water vessel of choice.  

What are the highlights of Castaway Island Preserve?

  • Kid-friendly interpretive natural trail
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Paddle Boarding
  • Education Center
  • Hiking
  • Biking
  • Scoping out the salt marsh wildlife
  • It’s pet friendly!

Where is the park located?

The preserve is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located off of San Pablo Road between Atlantic Blvd. and Beach Blvd.

What are the park’s hours?

The park is open during daylight hours. There is also an Education Center that offers special programs. Check the park’s Facebook Page for events.

 

Our Thoughts on the Castaway Island

Castaway Island Preserve is truly a hidden gem. It is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. The Island Trail is the perfect place for little ones to explore and learn about the wildlife that inhabits the area. The trail has paintings of animal paw prints that will keep the kids guessing what animals they will learn about next.

The Island Trail is  comprised of boardwalks and paved sidewalks making it easy to navigate for everyone.  The trail is approximately one mile long and is a loop trail.  We really enjoy taking the boardwalk out to the marsh to look for creatures.  The kids love looking out for osprey, fiddler crabs, and woodpeckers.

This is a fantastic park for pups, as well. We’ve taken Lady Belle and Parker here to explore new sights and scents.  We always run into family’s with their dogs when we visit.

What is there to do Nearby?

  • Adventure Landing
  • Cradle Creek Preserve
  • Jacksonville Beach Pier
  • Fort Caroline

Our family also recommends the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens as kid-friendly destinations.

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Updated: 10/23/21

Categories
Fernandina Florida Florida State Parks State Parks United States

Historic Fort Clinch State Park with Kids

Fort Clinch

Are you looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day life? Fort Clinch State Park is one of the best State Parks in northeast Florida. When pulling into the driveway, you are instantly transported into the “Real Florida”. This is the perfect place to become one with nature and to take a step back into our state’s rich history.

There is plenty to do at Fort Clinch Park. Not only is the park home to a charming Civil War-era fort, but it is one of the best places in the area to find shark teeth. The park has a handful of excellent hiking/biking trails.

What is the history behind Fort Clinch?

Construction of the first fortifications on this site began in 1736, however, it wasn’t until nearly a century later that the Fort Clinch that we know started to take shape.  They should have put a woman in charge, it would have been built in no time (haha).  After the War of 1812, a series of forts (including Fort Clinch) were built along the eastern coastline of the United States to defend against foreign invaders.

After that, the construction of modern-day Fort Clinch began in 1847. However, when the Civil War started in 1861, the fort was only about two-thirds completed. For example, the cannons had yet to be mounted to the walls. Due to its location, the fort defaulted to Confederate control. Booooo, right?

Soon the Union swept through the area and started to gain control of southern Georgia. As a result, General Robert E. Lee gave the order to evacuate the fort. The Union troops quickly took over the fort and continued to enhance the fortification. When the fort was abandoned in 1869, it was still under construction.

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The kids at Fort Clinch, 2020
The kids at Fort Clinch, 2024

What are the highlights of Fort Clinch State Park?

  • Visiting the fort
  • Shark tooth hunting
  • Shelling
  • Bicycling (there are 3.3 miles of paved road and 6 miles of multi-use trails)
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

Where is the park located?

The physical address is:

2601 Atlantic Ave.
Fernandina Beach FL 32034

Our Thoughts on Fort Clinch State Park

We’ve spent many days wandering around Fort Clinch State Park. It’s a great place to escape the madness of our day-to-day lives. The hiking/biking trails here are fantastic. Our dogs love wandering through the woods and marsh. Be on the lookout for (alli)gators!

Likewise, the fort itself is amazing. The crew that works at the park has done a phenomenal job maintaining the park and helping it come alive. The kids love being able to peer into the windows of the prison, barracks, bakery, storehouses, hospital, kitchens, blacksmith shops, etc. All of the rooms were furnished to help recreate the feeling of living in the fort in 1864.

The kids also like to explore the rampart and gun deck to check out the cannons. This part of the fort offers incredible views of Cumberland Island and Cumberland Sound.

Also, a “soldier” is on duty every day of the year. Be sure to ask them questions and interact with them while you’re there!  

 

Lastly, searching for sharks’ teeth is another one of our favorite things to do at the park. It’s best to hunt for shark teeth during low tide (when there is more beach exposure) or after a storm (when things get washed up onto the beach).

We have visited the park countless times with the kids and they never get bored of it!

Our Park Essentials

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

What is there to do nearby?

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Updated: 3/5/2024

Categories
Disney Florida Orlando United States

Take a Virtual Trip to Disney World

Although the world around us is slowly opening up, our little family is still self-isolating The twins, Scoop and Stinky, both have weak immune systems and respiratory problems, so we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe and healthy. Since our entertainment options are limited, we’ve been taking virtual field trips. One of the kid’s favorites has been a virtual trip to Disney.

