We have put together a list of day and staycation trips and ideas for you to entertain your Mini Macaronis all summer long. The list has it all, everything from big family adventures to small day trips close to home. We encourage you to get out and explore our beautiful state with its amazing beaches, theaters, museums, and parks. Make your summer one to remember with days full of fun for the whole family!
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Create your own SUMMER BUCKET LIST with our ideas! Involve the kids and have them make a list too!
PLAY CLOSE TO HOME
Fun, Relaxing and short day trips
~ Brevard County
- Brevard Zoo - While you are there try out your adventurous side and do the zip-line and obstacle course at TreeTop Treks. They even offer a small adventurers package for the kiddos.
- Lori Wilson Park - 32+ acre beach park featuring a maritime hammock. Beach attractions include 3 pavilions along a 1,000’ boardwalk, 6 dune crossovers, surf fishing, playground, an off the leash dog park (south side of the park) and picnic tables.
- Route 7 Adrenaline Warehouse - 60,000 square foot, family entertainment center featuring electric high-speed go karts, laser tag, zip line, Ninja Warrior course, mini bowling, elevated rope course, e-sports arena, arcade with over 80 games and more.
~ Indian River County
- Florida Tech Challenge Course - This is an 18 acre obstacle course designed to challenge you physically and mentally (suitable for people 10 years and older).
- McKee Botanical Gardens - one of Florida's most diverse botanical collections. Features exhibitions, a children's garden, classes and programs.
- Vero Beach Museum of Art - traveling exhibitions and permanent collections, daily programs for kids and families, including the Art Zone, a hands-on space with toys to inspire creativity and support learning.
~ Martin County
- Blowing Rocks Preserve - a peaceful, barrier island sanctuary named for its rocky Anastasia limestone shoreline. Features beach access for swimming and snorkeling, five hiking trails and scenic walks.
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center- Make sure to get there for feeding time and get to feed stingrays out of your hand!
- Hobe Sound Nature Center- an environmental education park with turtle beach walks, live animals, trail hikes, supplemental activities, and scrub tours.
- Sailfish Splash - water park featuring a 1000-foot Lazy River, 4-story water slide, children's activities, shaded picnic area, private cabanas and lots more.
- The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast - Spend the day having a picnic in the adjacent park and cool off in the fountains.
~ Palm Beach County
- Busch Wildlife Sanctuary - take a walk through pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, cypress wetlands; visit with Florida wildlife ambassadors; and explore the interactive exhibits in the Discovery Center.
- Coconut Cover Waterpark - features two, 4-story waterslides, an 986-foot lazy river, an interactive water playground and more.
- Cox Science Center & Aquarium - features an abundance of science and technology exhibits, a quarter-mile family science trail, 10,000 gallon aquarium, conservation, 18-hole mini-golf course, planetarium, observatory and so much more.
- Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum - waterfront lighthouse and grounds exhibits feature over 5,000 years of regional history.
- Lighthouse Cove Adventure Golf - hosts two courses, each with 18 holes that everyone can enjoy.
- Lion Country Safari - this nearly 600 acres of natural area is home to hundreds of animals. Features a drive-through safari and adventure park.
- Loggerhead Marine Center- Make sure to bring your beach bags and enjoy Juno beach, directly behind the center or partake in the surrounding nature trails.
- McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary - guided tours featuring nearly 200 animals as up-close as you can possibly get.
- Mounts Botanical Gardens - nationally acclaimed attraction featuring cultural, social and educational activities.
- Palm Beach Ice Works - Olympic size ice skating rink that offers recreational skating to the public during select hours.
- Palm Beach Zoo - home to nearly 350 animals, many of which are endangered, the zoo features animal experiences, an interactive water play fountain, opportunities to meet zoo keepers and see animal trainings and feedings.
- Peanut Island - take the ferry boat over for a day of snorkeling and relaxing on this beautiful island beach.
- Rapids Water Park - South Florida's premier water park featuring over 40 slides and other water-related attractions, including a wave pool and lazy river.
- Shark Wake Park 561 - Largest inflatable aqua park on the east coast.
