With only 18 summers in a child’s life, it’s very important that you make an effort to plan for something special to capture those childhood memories with your kids and if possible extended family.

Have you ever considered a vacation with your extended family?

I personally recommend planning for a summer vacation getaway with your children and children’s grandparents. Planning it at the end of the summer somehow seems to make summer feel longer. It’s also a special way to end the summer making memories before the business of the school year starts.

For our family, it’s our way of pressing pause and really enjoying moments with our children and with our parents.

Disclosure: Wyndham provided us with a complimentary vacation condo during our stay. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own and my family’s.

Planning a Trip with Extended Family

We planned a multi-generation stay in Orlando with grandparents who are visiting us from India.
This summer trip we were invited as guests at the WyndhamBonnet Creek Resort in Orlando. Here’s a sneak peek of our stay at this gorgeous resort along with some tips we’ve learned after traveling with our whole family for many years.

These tips can help you plan your next adventure with your extended family to your favorite destination.

As you begin to plan for your family vacation getaway it’s always best to get together and find a system that works for everyone. Here are a few online tools that we use as a family with my parents, my husband’s parents, our siblings and their families, and even close friends when we plan vacations with a large group.

We’ve planned quite a few trips with kids that include family members and I’d like to share some tips that work best while planning. It takes a little time and finesse to plan all your fun vacation activities.

Pick a Destination

This is probably the hardest task of them all!

As a family, we keep an ongoing list with our extended family of places we’d like to explore.
We each try to find budget-friendly deals at those locations when possible. We’ve traveled to the beach, mountains, and even a cruise together with multi-generations but pretty much any location can work.

We have a Pinterest Board filled with Places to Travel if you’re looking for inspiration. This summer we wanted to be in Orlando with a variety of options to choose from.

{Click here} for my post about places to Visit in Orlando.

Find a Destination to Accommodate a Large Group

As you are choosing a vacation destination I recommend looking for a location that can hold a large group with multiple rooms. Booking a large space at times can be more budget-friendly too.

We all need space at times during the extended trip, especially when you have little ones who need naps too so having separate sleep areas can help. Be sure that it provides a full kitchen. With a large group on vacation, you can save a lot of money making meals at home together. Many larger places require a week’s stay so keep that in mind while you are searching.

We planned our trip at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando at the end of summer because of the choice of having 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms with your vacation condo. The condo had a large common area for all of use to spend time together and at the same time also had the ability for us to each get ready in our own areas and for the kids to have some playtime together too. 

The full size kitchen and eating area was a helpful feature so that everyone could sit down to eat together at mealtime. There’s something very special about having all of your family eating meals together for a period of time that helps to build connections and memories.

One thing to keep in mind as you schedule is to give your family time to just enjoy the space that you’ve booked for the week. Many facilities have great amenities to keep your family entertained. Our resort, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, had far more amenities than we could ever have anticipated. Plus they have a daily activities calendar too. We enjoyed discovering all of the features together each day. 

They had 5 pools, splash park, 2 lazy rivers, private cabanas, hot tubs, kids’ playground, volleyball court, ping-pong tables, pool tables, walking path, fitness center, game rooms, picnic area with grills, kids craft center, and much more! We packed a few family games that we knew everyone loves to play too for back in the room too when we need downtime to refresh.

Honestly the lazy river, near our condo in Tower 5, attracted our family the most and we spent several hours there floating around the pool in our tubes. I loved that there were grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents all doing the same thing with smiles, laughter and relaxation.

We floated and swam around it as we enjoyed the castle features and cannons that splashed us. We packed a snack and drinks in our cooler so that we could stay there a bit longer. A few of the pools even had water slides, one even looked like a pirate ship!

One of the highlights of our trip at Bonnet Creek was each night to be in our room on the balcony when it was time for Disney’s Fireworks. Since the resort is on Disney property you are so close! From our balcony all of us joined together to watch them at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. They were gorgeous reflecting over the water.

Create a Vacation Board on Pinterest

• Research Local Attractions together as a whole family and add pin ideas onto a shared Pinterest Board.
• We usually make our secret board so no one needs to see what we’re planning outside of our family.
• Plus then we can type below in the comment section opinions about things and why they are ideal.
• You could even add the price of the venues on the pin description so you can budget accordingly.
• We make ours a Place Board so we can also highlight where the locations are that we are pinning. Makes it so easy to find when you are at your destination.

One tip is to start with a hotel’s feature page. Many Hotels have already done the search for you on what’s close by. Many hotels and visitors bureaus have also started creating their own Pinterest Boards too.

Ideas for Things to do in Orlando

We did spend quite a few days at Bonnet Creek Resort however since we were there for a whole week we also had days to go on adventures together in the mornings or afternoons. We spent time at Downtown Disney Area near the Resort. Then we drove up to International Drive to explore the new Sea Life and the Orlando Eye.

We also drove over to the Florida Mall to go to the new Crayola Experience. No trip to Orlando is complete without a beach trip so we drove up to the Central Florida Zoo on our way to Daytona Beach. It was so much fun exploring these locations together as a whole family. 

Plus we had our good friends who are local join the fun a few times too! The more the merrier!

Of course, with the resort on Disney property, we could have easily spent time visiting the Disney amusement parks.

We’re saving that for our next time visit this fall when it’s a bit cooler. Here’s our Planning for Disney Pinterest Board we can’t wait!

Perhaps a quick trip to SeaWorld too, we loved it last holiday season.

Create a Google Calendar-

One way that we’ve found to be effective is to use a Google Calendar to schedule out our days. Once you add multiple people to an experience it’s helpful to be sure everyone in on the same page and has felt that their interests are being expressed.

You could even add in a link from your Pinterest board pin to be sure everyone knows what’s planned.

Communicate on a Google Document or Facebook Group–

Find one method that works for your family to discuss the trip. We’ve done both ways and either way using a Google document or a Facebook group with files works well. It’s a way that no matter where you log in, you can view it and add to it when needed. It also keeps an Audit track of who added what notes.

Share Responsibilities with Everyone–

We took turns being the person who does various roles such as cooking dinner. It’s a vacation and trust me it takes a little bit of work with so many people in one spot to be sure one person doesn’t feel that they need to take care of the whole family. The kids really get into helping when they know what’s expected of them too. 

We hung the task list up on the fridge so everyone could remember what they committed to. Having so many family members in one space it’s important to keep things organized.

Create a Vacation Meal Plan Together-

We all have our own little things that we enjoy eating so take time before the trip to plan out what needs to be added to the grocery list. My suggestion is to only send one person or two to the store to grab all the items on the list.
It can be overwhelming if everyone joins the shopping adventure.

Take a peek at the area you are visiting and find a few select restaurants that you want to save as special experiences together. With larger groups see if they take reservations so that your family isn’t having to wait for long periods of time for a table. Bring something for ALL the kids to do so that they are entertained. Bigger tables tend to take a little bit longer for service, especially when all the grown-ups are having fun talking.

Discover Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Our vacation at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort had a variety of options to keep our family entertained and make lifelong memories together. The property was well maintained with active and friendly staff. The landscaping surrounding the entire property made you feel like you were in a tropical paradise. Our condo itself was beautifully furnished with everything you need for your family to live there for a week but still make it feel like a special experience in an upscale family friendly space.

The Vij Family Review

Our family had an amazing vacation at the resort that we will never forget. I’ve already asked my parents to look at their calendars to see when we can book a trip with them and the kids to return. The kids’ favorite was the lazy river feature. The view from our room in Tower 5 on the 10th floor made our experience extra special each morning and night.

