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1. Fort Lauderdale
Beaches, vintage cars, and a rocket into space
Intricately carved door at Bonnet House
Little more than a riverside trading camp in 1900, Fort Lauderdale became known as “the Venice of America” when its mangrove swamps were transformed into canals during the 1920s. Today, water taxis and an old-fashioned riverboat, the Jungle Queen, glide along these mansion-lined waterways, connecting downtown with a stunning beach. The city is crammed with creaky old houses to explore, hands-on art galleries, and an excellent science museum.
Key Sights
1. Museum of Discovery and Science Become an astronaut and travel to Mars, dig for fossils alongside a megalodon shark, or watch a 3-D IMAX® movie at this entertaining museum.
2. Riverwalk Park Running along the banks of the New River, this shaded waterside park has winding walkways that take in all sorts of shops and cafés.
3. NSU Art Museum Core exhibits here include the vivid Impressionism of American artist William Glackens, contemporary Cuban art, and the amazing Indigo Room installation by Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, with themes of voodoo and migration.
4. Stranahan House Built in 1901, this creaky pinewood home served as a trading post where pioneer Frank Stranahan would buy goods such as egret plumes and alligator hides from the local Seminole Indians.
5. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum The 22 vintage cars at this museum, which date from 1909 to the 1940s, keep alive the spirit of the Packard automobiles that were once made in Detroit, Michigan.
6. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens Explore the lush gardens of this Caribbean-style plantation house, designed by painter Frederic Clay Bartlett in 1920.
7. International Swimming Hall of Fame This museum is packed with swimming memorabilia, including exhibits relating to Olympic legend Mark Spitz, and the history of water polo.
The Lowdown
Address Museum of Discovery and Science: 401 SW 2nd St, 33312; www.mods.org. Riverwalk Park: 20 N New River Dr, 33312; www.goriverwalk.com. NSU Art Museum: 1 E Las Olas Blvd, 33301; www.nsuartmuseum.org. Stranahan House: 335 SE 6th Ave, 33301; stranahanhouse.org. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum: 1527 SW 1st Ave, 33315; antiquecarmuseum.org. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens: 900 N Birch Rd, 33304; www.bonnethouse.org. International Swimming Hall of Fame: 1 Hall of Fame Dr, 33316; www.ishof.org
Train Tri-Rail (www.tri-rail.com) and Brightline (www.gobrightline.com) from Miami and West Palm Beach, or Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) from Orlando or Miami. Bus 22 links the railroad station to the city center.
Visitor information 101 NE 3rd Ave, Suite 100, 33301; 954 765 4466; www.sunny.org
Open Museum of Discovery and Science: 10am–5pm Mon–Sat & noon–6pm Sun. Riverwalk Park: 24 hours. NSU Art Museum: 11am–5pm Tue–Sat (till 8pm Thu), noon–5pm Sun. Stranahan House: tours at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm daily. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum: 10am–4pm Mon–Fri. Bonnet House Museum and Gardens: 9am–4pm Tue–Sun. International Swimming Hall of Fame: 9am–5pm Mon–Fri, 9am–2pm Sat
Prices Museum of Discovery and Science: $45–58. NSU Art Museum: $29–34; under 12s free. Stranahan House: $38–48. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum: $16–32; under 12s free. Bonnet House Museum: $56–72; under 6s free. International Swimming Hall of Fame: $20–24
Guided tours M. Cruz Rentals (www.mcruzrentals.com) runs Segway tours of Fort Lauderdale beach district.
Age range All ages
Activities Explore the water-ways aboard the Jungle Queen riverboat (www.junglequeen.com) or a water taxi shuttle (www.watertaxi.com).
Allow At least 2 days
Good family value?
Educative and entertaining sights, as well as a delightful beach, make the city a superb family destination.
Fort Lauderdale beach, fringed with coconut palm trees
Letting off steam
Just 3 miles (5 km) east of downtown is a sandy beach 7 miles (11 km) long. Backed by an attractive promenade and fringed with palms, it is perfect for swimming.
Eat and drink
PICNIC Publix at Las Olas (601 S Andrews Ave, 33301; 954 728 8330; www.publix.com), the closest major supermarket to downtown Fort Lauderdale, offers sandwiches, breads, and deli products that can be enjoyed on the beach.
SNACKS Hot Dog Heaven (101 E Sunrise Blvd, 33304; 954 523 7100; hotdogheaven.infinology.net/home.htm; till 4:30pm Mon–Sat) is a small place with bar stools inside and two tables outside. A local favorite, it serves superb beef Chicago hotdogs with mustard, relish, and a salad.
