Family Getaways 2008 - (Page 56) listings ATTRACTIONS Ritz Theater & LaVilla Museum www.ritzlavilla.org 829 N. Davis St., Jacksonville, 904-632-5555. A 400-seat theater, and a museum showcasing Jacksonville’s African American history, culture and heritage. Allow up to 1 hour. Manatee Observation and Education Center www.manateecenter.com 480 N. Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, 772-466-1600. Waterfront nature center. Boat tours, aquariums, manatees, fish, a gift shop, films and more. Allow 1.5 hours. $ Ê Ë Vero Heritage, (Indian River Citrus Museum) Inc. www.veroheritage.org 2140 - 14th Ave., Vero Beach, 772-770-2263. Tells the history of the citrus industry from the turn of the century to the present. $-$$$$ Ê ¢ St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum www.staugustinelighthouse.com 81 Lighthouse Ave., St. Augustine, 904-829-0745. Climb 219 steps to the top for a spectacular view of St. Augustine and the nation’s oldest port. Allow 1.5 hours. Marine Science Center www.marinesciencecenter.com 100 Lighthouse Dr., Ponce Inlet, 386-304-5545. Providing an innovative learning experience where visitors can discover and enjoy the wonders of the world of marine science. Central Attractions Amazing Exotics www.amazingexotics.com 17951 S.E. Hwy. 452, Umatilla, 352-821-1234. Interact with exotic animals. Tours and courses by appointment only. An experience of a lifetime. Allow up to 4.5 hours. $-$$ Ë The St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine www.stphotios.com 41 St. George St., St. Augustine, 904-829-8205. The Shrine is located within Avero House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Allow up to 30 minutes. Ê Ë McKee Botanical Garden www.mckeegarden.org 350 U.S. Hwy. 1, Vero Beach, 772-794-0601. One of Florida’s first tourist attractions; a peaceful look at how Florida once was. Allow 1 hour. $ Ê Ximenez-Fatio House Museum www.ximenezfatiohouse.org 20 Aviles St., St. Augustine, 904-829-3575. “X-perience” one of St. Augustine’s most “x-traordinary” historic sites, south of the Plaza in Old Town. Allow 30 minutes. $ Ê $$$$$ Ê Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark www.aquaticabyseaworld.com 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, 888-800-5447. A whimsical, one-of-a-kind water park that’s only in Orlando and could only come from SeaWorld. Allow a full day. Riverside Theatre www.riversidetheatre.com 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, 800-445-6745. Riverside Theatre presents some of the best in live entertainment - musicals, plays, comedy and concerts. Central East Attractions Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory www.brevardcc.edu/planet 1519 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, 321-433-7373. Star shows, large-format movies and laser shows, as well as a public observatory and hands-on exhibits. Allow 3 hours. $-$$$ $-$$$$$ Seaside Music Theater www.seasidemusictheater.org 221 N. Beach St., Ste. 101, Daytona Beach, 800-854-5592. A professional theater representing everything from popular standards to opera in English. Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction www.arabian-nights.com 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd., Kissimmee, 800-553-6116. A magical tale of adventure and love featuring 60 beautiful horses. Voted the #1 dinner show in Orlando. Allow 1.5 hours. $$$$-$$$$$ Ê Ë $$-$$$$$ Ê Boggy Creek Airboat Rides www.bcairboats.com 2001 E. Southport Rd., Kissimmee, 407-344-9550. Over a million people have explored these swamps searching for wildlife on Orlando’s closest airboats. Allow up to 2 hours. Museums & Historic Sites A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery www.backusmuseum.com 500 N. Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, 772-465-0630. Founded in 1960, the museum houses the nation’s largest exhibit of paintings by A.E. Backus. Allow 1 hour. Brevard Zoo www.brevardzoo.org 8225 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, 321-254-WILD. Brevard Zoo offers kayaking, a train ride and giraffe and lorikeet feedings. See more than 550 animals. Allow up to 4 hours. $-$$ Ê Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens www.centralfloridazoo.org I-4 Exit 104 along Lake Monroe, Sanford, 407-323-4450. Trek along winding pathways and encounter hundreds of rare or endangered animals from around the world. Allow 2 hours. $-$$ Ê American Police Hall of Fame www.aphf.org 6350 Horizon Dr., Titusville, 321-264-0911. A museum, attraction and memorial honoring U.S. police officers. Helicopter rides and gun range. Allow 1.5 hours. $$ Ê Daytona 500 Experience www.daytonausa.com 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, 386-947-6530. The Official Attraction of NASCAR, is located at Daytona International Speedway. Allow 30 minutes. $$$ Ê Cypress Gardens Adventure Park www.cypressgardens.com 6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, 800-808-0872. The park blends its storied past with sensational thrills and 39 new rides. Allow 7 hours. $$$$ Ê Ë Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science www.brevardmuseum.org 2201 Michigan Ave., Cocoa, 321-632-1830. Twenty-twoacre nature preserve, hands-on exhibits, classroom and much