Off the beaten path in Florida

[angus63]

Family and I are headed to Florida for 10 days. Family wedding in St. Pete for two days and the rest of the time we are free to roam. My kids are 15 and 17, and we have done the Disney/ Universal/ Sea World/ etc... in the past. We will be staying in the Melbourne area after the wedding and would like to do or see somethings unique that are appropriate for teens and adults together. Quirky is good for us, nature/animals works for us, mildly adventurous is a possibility, etc...

All ideas are welcome, except for standing on long lines or struggling through crowds please.

One possibility my son wanted was NASA, but the wife and daughter made those faces that don't need words.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

We have always enjoyed some of the airboat adventures in the glades ...

Daughter really enjoyed NASA a few years ago.

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

I will look up airboat suggestion! My wife and daughter are under the impression that NASA will be a science class that my son and I will never leave.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Ever tried geocahing?
Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site
Fun family activity!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Come on up to N.FL/Tallahassee area. We have all kinds of fun stuff; multiple crystal clear rivers w/manatees, alligators, birds, etc.., as well as sugar sand beaches, lots of historic Old Florida stuff (think "Gone with the Wind", NOT Disney). You can stay here in Tallahassee which has all the "Big City" stuff you could need and make day trips to places like St. George (where forum member Coastalrichard lives), Apalachicola, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Panama City/Destin, etc... I would also recommend St. Augustine if you're in the Jacksonville area. It's celebrating is 500th anniversary. Oldest city in North America! Lots of great fishing on both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts too. Once you come up here to the Real Florida, you'll never go south of Orlando again

 

[82rude]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

florida has also added a new attraction over the last several years.burmese pythons by the thousands.dont think their going anywheres soon.i have a picture somewheres with me and a 150lb 13 foot python wrapped around my body.she was a strong girl but friendly.:joyous:note that baby was not from fla.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Come on up to N.FL/Tallahassee area. We have all kinds of fun stuff; multiple crystal clear rivers w/manatees, alligators, birds, etc.., as well as sugar sand beaches, lots of historic Old Florida stuff (think "Gone with the Wind", NOT Disney). You can stay here in Tallahassee which has all the "Big City" stuff you could need and make day trips to places like St. George (where forum member Coastalrichard lives), Apalachicola, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Panama City/Destin, etc... I would also recommend St. Augustine if you're in the Jacksonville area. It's celebrating is 500th anniversary. Oldest city in North America! Lots of great fishing on both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts too. Once you come up here to the Real Florida, you'll never go south of Orlando again

'nuff said right there!

 

[sasto]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

From St. Pete. I would take Rt60 towards Lake Wells at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL | A Piece of Florida History near Tampa and Orlando. Great family destination.

Stay on 60 to Vero Beach. Stop at the The Driftwood Resort for some grub.....or spend the night. Adults and teens love this place.

If you wan't to take 'em fishin', a sunset float, or visit my area. Don't cost ya' nut'tin. send me a PM

Enjoy?

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

From St. Pete. I would take Rt60 towards Lake Wells at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL | A Piece of Florida History near Tampa and Orlando. Great family destination.

Stay on 60 to Vero Beach. Stop at the The Driftwood Resort for some grub.....or spend the night. Adults and teens love this place.

If you wan't to take 'em fishin', a sunset float, or visit my area. Don't cost ya' nut'tin. send me a PM

Enjoy?

Thanks for the info and especially the offer. If we venture south your way, I will drop you a PM. I will probably take 60 back from St Pete, so Bok may be on the agenda.

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Come on up to N.FL/Tallahassee area. We have all kinds of fun stuff; multiple crystal clear rivers w/manatees, alligators, birds, etc.., as well as sugar sand beaches, lots of historic Old Florida stuff (think "Gone with the Wind", NOT Disney). You can stay here in Tallahassee which has all the "Big City" stuff you could need and make day trips to places like St. George (where forum member Coastalrichard lives), Apalachicola, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Panama City/Destin, etc... I would also recommend St. Augustine if you're in the Jacksonville area. It's celebrating is 500th anniversary. Oldest city in North America! Lots of great fishing on both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts too. Once you come up here to the Real Florida, you'll never go south of Orlando again

All good stuff to me. I hope the family agrees. I do like the St Augustine idea. I was in Jacksonville a bunch when I was in the USNR but never did venture around. Thanks for the input!