Grandparents Review

Our favorite was the fireworks each night with our grandchildren and the evening walks around the beautiful lake.
Being able to spend time together as a family was priceless.

Aunt and Uncle’s Review

It was such a fun trip for our extended family to stay together and enjoy quality family time at Wyndham Resort. Kids enjoyed the lazy river with cousins and activities offered by the resort. Watching fireworks from the balcony was one of the memories that will stay with us forever. We can’t wait to plan our family reunion again there.

We hope you find these tips helpful as you plan your next vacation getaway with extended family. With the convenience of online tools, you’ll be set for success and able to spend quality time with your whole family making memories that last a lifetime.

Have a tip for vacationing with extended family? Please tell us below in the comment section.

Thank you Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Thank you to our new friends at Club Wyndham for inviting us to be their guests for the week. Club Wyndham is a leader in providing world-class vacation ownership experiences, with more than 75 resorts found in America’s most popular destinations.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,Pinterest and visit their siteto check out how you can book your next trip

Club Wyndham** LIKE IT? PIN IT!**

Click here to see MORE Travel Ideas

Disclosure: We received complimentary passes from Florida Historic Coast – St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau in exchange for sharing our experience. All opinions expressed are my own.

St. Augustine Nights of Lights

We are a family who loves to travel. We were so excited to spend time in St. Augustine to enjoy their world-famous Nights of Lights this winter break for a special Christmas Activity.

The historic city is draped from the rooftops to the sidewalks with millions of tiny white lights for visitors to experience. It’s quite a magical experience for your family to experience at least once during the holiday season.

The event is free and open to all! Walk through and enjoy all the lights in the historic district. It’s a delightful holiday outing for families, couples, and solo travelers in Florida.

National Geographic listed St. Augustine as one of the world’s top ten holiday light displays. Southern Living declared that it’s The Ultimate Southern Christmas Town. Trust me it’s that good!

The Saturday before Thanksgiving kicks off the Nights of Lights. It typically runs through the end of January. The 2024-2025 Nights of Lights takes place every evening from November 23, 2024 to January 26, 2025. There’s still time to visit!

You can view the Nights of Lights Online Calendar here.

The holiday lights highlight the city’s Spanish Colonial architecture, providing a gorgeous backdrop for festive activities.

One of the main reasons it’s so magical is that to participate businesses and residents can use only clear colorless or white lights for their exterior display of holiday lights within the historic districts.

Homes, businesses, and even carriages and trolleys throughout the city are adorned with lights, trees, ornaments, garlands, wreaths, bows, and more during this time, creating a Christmas storybook atmosphere.

The festival draws inspiration from an old Spanish tradition where residents would place a white candle in their windows during the Christmas season, symbolizing warmth and hospitality.

Ways to View Nights of Lights

There are a variety of ways to experience the lights

• Old Town Trolley Tour
• Ripley’s Red Train Tours
• Carriage Rides Tours
• Private and Shared Golf Carts Tours
• Boat Tours from the Water

Can’t make it in person? Explore our Christmas Virtual Field Trips for Kids!

Best Spots to View Nights of Lights

After experiencing the event for several nights, I’d have to tell you that my two favorite spots for the best views and Nights of Lights photos are:

• The Plaza de la Constitución
  Head to the center of town to the oldest public space in America to admire a large Christmas tree and more than a dozen giant oaks covered with holiday lights.
• The Bridge of Lions
  Walk the bridge to gaze back at the sparkling reflection of the lights along the water. The seawall along the Matanzas Bayfront is perfect for a waterfront stroll with a few benches to sit and soak in the view.

There are several adorable Bed and Breakfasts just off the main streets around historic Downtown, I’d highly recommend walking around to explore the quieter side of Nights of Lights too.

The historical homes and Victorian homes adorned with lights are truly stunning. St. Augustine Architecture is absolutely charming, and it becomes even more breathtaking when illuminated.

Did you know Aviles Street is the oldest street in America? While you’re there the pedestrian only St. George Street is a must. Be sure to also stroll down Cedar Street, Cordova Street, and Spanish Street for an extra special experience.

Look out for the annual Photo Contest of Nights of Lights for a chance to see stunning captures of the event.

Best Time of Day

The best time to arrive is before sunset to enjoy the golden hour light. Watching the sunset from the Bridge of Lions was magical. As the sky lights up with beautiful colors, the holiday lights begin to glow, creating a breathtaking view.

The boats returning from sunset cruises, decorated with holiday lights, add even more charm. Watching the drawbridge rise is also a fun sight! The reflections of lights off the water will forever remain vividly imprinted in my memory of our trip.

Best Days to Attend

I’ll admit, it does get a little crowded during the peak times of the holiday break in St. Augustine. It’s still worth the visit but be prepared for a lot of people there. If your schedule permits I’d recommend off-peak days. We returned the first week of January and it was a lot quieter to walk around and enjoy the lights.

Want to learn more about St. Augustine’s history? Check out the informative video by Chad Gallivanter, which covers fascinating historical facts about the city.

Holiday Events during Nights of Lights

St. Augustine hosts many exciting Holiday Events during Nights of Lights, including:

• Regatta of Lights Boat Parade
• St. Augustine Christmas Parade
• Lighthouse Illuminations at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
• Nights of Lights Holiday Market
• St. Augustine Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour
• Light Up the Night! New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

Check out the holiday events calendar to see when each event is scheduled.

Our Family’s Experience at Nights of Lights

Nights of Lights was a magical experience for our family, like stepping into a charming Christmas movie. Experiencing it in America’s oldest city only amplified the charm!

Timing matters. Since we stayed for over a week, we experienced both weekends and quieter weeknights. While both were wonderful, the off-peak days were more relaxed. Be sure to plan ahead for parking and restaurants, as it can get busy.

We also were in town for their famous New Year’s Eve Fireworks at St. Augustine Beach, our family’s favorite! You have to experience it at least once in your lifetime! It’s worth it.

Whether you’re strolling through the twinkling historic streets or enjoying the glowing waterfront views, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights offers a holiday experience you’ll treasure for years to come.

Start planning your visit today and make unforgettable holiday memories with your loved ones!

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SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

This past weekend we were invited by SeaWorld as media to attend their Christmas Celebration in Orlando, FL. It was so much fun to wake up the girls with a big SURPRISE we’re going to SeaWorld today!  For many years our family has enjoyed scheduling a trip to spend the day and night there. Starting in late November, the entire park is transformed into a Holiday Wonderland. 

For us with our busy schedules, this visit helps to create special holiday memories together for our family with so many moments that are unforgettable.  

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is available Nov 28 to Jan 2, so you still have time to go!

As you enter SeaWorld you first start with the HUGE Christmas tree that welcomes you as you enter Seaworld.  Shamu is often there with his Santa hat, so plan to stop for a photo opportunity. We even grabbed our Santa hats at home to bring with us this trip to make it even more special for the kids.

The decorations as you arrive make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas story. Be sure to give yourself time for photos during your trip as there are lots of photo opportunities.  We’re sharing tons with you in this post, I couldn’t choose just a few it’s that much fun!

My biggest tip for planning out your SeaWorld Christmas Celebration trip is to look online ahead of time at the schedule and decide what you want to see and do as a family. During the holidays this transformation at SeaWorld allows you additional opportunities for your family to enjoy so plan accordingly. At an additional cost SeaWorld provides a Christmas Family Fun Tour, Santa’s Fireside Feast  & Christmas Show Seating.

