Practical Information
Address Wakodahatchee Wetlands: 13026 Jog Rd, 33446; www.pbcgov.com/waterutilities/wakodahatchee/. Sandoway Discovery Center: 142 S Ocean Blvd, 33483; 561 274 7263; www.sandoway.org. Cason Cottage Museum: 5 NE First St, 33444; 561 243 2577; www.delraybeachhistory.org/cason_cottage
Car Rent a car from West Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information 140 NE 1st St, 33444; 561 279 1380; www.visitdelraybeach.org
Open Wakodahatchee Wetlands: 7am–sunset daily. Sandoway Discovery Center: 10am–4pm Tue–Sun. Cason Cottage Museum: Nov–Apr: 11am–3pm Thu–Sat
Prices Wakodahatchee Wetlands: free. Sandoway Discovery Center: $20; under 3s free. Cason Cottage Museum: $10; under 16s free
Age range 5 plus
Activities Download a walking tour brochure and coloring book from the Delray Beach Historical Society website.
Allow A day
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Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
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Practical Information
Address 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, 33446; 561 495 0233; www.morikami.org
Car Rent a car from West Palm Beach Airport.
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun
Price $48–60; under 6s free
Age range All ages
Allow At least 2–3 hours
Festival Hatsume Fair, spring festival (Mar)
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Palm Beach
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Practical Information
Address Green’s Pharmacy: 151 North County Rd, 33480; 561 832 0304. The Breakers: 1 South County Rd, 33480; 888 273 2537; www.thebreakers.com. Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea: 141 South County Rd, 33480; 561 655 4554; www.bbts.org. Society of the Four Arts: 2 Four Arts Plaza, 33480; 561 655 7226; www.fourarts.org. Norton Museum of Art: 1451 S Olive Ave, West Palm Beach, 33401; 561 832 5196; www.norton.org
Bus Palm Tran bus 44 (www.pbcgov.com/palmtran) from airport to downtown West Palm Beach. Palm Tran bus 41 (Mon–Sat) from downtown Palm Beach to West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station (www.tri-rail.com).
Car Metered parking available on the Palm Beach seafront
Visitor information 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, 33401; 800 544 7256; www.palmbeachfl.com
Open Green’s Pharmacy: 7am– 4pm Mon–Fri (till 3pm Sat & Sun). Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea: 8am–5pm daily. Society of the Four Arts: 10am–5pm daily. Norton Museum of Art: 10am–5pm Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat, 10am–9pm Thu & 11am–5pm Sun
Prices Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and Society of the Four Arts: free. Norton Museum of Art: $32–48; under 13s free
Guided tours Norton Museum of Art offers tours Nov–Apr: 12:30pm & 2pm Tue–Sun; check website. The Breakers offers a historical tour; call ahead for reservations.
Activities Rent bikes from Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop ($15 per hour, $29 half a day & $39 for 24 hours) and ride around Lake Worth.
Allow 1–2 days
Good family value? Palm Beach is an expensive town, but it does not cost a cent to explore its pristine streets and shops, or enjoy its lovely beaches.
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Flagler Museum
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Practical Information
Address 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, 33480; 561 655 2833; www.flaglermuseum.us
Bus Palm Tran bus 41 connects downtown Palm Beach with West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station (Mon–Sat).
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, noon–5pm Sun
Price $42–56; under 6s free (kids 6–12: $3)
Guided tours Free guided tours run 11am–2pm Tue–Sat and at 12:30pm & 2:30 pm on Sun. Free audio guides are also available.
Age range 7 plus
Activities Pick up the free Tour & Activity Guide for Kids at the entrance, which is designed to engage and entertain children as they tour the museum. The guide features questions to be answered and items to be drawn; and includes a pencil. At the Museum Store, kids receive a souvenir penny and two quarters for the Penny Stretching Machine.
Allow 2 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Café Café des Beaux-Arts (on site; Thanksgiving–Easter: 11:30am–2:30pm Tue–Sat & noon–3pm Sun) serves a set lunch, which is more like an elaborate afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes.
Restrooms Outside the Café des Beaux-Arts and on the first floor next to the West Room
Good family value? Though there are no family tickets, the entrance charge is relatively low. Kids are well-catered for with the great activity guide, friendly docents, and plenty of curious, rare objects to see.
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Palm Beach Zoo
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Practical Information
Address 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, 33405; 561 547 9453; www.palmbeachzoo.org
Bus Palm Tran bus 45 connects West Palm Beach and the Tri-Rail station with the zoo (Mon–Sat only).
Open 9am–5pm daily
Price $69–80; under 3s free
Age range All ages
Activities Watch Wings over Water bird show 2:30pm daily, as well as Wild Things Show 1pm daily.
Allow At least 2–3 hours
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Lion Country Safari
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Practical Information
Address 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, 33470; 561 793 1084; www.lioncountrysafari.com
Car Rent a car from Palm Beach Airport.
Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily
Price $114–32; under 3s free. Parking $7 per vehicle
Cutting the line Book online and get $2 discount on tickets and free parking.