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

florida has also added a new attraction over the last several years.burmese pythons by the thousands.dont think their going anywheres soon.i have a picture somewheres with me and a 150lb 13 foot python wrapped around my body.she was a strong girl but friendly.:joyous:note that baby was not from fla.

pass... : )

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Ever tried geocahing?
Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site
Fun family activity!

Yup. Did it with my son's scout troup and found all of the poison oak and thorns first before the cache.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

My girls have enjoyed the space center as much as my son ... maybe even a little more in some parts. St. Augustine is beautiful, we'd like to get back to it and spend some time there someday.

HERE is another idea ... connected with Sea World, but not the same thing. We've been wanting to do it for a long time - just waiting for time and money to be in Florida when we're there

 

[aspeck]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Southkogs, we did Discovery Cove and it was pretty neat! Food and snacks included in the day, plus the dolphin encounter, the lagoon and lazy river, wet suits ... all included in the price. Daughter has the poster of her kissing a dolphin in her room. A memory that won't be soon forgotten.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

If your in St Pete then head for the gulf for the day.
John's pass is fun for shopping and lots more.

Johnspass

Up the coast for a very good steak at saltrock. call ahead

Welcome to the Legendary Salt Rock Grill - Indian Shores - 727-593-7625

If you have the time and money go to Burns.

Bern's is in Tampa. Call ahead and plan on spending 3-4 hours.
Take the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar.
And go to 2nd floor for your private dessert room.
It's a win win place. The girls will love it and you get one of the best meals you've ever had.

Bern's Steak House is a unique culinary experience
Bern's Steak House - Tampa, FL

 

[southkogs]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Southkogs, we did Discovery Cove and it was pretty neat! Food and snacks included in the day, plus the dolphin encounter, the lagoon and lazy river, wet suits ... all included in the price. Daughter has the poster of her kissing a dolphin in her room. A memory that won't be soon forgotten.

It looks really cool ... I just have 5 of us, plus travel, plus this, plus that, plus ... Waiting for the financial stars to line up and then we'll do it for sure.

Angus - another idea (that we've done a couple of times now) is Williamsburg, VA. If you're driving down from NY to FL, that's a potential stop. There's easily a month's worth of stuff to do there.

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

My girls have enjoyed the space center as much as my son ... maybe even a little more in some parts. St. Augustine is beautiful, we'd like to get back to it and spend some time there someday.

HERE is another idea ... connected with Sea World, but not the same thing. We've been wanting to do it for a long time - just waiting for time and money to be in Florida when we're there

Thanks. Forwarded the site to the family and we'll discuss tonight after packing. I may need a mule just for my daughter's clothes.

We are flying to Orlando. Driving to St. Pete for two days for the wedding at a resort (Sirata?), and then driving back to Melbourne to visit parents and friends for a day or two. Then off to wherever we choose.

 

[angus63]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

If your in St Pete then head for the gulf for the day.
John's pass is fun for shopping and lots more.

Johnspass

Up the coast for a very good steak at saltrock. call ahead

Welcome to the Legendary Salt Rock Grill - Indian Shores - 727-593-7625

If you have the time and money go to Burns.

Bern's is in Tampa. Call ahead and plan on spending 3-4 hours.
Take the tour of the kitchen and wine cellar.
And go to 2nd floor for your private dessert room.
It's a win win place. The girls will love it and you get one of the best meals you've ever had.

Bern's Steak House is a unique culinary experience
Bern's Steak House - Tampa, FL

My wife is a steakhouse freak. We don't go very often, but she really enjoys them. May leave the kids behind one night with a pizza and have some quality time with the Mrs. and a cow. Thanks

 

[avenger79]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Capone's restaurant in Kissimmee was fun. look for coupons. free "gambling" before the show, free buffet style meal and free drinks. clean comedy for all ages

snorkeling in one of the many springs is awsome

gator park with zip line in kissimmee

downtown orlando often has show at the lake free concerts etc

kayaking out by cocoa beach was awesome. I think the guide service for rentals was 30 a boat which included a guided tour. we just took our boats and went on our own. always see dolphins and usually manatees

 

[aspeck]

Re: Off the beaten path in Florida

Discovery Cove:

Kissing Dolphin

Swimming with Dolphin

Posing with Dolphin

Aviary (really cool)

Swimming with rays and all kinds of fish in the lagoon