Family Getaways 2008 - (Page 7) family Attractions Across Florida for Families Get Wet with These Family Favorites getaways Give the kids a taste of old Florida at Devils Elbow Fishing Resort in Crescent Beach, near St. Augustine. Here families can commune in the resort’s new tin roof cottages, fish for flounder and mullet or wile away the afternoon in a comfy rocking chair on the porch (there’s a heated pool on site too). From a fishing village to a jungle: Kids will want to pet the African penguins newly arrived at Miami’s Jungle Island, where you can also meet twin orangutans, a hybrid “crocosaurus” and a real live liger. In the Florida Keys, Dolphin Research Center’s new Dolphin Dip! program gets everyone down into the water with the silvery swimmers. Groups are small, time in the water is appropriate for the dolphins and kids under 3 are free. Want to observe marine life from land? The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will add an interactive fish exhibit dubbed “Ocean Commotion” in October. Families can also hop aboard a new boat for educational cruises in the bay. Also in Tampa, take a ride deep into the jungle. This spring, Busch Gardens Africa debuts Jungala, a lush attraction with rides, animals and a richly depicted landscape – think waterfalls and staggering trees. Information at: Devils Elbow Fishing Resort, 904-471-0398, www.devilselbowfishingresort.com; Dolphin Research Center, 305-289-0002, www.dolphins.org; Florida Aquarium, 813-273-4000, www.flaquarium.org; Jungle Island, 305-400-7223, www.jungleisland.com Here, toymaking display, Museum of Science and Industry. Photo by Dirk Fletcher. Little cowpokes will love Westgate River Ranch, a genuine dude ranch on 100,000 acres of wildlife preserve southeast of Lakeland that has just introduced online booking for all its events. There’s trap and skeet, hayrides, a petting zoo and horseback riding, and you can soak up more of the resort’s Western feel on the cozy, wraparound porch. The River Ranch Saloon and Saturdaynight rodeo keep things exciting. Kids who love science and the sea should spend time at Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry. MOSI’s 3-D Science Works Theater is showing DIVE! Manned Submersibles and The New Explorers, an innovative 3-D film that plunges viewers to the bottom of the ocean. In December, MOSI brings Amazing You! to the fore, an intense exhibit about the health of the human body intended to promote good health. Also in the area, expect the Tampa Bay History Center to debut late in the year. The center’s plans include a stellar collection of Florida maps, a café, museum store and grand atrium. The museum promises to showcase Tampa Bay’s 12,000-year history in rich, interactive detail. In Davie, near Fort Lauderdale, visit Young At Art Children’s Museum and let budding artists hang out with Digit the cyberbird, a part of the CyberSquad from the PBS KIDS Go! show. Cyberchase: The Chase is On! puts kids in the middle of a difficult game that is solved only if they use their math and reasoning skills. Information at: Young At Art Children’s Museum, 954-424-0085, www.youngatartmuseum.org; Museum of Science and Industry, 813-987-6000, www.mosi.org; Tampa Bay History Center, 813-228-0097 , www.tampabayhistorycenter.org; Westgate River Ranch, 866-396-2293, www.westgateriverranch.com Go Places by Road and Rail Hertz’s new Simply Wheelz service makes it easy for families to get in the car and get going in Orlando, with super cheap rates (as low as $15 per day weekends and $94 a week) and a self-service area for dropping off and picking up. Make your reservations via the no-fuss website. Hertz, located in that giant bright yellow terminal north of Orlando’s airport, is also rolling out Nick on the Go, portable media players pre-programmed with Nickelodeon content perfect for those long car rides. Check out the company’s new Green Collection of cars, which offers fuel-efficient wheels such as the Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion. Don’t forget to use the TECO Line Streetcar System when you’re in downtown Tampa: These replica trolleys on real tracks connect the downtown waterfront to Ybor City for $2 for adults and $1 for kids. Information at: Hertz, www.hertz.com; TECO Line Streetcar System, 813-254-4278, www.hartline.org Left, little girl with parrots at Jungle Island, courtesy of Jungle Island. Top, Busch Gardens Jungala, courtesy of Busch Gardens Africa. Above, Nick on the Go media player, courtesy of Nickelodeon. Family Getaways 7 http://www.devilselbowfishingresort.com http://www.dolphins.org http://www.flaquarium.org http://www.jungleisland.com http://www.hertz.com http://www.hartline.org http://www.youngatartmuseum.org http://www.mosi.org http://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org http://www.westgateriverranch.com
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