~ Okeechobee County
- Eaglebay Adventures - Airboat eco-tours
- Florida Airboat Charters - Specializes in personal, customized Lake Okeechobee experiences perfect for families and small groups. Charter tours around your schedule.
- Wagon Wheels Horse Farm - enjoy guided trail rides on majestic horses and explore scenic Florida in a unique way.
~ Saint Lucie County
- Clover Park (aka Mets Stadium) - Check out Macaroni KID Port St. Lucie's calendar to check out a St. Lucie Met's game and see what's happening at the ballpark this summer
- Sky Zone Port St. Lucie - Indoor Trampoline Park featuring indoor basketball, battle beams, extreme dodgeball, high-end air track, kid jump, Ninja course, parkour, stunt fall, wall tramp, zip line, trapeze and aerial silks.
- FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) - at FAU's Harbor Branch, you can visit the Ocean Discover Center with its exhibitions and aquaria displays, or participate in one of HBOI's it's many educational tours, including Campus Tours and Indian River Lagoon Boat Tours.
- Heathcote Botanical Garden - features an assortment of specialty gardens including a Japanese Garden, Reflection Garden, Herb Garden, Rainforest Display, Native Plants Garden, Secret Garden and a Palm & Cycad Walk.
- Horseback Beach Tours - guided horseback riding tours along the ocean or nature preserves.
- Oxbow Eco-Center - Visit the animals, catch a story time, and walk the nature trails all at this wildlife center.
- PopStroke - A cutting edge golf experience featuring two 18-hole extreme putting courses, golf course simulators and a full service restaurant and ice cream parlor.
- Smithsonian Marine Ecosystem Exhibit (featuring the Saint Lucie County Aquarium) - Make this a whole day activity and spend the day relaxing on the sandy inter-coastal waterway beach, play on the playground or have a picnic under an old shady oaks all while never leaving the grounds.
- Urban Air Adventure Park Port St. Lucie - Urban Air Adventure Park is much more than a trampoline park; it is the ultimate indoor playground that features jumping, climbing, riding, playing, and fun for all ages.
~ More Fun Ideas Close to Home
Spoil Island Project (Locations in Brevard, Indian River, and Saint Lucie Counties) - Bring your own boat over or take kayak tour and explore this chain of islands right off our very own treasure coast.
Florida Airboat Tours - There are many airboat tours all around Florida to choose from, here are a few that are close to home:
Catch a show at one of our areas fantastic performing arts theaters:
- Barn Theatre, Stuart
- Kravis Center, West Palm Beach
- Lyric Theatre, Stuart
- Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Jupiter
- Pineapple Playhouse, Fort Pierce
- Riverside Theater, Vero Beach
- Sunrise Theater, Fort Pierce
FULL FAMILY EXCURSIONS
Pack up everyone and take a drive to places you wouldn't want to miss out on this summer. Spend the day in...
Broward County
- Bluefoot Pirate Adventures - children and family pirate ship cruise and pirate adventures
- Butterfly World - this garden and self sustainable butterfly garden and research center is worth paying a visit.
- K1 Speed - Indoor, Go Kart racing
- Monkey Joe's - unlimited play, giant inflatable jumps to slick slides, rockin’ arcades, jungle playgrounds and a classic snack shack
- Water Taxi - why travel around Fort Lauderdale in a car when you can take a water taxi.
- Xtreme Action Park - Go kart racing, escape rooms, mini golf, arcade games, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, roller skating and so much more!
- Young At Art Museum - artistic, interactive experiences for all ages. Located inside the Broward Mall.
While down in Fort Lauderdale make sure you stop by one of the great restaurants and grab a bite to eat in downtown on Las Olas Boulevard. If you would prefer beach front dinning head down to A1A where there are a bunch of ocean front restaurants to choose from.
Dade County
- Biscayne Nature Center - naturalist-led programs, self-guided exploration, exhibits, art gallery, presentations and more.
- Coral Castle- while down in Miami check out this hidden gem and be amazed at the enormous amount of coral used to make this beautiful sculptor garden.
- Dolphin World - Have an amazing adventure swimming with Dolphins!
- Jungle Island - eco-adventure theme park featuring tropical landscapes with a jungle full of animals from around the world.