REAL MEAL Coconuts (429 Seabreeze Blvd, 33316; 954 525 2421; www.coconutsfortlauderdale.com) offers outdoor seating on the water’s edge next to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, with views of the local pelicans and a daily fish feeding. Feast on stone crab, fish tacos, and fresh local seafood.
FAMILY TREAT 3030 Ocean (Harbor Beach Resort Marriott, 3030 Holiday Dr, 33316; 954 765 3030; www.3030ocean.com; dinner only) serves innovative, contemporary American seafood, most of which has been sourced locally.
Shopping
Las Olas Boulevard (www.lasolasboulevard.com) is the city’s upscale shopping strip, with plenty of fashion stores and boutiques that will appeal to teenagers. Galleria (2414 E Sunrise Blvd, 33304; 954 564 1015; www.galleriamall-fl.com) is one of the best malls.
Find out more
FILM The dog-friendly tear-jerker Marley & Me (2008) was set in Fort Lauderdale.
Guided airboat ride in Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, Clewiston
Next stop…
BIG CYPRESS SEMINOLE INDIAN RESERVATION Visit Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, a Native American outpost 78 miles (125 km) northwest of the city, for its fun “swamp safaris” (www.billieswamp.com) and the enlightening Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (www.ahtahthiki.com).
KIDS’ CORNER
Creature quest
There are many animals hiding among the ponds, palms, and gardens of Bonnet House. See if you can spot any of these creatures:
1 Amazon parrot
2 Cockatiel
3 Swan
4 Squirrel monkey
5 Gopher tortoise
6 Manatee
Venice in America?
Venice is a famous city in Italy. Why do you think Fort Lauderdale is called “the Venice of America”?
Is Fort Lauderdale’s New River really “new”? Not really – the river was given its name by the Spanish in the 1600s, possibly as the result of a legend that claimed the river had miraculously sprung into existence overnight. The river has actually been here for thousands of years.
“Count” time on the great gravity clock
The giant clock in the Museum of Discovery and Science is 52 ft (16 m) tall. Unlike a regular clock, it has no hands: you tell the time by counting how many balls are on the lower rails:
1 Each ball on the bottom rail counts as 1 hour.
2 Each ball on the middle rail counts as 10 minutes.
3 Each ball on the top rail counts as 1 minute.
What time is it now?
2. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Canoes, hikes, and bikes
This rustic park, just minutes away from downtown Fort Lauderdale, preserves a pristine slice of Florida’s wilderness, thanks to Chicago attorney Hugh Taylor Birch, who donated his estate as a public park in 1941. The park provides access to an especially inviting section of Fort Lauderdale Beach, but to paddle up and down the park’s mile-long (1.6-km) freshwater lagoon, Lake Helen, with younger children, it’s best to rent canoes that hold 3–4 people. Older kids might prefer their own kayak. Look out for turtles, ducks, herons, gray squirrels, wading birds, raccoons, and the occasional marsh rabbit.
Back on dry land, the Coastal Hammock Trail is an easy 20–30-minute walk through a tropical hardwood hammock (forest). There are interpretive signs along the way that provide information about native fauna – try spotting one of the park’s rare gopher tortoises or gray foxes.
Another fun thing to do is to rent bikes and cycle through the park on the 2-mile (3-km) park road.
Letting off steam
If kids don’t get wet enough kayaking, then go 2 miles (3 km) south to splash in the outdoor pools at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex (www.fortlauderdale.gov).
Canoes for hire at Lake Helen in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
The Lowdown
Address 3109 E Sunrise Blvd (off Hwy-A1A), 33304; 954 564 4521; www.floridastateparks.org/park/Hugh-Taylor-Birch
Bus Broward County Transit bus 11 from downtown Fort Lauderdale to the park entrance
Open 8am–sunset daily
Price $6 per vehicle; $2 per pedestrian or cyclist
Guided tours Ranger-guided walks at 10:30am Fri
Age range All ages
Activities The park offers canoe and kayak rentals ($20 for 1 hour) and bike rentals ($12.50 for 1 hour, $25 for 4 hours, and $35 for 24 hours).
Allow Half a day to a full day
Eat and drink SNACKS Park & Ocean (on site) offers a varied menu and oceanfront seating with spectacular views. REAL MEAL Franco & Vinny’s Pizza Shack (2884 E Sunrise Blvd, 33304; 954 564 9522; francoandvinnys.com; 4–11pm daily) serves excellent pizza and pasta dishes, as well as children’s specials including spaghetti with meatballs.
