St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2009 - (Page 69) : RAINCHECK… PLEASE If it starts to pour on your beach vacation, fill your day with the following back-up plans. Stick around or just head over a bridge (or two) and take the fun indoors: • Beach Gameland, John’s Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach – Five dollars buys you a key, used for ski ball, glow-in-the-dark air hockey, plus lots of interactive video games. Cash in tickets for prizes like a giant Pixie-Stick. • Westfield Countryside Mall, Clearwater – Tire the kids out with iceskating at one of Florida’s only in-mall rinks. Après-skate, grab lunch and a free car-shaped stroller to check out the more than 150 specialty shops. Head to the indoor playground, Playtown, (for kids ages 2 to 6) or take a break in the Family Lounge, equipped with bottle warmers and private feeding rooms. • The Florida Aquarium, Tampa – My nephew says his “Swim with the Fishes” in the Coral Reef was “Better than Mexico!” This aquarium features many indoor interactive experiences, including a free “Penguin Promenade. ” Families love Frenchy’s. up for the bungee trampoline run by Emerald Coast Bungee. They love to finish the day with a great front flip followed by a frozen lemonade from the concession stand. We nix a passionate plea for a second turn and head home. If you follow this schedule, I can guarantee your kids will sleep tonight! » Besides the Beach If you’ve had enough of the beach, or want to expose your kids to other stellar experiences, try these family-friendly days out. For a close encounter with the Florida eco-system, check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), whose motto is: Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release. This hidden gem and working marine biology facility is famous for its permanent resident dolphin, Winter, who lost > At sunset, the pier becomes a strolling market and theater. www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com 69 http://www.VisitStPeteClearwater.com
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