more. Allow up to 2 hours. $ Ê Environmental Learning Center www.elcweb.org 255 Live Oak Dr., Vero Beach, 772-589-5050. Nature discovery center. Hands-on exhibits, boardwalks and gift shop. Ideal for children. Allow 1 hour. Ê Discovery Cove www.discoverycove.com 6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, 877-4DISCOVERY. Swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays or hand-feed exotic birds. Allow a full day. É Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy/default.htm 3275 Dixie Hwy. N.E., Palm Bay, 321-725-7775. Witness pristine, fragile ecosystems, glimpses of Florida’s past and visions of the future of space exploration. Halifax Historical Museum www.halifaxhistorical.org 252 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach, 386-255-6976. Housed in a former 1910 Merchant’s Bank, the exhibits depict local history from 5,000 B.C. to present day. Allow 1 hour. Ê Disney Quest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park www.downtowndisney.com Downtown Disney West Side, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321. Create your own adventures in this one-of-a-kind indoor interactive theme park. Allow a half day. $$$$ Ë Indian River Lagoon Treasure Coast Scenic Highway www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy U.S. 1 and A1A from Wabasso to Titusvillle, 3275 Dixie Hwy. N.E., Palm Bay, 321-725-7775. Witness pristine ecosystems and a glimpse of both Florida’s past and the future of space exploration. Allow 30 minutes. Museum of Arts and Sciences www.moas.org 352 S. Nova Rd., Daytona Beach, 866-439-4769. The Museum of Arts and Sciences is the primary art, history and science museum in Central Florida. Allow 2 hours. Disney’s Animal Kingdom www.disneyworld.com Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-WDISNEY. Enjoy a breathtaking adventure filled with great attractions, amazing shows and Disney characters. Allow a full day. $$$$$ $-$$ Ê Ë Navy UDT-SEAL Museum www.navysealmuseum.com 3300 N. Hwy. A1A, Fort Pierce, 772-595-5845. Naval Special Warfare indoor and outdoor exhibits, theater and gift store. Allow 2 hours. $ Jungle Adventures Nature Park & Zoo www.jungleadventures.com 26205 E. Hwy. 50, Christmas, 877-4AGATOR. This 20-acre park is dedicated to ecotourism. Explore the history, biology and ecology of their home. Allow 2.5 hours. $$-$$$ Ê Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex www.kennedyspacecenter.com State Road 405, Titusville, 321-449-4444. Go vertical on the new Shuttle Launch Experience, tour KSC, meet a real astronaut and see IMAX films. Allow a full day. See ad on page 26. Reader Response 17 Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse www.ponceinlet.org 4931 S. Peninsula Dr., Ponce Inlet, 386-761-1821. Completed in 1887, this is one of the last complete and best preserved light stations in the country. Allow up to 1.5 hours. $ Ê Ë Southeast Museum of Photography www.smponline.org 1200 W. International Speedway, Bldg. 1200 (Daytona Beach Community College), Daytona Beach, 386-506-3080. An internationally renowned collection and exhibitor of some of the best in historical and contemporary photography. Allow 1 hour. $ Ê = guided tours Ë = guided tours available in other languages = camping/lodging available ¤ = vacation planner ¦ = vacation planner available in other languages ¢ = ethnic heritage guide É = beach wheelchairs available in some locations Éi = guide or information for disabled travelers NAME IN BOLD TYPE: Indicates VISIT FLORIDA Partner PRICES (reflect one adult paying regular admission): $= under $8; $$= $8 – $14; $$$= $15 – $24; $$$$= $25 – $44; $$$$$= $45 and up. KEY TO SYMBOLS Vero Beach Museum of Art www.vbmuseum.org 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, 772-231-0707. Accredited art museum offering changing exhibitions, tours, sculpture garden, museum store and more. Allow 1.5 hours. $-$$ Ê Ë Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Orlando VISITFLORIDA.com/family http://www.ritzlavilla.org http://www.manateecenter.com http://www.veroheritage.org http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com http://www.marinesciencecenter.com http://www.amazingexotics.com http://www.stphotios.com http://www.mckeegarden.org http://www.aquaticabyseaworld.com http://www.ximenezfatiohouse.org http://www.riversidetheatre.com http://www.arabian-nights.com http://www.seasidemusictheater.org http://www.bcairboats.com http://www.brevardcc.edu/planet http://www.backusmuseum.com http://www.centralfloridazoo.org http://www.brevardzoo.org http://www.aphf.org http://www.cypressgardens.com http://www.daytonausa.com http://www.brevardmuseum.org http://www.discoverycove.com http://www.elcweb.org http://www.halifaxhistorical.org http://www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy/default.htm http://www.downtowndisney.com http://www.moas.org http://www.disneyworld.com http://www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy http://www.navysealmuseum.com http://www.jungleadventures.com http://www.ponceinlet.org http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com http://www.smponline.org http://www.vbmuseum.org http://VISITFLORIDA.com/family
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