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Review of Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

My husband and three kids tagged along with me in March 2019 when I attended a conference at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida. After we spent a much needed long weekend in Treasure Island last winter, we decided that we should plan an annual beach weekend in the first few months of the year. Because a tax and securities conference I attend annually was scheduled at Coconut Point, we knew it was a perfect opportunity to briefly escape the cold. We booked $160 round trip flights from Cleveland to Fort Myers on Spirit Airlines and surprised the kids with a vacation reveal on a Friday night in January, complete with wrapped pictures of the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point’s pool area. Needless to say, all three were ecstatic about our winter weekend family getaway in Southwest Florida.

We arrived on a chilly March evening. The resort is only about a 20-25 minute drive from the Fort Myers Airport, but we mistakenly plugged the Hyatt Place Coconut Point into our GPS and ended up taking an unintended detour. After checking in (which included a delightful glass of champagne), we headed out for dinner. Despite the colder than expected weather, we took a tour of the resort after settling into our room.

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point pool area may close at 5 p.m. each day, but lawn games, swings and a fire pit are available for guests to use into the evenings so that guests have fun activities all day long. The landscape was simply breathtaking.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is a 454-room resort that encompasses 26 acres and opened in September 2001. The grand opening was overshadowed by the September 11 terrorist attacks that significantly impacted air travel and hotel occupancy. Despite challenges during its first few years, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point features the largest pool area in southwest Florida and has become a favorite family resort with a lush and well-manicured landscape.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Guest Rooms

Our guest room was nicely appointed and large with an enormous flat screen television. We liked the neutral colors, queen beds, the tiled entry way and the functional work space. We always appreciate a refrigerator and used the one in our room for left overs. Our family was very comfortable in our room during our stay.

The bathroom was upgraded with granite and white tiles. Bins under the sink were handy for keeping the space organized, and towels were folded into fancy decorations that my daughter loved.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Private Beach

Our family generally opts for beach-front properties when vacationing anywhere near an ocean. While the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is not a beach-front resort, it does offer its guests access to its semi-private beach via its complimentary boat across Estero Bay. The first morning we spent in Bonita Springs was unseasonably chilly, so my husband and kids decided to hop on the first boat of the day to the island. They took a short walk down the hotel’s 1/4 mile nature boardwalk trail to the dock at the marina and then enjoyed the quick boat ride to Big Hickory Island, which is part of the Estero Bay Ecological Preserve.

On the boat ride, they saw a few pelicans, but unfortunately no dolphins or Bald Eagles.

They packed some beach toys with them but found towels and toys were available at the beach. The four of them enjoyed walking along the pristine beach and watching the birds.

As the first visitors of the day on the beach, they were treated to a bumper crop of sand dollars and excitedly collected their favorites.

After returning to the resort, they caught a ride on the shuttle back to the hotel.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Water Slides

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point’s pool area encompasses three acres and features four water slides. Kids must be at least 48 inches to ride the inner tube water slides and 42 inches to ride on the corkscrew water slides. Unfortunately, our four year old daughter was about an inch too short. She was not overly excited about the short Ciquala water slide, which was designed for the youngest kids, but still had a great time. Even though the hotel was fully booked, the pool area was never crowded. This may be partially due to the fact that a large portion of the guests were tax and securities lawyers who spent their time in the conference center.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Lazy River

There’s something about a lazy river that just screams relaxation. By early afternoon, the weather had warmed up substantially. The kids picked up inner tubes and enjoyed floating along in the lazy river.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Rock Wall

My boys were particularly excited about the rock wall, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Climbers need to be at least 42 inches tall and wearing closed toed shoes. The wall often courses of different difficulty levels, and my husband even took a turn. There is no additional fee to climb.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Lawn Games

Lawn games are available all day. Our kids particularly enjoyed miniature golf, cornhole and the large Connect Four.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Restaurants

While we mostly ate our meals offsite, I had dinner our second night at Coconut Point at Tarpon Bay. I thoroughly enjoyed our three hour dinner with colleagues, but service was extremely slow.

