Car Interstate 4 exit #72 to Beachline Expressway east. Exit State Rd 441
Open 10am–5pm daily
Price $92–108; under 3s free
Cutting the line Spring and fall are the best times to visit.
Guided tours The 2-hour Trainer for a Day program teaches kids 12 plus how to handle snakes, baby gators, and other reptiles.
Age range 4 plus
Allow 2–6 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Shop The Gatorland gift shop (on site) sells plush toys, books, and gator-themed apparel.
Restrooms In the gift shop, at the restaurant, and at front gate
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
Orlando Science Center
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Practical Information
Address 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, 32803; 407 514 2000; www.osc.org
Bus Lynx bus 125 from downtown Orlando to SunRail Florida Hospital Health station.
Car Rent a car from Downtown Orlando and head onto Interstate 4, exit 85. Parking $5
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sun. Hours vary; check website. Crosby Observatory: Sat and some Fri
Price $68–80. $85–155 for an annual family membership
Cutting the line Visit during extended hours to avoid crowds. Members have the benefit of the members-only line.
Age range 3 plus
Activities Live Science! Programming brings science to life with demos for visitors around the building.
Allow 3–6 hours
Café SUBWAY (see Orlando Science Center)
Shop The Science Store (Level 2) sells puzzles, interactive science kits, and toys.
Restrooms On each level near the elevator
Good family value? From dinosaurs to space exploration, this museum has a great variety of exhibits and activities for the whole family.
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
Loch Haven Park
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Practical Information
Address Orlando Shakespeare Theater: 812 E Rollins St, 32803; orlandoshakes.org. Orlando Museum of Art: 2416 North Mills Ave, 32803; www.omart.org. Orlando Fire Museum: 814 E Rollins Rd, 32803; 407 246 2033
Bus Lynx bus 102 from Winter Park
Car Rent a car from the airport.
Open Orlando Shakespeare Theater: check website. Orlando Museum of Art: 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, noon–4pm Sat & Sun. Orlando Fire Museum: 9am–3pm Fri–Sat
Price Orlando Shakespeare Theater: prices vary with events; check website. Orlando Museum of Art: $30; under 4s free
Cutting the line Avoid visiting during the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival in May.
Guided tours Free docent-led tours of Orlando Museum of Art at 1:30pm Thu
Age range 4 plus
Allow 2–8 hours
Restrooms In all attractions
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
Downtown Orlando
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Practical Information
Address Amway Center: 400 W Church St, 32801; 407 440 7000; www.amwaycenter.com. Orlando History Center: 65 E Central Blvd, 32801; 407 836 8500; thehistorycenter.org. Harry P. Leu Gardens: 1920 N Forest Ave, 32803; 407 246 2620; www.leugardens.org
Bus Lynx bus 102 from Winter Park
Open Amway Center: check website for events. Orlando History Center & Harry P. Leu Gardens: daily
Prices Amway Center: check website. Orlando History Center: $28–32; under 5s free. Harry P. Leu Gardens: $26; under 5s free
Age range 2 plus
Allow A day
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
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Practical Information
Address Morse Museum: 445 N Park Ave, 32789; 407 645 5311; www.morsemuseum.org. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: 1000 Holt Ave, 32789; 407 646 2526; www.rollins.edu/cfam
Train Amtrak train from downtown Orlando.
Bus Lynx bus 102 from downtown Orlando
Visitor information Winter Park Welcome Center & Chamber of Commerce, 151 West Lyman Ave, 32789; 407 644 8281
Open Morse Museum: 9:30am–4pm Tue–Sat, 1–4pm Sun. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, noon–5pm Sat & Sun
Price Morse Museum: $12–14; under 12s free. Cornell Fine Arts Museum: free
Cutting the line Avoid visiting during the two annual arts festivals in March and October.
Guided tours Morse Museum has docent-led tours during public hours.
Age range 5 plus
Allow 3–8 hours
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours
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Practical Information
Address 312 E Morse Blvd, 32789; 407 644 4056; scenicboattours.com
Car Rent a car from the airport.
Open 10am–4pm daily. Tours depart on the hour.
Price $42–56; under 2s free
Cutting the line Tour early or pick late tours (no reservations), when the sun isn’t directly overhead.
Age range 2 plus
Allow 1 hour
Restrooms At the boathouse
< Practical Information: Orlando and the Parks
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
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Practical Information
Address One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, 33884; 877 350 5346; www.legoland.com/florida
Bus Daily shuttle bus (8401 International Dr, 32819; www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/getting-here; $5 per person) I-Drive 360 (outside the parking deck near the back entrance of The Orlando Eye) at 9am and returns at park closing. Reserve online 24 hours in advance.
Car Hire a car from Orlando Airport. Parking $12; preferred parking $20
Open Parks usually open from 10am to between 7pm and 8pm. Closed Tue–Wed year-round except Jun–Aug. Check www.legoland.com/florida/planning-your-visit/park-hours for details.