This January, we made our first trek down to Disney with the kids. Naturally, they fell in love with the fairytale wonderland. Our plans were to take them back to Magic Kingdom once the adoption was finalized however, 2020 had other plans.

Instead, we broke out our Mickey Mouse shirts and hats and plopped down on the couch. I pulled up YouTube and we took a virtual trip to Disney. Honest to God this was the quietest they have been since the beginning of March. The kids had such a blast “riding” the rides and were absolutely mesmerized by all of the colors.

How does this work, you might ask? Tons of YouTubers have shared videos of “ride thrus” of some of Disney’s most popular attractions. Rides like “Frozen Ever After” and “Space Mountain” come available with just a click!

Grab your Fast Pass and join us on some of our favorite rides!

The Little Mermaid

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Frozen Ever After

Space Mountain

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

Peter Pan’s Flight

Slinky Dog Dash

Pirates of the Caribbean

It’s a Small World

We hope you enjoy this virtual trip to Disney as much as we do! Although a virtual trip isn’t nearly as exciting as a real trip to Disney, it will have to do for now. And let’s face it, you can’t beat the wait times!

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Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

Exploring the Extraordinary Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens with Kids

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.

What are the highlights of the Jacksonville Zoo?

Our zoo has a ton of great features! Some of our favorite include:

Range of the Jaguar

Since Jax is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s only fitting that we have an awesome jaguar exhibit! Our city’s favorite cats can usually be found sunning along the edge of the Lost Temple.  

Land of the Tiger

This is one of the zoo’s newest upgrades. We love watching the Malayan and Sumatran tigers strut their stuff in their awesome exhibit! We especially love seeing them prowl in the tunnels overhead. This exhibit is at the back of the park so we suggest taking the train if you want to get there quickly for one of the feedings.

 

 

Stingray Bay

This is one of the few spots at the zoo where you can get up close and personal with an animal.  Once upon a time, you used to have to pay to visit Stingray Bay, but now it is FREE!  Visitors are asked to wash their hands and arms (up to their elbows) before approaching the water habitat.  

Once you’ve washed up, you’re free to reach in and touch the stingrays.

The Giraffe Overlook

Our favorite thing about this exhibit is being able to come face to face with these beautiful spotted creatures! There is often a line to feed the giraffes, but if you have little ones it is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of their day! 

African Forest

The African Forest is home to some of our favorite animals- the primates! In 2018 the Zoo unveiled a brand new upgraded habitat that gives the gorillas, bonobos, and monkeys plenty of space to roam. The habitats have lots of enrichment opportunities and tunnels for the animals to explore.

 

 

Where is the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens located?

The zoo is located just north of the downtown area near the airport and cruise terminal. It is easily accessible from both 95 and 295.

The physical address is:

 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218

Our Thoughts on the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is one of our favorite places to visit. During the summer, we are here at least once a week. We like to visit the zoo when it first opens so that it is not as hot or crowded. If you visit a little later in the day, the zoo has a splash park that offers a reprieve from the hot Florida sun.

You can easily see the entire zoo in a few hours. We often will skip Wild Florida, Australia, and indoor exhibits so that we can be in and out of the zoo in under 3 hours.

The zoo has a train that loops around the park. It has two stops, one near the entrance and one close to the back of the park near the Asian part of the zoo. We sometimes like to take the train to the back of the park and work our way to the front to avoid having to double back.

What is there to do nearby?

If you head east on Zoo Parkway, it turns into Heckscher Drive, home to several beaches. This area is known as the North Florida Keys. We suggest visiting Huguenot Memorial Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park, and Fort Clinch State Park. One of our favorite parks, The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens is also just 11 miles away. Another one of our favorite parks, Castaway Island Preserve, is less than 20 miles away.

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Updated: 2/19/2021

Categories
Florida Jacksonville United States

The Beautiful Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens

The kids and LB at the Jacksonville Arboretum.

The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is Jacksonville’s best-kept secret! Seven easy to navigate trails surround a beautiful lake and wind through this 120-acre urban park.  Believe it or not, the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is located in Arlington near the Regency Square Mall.  It’s hard to imagine this tranquil space is located so close to the bustling Atlantic Boulevard and the surrounding shopping malls!

We have been visiting the Jacksonville Arboretum for years now. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places to spend time with our dogs, Lady Belle and Parker. Now that we have adopted our three little ones, we are excited to be able to share this park with them as well!  It’s a great place to get in touch with nature and to take a quiet stroll.

On the lookout for turtles and alligators

The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens features three miles worth of trails that surround a beautiful lake filled with turtles and alligators. There are hundreds of signs along the trails that identify many of the plants that make up this gorgeous park.

What is an arboretum?

An arboretum is a specialized botanical garden that features trees and other woody plants but may also include other kinds of plants. They are a place where many varieties of trees are grown for research, educational, and ornamental purposes.

 

What is there to do at the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens?