3. John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
A day at the beach
The main attraction at this park is the beach – a wonderful 2-mile (4-km) stretch of unspoiled sand that is evocative of old Florida and perfect for swimming. Just inland is the 45-minute Barrier Island Nature Trail through hammock forest, where squirrels and raccoons sometimes scamper into the brush. Whiskey Creek, which divides the park along its length, has lots of manatees, especially in winter, and there is plenty of bird life to see in the mangroves. The whole family will enjoy watching Port Everglades cruise ships coming and going at the northern end of the park.
Sunbathing at the beach in John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
Take cover
Head 2 miles (3 km) southwest to watch a game of jai-alai at the Dania Jai-Alai Stadium (301 E Dania Beach Blvd, 33004; 954 920 1511; www.betdania.com). Jai-alai is an ancient game from northern Spain – a bit like squash, but much faster.
The Lowdown
Address 6503 N Ocean Dr, Dania Beach, 33004; 954 923 2833; www.floridastateparks.org/mizell
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Visitor information Dania Beach Chamber of Commerce, 102 W Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, 33004; 954 926 2323; www.daniabeachchamber.org
Open 8am–sunset daily
Price $6 per vehicle; $2 per pedestrian or cyclist
Age range All ages
Activities There are 45-min self-guided nature walks at the south end of the park.
Allow Half a day to a full day
Eat and drink SNACKS Dania Beach Bar & Grill (65 N Beach Rd, 33004; 954 923 4148; www.daniabeachgrill.com; 11am–6pm daily), just outside the park, has a full range of salads, sandwiches, and burgers. REAL MEAL Islamorada Fish Company (220 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, 33004; 954 927 7737; restaurants.basspro.com/fishcompany/DaniaBeach) offers fresh seafood dishes.
Having fun at the T. Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park
4. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Florida’s Native Americans and a Hard Rock Cafe
For a different perspective on Florida’s history and culture, visit the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood. In 1979, the Seminole became the first Native American tribe to develop gaming as a form of income and in 2004 the tribe purchased the Hard Rock Cafe franchise. Today, the millions earned as revenue from the complex finance health care, education, full senior care, and modern community centers.
Older kids may prefer the restaurants and shops in the hotel complex. These include the Hard Rock Cafe itself, the authentic Mexican standards (and guacamole prepared tableside) at Tequila Ranch, and Wetzel’s Pretzels. Hip kids’ clothing store Brats and the Seminole Store are among the shops on site.
If there is time, take in one of the wide range of concerts and shows at the Hard Rock Live, or enjoy a dip in the lagoon-style pool.
Letting off steam
A short drive south from the complex, the T. Y. (Topeekeegee Yugnee) Park (3300 N Park Rd, 33021) has picnic areas, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a 2-mile (3-km) loop of paved pathways for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. In summer, visit the Castaway Island Water Park, located within the park.
The tropical pool area in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
The Lowdown
Address 1 Seminole Way, 33314; 866 502 7529; www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Open Hard Rock Cafe: 11am–midnight Sun–Thu & 11am–2am Fri–Sat
Age range 5 plus
Allow 2–3 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS Constant Grind (1 Seminole Way, 33314; 954 797 2328; www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/sweets-and-snacks.htm) serves up sumptuous sandwiches, croissants and pastries. REAL MEAL Blue Plate (1 Seminole Way, 33314; 954 327 7625; www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com) serves casual food for breakfast as well as lunch, just across from the pool.
KIDS’ CORNER
You’ve Got Mail!
Back in the 1800s, mail was delivered by carriers who traveled all the way from West Palm Beach to Miami on foot! The beach at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park was part of their 68-mile (109-km) route. They came to be known as ‘barefoot mailmen’ because they used to walk barefoot on the hard sand along the beach, as the salt water would spoil their shoes.
Every Hard Rock Cafe features rock and roll memorabilia on its walls, such as guitars, costumes, posters, photographs, and records of a myriad of artists, from the Beatles and Elvis Presley to Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga.
Protect the turtles!
In summer, southern Florida’s beaches become one of the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting grounds in the world. Nests full of turtle eggs are hidden under the sand, so their location is marked with yellow tape to warn people to stay away from them. Park guides at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park lead walks to view nesting loggerhead turtles on Wednesdays and Fridays in June and July.
How many nests can you spot on the park’s beach? Remember to keep your distance and never step on them!