We like to arrive early when the park opens so we can also see all the Sea Life at Seaworld and still have time for the special evening events. Right now my daughters’ favorites exhibits are the Penguin Encounter and the Aquariums under the Manta Roller Coaster.

Here are our top 10 Favorites at Sea World During the Christmas Celebration! 

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with SeaWorld 

The Polar Express Experience 

First things first we headed to see a very special visitor at SeaWorld.  We had the chance to become a part of the story Polar Express, trains as all! We watched a video as we journeyed to the Wild Artic to discover the North Pole and scenes from the movie including a very large Christmas tree and SANTA himself along with his sleigh!  

Love the special touch as you leave with the ticket with the words BELIEVE.  It’s quite magical with your child to experience.    

Shamu’s Happy Harbor Rides 

Then we headed to the children’s section of called Shamu’s Happy Harbor. We were surprised that our 4 year old was tall enough now to ride all the rides at 42 inches. There was hardly anyone in line so she had a blast with her big sister and Mommy and Daddy riding them for the first time. As we were riding the rides drummer boys walked by with elves playing the drums!

Plus as we left we had a photo opportunity with Santa Shamu and Mrs. Clause Dolphin.     

Elmo’s Christmas Wish 

Next up on our list was to visit Elmo and his friends to see what Elmo’s Christmas wish was.  With bubbles and snow and Holiday music and dancing this show was a big hit with my two girls who are 4 and 8.  

O Wondrous Night 

This was a special show for our family, we had not yet seen O Wondrous Night in previous years.  The lines at times can be long for this show, so be prepared to arrive early for a spot for your family. Through 30 songs seamlessly put together the angels sing the story of Christmas. There are adorable puppets that each tell their side of the night Jesus was born, it’s a creative way to keep the kids entertained and parents too.

The end is really moving with a true living nativity including camels, goats, sheep, an alpaca, a zebu and a flock of white doves. The audience at the end gave a standing ovation, which I hear happens at just about every show.

Winter Wonderland on Ice 

Ice skating outdoors in Florida? Yes it happens at the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration and I’m in love!  The combination of songs and costume changes makes it such a special experience to watch. The talented team of skaters take your breath away and help you find your holiday spirit.

The surprise element is the water fountains with lights and sea of trees behind the performers that are choreographed to the music.  Simply breathtaking.  

Shamu Christmas Miracles 

The last show that we went to was to see the Orca whales performing to Holiday Music.  It focuses on the everyday miracles that surround us in our lives. The big surprise for me is the way the utilize the water fountains to light up with the music making it a light and water show along with the whales, musicians and trainers.

Sea of Trees 

Day or night the Sea of Trees puts you in the holiday spirit. The entire waterfront is covered with over 100 Christmas trees that dance with lights to the holiday music. The first show that they start it’s fun to stand on the bridge and be surrounded by the light and music show. <

Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountain Finale 

Even though it’s a bit later in the night for little kids after sunset, it’s a must see for the holiday season.  SeaWorld celebrates the holiday season with soaring fountains, dazzling tree lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to joyous holiday musical favorites.

Our favorite spot to watch is fireside near the waterfront.  There are a few vendors there too with hot chocolate and holiday treats for the kids.  Plus it’s close to the exit of SeaWorld to save a little bit of time as you leave.  

Snow Flurries at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

The best part is as you leave it’s snowing!  Yes at least it’s the one place in Florida I know it will snow for my kids to experience for just a little bit and imagine what it’s like to have a white Christmas.  

Enjoy a Special Trip during the Holiday Season with your Family {Take LOTS of photos}

This experience was one that my family will remember for many years to come.  We had so much fun spending the day together allowing the Christmas spirit into our hearts.  We enjoyed listening and singing to Christmas songs, the beautiful Christmas decorations and characters dressed up like Santa Clause.  

For us the memories of our trips will be one special gift to our family for Christmas.   

Ticket Information about #SeaWorldChristmas Celebration

SeaWorld’s holiday shows are included in regular park admission. One-day tickets are $95 ($90 for ages 3-9). The park is offering one free child’s admission with each paid adult. That offer runs through Dec. 31.  In addition they have special holiday seating available to help ensure you’re able to see all the shows up close that your family wants to see.

Disclosure: SeaWorld provided us with 4 media tickets for our family to experience and share about their Christmas Celebration. All opinions expressed are my own from years of enjoying this special event with my family. #seaworldchristmas

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Dolphin Research Center. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you come to the Florida Keys, the Dolphin Research Center is a must-visit! 

The facility is built along the waterfront with beautiful views of Florida Bay and visitors are free to linger.

The Dolphin Research Center is an educational and research facility. There isn’t a scripted show but instead, they offer narrated behavior sessions as visitors stand on the dock around open-water tanks. 

Want a peek? Take a look now at their Dolphin Webcam!  

Best Place to See Dolphins in the Keys

If you’re planning a trip to the Florida Keys there’s a high chance you have one question on the top of your list. Where is the best place to see dolphins in the Keys?

The answer is the Dolphin Research Center!

Personally, I first learned about the Dolphin Research Center from a friend Jonathan Pruden, Special Advisor to the Chief of Staff – Warrior Care, at Wounded Warrior Project.

He had mentioned at a get-together with friends how much the impact of the soldiers visiting this location during the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride while in the Florida Keys. He and the wounded veterans he was working with were invited to swim with the dolphins as part of a Wounded Veteran Rehabilitation. For many of the participants, the dolphin swim can further empower them on their journey to restore their physical and emotional well-being.

As I was planning our Key West Vacation, a visit to see dolphins was a must.

One look at their weekly Facebook Live Videos and you can easily see why everyone loves it and the work they do there. I knew Dolphin Research Center was the spot to go.

My dolphin obsessed daughters were over the moon excited when they found out we planned to go to this popular attraction in the Florida Keys.

We’ve seen a few dolphins in our recent visit to our local Florida beach in the water near us and at SeaWorld but this was a whole other level of experience we all wanted to explore.

Has your child ever seen a dolphin?

Dolphin Research Center

Dolphin Research Center has become an international tourist destination with more than 70,000 visitors a year. Their programs, practices, and principles are shared around the world. With three generations of dolphins, two generations of animal trainers, and a staff of 80.

It’s located on Grassy Key in the heart of the fabulous Florida Keys. It’s a little more than two hours from Miami and about an hour and twenty minutes from Key West.

The bottlenose dolphins living there provide a range of personalities and backgrounds. Over half of their family was born at the Center, while the other members have either come from other facilities or were rescued, rehabilitated and deemed unreleasable back into the wild by the Government and now have a forever home at Dolphin Research Center. 

The open-air facility is an extension of the open water, with tiki huts throughout the lagoons where research and programming take place.

It’s a gorgeous location in the Florida Keys! I could sit and observe the dolphins and water all day long! The shade provided by the numerous and striking tiki huts was so inviting.

We were fortunate to visit the center when a dolphin had recently given birth to a baby dolphin. While we were there the staff had a session where they were demonstrated how they teach all new mothers to pump breast milk, volunterarily. I had no idea this was even a possibility.

Although doing well now, the baby dolphin was having some issues at the time, so they were provided extra support in a smaller holding tank staffed 24/7.

While the tour and information sessions can be experienced in an hour or two, many visitors stay for several hours watching the dolphins and talking with the friendly, well-informed staff.

It’s also pretty entertaining to watch the guests who paid extra to interact with dolphins. The Dolphin Research Center offers several interactive options.

