The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute presents artifacts from colonial, Early American, Victorian and Prehistoric Native American eras. (941) 322-1000, www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org View a carefully curated list of activities and attractions brought to you by Travel + Leisure. We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. 4931 South Peninsula Drive You might not be able to walk on water, but you can walk atop a canopy of trees - okay, sort of - at Myakka River State Park. http://carrabelle.org/things-to-do/worlds-smallest-police-station/    The Kingsley Plantation sits on the northern end of the island, overlooking the Fort George River. All Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aviators start their training in Pensacola, giving it the nickname “Cradle of Naval Aviation.” On most Tuesdays and Wednesday from March through November, look to the sky above Pensacola to see the Blue Angels training and performing awe-inspiring aerial maneuvers—a mere 18 inches apart. An 88-acre wildlife sanctuary where nature-lovers can fish, bike, hike and kayak through more than 1,500 acres of mangrove forests and marshes. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. (863) 763-4276 5551 N. Lagoon Drive (850) 267-0299, www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill and www.visitsouthwalton.com Weddings on Water is America’s first floating wedding chapel. Navigate your way through ghost tours, Disney theme parks and swampland adventures—all the best things to do in Florida. The Suwannee River is one of the wildest, most unspoiled rivers in America. The Crowley Museum & Nature Center 510 Dodecanese Blvd. (850) 653-2500, http://www.apalachicolabay.org/business/apalachicola-maritime-museum/ 954-926-2480, www.VisitHollywoodFL.org Save money on a hotel room in Charleston, West Virginia! Circa 1876 Cow Camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park 81 Lighthouse Ave. (352) 463-3420 and (352) 463-0355, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Fanning-Springs 954-921-3404, www.VisitHollywoodFL.org 1. 250 W. Hickpoochee Ave. President’s Hall of Fame (727) 820-0100, www.flhm2.org 4000 Morikami Park Road and 16700 AOS Lane Dedicated in 1943, downtown Kissimmee’s Monument of States is a 40-foot-tall pyramid constructed of various stones, fossils and other rocky materials gathered from all 50 states and more than 20 countries. America’s first land bridge Glide across the grassy water while looking for wildlife like alligators, fish, turtles and wading birds in their natural habitat. The largest Japanese garden outside of Japan, the Morikami Garden and Museum honors the Yamoto Colony, a Japanese farming community of 100 years ago. Spook Hill 1 4.4 Out-of-the-Way Attractions Enrich Keys Visits. World’s Smallest Police Station Sure, you could take a cruise on your honeymoon, but why not just get married on the water? Back to top. Opened in 1932, this is the oldest diner in Florida. Picture the 1950s decor with Coca Cola memorabilia, old 45s on the walls, stools with red vinyl seats and black-and-white tiled flooring, all housed in a converted railroad train car. Take a peek at Channelside and the surrounding areas in this VISIT FLORIDA Family Travel Expert video. After you’ve explored the Rawlings homestead, drive up the road to The Yearling Restaurant. on the Historic Redland Tropical Trail. (352) 236-7143, www.floridagreenwaysandtrails.com Fort Lauderdale Kite Surfing Co. Channelside entertains with casual and elegant dining, nightclubs, shopping, art galleries, an IMAX Theater and more. (850) 487-3711, www.missionsanluis.org After exploring the Hall of Fame, head over to the Murray Bros. Caddyshack Restaurant, owned by Bill Murray and his five brothers, where your personal “caddie” will make sure you “eat, drink and be Murray.”, Swim with manatees       There are trails for walking and bird-watching along the pond and through a garden featuring native plants open daily during daylight hours. Admission to the park is free from 9 … www.historiclakewales.com/spookhill (813) 241-8838, www.ybor.org and (813) 247-1434, www.ybormuseum.org (863) 680-4597, www.flsouthern.edu Anderson’s Marina, you can also catch a boat for a dolphin cruise or a charter for a day of fishing. And don’t forget to snap a photo of the giant Yeehaw sign along the road. Located in the “Phosphate Capital of the World,” this museum includes fossil exhibits and showcases the history of phosphate mining in Florida. Kid-Friendly Stops Along I-95 in Florida – You’ve Made It! ], 10 Best Things to do in Scottsdale with Kids, 8 Awesome Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas, Snow Tubing for Toddlers and Kids on the East Coast. Posted on April 30, 2014 . Aside from its natural beauty, it also boasts historic landmarks and family-friendly attractions without the crowds of tourists you’re used to in other parts of the state. There is a prominent statue of Abraham Lincoln in front of the state Capitol building so that West Virginians never forget their history. 