5. Davie
Cowboys, children’s art and a trip to the stars
Lying 20 miles (32 km) inland, this Fort Lauderdale suburb is the unlikely venue for some intriguing family attractions. Davie is more like a cowboy outpost than a typical Florida town, a legacy of Florida’s early cattle-ranching settlers. Kids will love watching the town rodeo, held intermittently between February and November. There is even a rodeo for kids in June. Fans of the Wild West should visit Grif’s Western, the leading seller of cowboy boots, hats, and saddles in the state. Stop by the Old Davie School Historical Museum, a restored 1918 schoolhouse, with exhibits that bring Florida’s pioneer history to life. Younger children will get more out of the Young at Art Children’s Museum, which explores the history of art through five child-friendly themes. Finally, do not miss the Buehler Planetarium & Observatory, where planetarium shows are followed by star-gazing sessions. On a clear night, Jupiter, or even Saturn’s rings, might be visible.
Browsing through a variety of cowboy hats at Grif’s Western, Davie
Letting off steam
Zip off to Tree Tops Park (3900 SW 100th Ave, 33328; 954 357 5130; www.broward.org/Parks), which has playgrounds, hiking trails, and guided horse-rides.
The Lowdown
Address Grif’s Western: 6211 Orange Dr, 33314; 954 587 9000; grifswestern.com. Old Davie School Historical Museum: 6650 Griffin Rd, 33314; 954 797 1044; olddavieschool.org. Young at Art Children’s Museum: 751 SW 121 Ave, 33325; 954 424 0085; www.youngatartmuseum.org. Buehler Planetarium & Observatory: 3501 Davie Rd, Broward College campus, 33314; 954 201 6681; www.broward.edu/studentlife/planetarium/Pages/default.aspx
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Open Grif’s Western: 10am–8pm Mon–Sat & 11am–6pm Sun. Old Davie School Historical Museum: 10am–4pm Tue–Sat. Young at Art Children’s Museum: 10am–5pm Mon–Thu (till 6pm Fri–Sat), 11am–6pm Sun. Buehler Planetarium: 8–10pm Wed (public viewings); check website for show timings.
Prices Old Davie School Historical Museum: $24–34. Young at Art Children’s Museum: $56, under 1s free. Buehler Planetarium: free on public viewing nights; shows $16–28
Age range 5 plus
Allow A day
Eat and drink SNACKS La Spada’s Original Hoagies (2645 S University Dr, 33328; 954 476 1099; www.laspadashoagies.com) offers some of the best sandwiches in southern Florida. REAL MEAL Delvecchio's pizzeria (2060 S University Dr, 33324; 954 476 9336; www.delvecchiospizza.com) is a family-friendly pizza joint.
Festival Bergeron Rodeo Grounds (4271 Davie Rd) hosts 6 to 8 rodeos (davieprorodeo.com; Feb–Nov).
6. Flamingo Gardens
The home of pink flamingos
This botanical garden, smothered with subtropical plants and trees, is a serene preserve that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds in winter. The gardens are set up with families in mind – children are encouraged to touch and smell herbs and plants in the Children's Garden. But, inevitably, most kids will be asking, “where are the flamingos?” Fear not, the on-site Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 83 species of Florida’s native birds and animals, including alligators, panthers, bobcats, otters, eagles, and pink flamingos. Around 250 birds, including plenty of noisy waders, are seen inside the huge Free-flight Aviary. Also visit the Wray Home Museum, restored to its appearance in the 1930s, when it was the home of Floyd and Jane Wray, the founders of the gardens.
Take cover
If it rains, head for the Old Davie School Historical Museum, located 6 miles (10 km) east of Flamingo Gardens. The museum houses artifacts and photographs that tell the story of the journey of the pioneers into the Everglades.
Visitors aboard a tram tour in Flamingo Gardens, Davie
The Lowdown
Address 3750 S Flamingo Rd, (between Griffin Rd and I-595), Davie, 33330; 954 473 2955; www.flamingogardens.org
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Open 9:30am–5pm daily; Jun–Oct
Price $53–66; under 2s free
Guided tours Guided tours of Wray Home Museum take place 10am–5pm daily. Narrated tram tours of the gardens depart on the hour and half-hour 11am–4pm daily.