Here’s the newest addition the the family!

Dolphin Research Center Mission – Through education, research, and rescue, Dolphin Research Center promotes peaceful coexistence, cooperation, and communication between marine mammals, humans, and the environment we share with the well-being of DRC’s animals taking precedence. 

Programs Available to Book at Dolphin Research Center

Here are the four options most visitors choose from as an upgrade from the general addmission ticket. These range from going for a swim with the dolphin and your pulled by a dorsel fin or to have an interactive session on the dock where you get to touch a flipper. You pick one that fits your child’s interest and your budget level.

• Dolphin Encounter
• Family Dolphin Splash
• Meet the Dolphin
• Play with a Dolphin

Are you still wondering where is the best place to swim with dolphins in Florida Keys?

Take a closer look at your experience when you swim with the dolphins in the Florida Keys.

Here are some of the additional amazing interactive programs they offer.

• Ultimate Trainer for the Day
• VIP Experience
• Researcher Experience
• Paint with the Dolphin
• Exclusive Private Dolphin Encounter

Dolphin Research Center offers a wide variety of outreach options to meet the varying needs of events and audiences.

Their encounter programs help cognition and behavior, provide programs to military personnel and their families, work with people with special needs, and develop top educational programs for students of all ages.

Educational Programs at Dolphin Research Center

Dolphin Research Center offers a variety of programs to meet the different ages, grade levels, interests and other needs of various audiences.

• Dolphin Field Trips 
• Bring a dolphin into your classroom! (Virtually)
• Dolphin DayCamp
• Dolphin Camp
• Teen DolphinLab
• Adult Basic DolphinLab
• Dolphin Coloring Pages 

Distance Learning Programs at Dolphin Research Center

As much as you’d like to bring your students to Dolphin Research Center, sometimes, that just isn’t possible. Dolphin Research Center’s virtual field trips, video conferences and distance learning programs help bring the dolphins into your classroom, wherever you’re located!

Thanks to a web camera and internet technology, you and your classroom can visit Dolphin Research Center, meet their marine mammal family, and engage in question-and-answer sessions with experts in the fields of marine mammal care, training, and research.

Printable Dolphin Curriculum Pages

Dolphin Research Center now offers its Curriculum materials as a FREE download for teachers! To access their free curriculum materials please contact the School Programs and Outreach Coordinator. 

Here’s a peek at how interactive the live videos are with you!

A big thanks to our knowledable and friendly guide Mary Stella. She is the media relations coordinator at Dolphin Research Center and her passion and connection with dolphins gleamed as she shared with us the magic behind the scenes at this amazing center.

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Dolphin Books for Kids

I love getting ready for trips and following up our trips with books with the kids. Here are some of my favorite dolphin books for kids to get you ready for your dolphin adventure.

Your child may also like to make this dolphin facts spinner printable to learn more about dolphins.

The Dolphin Research Center was a highlight of our trip to the Florida Keys. The facility was beautiful, the variety of experiences with the dolphins was amazing and the staff were so friendly and informative. We can’t wait to return again soon.

The girls are eyeing all the camps they have available for their summer plans in the future. Can you imagine what an experience that would be!

We highly encourage you to plan your next visit to Miami or the Florida Keys to include a visit to the Dolphin Research Center.

You may also enjoy these family travel ideas near Key West…

Here’s a look at our experience on Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise…

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with the Key Largo Princess, Miami Visitors Bureau, and Go City® Pass. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour in the Florida Keys

One thing we’ve heard friends talk about is the importance of getting out on the water when you’re visiting the Florida keys. Since we’re not boat owners and have never navigated driving a boat in the ocean, we did the next best thing and found an amazing boat experience for our family on our vacation to the Florida Keys.

We booked a reservation with the Key Largo Glass Bottom Boat Cruise for an afternoon tour for my husband’s birthday! It was such a fun way to celebrate his special day.

Nothing says Florida vacation than waiting for a boat under the tiki hut and palm trees to kick off your fun. This experience is located in Key Largo approximately 90 minutes away from Miami, depending on traffic.

Here’s a peek at what the glass bottom boat looks like!

On our family road trip to Key West, we stopped first in Key Largo for this one-of-a-kind experience on the gorgeous turquoise waters over the Molasses Reef.

With the help of your own magical window on this unique glass bottom boat, you’re transported as a guest into a beautiful underwater world.

To get out to the reef we headed onto the glass bottom boat through the canal, past some gorgeous homes, and within 45 minutes we were hovering over the coral reef.

They also provide cocktails and snacks for purchase for passengers on board too.

Comprised of over 200 separate islands and islets, the Florida Keys have the only living coral reef formations to be found in the continental United States.

Six miles offshore, the view is beneath the waves. It’s Molasses Reef, the most accessible living coral reef in the United States, a slice of the Caribbean in the Florida Keys.

And it’s the main reason that John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park exists.

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses an impressive 70 nautical square miles. Visitors view the park’s colorful coral reefs and marine life on a glass-bottom boat tour. You can get an even closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.

You’ll love the experiences available at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Did you know it is the first undersea park in the United States?

FUN FACT: Did you know that we also have two marine monuments in the United States?

You can find and explore the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Pacific Ocean.

As you board the yacht, you’ll see the glass bottom panels on the first level. They are pretty cool! Plus the space is air conditioned.

But don’t stop there…

We’d suggest heading up to the second level for some gorgeous ocean view, and breeze, and honestly, it helps with not getting seasick, especially with little ones.

Although the back of the boat has two benches and less bounce from the waves at times, we headed to the front of the ship to get the best winds and view on our way out to the coral reef.

TIP: Don’t forget to wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
(and maybe motion sickness medication if you’re prone to that)

While we headed out to sea, we were lucky to spot a few sea turtles swimming in the waters too as they came up for air. It was so beautiful!

The panoramic views of various ever-changing colors of blues as we headed out a few miles into the Atlantic Ocean will forever be etched into my memory.

Once we arrived at the coral reef the Captain encouraged the passengers to head below for a navigated tour of what you could see through the viewing panels. The guide pointed out all kinds of sea creatures which may include sea fans, sea plumes, and hundreds of fish ranging from small tropical to larger species sought after by local fishermen.

GRAB a GoCity Pass to popular US Cities and SAVE MONEY and MAKE MEMORIES!

Best Places to Visit with Go City® Miami Pass

The one thing we look for when we head to big cities is if they have a Go City® Pass! It makes exploring the city so easy and opens many doors to things that are family-friendly.

Did you know that there are many Key West attractions are included in the Go City Miami Pass?

Here are the Go City Miami Attractions in the Key West Area:

• Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
• Sunset Watersports Key West Snorkel Dip & Sip
• Island Safari Bike Rental
• Sunset Watersports Key West 2 Hour Kayak Rental
• Sunset Watersports Paddleboard Rental
• Harry S. Truman Little White House
• Key West Aquarium
• Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

We’d suggest getting a GoCity Pass to explore the Florida keys on your next adventure which includes this memorable glass bottom boat cruise. Here’s more info about the Go City Pass.

Go City Miami Pass

There is a Go City Miami Pass with two options. You can either choose the…

You can purchase your own GoCity Miami Pass with this link {Buy Now}

We had such a fun experience on the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Tour. It was our first time out of the water in the Florida keys and it will definitely be our first of many to come!

Are you ready to book your own Glass Bottom Boat Cruise experience in the Florida Keys?

You may also enjoy these family travel ideas in Florida…

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Historic Tours of America, Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruises, Dolphin Research Center and Go City® Pass. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own.