This is the perfect place to hang out with your pups! They are sure to love all of the gorgeous trails! Aside from taking a stroll, this is a great place to enjoy a picnic. Many local artists also flock here to paint the stunning landscape.  You may even be able to spot some of their works of art (sculptures and even paintings) along some of the trails.

Hiking Trails at the Jacksonville Arboretum

The Jacksonville Arboretum has 7 main trails.  Admittedly, the trails aren’t very well marked and it is easy to jump from one trail to another without realizing it (especially in the Aralia Trail, Upper Ravine Trail, Lower Ravine Trail  area of the park. Fortunately, the trails aren’t very lengthy so it’s easy to make your way out of the woods and back to the Lake Loop.

Lake Loop Trail- This is the easiest tail in the park.  It is 0.3 miles long and encircles Lake Ray.  The paved Lake Loop connects to several other trailheads.  

Sand Ride Trail- This one-mile winding dirt trail crosses over several different habitats including a rosemary/oak scrub, and marshland.  The trail connects to the Live Oak Trail via a boardwalk that traverses a small stream.

Aralia Trail- Theis trail offers a view of the tranquil Jones Creek and several large Aralia spinosa (Devil’s Walking Stick) trees.  There are some grade changes that makes this trail a little more difficult than some of the others.  The trail lies just south of the Upper Ravines Trail and the trailhead is located near the Mormon Bridge.  The Cascade Loop and Sugarberry Trail also branch off the Aralia Trail.

Live Oak Trail- This moderate trail is 0.5-miles long and his home to the National Champion Loblolly Bay (a white flowering tree) and several live oaks that are more than a hundred years old.  This trail is exceptionally beautiful in the spring when the azaleas are in bloom and the blueberries are abundant.  

Jones Creek Trail- This is one of our most favorite trails at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  It has many grade changes and follows Jones Creek.  The water in Jones Creek is a freshwater creek that flows north into the St. Johns River.  We do not swim in the creek, but we can’t seem to keep our dogs out of it when we visit! This trail is not stroller friendly due to the sand.

Upper and Lower Ravine Trails- The Lower Ravine Trail winds alongside the outside edge of a man-made island at the bottom of the ravine.  The trail is only 800 feet and is prone to poison ivy.   The Upper Ravine Trail branches off the Jones Creek Trail and connects to the Aralia Trail, and Lake Loop Trail.

When is the arboretum open?

Monday-Thursday 8 AM to 7 PM
Friday – Sunday 8 AM to 5 PM

The entry gates are locked promptly at closing so plan your visit so that you exit the Jacksonville Arboretum prior to closing. Trust me, you do not want to be at the park when it’s closing. We went there one evening and the ranger laid on the horn of his car until we exited the trails.

Our Thoughts on the Jacksonville Aroboretum

We absolutely love visiting the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens. It is a great little place to escape the craziness of our day to day lives. We love taking the dogs and the kids to the park to enjoy the trails year-round.

The Jacksonville Arboretum is a popular spot for hiding painted rocks. If you plan on hiding a rock, make sure you do it on the Lake Loop Trails only. The park’s trails are short and easy to navigate. Our favorites are the Lake Loop Trail, the Jones Creek Trail, and the Upper and Lower Ravine Trails.

The park has plenty of picnic spots tucked away in the shade if you’d like to enjoy a picnic there. The volunteers who work at the park have done an amazing job transforming it into an incredible greenspace.

Our Jacksonville Arboretum Essentials

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

Dazzling Nights

In 2021, the Jacksonville Arboretum launched a brand new fundraiser event called Dazzling Nights.  During the holiday season, the park turns into a Winter Wonderland complete with dazzling light displays, an impressive laser display (in the forest, no less!), Christmas jingles, an awesome interactive path, and SNOW!  

When the cost of tickets was released, there were several remarks about how costly the event is.  It’s important to note that this event serves as the arboretum’s annual fundraiser.  The money raised from the event will go towards keeping the Jacksonville Arboretum beautiful all year long.

We are excited to see what this event evolves into and we can’t wait to check it out again next year!

Click to learn more about Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum.

Where is the Jacksonville Arboretum Located?

The Jacksonville 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.

Nearby

If you’re looking for more things to do in the area, the Jacksonville Arboretum & Garden is very close to Ft. Caroline and the Ribault Monument. The Fort Caroline National Memorial is a replica of the structure that was once inhabited by the French Huguenots during the 16th century. The Ribault Monument commemorates the landing of Jean Ribault in 1562.

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is also only 11 miles away.  

The kids and LB at the Jacksonville Arboretum.

We also suggest spending some time at the nearby Castaway Island Preserve or Tree Hill Nature Center.  Both spots have kid-friendly hiking trails with beautiful views.  The Ed Austin Region Park, offers sports fields, a paved loop trail, playgrounds, and a dog park.

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated: 12/18/21

Dazzling Nights

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