Age range 5 plus
Activities Live Wildlife Encounter Shows (weather permitting) at 11:30am, 1:30pm & 3:30pm daily
Allow 2–3 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS Publix Countryside Shops (5630 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City, 33330; 954 434 2803; www.publix.com) is the nearest major supermarket to Flamingo Gardens. REAL MEAL Marola’s Trattoria (5822 S Flamingo Rd, Cooper City, 33330; 954 434 3420; marolas.com), a family-friendly Italian restaurant, serves salads, pasta, and pizza.
7. Butterfly World
Birds, butterflies, and bugs
Few places are as enchanting as this nature park, located in Tradewinds Park, where hundreds of brilliantly colored butterflies flutter through tropical greenhouses, and exotic birds nestle in the palms. Inside the Tropical Rain Forest Aviary, bright blue, amber, and yellow butterflies land gently on children’s hands and shoulders. Kids also love the Lorikeet Encounter, where multicolored parrots feed from cups of nectar right out of visitors’ hands.
The Tinalandia Suspension Bridge, which sways as kids romp across it, is another favorite, while the main attractions inside the blossom-filled Jewels of the Sky Aviary are the fearless hummingbirds, which feed on nectar in the flowers. Do not miss the Bug Zoo, where giant water bugs, creepy spiders, and mean-looking wasps are sure to elicit gasps of horror/pleasure.
Walking across the Tinalandia Suspension Bridge in Butterfly World
Letting off steam
Kids can run around in Tradewinds Park, an expanse of green that has playgrounds, picnic areas, and a fishing lake. Pony rides and trips in a model steam train are also available.
A butterfly on foliage in Butterfly World, Coconut Creek
The Lowdown
Address Tradewinds Park, 3600 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek, 33073; 954 977 4400; www.butterflyworld.com
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat & 11am–5pm Sun
Price $82–104; under 2s free
Age range All ages
Activities The Bring Back the Butterflies guide tells you what flowers and shrubs to plant in your garden at home in order to attract butterflies.
Allow 2 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS The Lakeside Café (on site) is the best place for sandwiches, salads, iced drinks, and coffee. REAL MEAL Pollo Tropical (2320 N Federal Hwy, 33064; 954 946-9592; www.pollotropical.com) a Caribbean-inspired chain restaurant a few miles away in Pompano Beach, serves up grilled meats, vegetables and sandwiches.
KIDS’ CORNER
Bird hunt
How many of these birds can you spot at Flamingo Gardens?
1 Bald eagle
2 Peacock
3 Flamingo
4 Egret
5 White ibis
Bucking broncos
The most famous event at a rodeo (and one of the most dangerous) is called bronc riding, where cowboys and cowgirls try to stay on a wild, bucking horse – or bull – for as long as possible. Most get thrown off eventually. Riders score points for how long they can hold on: they have to stay on the horse for at least 8 seconds in order to score – it’s much harder than it sounds!
Butterflies fly during the day, unlike moths that fly mostly at night. And most butterflies have antennae that are clubbed at the end. The antennae of the moth are pointed or feathered.
Scavenger Hunt!
The Old Davie School Historical Museum is crammed with all sorts of strange objects, old photographs, and historic maps. Can you find these exhibits?
1 A stuffed alligator
2 The Pioneer Hut
3 The old water well pump
4 Viele House
5 An inkwell (Hint: look in the old classroom)
8. Boca Raton
A Mediterranean fantasy
This lovely city started to develop during the Florida land boom of the 1920s, when famous architect Addison Mizner built the ultra chic pink building called the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Kids will probably spot this fortress from the car. Mizner inspired the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture that still dominates downtown and gives Boca Raton a Continental feel.
Younger kids will find the Boca Raton Children’s Museum enticing. Set within a 1913 driftwood Cracker cottage – the simple abode of early Florida farmers – it has many hands-on exhibits that will keep children occupied for hours. The KidsCents Bank exhibit shows how a bank works, with teller windows and a working vault, while Pirate Island brings the seafaring world to life with interactive games, stories, and a treasure map. Nearer to the ocean, stroll around Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, where boardwalks wind through a tropical hardwood hammock and a mangrove forest. Spot ospreys, brown pelicans, and the occasional manatee lurking in the warm waters.
Elevated viewing platform in the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton
Letting off steam
There are plenty of public beaches in Boca Raton, but parking tends to be expensive. The Red Reef Park, next to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on Highway-A1A, is good for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The nearby Delray Beach is a cheaper alternative. Boomers (3100 Airport Rd, Boca Raton, 33431; 561 347 1888; www.boomersparks.com/site/dania) is an old-fashioned fun park, with high-speed go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag, and a huge video arcade.