Family Friendly Key West Vacation

Key West is a one of a kind tropical island city. You can crystal clear waters with a diving, snorkeling or sailing expedition. Savor a Key West sunset at Mallory Square. Or take a relaxing stroll down Duval Street, grab a cold drink, listen to a local band or pick up a souvenir for friends and family back home. You can experience a taste of Caribbean culture in Key West.

It’s been quite some time since we’ve been on a Vij Family Road Trip and we figured one of the best places to start would be in our own Florida Backyard. I’ve lived in Central Florida since I was a teenager and have never been to the Florida Keys. CRAZY to wait this long, I know.

I decided a vacation in Key West would be a great destination to add to our road trip to Miami. Key West is a fun place and can be relaxing, romantic, or even a little wild, you get to pick your adventure.

Our Key West adventure first started off from Miami with an airboat ride in the Everglades. Next up was a glass bottom boat cruise over North America’s only coral barrier reef in Key Largo. With a special stop at the best tarpon feeding in Florida for lunch at Robbies of Islamorada.

Then we headed onto the famous 7 mile bridge over the ocean. The views were spectacular from the bridges. We planned to walk the pedestrian part of the old bridge at sunset which was incredibly beautiful and we highly recommend it.

As one of America’s most unique road trips, the scenic 110-mile Overseas Highway combines ocean views, 42 bridges, natural wonders, and history like no other location. Each region of the Keys has its own unique character.

Did you know there are 44 islands that are populated in the Florida Keys?

The Florida Keys are a chain of limestone islands that extend from the southern tip of the Florida mainland southwest to the Dry Tortugas, a distance of approximately 220 miles. They are island remnants of ancient coral reefs (Upper Keys) and sand bars (Lower Keys).

We planned for a 3 day 2 night trip to the Florida Keys for our family vacation. Honestly, we could have spent several more days in the area especially if you plan to get out on the water.

The Florida Keys are packed full of opportunities for adventure and relaxation and a little bit of history. It definitely was a memorable family vacation in the Keys.

Few places in the U.S. offer a road trip with such easy access to such a range of unusual and fascinating creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles, Key deer, tarpon and even butterflies and chicken.

I want to share some tips with you on what I learned in my research about the Keys and the best places to attractions to visit while you’re there with kids.

Are you ready to start planning your Key West vacation too?

I started by asking the experts, my local friends who’ve also grown up in Florida and have taken advantage of visiting Key West on a regular basis, especially for lobster season. I had often heard the best way to see the Keys was from the water, but we discovered there are quite a few things on land too. Which is where we focused on attention for this trip.

Top Things to Do in Key West

When planning your Key West family vacation, check out these top things to do with kids in Key West.

• Old Town Trolley Tours
• Key West Aquarium
• The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
• Key West Lighthouse
• Mallory Square
• Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center
• Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
• Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.
• Don’t forget to take a photo at Mile Marker Zero

For families with older kids we’d recommend including…

• Key West Shipwreck Museum
• Harry Truman Little White House
• Hemmingway House
• Dry Tortugas National Park

Once you’re done with all the options on land, we’d recommend heading out onto the water for canoeing, snorkeling, kayaking, jet ski, dolphin tours, sand bar excursions, boat tours, and more! You can see the water options at the Key West Visitors Center website.

We choose a Glass Bottom Boat Cruise over the famous coral reef.

Dive into Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from anywhere in the world with these virtual tours.

Before you travel to the Florida Keys are some fun facts you should know about the region you’re traveling to and what makes it geographically so unique.

Fun Facts about Key West for Kids

• The Florida Keys is home to the third-largest barrier coral reef in the world.
• The Gulf of Mexico is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Straits of Florida, between Cuba and the Florida Keys.
• Running four miles long and about two miles wide at its widest, Key West is a small island.
• Key West is the southernmost city in the continental USA and is actually nearer to Havana, Cuba than to Miami, Florida.
• A key is a special kind of island that is made from built-up coral deposits.
• Key West has a healthy population of chickens that roam free on the island.
• Key West’s strategic location has a long military history.
• The Florida Keys consist of 44 islands connected by 42 bridges.
• There are over 1700 islands that make up the Keys.

Take a look at this Key West webcam to get a peek of the local views.

The string of coral islands that create the arc from the Florida peninsula south toward Cuba has a long history of attracting pirates, profiteers and seekers of a Caribbean lifestyle within the United States.

Henry Flagler, an early developer of the Florida Keys, inadvertently gave the country one of its most scenic roadways when his Overseas Railway, running from mainland Florida down to Key West, was destroyed in a 1935 hurricane. That land route eventually became the Overseas Highway, or U.S. 1, vaulting across channels, and linking 44 islands, via 42 bridges.”

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of waters using an approach that addresses the variety of impacts, pressures, and threats to the Florida Keys ecosystem.

The fragile habitat is increasingly under threat from hurricanes, disease, boat groundings, rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and human interactions.

NOAA and partners have developed an unprecedented, decades-long approach to restore seven iconic coral reef sites in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

FUN FACT: Did you know that many of the Keys fall within the boundaries of three national parks?

• Biscayne National Park, a short distance south of Miami Beach, includes several of the northernmost keys
• Everglades National Park, most of the keys in Florida Bay
• Dry Tortugas National Park, which includes historic Fort Jefferson (begun 1846), encompasses all the westernmost keys.

Historic Tours of America

We discovered as part of our Miami Go City Pass there were several locations included in the Florida Keys. Many of which are part of Historic Tours of America. If you’re planning a trip to Key West, I’d recommend getting a pass with one of these two companies. Both are a so helpful and make it affordable to visit several locations on the island.

Old Town Trolley

From the Southernmost Point to the quaint streets of Old Town, the Old Town Trolley tour takes you to all the major areas and attractions in Key West. Old Town Trolley Key West sightseeing tours are one of the best ways to see the city.

There are many locations for stops, we caught ours in Mallory Square and then discovered it had a stop right next to our hotel which made it even more convenient.

The sightseeing tour is also designed so that you can hop on and off and explore on your own. With frequent pickups at all our stops, the trolley helps you avoid walking long distances.

Plus each trolley has a friendly conductor narrating the tour with a fascinating and fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. The Old Town Trolley tours have become a favorite of mine when we visit new towns for a quick tour of all the important historic locations and attractions in the area. Plus I don’t have to drive!

Key West Shipwreck Museum

We actually learned a lot about the beginnings of Key West while visiting the museum and all the treasures that were found aboard ships. You stepped right back into time as you walk through the museum observing the artifacts.

During the golden age of sail, over 100 ships per day passed by Key West. The waters they were sailing were well known as some of the most treacherous in the world. On average, at least one ship per week would wreck somewhere along the Florida Reef.

Key West Aquarium

Right next door we visiting the Key West Aquarium. This historic Key West attraction is home to sharks, turtles, stingrays, tropical, and other various fish found in the beautiful waters of Key West. It is actively involved in the conservation of the delicate eco-system of the Florida Keys.

My girls were immediately drawn to the touch tank located at the front of the building.

They have Live Presentations throughout the day, take a look at their Daily Schedule.

Harry Truman Little White House

Just a few blocks down from Mallory Square, you can tour the historic Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West and learn about a fascinating period of American history. Listen to guides sharing fascinating stories about the history of the house, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century. Learn what Thomas Edison and Dwight D. Eisenhower did during their stays, and, of course, about Harry Truman’s long love affair with this gorgeous property.

