Getting the Most Out of a Family Holiday in Florida

One of the top family vacation destinations in the US is Florida. The state receives thousands if not millions of international tourists, with a significant number of them coming from the UK. That’s because travelling to the US is very easy for UK citizens especially with competitively priced flights and packaged deals available all year around and especially in low-peak periods. 

Obviously another big plus is the weather and no language barriers. Plus travelling to US is not a headache in terms of visas. 

All UK citizens can travel to the US without a visa but, all family members do require to complete an ESTA online 72 hours before travelling (see this ESTA guide here for full details). You can get an ESTA from various websites or from a third-party ESTA visa waiver service if you need additional service and a guarantee.

But which are the ideal family vacation spots in Florida? It is difficult to choose from the numerous epic family destinations that this state offers because you have to also take into account that Florida is big: the distance from the North to South of the state is about the same as travelling from Portsmouth to the Scottish border!

With that said, here are five of the best family holiday destinations in Florida:

1. Disneyland Park

One of the best family vacation that you cannot miss in your Florida is Disneyland. This is one of the spots that attracts thousands of tourists and Disneyland fans from across the world. The park is designed to provide an environment where both parents and children can have fun together.

For the children, they will get to see exactly from what they watch in famous Disneyland films. From Disneyland rails, Tarzan’s Tree House, to Jungle Cruise, Disney Park is a unique world in its own way, and kids will definitely love the experience. 

There are several packages you can buy to enter Disneyland depending on the time and how much you’re willing to spend. However, buying the VIP tour ticket would be the best way to enjoy a trip to this park. The ticket gives the best of this park including a ride in the famous Lilly Belle, a Disneyland Road’s special parlour car.

2. NASA Kennedy Space Centre

When you mention space exploration, then NASA Kennedy Space centre is what comes in mind. The centre is crucial for NASA exploration as it is primarily used for the launching of human spaceflight. The centre has set up a number of attractions for families from which you can pick from depending on the time you want to spend here but fair warning, there is a lot to see so expect to spend around 6 – 8 hours. 

On occasions, it’s possible to meet with astronauts since NASA is particularly keen on encouraging children to learn about science. The space shuttle Atlantis is also on display and quite a different experience seeing it for real instead of a television. 

3. Miami and South Beach

Probably the state is best known for its beaches and beach activities. In fact, a vast majority of UK citizens come to Florida to enjoy its amazing miles of beach and soak in some of the local culture since for so many Floridians, beach is pretty much a way of life. 

Miami Beach is a major favourite and has the reputation of having some of the best beaches during summer.

Miami Beach is actually an island city which is connected via bridges to the city itself. And South Beach is also located on the same island city and generally speaking tends to be favoured by families.

4. Amelia Island

The long sand beaches, calm waves and tranquil blue water are some of the features that make Amelia Island a top destination for most families travelling to the US. It is fairly closeto the Jacksonville International Airport, and its uncrowded nature makes it a perfect family destination. 

With more than 13 miles of epic beaches, there are tons of family activities, including swimming and boat riding. You can also go fishing, horseback riding, geocaching and numerous eco-tours. Amelia Island, although somewhat more exclusive, is definitely one of the places you should consider since it’s well away from all the major tourist hotspots.

5. Miami Seaquarium

A big favourite for kids and adults alike, the Miami Seaquarium is a vast and fascinating place to visit. If you’re looking for the chance of interacting with dolphins, this is one of the places where it’s possible. And if you’re brave, you also have the chance to interact with Stingrays and Nurse sharks! The whole complex covers a total space of 38 acres and have many spectacular displaysand is a big favourite for children. Other than the displays and shows, the seaquarium provides a strong focus on education and prides itself on its efforts for marine conservation.