- Miami SeaAquarium - marine mammal shows with dolphins and sea lions; sea life exhibits with manatees, sea turtles, penguins, rays and more; wildlife rescue and marine animal care; get in the water and experience dolphins up close.
- Miami Zoo - with almost 750 acres and 4 miles of walkways, Zoo Miami is home to more than 2,500 animals representing close to 400 different species.
- Monkey Jungle - jungle eco-shows and exhibits, rainforest guided adventure show tours
- Planet Air Sports - indoor ski slope, ninja course, bowling alley, rope courses, climbing walls, zip lines, toddler playground and lots more.
- Venetian Pool - This extremely unique and beautiful community pool is a one of a kind experience.
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens - James Deering's 1916 winter estate.
OTHER MUST VISIT CITIES/AREAS...
Blue Springs State Park - You will not regret taking a trip to this breath taking natural spring located in Volusia County. Go tubing, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling or even on a scuba diving tour.
Weeki Wace Springs State Park - Located in Hernando County, this state park has a little something for the whole family, including live mermaid shows, wildlife shows, river boat cruises, and the Buccaneer Bay water park.
Cape Canaveral
- Kennedy Space Center - from the dawn of space exploration to current and ongoing missions, get an up-close, hands-on feel for the story of humans in space.
- Cape Canaveral National Seashore - Secluded and beautiful beaches.
Saint Augustine - The country's oldest city, beautiful cobblestone streets filled with shops, restaurants and history.
Orlando
This is Florida, so we can't miss out on trips to these great Orlando attractions:
- Cirque du Soleil - imaginative, sense provoking, creative and artistic shows
- City Walk - Universal's City Walk is free to get in and filled with lots to do, from eating to shopping and shows. There is even a fun themed mini golf experience Hollywood Drive-in Golf that is worth checking out.
- Crayola Center - one-of-a-kind family attraction featuring dozens of hands-on, creative activities.
- Discovery Cove - swim with dolphins, snorkel with fish and rays, hand feed tropical birds, enjoy up-close animal encounters and more.
- Disney Springs - attractions, family-friendly activities, shopping, dining, live entertainment and more.
- Disney World Parks - special rates for Florida residents
- Exotic Animal Experience - animals from faraway lands all in one place; roam with the animals and see them up close.
- Fort Wilderness Resort- Go on a camping adventure without roughing it and being surrounded by lots of fun actives.
- Icon Park featuring "The Wheel" - Make this a must do stop while in Orlando; there's something to do for everyone.
- Madame Tussauds Museum - "World's greatest wax museum."
- Orlando Science Center - award-winning, hands-on science museum featuring exhibits and programming that bring science to life.
- Legoland - the ultimate destination for families with young kids. Features over 50 rides, shows and attractions at the Theme Park, and 14 water slides in the Water Park.
- Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf - adventure golf courses renowned for innovative hole designs, lush landscaping, and entertaining pirate themes.
- Ripley's Believe It Or Not - hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts along with hands-on, interactive activities
- SeaWorld Parks - fun awaits with so much to do including rides and attractions, presentations, animal experiences, Sesame Street Land, tours, dining, shopping and educational activities.
- Universal Studios Parks - special offers for Florida residents. Enjoy thrill rides, visit Hogwarts and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, make waves at Volcano Bay water park.
- Wonder Works - amusement park for the mind that combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits.
And in Tampa
- Adventure Island - tons of family fun with water slides, pools, splash and play zone, kid friendly play areas and more.
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - rides and attractions, including plenty of thrilling roller coasters, animal experiences, entertainment with live shows for all ages.
- Florida Aquarium - features a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals, including sea turtles, sharks, lemurs, otters.
- Glazer Children's Museum - a "play with purpose" learning laboratory where children play, discover, and connect to the world around them.
- Henry B. Plant Museum - housed in the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, the museum accurately reflects the opulence of turn-of-the-century America and the vision of American transportation pioneer, Henry B. Plant.
- Museum of Science & Industry - a scientific playground with more than 100 hands-on activities.
- Zoo Tampa - a one-of-a-kind experience that connect people to wildlife in fun and immersive ways.
ENJOY!