Mallory Square

On your visit to Key West, plan to stroll around Mallory Square. You can grab a bit to eat, look at the ocean and perhaps catch a glimpse of a cruise ship docked. Be sure to visit for their nightly Key West Sunset Celebration. As the sun sinks into the sea you’ll find the nightly festival hosts visitors from all over the world who come to take part in the magicians, jugglers, clowns, psychics, local musicians, artists, and food vendors that combine for an incredible cultural experience.

It’s also the beginning of the famous Duval Street.

Duval Street

One of the most popular destinations on the island of Key West, Duval Street is the main drag of downtown, running north and south from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about a mile long – this is where the heartbeat of the city comes to life with a diverse array of restaurants, shops, outdoor cafes, galleries, world famous pubs, and attractions.

Parents… A little warning, you may find some inappropriate quotes on T-Shirts and products as you walk the streets, although Key West is family-friendly, kids are not the target audience of Duval Street.

Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruises

Hop aboard the Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise for a two-hour tour as you cruise through the waters of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to view the exciting, beautiful, underwater world of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

Here’s a closer look at our experience.

Dolphin Research Center

If you come to the Florida Keys, the Dolphin Research Center is a must visit! The Dolphin Research Center is an educational and research facility. There isn’t a scripted show but instead, they offer narrated behavior sessions. I can’t express how much we learned from and enjoy our visit here. We can’t wait to return and see their dolphins again.

Here’s a closer look at our visit there

Here are the Miami Go City® Attractions in the Key West Area:

• Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
• Sunset Watersports Key West Snorkel Dip & Sip
• Island Safari Bike Rental
• Sunset Watersports Key West 2 Hour Kayak Rental
• Sunset Watersports Paddleboard Rental
• Harry S. Truman Little White House
• Key West Aquarium
• Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum

We’d suggest getting a Go City Pass to explore the Florida keys on your next adventure. Here’s more info about the Go City Pass.

There is a Go City Miami Pass with two options. You can either choose the…

You can purchase your own GoCity Pass with this link {Buy Now}

The Florida Keys are one of those places that you could visit time and time again and see new things each time. I can’t wait to bring my family back again and again to treasure its beauty.

You may also enjoy these family travel ideas near Key West…

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with the Miami Visitors Bureau and Go City® Pass. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own.

Miami Attractions for Kids

There are so many fun things to do in Miami with kids!

We took off for a Vij Family road trip this summer to Miami, Florida. It’s been a while since we’ve been on a family vacation and figured exploring a popular destination in our Florida backyard would be a good place to start.

When traveling to Miami, you can choose from the Everglades and beaches surrounding the city to quirky ethnic neighborhoods, family-friendly museums, and attractions, all surrounded by gorgeous Caribbean blue waters.

There are so many options for your family to pick from in the Miami area!

As we prepared for our trip, we started with learning some fun facts about Miami to get the kids excited about where we were traveling to. Even I learned a few new things in our trip research.

Fun Facts about Miami for Kids

• Miami gets its name from one of the tribes that lived here. The Mayaimi lived here in the 16th and 17th Centuries.
• It’s the only US city that was founded by a woman. A local businesswoman called Julia Tuttle encouraged a developer to extend the new Florida East Coast Railroad to Miami – this led the way to the development of modern Miami.
• Miami welcomes over 14 million tourists per year. It’s also known as the cruise capital of the world, too, as Miami has the largest cruise ship port in the world.
• Miami port is also one of the biggest container ports in the US, popularly known as the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. It has trade connections with 100 nations and 250 ports across the globe, including countries of the Far East, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.
• Miami is home to the world’s largest collection of art deco architecture.
• It’s the only city in the US that’s surrounded by two national parks. Biscayne National Park and the Everglades National Park.
• Miami was once a mangrove swamp and the land we now know was mostly man-made.

Here are some additional Fun Facts About Miami to explore with your family.

Top Family-Friendly Things to do in Miami

Miami is a popular travel destination but you might be wondering if there are things to do in Miami with kids? The answer is a big YES!

Here are my Top Picks of locations to visit in Miami with kids on your next family vacation.

• Big Bus Tours Miami
• Bill Baggs State Park and Cape Florida Lighthouse
• Crandon Park on Key Biscayne
• Frost Science Museum
• Island Queen Millionaire’s Row Sightseeing Cruise
• Miami Beach
• Miami Children’s Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art 
• Rapids Water Park
• Wynwood Walls
• Zoo Miami

One of my favorite things to do when exploring a new city is to jump onto a Big Bus Tour around the city. As the typical family driver, I don’t have to worry about the traffic, which streets are one way only and I get to sit back and enjoy the city with my kids. Plus who doesn’t like riding on a two-story bus with the wind blowing?

It’s definitely a great way to start your vacation at a new destination. Bonus is you get to learn a lot about the history of a city and quirky facts.

The Miami Big Bus has stops in

• Bayside Marketplace
• South Beach
• Soundscape Park
• Mid Beach
• North Beach
• Wynwood Walls
• Downtown
• Little Havana

TRAVEL TIP: Wear sunglasses. Apply sunscreen before your start and reapply in the middle of your ride, it can get a little sunny on top. Make sure you don’t miss any spots, like behind your ears and neck.

To help with navigating this city, Miami has several neighborhoods where attractions are located. I’ve included a link to each one to help you learn more about these iconic areas and which places to visit while you’re there.

Here’s a list of Miami Neighborhoods…

• Downtown Miami Area
• Coconut Grove
• Coral Gables
• North Miami Area
• South Dade Area
• Little Havana
• South Beach Miami

GRAB a GoCity Pass to popular US Cities and SAVE MONEY and MAKE MEMORIES

Best Places to Visit with Go City® Miami Pass

The one thing we look for when we head to big cities is if they have a Go City® Pass! It makes exploring the city so easy and opens many doors to things that are family-friendly.

Here’s the Miami attractions we visited during our vacation:

• Big Bus Miami Hop-On, Hop-Off Classic Tour
• Island Queen Millionaire’s Row Sightseeing Cruise
• Everglades Alligator Farm and Airboat Ride
• Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise

If I had more days in Miami, I would have also taken the kids to the:

• Fort Lauderdale Glass Bottom Boat and Snorkeling Trip
• Lion Safari
• Zoo Miami
• Miami Children’s Museum

We’ve also used the Go City Pass in Chicago, San Francisco, San Antonio, New York, and London and found it helpful and a way to save money on our vacations.

Go City Miami Pass

The Go City Miami Pass has two options. You can either choose the:

What’s the difference between an All-Inclusive Pass and an Explorer Pass?

We know that no two sightseers are the same, that’s why we offer two pass options. For those who want to see as much as possible, we’ve got All-Inclusive passes. Choose how many days you want your pass to be valid for, and then visit as many attractions as you wish.

And for those of you who are a little pickier, we’ve got the Explorer Pass. With this pass, you can select how many attractions you wish to visit, and you’ll then have 60 days to do so. Plus, there’s no need to decide which ones you’ll visit before you purchase, so you’ll still be able to keep your plans flexible.

With an All-Inclusive Pass, you can visit each attraction once per day for the duration of your pass. So, say you didn’t quite make it around a museum before closing time, you can always go back the following day (if the attraction doesn’t require a booking, of course).

And with an Explorer Pass you can only visit each attraction once.

You can purchase your own Go City Pass with this link {Buy Now}

We had so much fun on this trip to Miami. Getting the chance to get out on the water was a treat for our family. Coming from a small city, walking around a big city was fun too. The food was amazing and we can’t wait to plan another trip to Miami.