The Lowdown
Address Boca Raton Children’s Museum: 498 Crawford Blvd, 33432; 561 368 6878; www.cmboca.org. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: 1801 N Ocean Blvd, 33432; 561 544 8605; www.gumbolimbo.org
Car Rent a car from Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Visitor information Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, 1800 N Dixie Hwy, 33432; 561 395 4433; www.bocaratonchamber.com
Open Boca Raton Children’s Museum: 10am–1pm Tue & Wed, 10am–5pm Thu–Sat. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: 9am–4pm Mon–Sat, noon–4pm Sun
Prices Boca Raton Children’s Museum: $20–30; under 1s free. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: free; $5 donation per person
Guided tours Gumbo Limbo Nature Center runs guided walks to observe sea turtles laying eggs (Jun–Jul) and eggs hatching (Jul–Aug).
Age range 5 plus
Allow A day
Eat and drink PICNIC 4th Generation Organic Market (75 SE 3rd St, 33432; 561 338 9920; www.4thgenerationmarket.com) stocks salads, sandwiches, wraps, and desserts. Enjoy the picnic in the Red Reef Park. REAL MEAL Tom Sawyer Restaurant & Pastry Shop (1759 NW 2nd Ave, 33432; 561 368 4634; www.tomsawyerrestaurant.com; 7am–2pm daily) is an old-fashioned diner with excellent breakfasts. It also serves soups, salads, and seafood.
9. Delray Beach
Fun with water and sand
Delray Beach is one of the most popular, family-friendly destinations in South Florida – this small and welcoming beach town has even received awards for being the “Most Fun Small Town in America.” The 2-mile (3-km) beach, with good facilities, is ideal for fun activities, while the calm waters allow for numerous watersports, from paddleboarding to snorkeling. The nearby Atlantic Avenue has plenty of fine restaurants and bars, upscale shops, and art galleries.
When kids tire of the beach, take a stroll along the three-quarter-mile (1-km) boardwalk that winds around the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. This swamp area has become home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, frogs, and over 140 different species of birds. More water-related activities can be found at the Sandoway Discovery Center, which has reptiles, shark feedings, a shell collection, and an exhibit on the Delray Wreck, a steamship that sunk off the coast in 1903. The restored Cason Cottage Museum, run by the Delray Beach Historical Society, takes you back to Florida’s pre-boom era, from 1915 to 1935, with a focus on local architecture and history.
Letting off steam
The Catherine Strong Splash Park (1500 SW 6th Ave, 33444; 561 243 7194) is good for a cool-down, and there’s a playground as well. For something calmer, opt for picking strawberries and explore the hydroponic garden at The Girls Strawberry U-Pick (14466 S Military Trail, 33484; www.thegirlsstrawberryupick.com).
The Lowdown
Address Wakodahatchee Wetlands: 13026 Jog Rd, 33446; Sandoway Discovery Center: 142 S Ocean Blvd, 33483; 561 274 7263; www.sandoway.org. Cason Cottage Museum: 5 NE First St, 33444; 561 243 2577; www.delraybeachhistory.org/cason_cottage
Car Rent a car from West Palm Beach Airport.
Visitor information 140 NE 1st St, 33444; 561 279 1380; www.visitdelraybeach.org
Open Wakodahatchee Wetlands: 7am–sunset daily. Sandoway Discovery Center: 10am–4pm Tue–Sun. Cason Cottage Museum: Nov–Apr: 11am–3pm Thu–Sat
Prices Wakodahatchee Wetlands: free. Sandoway Discovery Center: $20; under 3s free. Cason Cottage Museum: $10; under 16s free
Age range 5 plus
Activities Download a walking tour brochure and coloring book from the Delray Beach Historical Society website.
Allow A day
Eat and drink SNACKS Sandwiches by the Sea (1214 E Atlantic Ave; 561 272 2212) serves good-value subs to go with the superb milk-shakes and smoothies. REAL MEAL Caffe Luna Rosa (34 S Ocean Blvd; 561 274 9404; www.caffelunarosa.com) offers top-quality sea-food dishes, Italian specialties such as antipasti and home-made pasta, and desserts.