Guided tours VIP private tours, insider tour, and photo-guided tour are available; check website for details.
Age range 3 plus
Activities Visit the Safari World theme park for rides and amusements. The preserve holds Flamingo talks 2pm daily and Alligator chit chat 3pm daily.
Allow Half a day to a full day
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Juno Beach: Loggerhead Marinelife Center
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Practical Information
Address 14200 US-1, Juno Beach, 33408; 561 627 8280; marinelife.org
Car Rent a car from Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, 5520 PGA Blvd #200, Palm Beach Gardens, 33418; 561 746 7111; npbchamber.com
Open 10am–5pm daily
Price Free; turtle walks $17 per person
Guided tours The center runs a 1-hour guided tour at noon every Sunday.
Age range All ages
Allow 1–2 hours; more time for activities
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Vero Beach
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Practical Information
Address Sebastian Inlet State Park: 9700 S State Rd A1A, Melbourne Beach, 32951; www.floridastateparks.org. Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum: 1322 US-1, Sebastian, 32958; www.melfisher.com. Environmental Learning Center: 255 Live Oak Dr, 32963; www.discoverelc.org. Riverside Children’s Theatre: 3280 Riverside Park Dr, 32963; riversidetheatre.com. Driftwood Resort: 3150 Ocean Dr, 32963; www.thedriftwood.com. Vero Beach Museum of Art: 3001 Riverside Park Dr, 32963; www.verobeachmuseum.org. Indian River Citrus Museum: 2140 14th Ave, 32960; www.veroheritage.org/CitrusMuseum.html. McKee Botanical Garden: 350 US-1, 32962; mckeegarden.org
Train Amtrak from West Palm Beach.
Car Rent a car from Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, 1216 2
1st St, 32960; 772 567 3491; www.indianriverchamber.com; 9am–5pm Mon–Fri
Open Sebastian Inlet State Park: daily (McLarty Treasure Museum: 10am–4pm daily). Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat & noon–5pm Sun; closed Sep. Environmental Learning Center: 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, 9am–noon Sat (till 4pm in winter) & 1–4pm Sun. Riverside Children’s Theatre: check website for shows. Vero Beach Museum of Art: 10am–4:30pm Mon–Sat & 1–4:30pm Sun; closed Mon in summer. Indian River Citrus Museum: 10am–3pm Tue–Fri. McKee Botanical Garden: 10am–4pm Tue–Sat & noon–5pm Sun
Prices Sebastian Inlet State Park: $8 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian or cyclist (McLarty Treasure Museum: $2). Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum: $20–24. Environmental Learning Center: $10–20; under 13s free. Riverside Children’s Theatre: tickets $40–50. Vero Beach Museum of Art: $20; under 18s free. Indian River Citrus Museum: free. McKee Botanical Garden: May–Oct: $30–40; Nov–Apr: $40–48; under 3s free
Guided tours The Environmental Learning Center runs daily Trek & Tracks nature walks in its grounds.
Age range All ages
Activities Download the McKee Botanical Garden’s Children’s Guide at www.mckeegarden.org.
Allow 2 days
Good family value? Low entrance charges make this town suitable for all budgets. The beaches offer endless fun for kids.
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Fort Pierce
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Practical Information
Address Manatee Observation & Education Center: 480 N Indian River Dr, 34950; 772 429 6266; www.manateecenter.com. Ocean Discovery Center: 5600 US-1, 34946; 772 242 2417; www.fau.edu/hboi/community/odc.php
Bus Greyhound bus from Miami and Jacksonville. It’s best to drive.
Visitor information St Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, 482 N Indian River Dr, 34950; 772 468 9152; www.stluciechamber.org
Open Manatee Observation & Education Center: check website. Ocean Discovery Center: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat, noon–4pm Sun
Prices Manatee Observation & Education Center: $4; under 6s free. Ocean Discovery Center: free
Guided tours Indian River Lagoon Wildlife Boat Tours from Fort Pierce City Marina; call 772 464 4445.
Age range All ages. Ocean Discovery Center: 7 plus
Activities Manatee Observation & Education Center runs family-friendly kayak tours some Sat Jan–May.
Allow Half a day to a full day
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Hutchinson Island
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Practical Information
Address Stuart 34996. Bathtub Reef Park: 1585 SE McArthur Blvd. Elliott Museum: 825 NE Ocean Blvd; 772 225 1961; elliottmuseum.org/. Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: 890 NE Ocean Blvd; 772 225 0505; www.floridaocean.org
Car Rent a car from Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce, 1650 S Kanner Hwy, 34994; www.stuartmartinchamber.org
Open Elliott Museum: 10am–5pm daily. Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat & noon–4pm Sun
Price Elliott Museum: $40–56; under 6s free. Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: $36–48; under 3s free
Age range All ages
Activities The Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center offers a children’s activity pavilion and lagoon fish feeding program.