Here are a few more travel ideas for your next Florida family vacation…

• Best Places to Visit Miami with Kids
• Florida Everglades Virtual Field Trip
• Airboat Ride in Everglades
• Tips for Traveling to St. Augustine
• Planning an Orlando Vacation
• Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
• Top Places to Visit in the Florida Keys

Why do you ask? Let me tell you…

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with the Miami Visitors Bureau. All opinions expressed are my own.

Frost Museum of Science

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future.

The Frost Museum is located in Downtown Miami’s Waterfront Museum Park on four acres of beautiful bayfront land. Plan to spend some time walking around outside, you could even plan a picnic while you’re there. The 6 story indoor-outdoor museum campus offers gorgeous views of both Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline surrounding it.

Once you’re inside the Frost Science Museum you can choose to visit four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings.

Guests can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and the known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind, and much more.

Frost Museum of Science Exhibits include:

• Aquarium
• Planetarium
• Power of Science
• Feathers to the Stars
• Ultimate Dinosaurs
• Mammoths: Ice Age Giants
• MeLaβ

Frost Science is eye-catching in Miami’s skyline with a free-standing, spherical planetarium.

Frost Aquarium

The centerpiece of Frost Science is its stunning, three-level aquarium containing multiple habitats, ecosystems and subaquatic depths. We were amazed by this 500,000-gallon cone-shaped aquarium which can be viewed from multiple levels. It’s my family’s favorite feature at the Frost Museum of Science.

We started our adventure at the Aquarium… which provides so many opportunities for exploring.

As you get started we’d recommend starting at the open-air rooftop Royal Caribbean Vista level. This area highlights the surface of South Florida’s ecosystem. You’ll find the open waters of the Gulf Stream Aquarium, where pelagic fish such as hammerhead sharks and devil rays glide in the current.

Since the museum is located in Miami these exhibits highlight South Florida’s biodiversity, including coral reefs, mangroves, sandy beaches, and the Everglades. It was the perfect start to our trip to Miami.

There’s also a touch tank where visitors can pet a stingray. Plus you can observe several birds in their aviary.

Next, you’ll want to descend to the second Dive level where you’ll view nearly 30 aquariums and interactive vessels, with everything from colorful damselfish to parrotfish and snapper swimming amid coral heads. You’ll also see the prop-and-drop roots of mangrove forests.

While exploring the museum I was impressed by how spread out the exhibits felt and the volume of aquariums for the kids to look at and learn about the various aquatic species. They even had a little bubble dome to go inside to feel like you are in the water with the fish. Always a kid’s favorite.

The final step of the aquarium is the bottom Deep level which represents the vast depths of the Gulf Stream, the swift-moving, cold-water current that traverses the globe and runs parallel to Miami’s shoreline. Using real-time satellite imagery, visitors learn how the Gulf Stream’s powerful current impacts climates and ecosystems around the world.

Here, you can view the Gulf Stream Aquarium through a 31-foot oculus lens and watch the mysterious fish of the ocean’s depths swimming above you. My kids could have spent hours here watching the fish, sharks, and sea turtles swim.

Once you’ve finished the Aquarium building you have several more options to explore.

To plan your time at Frost Science you can make it a 2-3 hour adventure for frankly this can be an all-day museum experience, if you want to make it just that, so plan accordingly.

Frost Planetarium

Our next stop was our tickets to the Frost Planetarium Show. They have a few movie options to choose from. It was nice to sit back and enjoy with the kids.

The 250-seat Frost Planetarium uses 16-million-color 8K projection, surround sound and a vast dome screen to take you on dazzling visual odysseys to outer space.

Frost Exhibitions

Power of Science

Explore how science pushes the boundaries of possibility as you learn about groundbreaking research and discoveries by scientists, including a focus on research at the local University of Miami.

The kids will be drawn to this magical interactive floor.

Ultimate Dinosaurs

This is not your ordinary dinosaur exhibition. Wander by a collection of 13 life–size casts, in addition to authentic dinosaur fossils, and touchable fossilized dinosaur specimens. The exhibit uses augmented reality interactives to experience these dinosaurs in the flesh—animated and rendered according to the most recent scientific findings.

Here’s the Ultimate Dinosaurs Educators Guide to this exhibit to get your child ready to visit.

Mammoths: Ice Age Giants

Although one of the smaller exhibits, The Mammoths exhibit you can go back in time to explore the diversity, adaptation, and extinction of giant beasts that roamed North America 10,000 years ago.

Here’s the Mammoths: Ice Age Giants Educator Guide.

Feathers to the Stars

The exhibit Feathers to the Stars share with visitors how ancient evolution gave birth to animal flight, how humans used imagination and engineering to get airborne and how outer space is the next frontier. It has a few interactive displays for the kids to explore.

MeLab

In the MeLaβ, visitors will explore the amazing ways your body and mind work together, and how your daily choices impact your health and well-being. Experience five interactive zones (Eat, Move, Relax, Connect and Learn)

The Sun Spot

Experience the power of the Sun as a renewable source of energy through several interactive solar-powered activities. Plus located on the top floor, you can sneak is some amazing views of Miami!

WetLab and ReeFL

This ReeFL exhibit mirrors the ongoing coral husbandry and conservation research in Frost Science’s Marine Conservation WetLab on level five of the museum. Look for more to come in 2023.

Frost Science on YouTube

Be sure to take a moment and explore Frost Science on YouTube! It’s packed full of virtual experiences for your child. Perfect fun for a Virtual Field Trip to get ready for your upcoming trip to Miami.

Our visit to the Frost Science Museum was a memorable experience. It was a hidden gem in this well known city that we were thrilled to discover on this trip.

We highly recommend including this Florida attraction in your upcoming family vacation to Miami.

Additional Miami Attractions for Kids

• Best Places to Visit Miami with Kids
• Florida Everglades Virtual Field Trip
• Airboat Ride in Everglades
• Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
• Top Places to Visit in the Florida Keys

Ever wonder what it would be like to visit the Florida Everglades?

Our family took an airboat ride in the Everglades, you can take a look at our experience here. It was an experience I’ll never forget! There are so many special things about the Everglades that you can’t see them all in one day.

However, with a virtual field trip, you can explore various features that the Everglades contain and then start planning your adventure there as you learn about this unique place on this planet.

Are you ready to explore the Everglades?

Before we get started, here are a few fun facts about the Everglades.

Fun Facts about the Everglades for Kids

• Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48 states
• The Everglades National Park encompasses 1.5 million acres
• The largest remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America
• The legendary River of Grass is one of the wonders of the world
• The widest river in the world, it’s 100 miles long and 50 feet wide in the wet season
• It’s the largest contiguous stand of protected mangroves in the Northern Hemisphere
• Only 200 years ago, this “river of grass” slowly flowed across nearly one-third of Florida.
• Approximately 50 percent of the original Everglades have been developed as agricultural or urban areas.
• One out of every three Floridians relies on the Everglades for their drinking water supply.
• It is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles can co-exist
• Nine distinct types of ecosystems have been identified within the Everglades National Park, including cypress, freshwater marl prairie, freshwater slough, coastal lowlands, mangrove, pinelands, hardwood hammock, marine, and estuarine.

Everglades National Park represents 20% of the original everglade landmass, the national park protects a wide range of indigenous plants and animals.

There is no shortage of activities for individuals, groups, or families to enjoy outdoors at the Everglades National Park. The diverse habitats allow for enjoyable activities ranging from hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the ultimate wilderness.