Price $342–56; under 3s free. Additional fee of $20 for the Water Park. Second day add-on available at the park for $15. Discount coupons are sometimes available at fast food outlets, on LEGO® kit boxes, and for AAA (Automobile Association of America) members. Lockers are available for rent in The Beginning and inside LEGOLAND® Water Park.
Age range 2 plus
Show Rescue Academy (in LEGO® City) features the City Volunteer Fire Department in a superb interactive show full of music and dance. Shows at 11am, 12:45pm, 2:15pm, & 4pm
Allow 1–2 days
Wheelchair access Yes
Cafés Many across the park
Shops Many across the park
Restrooms Plenty throughout the park. The Baby Care Center in DUPLO® Valley has baby-changing facilities, high chairs, and bottle warmers.
Good family value? A mix of educative and entertaining attractions, as well as beautiful gardens, makes LEGOLAND® Florida Resort superb as a family destination.
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
The Space Coast
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Practical Information
Getting there and around Air Fly into Orlando International Airport (1 Jeff Fuqua, Orlando, 32827; 407 825 2001; www.orlandoairports.net), Daytona Beach International Airport (700 Catalina Drive, Daytona Beach, 32114; 386 248 8069; www.flydaytonafirst.com) or Melbourne International Airport (1, Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne, 32901; 321 723 6227; www.mlbair.com).
Bus Greyhound (1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) is ideal for interstate travel, with stations in Daytona Beach, Titusville and Melbourne. The Space Coast Area Transit or SCAT (401 S Varr Ave, Cocoa, 32922; 321 633 1878; www.ridescat.com) local bus service includes a trolley serving Cocoa Beach.
Car Avis (www.avis.com) and Hertz (www.hertz.com) have offices at airports. Melbourne Airport Express (321 724 1600; www.melbourneairportexpress.com) offers services between Orlando International Airport and the cruise port.
Visitor Information Visit the Space Coast tourist center at 430 Bre
vard Ave, Cocoa Village, 32922; 877 572 3224; www.visitspacecoast.com
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) and Winn-Dixie (www.winndixie.com) are the premier supermarket chains, with outlets throughout this region.
Festivals Beach ‘N Boards Fest (early Mar). Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival, Cocoa Beach; www.eastersurffest.com (mid-Mar). Thunder on the Beach: Space Coast Super Boat Grand Prix; powerboat races; www.thunderoncocoabeach.com (mid-May). NKF Pro-Am Surf Festival; surfing competition benefitting the National Kidney Foundation; www.nkfsurf.com (Labor Day, Sep); Brevard Caribbean Festival; live music, good food and family activities; www.brevardcaribbeanfest.com (Labor Day, Sep); Space Coast Art Festival; art competition and exhibition, with kids activities; www.spacecoastartfestival.com (Thanksgiving weekend, Nov)
Pharmacies Publix, CVS (www.cvs.com/pharmacy) and Walgreens (www.walgreens.com/pharmacy) are the main pharmacies in the region, with some outlets open 24 hours.
Restrooms Almost all major attractions, restaurants, parks, malls, and most gas stations have public restrooms.
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Kennedy Space Center
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Practical Information
Address State Rd 405, Kennedy Space Center, 32899; 1 866 737 5235; www.kennedyspacecenter.com
Car Rent a car from Orlando.
Open 9am–6pm daily, closed Dec 25 and certain launch days
Prices $182–252; under 3s free. Unlimited admission annual pass: $212–32; under 3s free
Cutting the line Book tickets online and avoid visiting during holidays, the spring break in Mar, and late fall. Head for the Shuttle Launch Experience in the morning, as the lines get long later in the day.
Guided tours The KSC Bus Tour (included with admission) takes visitors to Launch Pad 39B, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. For a comprehensive tour of the Center, visitors can try the KSC Up-Close Tour ($88–100 each; under 3s free), which is guided by an expert. Visitors can learn about sights such as the 525-ft (160-m) tall VAB, where the SLS rocket is being prepared for the next Orion space program, while space shuttles that were launched between 1981–2011 can be seen at Launch Pad 39B, which has also been upgraded for the Orion/SLS program. On the Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour ($88–100; under 3s free), visitors relive the launch of America’s first satellite, and see the launch sites of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The free Rocket Garden tour (10:30am and 4pm daily) shows guests the rockets that helped power American astronauts into space.
Age range 6 plus
Activities Kids can ride in a Mars Rover simulator and a slowed-down G-force trainer in the Heroes and Legends exhibition.
Allow 4–8 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Restrooms At the Visitor Complex, IMAX® Theater, and all restaurants
Good family value? Kids, and most adults, are fascinated by the space program, and the all-inclusive price is a bargain for an all-day experience.
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
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Practical Information
Address SR-402, Titusville, 32782; 321 861 0667; www.fws.gov/merrittisland
Car Rent a car from New Smyrna Beach or Orlando. The refuge begins at the east side of the Max Brewer Causeway.