Allow Half a day to a full day
Jupiter Island
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Practical Information
Address Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge: 13640 SE Federal Hwy, Hobe Sound, 33475; 772 546 6141; www.fws.gov. Blowing Rocks Preserve: 574 South Beach Rd, Hobe Sound, 33455; 561 744 6668; www.nature.org
Car Rent a car from Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, 5520 PGA Blvd #200, Palm Beach Gardens, 33418; 561 746 7111; npbchamber.com
Open Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge: sunrise–sunset daily. Blowing Rocks Preserve: 9am–4:30pm daily
Prices Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge: $5 per car per day. Blowing Rocks Preserve: $4; under 13s free
Age range All ages
Activities Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge runs turtle hikes. Call 772 546 2067 for details.
Allow A day
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Orlando and the Parks
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Practical Information
Getting there and around Air Fly to Orlando International Airport (www.orlandoairports.net) or Orlando Sanford International Airport (www.orlandosanfordairport.com).
Bus Greyhound (18002312222; www.greyhound.com) has stations across Orlando. Red Coach (1 877 733 0724; www.redcoachusa.com) has terminals near Orlando International Airport and downtown. Megabus (1 877 462 6342; us.megabus.com) has a downtown terminal near the Lynx main station. See Walt Disney World Resort® for transportation across parks.
Train Amtrak (1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) has stations in Orlando and Winter Park.
Car Rental chains, such as Avis (www.avis.com) and L & M (www.carrentalorlando.org/car-hire-locations/lm-car-rental-orlando-international-airport-orlando-fl.php), are located at the airport and across Orlando.
Visitor information Orlando Visitor Center, 8723 International Dr, Orlando, 32819; 407 363 5872; www.visitorlando.com
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) is the premier supermarket with outlets throughout the region. The upscale organic food chain Whole Foods (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) also has branches in Orlando and Winter Park.
Markets Downtown Orlando Farmers’ Market, located near Lake Eola, offers seasonal produce, ethnic foods, and local crafts and artwork every Sun.
Festivals Walt Disney World® Marathon (Jan). Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts; www.visitorlando.com/includes/events/?action=displayDetail&eventId=395237 (Jan). Universal Studios Florida® Mardi Gras (mid-Feb–Apr). Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival; www.orlandofringe.org (May). Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival (Mar–May). Seaworld® Viva La Musica; seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/events/ (Apr–May). Disney® Star Wars™ Weekends (May–Jun). Universal® Summer Nights (Jun–Aug). Walt Disney World® Night of Joy (Sep). Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Sep–Oct). Universal® Halloween Spooktacular (Oct). Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival (Sep–Nov). LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Christmas Bricktacular (Dec). Universal® Grinchmas (Dec). For festivals across Walt Disney World®, visit disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-events. For Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure® festivals, visit www.universalorlando.com/Events/Year-Round-Events.aspx.
Pharmacies Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) and CVS (www.cvs.com) are the two major pharmacies in the region; some of their branches in cities are open 24 hours.
Restrooms All major attractions, shopping malls, and gas stations have public restrooms.
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Walt Disney World® Resort
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Practical Information
Address 4600 N World Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 32830; 407 939 6244 or 407 939 7679 (for tickets); disneyworld.disney.go.com
Bus Lynx bus 50 & 56 from Orlando to Magic Kingdom® and the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), 301–303, 305 & 306 from Disney Springs® Transfer Center to other Disney parks ($2 one way, $4.50 all day). Free airport shuttle for resort guests.Free Disney buses connect every park.
Taxi Water taxis from the TTC to Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, Disney Springs®, and resorts.
Train Monorails from the TTC to Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, and resorts.
Car From Orlando International Airport take South exit (FL 417S – toll) to Osceola Pkwy West (Exit 3) to Disney exits. Parking $20/day
Open Parks open from between 8am and 11am to between 5pm and 1am. Hours vary by park and season; check website for details. Every day, one theme park opens
an hour early and closes 2 hours later for guests staying at the Walt Disney World® Resort hotels – Extra Magic Hours.
Prices $376–496 per park; under 3s free. The Park-Hopper® Pass for visiting multiple parks can be bought for an additional $55. Multiday tickets range from 3 days ($1124–60; under 3s free) to 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Check website for vacation plans at Disney hotels that include discounted park prices, and for offers on park tickets.
Cutting the line Parks are busiest in mid-Feb, mid-Mar–late Apr, Memorial Day weekend (May), mid-Jun–Labor Day (Sep), Thanksgiving weekend (Nov) and Christmas week–New Year’s Day. A high-tech system that allows guests to book time slots for Disney World’s major attractions in advance is in place. Check the website for the latest information.
Guided tours The 7-hour Backstage Magic tour takes visitors behind the scenes at three Disney parks – Epcot®, Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, and Magic Kingdom® – and shows how thrill rides, landscaping, and parades are put together; tickets include lunch at Wilderness Lodge.
Age range The parks are most suitable for ages 7 and above. Younger kids will enjoy Magic Kingdom® the most, as well as some parts of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. Age and height restrictions apply for most rides.
Activities Some Disney resorts run kids’ programs that feature supervised activity centers. There are playgrounds, tennis courts, and a marina with watercraft rental.