574 South Beach Road Still visible today are giant mounds of oyster shells left by the Timucua Indians and their ancestors. The Desert Inn Motel & Restaurant became part of history during the late 1880s when it was a mid-way stop for cowmen along the Cross Florida Cattle Trail. The half-a-mile long Cypress Swamp Nature Trail is perfect for families. It’s a land of “firsts” at Marineland. Top Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina. With epitaphs like “I Told You I was Sick,” “Devoted Fan of Julio Iglesias” and others, the cemetery is as Key West as you can get—in a cemetery, of course. Coastal dune lakes Learn more in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy Policy. Offering fresh catfish, cooter (freshwater turtle), frogs’ legs, and gator along the banks of Lake Okeechobee. Monkey Island Homosassa Head to Florida’s Western coast, on the Homosassa River, and you will find Monkey Island. Ron’s Tackle Box and Angler’s Antique Gallery If you want to go where the locals go, you'll head over to Ichetucknee Springs. Jacksonville Beach at exit 341 and Daytona Beach at exit 261 are two family-friendly beaches with great restaurants and lots of play space for families. Lake Placid is also the Caladium Capital of the World. Visitors can picnic in … Nearby, The American Orchid Society features a three-acre botanical orchid garden filled with thousands of native and exotic orchids. This 35-acre site includes the main house where you will see murals on the ceilings, faux marble on the walls and floors, and the courtyard with carousel animals. 900 N. Birch Road Here’s your chance to see them up close. For example, did you know Key … Pit-Stop in Ohio at The Warther Museum, 2. If you have more time to spend in Northern Virginia, check out Trekaroo’s resource for learning about American history in Prince William County, Road School: Civil War and American History in Prince William County, VA. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge I-77 is your highway! 14248 Camp Mack Road 19200 SW 344th Street, (305) 246-1592, www.robertishere.com. Phosphate Museum (904) 2513537, www.nps.gov/timu/historyculture (813) 273-4000, www.flaquarium.org Virginia’s capital has a growing foodie scene in its Church Hill, Carytown, and Downtown neighborhoods making it the perfect place to eat a satisfying dinner. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge More than 2.5 acres of historic gardens, the first of which was planted on the original residence in 1903, blossom along the St. Johns River. There are a couple of state parks in South Carolina worth a stop for families on a road trip to Disney World. Spending a Day in Charleston, West Virginia Capital City. Check out Trekaroo’s Top Things to Do in Raleigh, North Carolina. Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce, 18 N. Oak Street If the weather is not quite right for a stroll around the gardens, take a look inside the extensive West Virginia State Museum. One World Golf Place and 455 South Legacy Trail At Amelia Island State Park, you will find one of the few locations in Florida offering horseback riding on the beach. The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art You can dive, snorkel or swim at one of the springs, but tubing the river is the best way to go. At the northern tip of Fort George Island, east of Jacksonville off A1A At Spook Hill, you can experience the optical illusion of the family car rolling uphill while in neutral. However, if you’re looking to extend your road trip to Disney World into the beautiful state of North Carolina, there are many options. Big Shoals State Park, County Road 135 Peach Stands; 2. Native Americans used the caverns for shelter for thousands of years. Monticello is a beautiful small town in North Central Florida with loads of Southern charm by day... and ghostly spirits by night. US Highway 98 Check out Trekaroo’s Family-Friendly Road Trip Charleston SC to Savannah GA. Once you hit the Florida border, there’s only one thing on everyone’s mind- the beach! Also, Darien, GA, not far off of exit 49, is a seaside village famous for shrimpin’ and food making the perfect place to stop for lunch in Georgia on a drive to Orlando. The best time to go is in the winter, when these "sea cows" come searching for warm waters. Scenic beachfront parks and trails. The Visitor Center in Centro Ybor is a great first stop to plan your exploration of Ybor City. South of the Border; 2. It will take you at least three hours to cross West Virginia on your road trip to Disney World. Adventures Unlimited in Milton hosts daytime excursions, overnight trips and fishing groups in Blackwater River State Forest. 