Stone sculptures and flower beds in the Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach
10. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
A day out in the Far East
Southern Florida is an unlikely place for an outpost of classical Japan, but this museum and its beautifully landscaped grounds give visitors an authentic taste of the Far East. See six beautiful Japanese gardens, a Shinto shrine, a teahouse, and a museum – the legacy of a Japanese agricultural colony established in Boca Raton in the early 20th century. The main section of the museum displays Japanese art, but kids might find this hard-going; aim instead for the Yamato-kan house, where the Japan through the Eyes of a Child exhibit offers a taste of modern Japanese life specially designed for younger kids. Explore a Japanese classroom, a shopping street, and a typical home complete with tatami mats (straw mats used to cover floors), a huge bathtub, and a high-tech toilet. The gardens, with zigzag bridges, hidden waterfalls, Zen-inspired rock gardens, and many bonsai trees, are ideal for strolling.
Letting off steam
The museum and gardens form part of the greater Morikami Park, a public space containing Lake Biwa and Saki Pavilion. Visitors can picnic here, and there is also a playground and a nature trail.
Japanese-style schoolboy’s bedroom at the Morikami Museum, Delray Beach
The Lowdown
Address 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, 33446; 561 495 0233;
Car Rent a car from West Palm Beach Airport.
Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sun
Price $39–48; under 6s free
Age range All ages
Allow At least 2–3 hours
Eat and drink SNACKS Cornell Café (on site; 11am–3pm Tue–Sun) is an open-air place selling pan-Asian snacks, light meals, and desserts. REAL MEAL Henry’s (16850 Jog Rd, 33446; 561 638 1949; henrysofbocaraton.com) offers contemporary American and Continental cuisine near the gardens.
Festival Hatsume Fair, spring festival (Mar)
KIDS’ CORNER
Cup of Tea?
The tea ceremony (sado) is an important part of Japanese culture, and you can experience this at the teahouse in the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, along with live demonstrations of koto (a traditional stringed instrument) and kitsuke (the art of wearing a kimono).
Learning Japanese
Try to learn these Japanese words:
Thank you: Arigatō
Yes: Hai
Hello: Kon’nichiwa
Goodbye: Sayōnara
Awesome!: Sugoi!
The name Boca Raton comes from Spanish words. Boca means “mouth” and raton means “mouse.” So when you visit Boca Raton, you are entering the mouth of the mouse!
Shark Attack
Feeding sharks at the Sandoway Discovery Center can be very exciting, but did you know…
1 Sharks have been around on Earth in some form for nearly 450 million years!
2 Sharks are loners, they don’t tend to live in groups.
3 Sharks never run out of teeth. If they lose any, one from the back-up rows behind it will move into that position. In this way, sharks can use up to 30,000 teeth in their lifetime!
4 The biggest fish ever caught was a great white shark hooked off South Australia in 1959. It weighed an amazing 2,664 lb (1,208 kg) – as much as a small car!
11. Palm Beach Hang
Hang out with America’s mega-rich
Impressive facade of The Breakers
One of the wealthiest places in the US, Palm Beach is peppered with grand mansions, pristine gardens, and upscale shopping streets. The town was founded in the 1890s, when Henry Flagler brought his railroad south and built two luxury hotels here. In the 1920s, Addison Mizner added Mediterranean-style homes and plazas, lending the town a refined European air. Ever since, it has attracted tycoons, sports stars, and even royalty.
Key Sights
1. Lake Trail Bike or walk along this tree-shaded 3-mile (5-km) path that borders the waters of Lake Worth to take in scenic lake views and admire Palm Beach mansions.
2. Green’s Pharmacy Open since 1937, this old-fashioned diner is known for its breakfasts, burgers, and ice cream sodas. Hit the pharmacy section for all sorts of beach gear, toys, and old-style sweets.
3. The Breakers Established by Henry Flagler in 1896, this hotel is a spellbinding place to visit for a guided tour. The present Italianate building dates from 1926.
4. Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea This Neo-Gothic church was built in 1926. Stroll in its lush Cluett Memorial Garden, amid the cloisters, with gazebos and a fountain pond filled with colorful koi.
5. Society of the Four Arts While art exhibitions are held inside this Italianate building, the beautifully landscaped grounds contain a series of lush botanical gardens, and a selection of elegant modern sculptures.
6. Norton Museum of Art This museum houses several masterpieces by great artists such as Picasso and Gauguin, as well as modern American art by Jackson Pollock, Georgia O’Keeffe, and glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Letting off steam
Spend time on the wide, clean public beach off Ocean Boulevard. Further afield, little ones will enjoy Playmobil toys at the Playmobil FunPark (8031 N Military Trail, 33410; 561 691 9880; www.playmobilusa.com).
Eat and drink
PICNIC Publix on Palm Beach (135 Bradley Pl, 33480; 561 655 4120; www.publix.com) is a great Prices given are for a family of four place to pick up delicious goodies for a picnic on the beach or in Cluett Memorial Garden.
