tropical plants. Check out the tiny, rainbow-hued hummingbirds suckling nectar from feeding tubes as butterflies flit about (one might even land on your shoulder). There’s also a bug zoo at the rear of the insectarium with impressive versions of the dead variety in display cases – this will fascinate your kids, who can see mounted insects and spiders as big as a human head. Make sure to stroll the striking botanical garden, which has one of the world’s largest collections of passion-flower vines. For more information, call 954-9774400 or visit butterflyworld.com.
Coral Castle, Homestead Laden with mystery and lore, the twostory Coral Castle in Homestead was the home of Edward Leedskalnin, a Latvian who settled in Florida in 1926 after being jilted by his fiancée. Legend has it he came down with tuberculosis but spontaneously healed due to magnetic energy, and spent the next 28 years single-handedly building the limestone castle in honor of his lost love. The unique home, now a tourist attraction, features a sundial, obelisk, Polaris telescope, barbecue, water well and fountain, with furnishings including a heart-shaped table, 25 rocking
chairs, a bathtub, beds and a royal throne – all crafted of coral rock, sans mortar. Not surprisingly, the Coral Castle was featured on the TV show, That’s Incredible. It truly is. For more information, call 305-2486345 or visit coralcastle.com.
Disney World, Orlando You’re not really a Floridian until you’ve been to Disney World – several times. The best part about going in summer? The crowds are a bit smaller, which means shorter lines! With four amusement parks, two water parks, and myriad hotels and shopping districts, this Orlando spot is truly the happiest place on earth. Can one ever truly tire of Cinderella’s Castle, spectacular fireworks or foods from around the world? After dark, find a babysitter and head to Downtown Disney, the grownup entertainment area that features Cirque de Soleil’s La Nouba, the five-story DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant and the House of Blues. By the way, there are deals to be had, such as free admission to one of the theme parks on your birthday. For more information, call 407-9396244 or visit disneyworld.disney.go.com
Above: Disney's Magic Kingdom left: Diva Duck amphibious tours
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Diva Duck Amphibious Tours, West Palm Beach
Everglades Holiday Park, Fort Lauderdale
Diva Duck Amphibious Tours provides tours of West Palm Beach by land and sea via its unique combination bus/boat. Hosted by a jovial guide, the 75-minute narrated tour begins on land at CityPlace, which then rolls by downtown’s historic neighborhoods and the convention center. The bus/boat then splashes into the Lake Worth lagoon, passing manatees, dolphins, turtles and other subtropical wildlife before entering the Intracoastal, where you’ll cruise by multimillion-dollar mansions (think Mar-a-Lago) and the site of the JFK bomb shelter. Next, it’s back on land via the Currie Park boat ramps for a tour of Clematis Street before returning to CityPlace.
The Everglades truly is Mother Nature’s finest achievement. Also called “The River of Grass,” this natural habitat is best explored by airboats, which skim the marshy waters at high speeds. Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale offers rides piloted by expert guides who point out native birds, flora and other natural wonders (their unique boats offer covered passenger seats, providing protection from water, bugs and sun). Don’t be surprised if your guide stops the boat just feet from alligators sunning themselves (it’s considered a good luck ritual). Think that’s scary? Wait till the captain passes around containers filled with tarantulas indigenous to the area (you can skip that part). This is about as close to natural splendor as you can get.
For more information, call 561-8444188 or visit divaduck.com.
Dolphin Harbor, Miami Seaquarium As a South Floridian, you’ve likely seen dolphins before – but have you ever gone swimming with one? You can at Miami Seaquarium’s Dolphin Harbor. First, learn about the friendly marine mammals in an interactive, educational classroom presentation. Next, it’s time to don a wetsuit for some live dolphin interaction, where you can kiss, hug and pet your shiny new pal. Note: you must be 52 inches or taller to take part, and kids ages 5 and older must limit dolphin interaction to the shallow pool and only when accompanied by an adult. What a splash! For more information, call 305-3615705 or visit miamiseaquarium.com.
For more information, call 954-4348111 or evergladesholidaypark.com.
Hollywood Beach Florida boasts some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, and Hollywood Beach is also one of the most family-friendly. Its two-mile Broadwalk is lined with kitschy tourist shops, pizza-and-beer joints, ice cream parlors and fine dining restaurants, as well as designated lanes for walking, biking and rollerblading (rentals range from skates to six-seat bikes). And did we mention the great people watching? The Broadwalk, built in 1923, recently was renovated with fancy pavers, acorn lamps and low walls with LED lights that make for ambient nighttime strolling. There’s also an