13208 State Road 72 (863) 675-2891 23-acre waterfront park, featuring biking, observation tower, full-moon kayaking tours, boat launch, eco-walk nature trail, picnic tables, freshwater fishing. Apalachicola Maritime Museum  More than 30 species of birds use the 5,400+ acres on Pelican Island as a rookery, roost, feeding ground or loafing area. Three rental pavilions available. With a screen door that mostly works and tin roof that pings when it rains, the restaurant features some good ole cracker cookin’: fried gator, fried okra, grits, greens and biscuits. (315) 736-7529 or (800) 874-1234, www.floridapanhandledivetrail.com/oriskany.html This off-beat landmark has been featured on “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” and “The Today Show,” but is no longer in use today. Everglades Lounge at The Clewiston Inn Their presence here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food in normal times and has been important aid to human survival in times of distress and critical need.” Come in August to attend the festival in honor of this marsupial. Big Cat Rescue (863) 956-4990 Discover 272 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Florida from Dry Tortugas to Lewis Spring House. From Columbia, you can join up with I-95 South for the last leg of your journey on your drive to Orlando. Florida Holocaust Museum With the assistance of Colonel Hermann and his father, General George Patton saved this rare breed of horses from the Russian advances of WWII, a story recounted in the 1963 Walt Disney movie “Miracle of the White Stallions.” Now, you can see the original white Lipizzans of Austria perform the rare and beautiful “Airs Above Ground.” These horses are known for their distinctive leaping and “flying.”. (904) 829-0745, www.staugustinelighthouse.com 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive Picnic areas, barbecues, biking and walking trails, or watching turtles nest. There is so much to do only a short distance from the interstate and plenty to keep the kids entertained. The Metalwork Studio offers Metalsmith classes taught by a metalsmith artist and jewelry designer. You can see dozens of wild alligators, white-tailed deer and even a wild turkey or two. Georgia is the home of peaches and pecans, and there’s no problem finding either, as nearly every exit in Georgia has peach stands! Chocolate lovers will want to keep exit 65 in mind for one reason: Chocolate Kingdom. Fredericksburg – A Nice Place to Stay the Night on an I-95 Road Trip, 3. 751 Sheridan St. (800) 226-3542 and (904) 251-2320, www.ameliaisland.org and www.floridastateparks.org/park/Amelia-Island (727) 821-7391, www.floridacraftsmen.net Looking to stay overnight in Wilmington, DE or a full day exploring the city on your drive to Orlando? 4533 Solomon Road Canoeing, tubing or kayaking . It stands 112 feet high and is in active use, sending out a flashing light to boaters every six seconds. The Myakka Canopy Walk allows visitors to view the treetops of the prairie hammock by ascending a 74-foot tower and crossing an 84-foot suspension bridge. Driving the I-77 route on a road trip to Disney World, families pass through Charleston, capital of West Virginia. (800) 500-5583, www.babcockwilderness.com Here are a few of our favorites that are totally free (though some appreciate donations). (239) 695-4700 or (877) 694-4700, www.cityseafood1.com Columbia Restaurant Marineland The Storter family home became the Rod & Gun Club in 1925, an historic gathering place for hunting and fishing enthusiasts – many of them famous, including Ernest Hemingway and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Back to top. (863) 425-2823, www.mulberryphosphatemuseum.org/ 1 Seafood Restaurant by “Southern Living” readers. The Sanibel Lighthouse is located at the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. The gardens feature six different time periods and Japanese styles. 