Florida with kids

The areas

1. Orlando & the theme parks

   Walt Disney World, Universal and Legoland are all within an hour’s drive. One full day per park is usually enough; a pool day between two park days helps. Arriving at opening time gives you the shortest queues for the first hours.

   • Walt Disney World Resort Theme park
     Opened in 1971, this Florida entertainment complex combines several theme parks built around fantasy and film worlds.
   • Magic Kingdom Theme park
     Castles, themed lands and parades define this amusement park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
   • Epcot Theme park
     Pavilions representing different nations and futuristic attractions celebrate world cultures and human achievement in this theme park near Orlando.
   • Disney's Hollywood Studios Theme park
     Sets and attractions built around film, television and music fill this theme park at Walt Disney World, opened in 1989.
   • Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme park
     A theme park centered on the Tree of Life, with walkthrough animal habitats and safari-style attractions, part of Walt Disney World since 1998.
   • Universal Studios Florida Theme park
     A theme park built around film and television franchises, with rides and shows that have been part of Orlando's attractions since 1990.

2. Space Coast

   An hour east of Orlando: Kennedy Space Center has a real Saturn V rocket and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. With luck, a rocket launches during your trip – dates are often only fixed shortly before. Plus beaches at Cocoa Beach and manatees and birds at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.

   • Canaveral National Seashore National seashore
     An unspoiled stretch of Florida coastline with dunes, lagoons and long sandy beaches, protected since 1975.
   • Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Science center
     A visitor complex in Florida showcasing rockets, exhibits, and the history of American spaceflight.
   • Brevard Zoo Zoo
     Established in 1994, this Florida zoo houses a wide variety of animal species in naturalistic outdoor habitats.
   • Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge
     Wetlands and coastal lagoons provide habitat for numerous bird species and other wildlife in Florida.
   • Playalinda Beach Beach
   • St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge

3. Gulf Coast: Tampa to Sanibel

   Calmer, mostly shallow and warm water – ideal for small children. Clearwater and Siesta Key have fine white sand, Sanibel is famous for shells. Tampa has a large aquarium; in winter manatees gather in the warm water along the coast and in the inland springs.

   • Mote Marine Laboratory Public aquarium
     A nonprofit marine research institute founded in 1955, combining a public aquarium and zoo on Florida's Gulf Coast.
   • Florida Aquarium Public aquarium
     A public aquarium in Tampa showcasing marine and coastal habitats, opened in 1995.
   • Siesta Beach Beach
   • Sarasota Jungle Gardens Zoo
   • ZooTampa Zoo
   • Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge National wildlife refuge

4. Miami & the Everglades

   The Everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness in the US. On short boardwalks such as the Anhinga Trail you can see alligators and wading birds from a safe distance; at Shark Valley a tram or bike takes you through the sawgrass. Miami adds beaches, a big zoo and science museums for rainy days.

   • Everglades National Park National park
   • Biscayne National Park National park
     The national park impresses with crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and tropical island landscapes offering a richly textured underwater and coastal environment.
   • Miami Seaquarium Zoo
     A former oceanarium by the water that showcased marine animals and shows for decades.
   • Zoo Miami Zoo
     A sprawling zoo with botanical grounds set in Miami's subtropical climate.
   • Jungle Island Zoo
     Founded in 1936, this zoo sits on Watson Island near downtown Miami and showcases exotic animals amid tropical surroundings.
   • Monkey Jungle Zoo
     At this Florida zoo, founded in 1933, monkeys roam freely through the trees while visitors walk through caged pathways.

5. Florida Keys

   The Overseas Highway crosses 42 bridges on its way to Key West – the drive itself is an experience. Around Key Largo you can see coral reefs from a boat, including glass-bottom boats for kids who don’t snorkel. Allow a full day for the whole drive from Miami with breaks.

   • Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory Zoo
     A tropical butterfly house in Key West filled with exotic species and plants under glass.
   • Dolphin Research Center Zoo
   • Smathers Beach Beach
   • National Key Deer Refuge National wildlife refuge

6. Northeast: St. Augustine & springs

   St. Augustine, with its fort made of shell stone and cannon demonstrations, is hands-on history. The clear inland springs stay around 22 °C all year – in winter hundreds of manatees retreat to Blue Spring State Park.

   • Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Zoo
     A zoo and garden complex in Jacksonville, Florida, home to a wide range of animal species since 1914.
   • Silver Springs Zoo
     Natural artesian springs have formed the heart of this garden with exotic plants and animals since 1878.
   • St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park Zoo
     A zoo dating back to 1893 in the historic district of St. Augustine, home to alligators, reptiles and a bird rookery.
   • Boneyard Beach Beach
   • Welaka National Fish Hatchery Public aquarium
   • Keystone Beach Beach

Under each area: the best-known places for families from our collection – theme parks, zoos, aquariums, beaches, national parks and nature reserves. All sights →

When to go

Pleasant in every city: Nov–May.

Summer holidays are hot and humid, but the sea is warm. October is often the most pleasant time for day trips.

pleasant fine so-so (cool or wet) hot cold Number = average daily high (2015–2024)

Good to know with kids

• Car seat: in Florida children up to and including age 5 need an approved child seat; from age 4 a booster is enough. Reserve one with the rental car or bring your own – rental seats are not always in good shape.
• Entry: every child needs their own passport and ESTA authorization – babies included.
• Heat and storms: in summer there are short, heavy thunderstorms almost every afternoon. Plan outdoor activities for the morning and leave the water and the beach when you hear thunder.
• Hurricane season runs June to November, most often August to October. Trip insurance and a flexible route help.
• Alligators: only swim in fresh water at designated spots during daylight, and don’t let children play alone at the edge of lakes and ponds – hotel grounds included.
• Beach: watch the beach flags and swim near lifeguards where possible; rip currents are more common on the Atlantic coast than on the Gulf.

USA trip checklist →

Sample routes

• Florida with kids: 14 days from Orlando 14 Days · 1,155 mi
• Miami, Everglades & Keys: 8 days from Miami 8 Days · 501 mi

All sample routes →