Open Refuge: sunrise–sunset daily. Visitor Information Center: usually 10am–4pm. Hours vary by season; check website. Playalinda Beach: 6am–6pm daily (life guards are on duty May 30–Sept 1: 10am–5pm). Roads, trails, and boat ramps open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Price Entry to the park is free, as are fishing permits. Black Point Wildlife Drive and boat docking: $5
Guided tours Driving tours of bird habitats (321 861 5601). Free guided hikes leave from the Visitor Information Center.
Age range 9 plus (for walking trails); driving tours for younger children. Head for the southern end of Playalinda Beach, as the northern end is an unofficial clothing-free area.
Activities The Visitor Center holds crafts workshops for kids.
Allow 1–8 hours
Café No
Restrooms At the Visitor Center, Cruickshank Trail stop, and the parking areas at Playalinda Beach.
Good family value? With free access to one of North America’s last unspoiled wild areas, Merritt Island is great for outdoorsy families.
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Cocoa Beach and Pier
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Practical Information
Address Pier: 401 Meade Ave, Cocoa Beach, 32931; 321 783 7549; cocoabeachpier.com/cbp
Car Rent a car from Orlando International Airport.
Price Pier: $10 parking fee; check website for details.
Cutting the line Avoid spring break in Mar, and surfing festivals in Apr and Sep, which draw massive crowds. On July 4, the firework display is spectacular and it might be worth the crush.
Guided tours Wildside Tours (www.wildsidetours.com) runs a boat excursion from Cocoa Beach to the Banana River Lagoon to spot manatees and birds.
Age range All ages
Allow 2 days
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Ron Jon Surf Shop, Cocoa Beach
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Practical Information
Address 4151 North Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, 32931; 321 799 8888; www.ronjons.com
Car Rent a car from Orlando International Airport.
Open 24 hours daily. Florida Surf Museum: 8am–8pm daily
Age range 6 plus
Allow 30 mins–2 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Restrooms On both floors
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science
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Practical Information
Address 2201 Michigan Ave, Cocoa, 32926; 321 632 1830; nbbd.com/godo/BrevardMuseum
Car Rent a car from Orlando International Airport.
Open 10am–4pm Tue–Sat
Price $21–31; under 4s free
Cutting the line Afternoon is the quietest time to visit.
Guided tours The museum runs a pre-arranged guided tour of the nature trails and exhibits for groups of 15 plus.
Age range 6 plus
Activities There are hands-on activities in the Imagination Center.
Allow 1–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Restrooms In the lobby
< Practical Information: The Space Coast
Brevard Zoo
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Practical Information
Address 8225 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, 32940; 321 254 9453; www.brevardzoo.org
Car Rent a car from Orlando International Airport.
Open 9:30am–5pm daily (last admission 4:15pm)
Price $60–70; under 2s free
Guided tours A host of tours are offered inside the zoo and in the connecting wetlands. A behind-the-scenes Wild Encounter tour is also available.
Age range 2 plus
Activities Petting zoo, water park & Cape to Cairo Express train ride
Allow 1–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
< Practical Information: The Northeast
The Northeast
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Practical Information
Getting there and around Air Jacksonville (www.flyjacksonville.com) and Daytona Beach (www.flydaytonafirst.com) have international airports.
Train Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) trains stop at Jacksonville, with two routes south – one inland through Gainesville and Ocala, and another coastal route with stops in Palatka, Daytona, Deland, and Sanford, which is the terminus of the Auto Train Amtrak.
Car Avis (www.avis.com) and Hertz (www.hertz.com) have offices at airports.
Visitor information Visit the tourist information center at Jacksonville International Airport, which is located near the baggage carousel (904 741 3044)
for information on Jacksonville, Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, and St. Augustine.
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) and Winn-Dixie (www.winndixie.com) have outlets throughout this region.
Markets The Jacksonville Farmers’ Market (www.jaxfarmersmarket.com) sells fresh produce from more than 200 farmers from dawn to dusk daily.
Festivals Daytona 500, Daytona Beach; www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com (Feb). Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, Gainesville; www.hoggetownefaire.com (Jan). Springing the Blues, Jacksonville Beach; www.springingtheblues.com (Apr). Jacksonville Jazz Festival; www.jacksonvillejazzfest.com (May)
Opening hours Business hours are usually 9am–5pm. Shops open at 10am. Smaller shops may close at 5 or 7pm, but larger stores are often open until 9pm, except Sundays, when stores generally open 11am or noon and close 6 or 7pm. Banks are usually open 8am–3pm Mon–Fri, although many stay open later.
Pharmacies Check Publix, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com/ pharmacy) or CVS (www.cvs.com/ pharmacy) for 24-hour pharmacy locations throughout the region.
Restrooms Almost all major attractions, restaurants, and malls, and most gas stations, have public restrooms.
< Practical Information: The Northeast
Jacksonville
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Practical Information