Dining in the charming courtyard of Pizza Al Fresco
SNACKS Sprinkles Ice Cream & Sandwich (279 Royal Poinciana Way, 33480; 561 659 1140; 9am–10pm Sun–Thu, 9am–11pm Fri–Sat) offers luscious ice cream in several flavors.
REAL MEAL Pizza Al Fresco (14 Via Mizner, 33480; 561 832 0032; pizzaalfresco.com) has courtyard seating and serves fabulous brick-oven pizza and baked pasta.
FAMILY TREAT Charley’s Crab (456 S Ocean Blvd, 33480; 561 659 1500; www.muer.com) offers fine seafood right on the beach. Try the Alaskan king crab or the filet mignon.
Shopping
Teenagers might like to window shop in Worth Avenue (www.worth-avenue.com) in downtown Palm Beach, which is packed with designer stores and art galleries. Try Palm Beach’s high-class thrift stores, such as Church Mouse (378 S County Rd, 33480; 561 659 2154) for more affordable bargains.
Find out more
DIGITAL Check out www.pbpulse.com for information on events, dining, shopping, arts, and culture.
Next stop...
POLO AND SWIMMING The Palm Beach area is famous for polo. For fun tournaments held on weekends (Jan–Apr), visit the International Polo Club of Palm Beach (3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, 33414; 561 204 5687; www.internationalpoloclub.com). Peanut Island (www.pbcgov.com/parks/peanutisland), in the middle of Lake Worth, is a county park good for swimming and snorkeling. It is home to John F. Kennedy’s Cold War bunker. The park also has a campground, and picnic areas with grills.
A polo match in progress at the International Polo Club of Palm Beach
The Lowdown
Address Green’s Pharmacy: 151 North County Rd, 33480; 561 832 0304. The Breakers: 1 South County Rd, 33480; 888 273 2537; www.thebreakers.com. Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea: 141 South County Rd, 33480; 561 655 4554; www.bbts.org. Society of the Four Arts: 2 Four Arts Plaza, 33480; 561 655 7226; www.fourarts.org. Norton Museum of Art: 1451 S Olive Ave, West Palm Beach, 33401; 561 832 5196; www.norton.org
Bus Palm Tran bus 44 (www.pbcgov.com/palmtran) from airport to downtown West Palm Beach. Palm Tran bus 41 (Mon–Sat) from downtown Palm Beach to West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station (www.tri-rail.com). Car Metered parking available on the Palm Beach seafront
Visitor information 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, Suite 800, West Palm Beach, 33401; 800 544 7256; www.palmbeachfl.com
Open Green’s Pharmacy: 7am–4pm Mon–Fri (till 3pm Sat & Sun). Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea: 8am–5pm daily. Society of the Four Arts: 10am–5pm daily. Norton Museum of Art: noon–5pm Fri–Wed, noon–9pm Thu
Prices Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Society of the Four Arts, and Norton Museum of Art: free
Guided tours Norton Museum of Art runs tours Nov–Apr: 2pm Thu–Sun; check website. The Breakers offers a historical tour; call ahead for reservations.
Activities Rent bikes from Palm Beach Bicycle Trail Shop (www.palmbeachbicycle.com; $15 per hour, $29 half a day & $39 for 24 hours).
Allow 1–2 days
Good family value?
Palm Beach is an expensive town, but it does not cost a cent to explore its pristine streets and shops, or enjoy its lovely beaches.
KIDS’ CORNER
Sculpture hunt
Try to find these sculptures in the Society of the Four Arts sculpture garden:
1 Monumental Apple Basket (1998) by Leslie Ortiz
2 Giraffes (1959) by Luis Montoya
3 Naja (1979) by Diana Guest
4 Allies (1995) by Lawrence Holofcener
Ghosts of Palm Beach
Palm Beach Town Hall is said to be haunted by former mayor Paul Ilyinsky, who was related to the Russian royal family. His ghost is said to hum the national anthem of Imperial Russia!
Tycoon and railroad builder Henry Flagler built the original Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Flagler got his first job, at the age of 14, in a grain store: he was paid just $5 a month plus room and board. When he died in 1913, he had earned a fortune of $60 million ($1.3 billion in today’s money).
Dream a hotel
The Breakers hotel was designed to look like a grand Italian palace, with two towers and a fortress-like front. See if you can draw a bigger and grander hotel than The Breakers, using at least four shapes: rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, or any others.