358 22nd Ave. South Each table is equipped with a griddle where you can pour and flip your own pancakes. After driving 180 miles through North Carolina on your drive to Orlando, you’ll reach the famous rest stop, South of the Border. Other quick stops in Baltimore include a visit to one of Baltimore’s free art museums, the Baltimore Museum of Art or Walter’s Art Museum. Monticello Opera House McKee Botanical Garden is an 18-acre subtropical jungle hammock featuring the Bamboo Pavilion, the first permitted, structurally engineered bamboo structure in the United States with a roof thatched by Seminole Indians. So many travelers recognize I-4 as the well-traveled highway to Disney and Universal Studios, but this interstate really has so much more to offer on your drive to Orlando! (727) 483-9020, www.weddingsonwater.com 4241 Sky Dive Lane Life- size wax statues of the presidents and an extensive collection of political artifacts are only part of the fun. 200 Riverside Drive Various outfitters for kayaking on www.space-coast.com Big Cypress Seminole Reservation The bar has a unique wrap-around mural of the Florida Everglades, which you’ll promptly ignore when you make a few new best friends. Voted the best river/lake for canoeing in Florida twelve years in a row, the Peace River is rife with sharks’ teeth. (850) 651-1808, www.afarmamentmuseum.com (727) 823-1594, https://thechattaway.com/ Choose exit 68 to dine like royalty at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Show or choose unusual sandwich options at Earl of Sandwich. Kids will enjoy the fossil dig and life-size dinos while adults will adore the serene environment. Sponge-o-rama Take a 45-minute riding tour along this northeast Atlantic shoreline to get a glimpse of this stunning Florida seaside. The fish camp atmosphere includes decorating with stuffed—as in, by a taxidermist—animals everywhere. Recent additions include a Chihuly glass collection. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Pineland-Randell Research Center 12-acre passive park with linear trail, bicycle trail, pavilions, freshwater fishing and playground. Fanning Springs produces an average of 65 million gallons of water daily, making it one of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs. Here you can also experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony once monthly. This south Florida landmark opened in 1939 and is most famous for its signature thoroughbred race for three-year-olds, the $1 million Florida Derby. Walkers, runners, bicyclists and rollerbladers set their own pace on this path, which is bordered by seven miles of Hollywood’s famous coastline, vocational apartments and resorts, charming shops, cafés and places to eat facing the ocean. You’ll … If you like diving -- and for many people, snorkeling and scuba are the main attractions on a Florida Keys visit -- then you'll love the History of Diving Museum. 300 E. Monument Ave. Check out the hip, undiscovered side of Miami on the Historic Redland Tropical Trail. Humans cannot go on the island, but it is viewable by boat, kayak or from the Centennial Trail. St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau Other fun facts: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ husband, Charles Rawlings, ran the rocking boat bar and restaurant, The Porpoise, where Ernest Hemingway was known to frequent and was the inspiration of the novel “The Old Man and the Sea.”. Attractions on Florida's Space Coast Stretching 72 miles along Florida's East Coast, the Space Coast continues to enliven, entertain and inspire more and more visitors each year. (561) 279-8883, www.spadymuseum.com The 20 best things to do in Florida. Another option for families driving to Orlando is Colleton County State Park in Walterboro off exit 68. Halfway between Naples and Miami on the Tamiami Trail is the home, gallery and studio of famed black-and-white nature photographer, Clyde Butcher. The tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the nation, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is a cardio-worthy 203 steps to the top. The town itself is reported to have a population of 11. Flicks and waves of blue-green light look like flying embers from an undersea fire, but they are naturally occurring bioluminescent organisms concentrated in the lagoon waters of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. A quintessential Pensacola experience, the National Naval Aviation Museum is the third- largest aviation museum in the world. (941) 361-6511, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Myakka-River There are live butterfly releases on Saturdays and Sundays.