Family Fun on the Cheap

by Adele Woodyard
Now schools out, are you planning a Florida vacation?. Kids, some even younger than six, or older than 12.will enjoy these ten attractions because they’re fun; Mom and Dad will like them because six are FREE (donation welcome) and the other four are under $10 adult. Brief descriptions taken from my book, Florida “Freebies” and “Cheapies” 250 Daytrips for Little or No Money, with at least one from the Panhandle to Key West. Call or click for hours, days and any changes before you go.
Northwest Florida
Air Force Armament Museum has over 25 different aircraft, plus plenty of weaponry on exhibit. Kids get a chance to put hands-on in a cockpit. FREE. Elgin Air Force Base, 850-651-1808. http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com
Emerald Coast Science Center has inter-active exhibits especially for young‘uns. $5.75 adult. Fort Walton Beach; 850-664-1261. http://www.ecscience.org
North Florida
Tree-Hill Nature Center is a wildlife preserve and museum with indoor/outdoor activities. $4 adult.. Jacksonville, 904-724-4646. http://www.treehill.org
Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo has exotic animals seen on self-guided tours; guided by appointment only. Now open daily 9 a.m.-2 p..m. $5 adult. Gainesville, 352-395-5604. http://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo
West Central Florida
Tampa Firefighters Museum offers pretend time with bunker gear and fire truck replica for the young crowd. FREE. 813-964-6682. http://www.tampafiremuseum.org
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary treats up to 10,00 wild birds a year, the majority injured indirectly by humans. FREE. Seminole.727-391-6211. http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com
East Central Florida
Old Town is an old-timey amusement park where admission and parking are FREE, but rides, etc. are not. All ages for this one. Kissimmee, 407-396-4888; rides 407-390-0906. http://www.old-town.com”
South Florida
Lakes Regional Park, FREE, click on The Train Village at Lakes Park under Partnerships for RR museum and train ride, $5 (age 6 and over) Fort Myers, 239-533-7575., 239-267-1905. http://www.leeparks.org
FPL Energy Encounter with electricity interests the whole family in inter-active exhibits. FREE Hours flexible; call 877-375-4386 for availability. Jensen Beach. http://www.fpl.com/encounter
East Montello Museum and Gardens used to be a fort that now houses a 100 year old Haunted Doll. $7 adult. Key West. 305-296-3913. http://www.kwahs.com
Want to find more? Buy the book: $9.95. Details: http://www.adelesbooksandblogs.com or http://www.palmprintpress.com Credit card? :Amazon.com, gift shop or indie bookstore near you. .