Restaurants Near Hyatt Regency Coconut Point

The area around the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point is very commercial with many strip malls and plenty of dining options. We enjoyed dinner on our first night at Senor Tequila, which offered some great Mexican fare and delicious margaritas. Our favorite was the British Open Pub, which was the perfect place for Friday lunch during Lent. We loved our fish and chips and the classic pub decor.

Senor Tequila

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Review

Even though it is not a truly beach front property, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point has so many great amenities for families. While we would have enjoyed a few more days exploring the beach and pool, we were not able to extend our stay. After my conference, we headed to Sanibel to spend the weekend on the beach.

June 9, 2019
Kids’ Blog: Shelling in Sanibel

Thank you to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum for providing complimentary tickets for my family. All opinions are my own.

Guest Author: Our kid blogger, Messi Jr., is an eleven year old fifth grader who loves travel and soccer.

My family recently took a really fun trip to Sanibel, Florida. Sanibel is known as one of best shelling beaches in the world. Over my trip, I went shelling many times and learned a lot about shells. Today, I will share to you all the best ways of finding and learning about shells in Sanibel, Florida.

Shelling at sunrise

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

At the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel, my family and I learned about all the shells we were finding on the beach. We went to the Tank Talk where a professional naturalist and sheller talked about the shells and what could be inside. An important thing to know is that if you find something living in a shell, it should be carefully placed in the water and not thrown into the water as this could harm the creature living inside. After going to the National Shell Museum, I now have a clearer understanding of shells and could name almost all of the shells we collected. With all that we learned there, I only wish we had gone to the National Shell Museum at the beginning of our weekend in Sanibel.

World Record Shells

Shelling at the Beach

On our trip, I tried different ways of shelling. On our first morning, we went to the beach at sunrise and looked in the water and on the shoreline. We had our best result by far when went in the water early in the morning. A good tip is to wade into the water and dig through the sand with your feet until you feel a shell. Then, scoop it up with your hands. When shelling in the water or on the beach, it is always a good idea to bring a mesh bag to keep all the shells you want to keep.

Some of the many shells we found

Shelling After a Storm

Although there weren’t any storms during our trip, we learned at the Tank Talk that the best time to shell is early in the morning after a storm. During a storm, all the big shells from farther into the ocean will wash up onto shore. Some of these may include the rarest shell in Sanibel called junonia, which is a shell found extremely far and low in the ocean. This shell is so rare that when someone finds one, it is often reported in the local news.

Our path to the beach

Conclusion

I had a really fun trip to Sanibel, Florida. I liked shelling and learning about all the shells at the National Shell Museum. The best time to find shells is early in the morning after a storm or by wading a few feet into the ocean. My family and I found such great shells. I hope we go back to Sanibel soon.

April 13, 2019
A Family Weekend at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort

Thank you to the Sanibel Island Beach Resort for providing a media rate for our stay. All opinions are my own.

We recently spent a lovely family weekend at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort. When selecting a hotel in Sanibel for our family of five, our main criteria was that we wanted to stay at a beach-front property with an updated pool area. Sanibel Island Beach Resort definitely ticked those boxes. We arrived on Friday afternoon and checked out Sunday morning. We wished our weekend was longer (or didn’t include the Spring Forward time change that made us miss an hour of precious beach time) and would definitely return to the Sanibel Island Beach Resort.

Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Rooms

Our room was large and comfortable with old world Florida charm and a beachy-feel. It included two queen-sized beds, a small table and chairs, a big flat-screen television, dual sinks, a mini refrigerator, a microwave and plenty of options to hang wet clothes.

We loved that our room was beach-front and overlooked the pool area. Our proximity to the beach and pool was ideal. Our goal was to spend as much time outdoors as possible during our weekend, and we really didn’t spend much time in the room itself other than showering and sleeping.