Here are some additional Facts about the Everglades

• 9 Things You Have To Try At Everglades National Park
• 10 Things You Can’t Miss On Your First Visit to the Everglades

It has been estimated that about 39 threatened species, 300 fish species, 50 reptilian species, 360 avian species, and 40 mammalian species are found in the Everglades National Park. You can take a closer look at each of these animals here on the Everglades National Park website.

Ways to Protect the Everglades

• How to help support Python Elimination Program
• How to help support endangered Florida Panther

Virtual Field Trip of Florida Everglades National Park

The Everglades is home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, the Florida panther, and hundreds of species of birds, and attracts adventurers and sightseers who want an only-in-Florida experience.

Take a look at these videos highlighting various wildlife and geographic features in the Everglades.

• Breathtaking insights into the amazing ecosystem of the Everglades National Park
• Protecting the Many Wonders of Everglades National Park
• Everglades – A River of Grass
• Meet the Residents of Everglades National Park | America’s National Parks
• Florida Everglades. A Canoe Adventure
• Exploring Shark Valley
• Underwater with Wild Alligators
• The Everglades, Nothing Like I Imagined!
• Everglades National Park
• An Everglades Documentary: Follow the Water
• Everglades National Park Travel Guide: 1 Day Exploring the Park’s Trails, Tours & Wildlife
• Florida Parks: Explore Everglades National Park
• Top 10 Things To Do In Everglades National Park, Florida
• Everglades National Park: Anhinga Trail Webcam
• Airboat Ride in Everglades

Looking to learn more? Explore these 30+ Virtual Field Trips for kids!

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Children’s Books about the Everglades

Once you’re gone on a few virtual field trips about the Everglades, it’s a good idea to read a book or two about them as well. Here are a few that we’d recommend.

• Everglades National Park by Karina Hamalainen
• Marjory Saves the Everglades by Sandra Neil Wallace
• A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Vicki Conrad

The Everglades National Park is classified as a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve and a Wetlands of International Importance. It just celebrated its 75th Anniversary in December of 2022.

I encourage you the next time you’re planning a Florida vacation, be sure to schedule a visit to the Everglades. An airboat ride is something you’ll never forget with your family.

Looking for more Virtual Field Trips for Kids? We have over 30+ Virtual Field Trips for Kids available here.

DOWNLOAD OUR VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP LOG

Don’t forget to keep track of all of your virtual field trips in our field trip log. You can download it here.

Here are some additional resources to explore the area of the Everglades with kids…

Here’s our recommendation for an airboat ride in the Everglades. Plus a few fun facts about the Everglades.

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with the Miami Visitors Bureau and Go City® Pass. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. All opinions expressed are my own.

For my husband’s birthday, we took him on an adventure he’s been talking about for quite some time. I can’t believe we’ve never done it before actually. We’ve lived for over 20 years together in Florida. While we were on vacation in Miami, we decided it was the right time to take our kids on an airboat ride in the Everglades.

Everglades Alligator Farm Airboat Rides

There are several options when you’re looking for an Airboat Ride in the Everglades in Florida. While I was doing my online research for a location to go on an airboat ride the Everglades Alligator Farm seemed to offer the most for your time spent in their location. Plus it was on our way to the Florida Keys.

I was really pleased with how nice our special day trip here was. We spent a few hours at the Everglades Alligator Farm and it will be something we’ll never forget.

The airboat ride tour time is assigned once you get your ticket to enter, we used our Miami Go City® Pass. You don’t have to book it ahead of time which is nice, when you’re on the go and not sure what time you’ll arrive at locations.

To get to the Homestead entrance of the Everglades from Miami Beach is about an hour drive.

Everglades Alligator Farm Airboat rides are a thrilling 20-25 minute ride into the Everglades. Located between Miami and the Florida Keys, airboat tours show off the spectacular scenery of the Everglades.

Your entry ticket also includes two shows the Alligator Show and Alligator Feeding which rotate every hour. We were able to catch one before our airboat ride and one after our airboat ride.

The guests of the Alligator show get a chance to hold a baby alligator, which was a nice surprise.

There was a large variety of animals to see while you were there.

• Parrots
• Snakes
• Emu
• Fish
• Tortoises
• Alligators of all ages
• and more

Airboat Ride in the Florida Everglades

Sometimes you’ve just got to be a little crazy while raising kids, especially as they get a little older. For our airboat ride, I told my kids we are going to sit in the front row. They looked at me like I was joking… I wasn’t.

So our family boarded the airboat, in the front row. The Captain even questioned us are we okay to get wet and my answer and my husband’s answer was a big YES.

As the boat started the captain asked if we wanted a calm or wild ride and the whole boat answer WILD so our front row seat just got a whole lot more adventurous.

As the boat started through the trails we saw a few alligators in the water. We saw a few fish here and there and a few birds.

Once we passed a certain point. We put on the noise protection headphones that they provide and it was game one. Then it was into the sawgrass and time for some SPEED.

During the trip we zipped through the water through the Everglades, it was quite beautiful out there. Four times we went for a spin in the water with the boat. The first time it happened I thought to myself, what did I sign my kids up for on my hubby’s birthday? By that time our clothes were wet and our shoes were wet. I mean soaked all the way through. (No worries we had a change of clothes in the car)

The next few times were actually really fun and it was fun to see our kids having fun with us being a little adventurous. My husband was grinning from ear to ear after his airboat ride tour.

TRAVEL TIP: Wear sunglasses it helps with the wind and with the water splashes.

PLUS bring a change of clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet.

Fun Facts about the Everglades for Kids

• Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48 states
• The Everglades National Park encompasses 1.5 million acres
• The largest remaining subtropical wilderness left in North America
• The legendary River of Grass is one of the wonders of the world
• The widest river in the world, it’s 100 miles long and 50 feet wide in the wet season
• It’s the largest contiguous stand of protected mangroves in the Northern Hemisphere
• Only 200 years ago, this “river of grass” slowly flowed across nearly one-third of Florida.
• Approximately 50 percent of the original Everglades have been developed as agricultural or urban areas.
• One out of every three Floridians relies on the Everglades for their drinking water supply.
• It is the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles can co-exist
• Nine distinct types of ecosystems have been identified within the Everglades National Park, including cypress, freshwater marl prairie, freshwater slough, coastal lowlands, mangrove, pinelands, hardwood hammock, marine, and estuarine.

Everglades National Park represents 20% of the original everglade landmass, the national park protects a wide range of indigenous plants and animals.

There is no shortage of activities for individuals, groups, or families to enjoy outdoors at the Everglades National Park. The diverse habitats allow for enjoyable activities ranging from hiking, canoeing, kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the ultimate wilderness.

Virtual Field Trip of Florida Everglades National Park

The Everglades is home to alligators, crocodiles, manatees, the Florida panther, and hundreds of species of birds, and attracts adventurers and sightseers who want an only-in-Florida experience.

We’d encourage to take this free Virtual Field Trip of the Everglades!

Children’s Books about the Everglades

• Everglades National Park by Karina Hamalainen
• Marjory Saves the Everglades by Sandra Neil Wallace
• A Voice for the Everglades: Marjory Stoneman Douglas by Vicki Conrad

GoCity Miami Pass

The Everglades Alligator Farm provides Airboat rides that are included in the GoCity Miami Pass. You can learn more on how to save money on your next vacation and purchase your own GoCity Pass here.

I encourage you the next time you’re planning a Florida vacation, be sure to schedule a visit to the Everglades. An airboat ride is something you’ll never forget with your family.

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