The toiletries were Tommy Bahama brand, and the shower had wonderful pressure and unlimited hot water.

Sanibel Island Beach Resort also featured a sink for guests to use specifically to wash shells, a business center and the Sandollar Kitchen & Bar.

Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Pool

Our family really enjoyed Sanibel Island Beach Resort’s pool area. There were many inflatable rafts and rings, boogie boards and noodles for guests to enjoy. The pool was large enough to accommodate at least 10-12 swimmers at one time comfortably. The pool deck was updated with several different seating areas.  Even though the Resort was fully booked, we never had difficulty finding chairs. The Tiki Bar was particularly popular with the Resort’s guests, and I enjoyed a Happy Hour rum runner while sitting on the edge of the pool. Although we visited during Spring break time, the pool area was very relaxed and family-friendly with no college revelers.

Our daughter was really hoping to make a friend on our trip, and she hit the jackpot on Saturday morning when she met another 4.5 year old girl with long brown hair who just happened to have the same first name.  Our daughter has never met another little girl who shares her name, so this discovery was very exciting. This little girl also happened to be super sweet and asked her dad to take her to the beach to find a shell for my daughter. The two girls became fast friends.

Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Beach

The beach at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort was unquestionably the highlight of the property. Our room had a beach view, and we reached the sand by taking a short walk down a path past the pool. After we dropped off our bags in our room and changed into beach attire, we grabbed towels from the pool and headed straight to the beach. The Resort provided comfortable lounge chairs for its guests, and even at full capacity, we never had an issue finding chairs for our family. There were no umbrellas, but we were able to purchase one from the Resort’s gift shop for $19.99. Considering we had to rent chairs and an umbrella for about that amount each day at the beaches in Clearwater and Treasure Island last year, we thought the cost was extremely reasonable.  As an added bonus, the umbrella folded down and fit in our car seat bag, so we were able to bring it home with us. Our summer beach trips to Lake Erie are going to be so much more comfortable….

My shaded view of Sanibel Beach

Our kids really enjoy playing in the sand on the beach. They put the two buckets and a shovel that we brought with us to heavy use, often working in the shade of our umbrella. They built a sand castle that survived overnight.

The water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico was still pretty chilly in early March, but my husband and sons ventured into the water on Saturday morning in search of unique shells. As part of the resort fee, the Sanibel Island Beach Resort provides guests with their own mesh shell bag upon check in. This came in handy – at least until the weight of the shells made a hole. My daughter and I preferred to relax in the shade, search for shells in the sand and just dip our toes into the water to fill our buckets.

We woke up early both Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch the sunrise over the Gulf.   Even my first view of the ocean definitely made the early morning wake up worthwhile.

The beach was quiet as the sun rose, but there were a few other shellers and walkers on the beach. Sunrise over the Gulf was particularly stunning as the sky turned beautiful shades of orange and red.

No one asked to go back to bed as the sun rose into the sky. We brought out granola bars, squeezable yogurt pouches and water bottles to eat breakfast on the beach. It was the perfect place to sip my morning coffee.

My daughter met her new friend on the beach on Sunday morning, and the two girls discovered they also each had blue buckets and yellow shovels. What else could possibly cement a new friendship between two girls who seemed destined to meet? The two girls excitedly played in the sand together and decided to be pen pals before we each set off in separate directions for the day. They have already sent each other some of the cutest notes through the mail.  I have to admit that it’s fun to use stamps for something other than Christmas cards and love that my daughter has a new understanding of how the mail works.

While Sanibel Island Beach Resort’s beach is a wonderful sunrise location, it isn’t ideal for viewing sunset. The sky may turn brilliant shades at dusk, but the sunset itself is out of view from the south end of Sanibel Island. On Saturday night, we headed to Blind Pass Beach, which is on the western end of Sanibel Island right next to the short bridge to Captiva Island. Sunset at Blind Pass Beach was breathtakingly beautiful.

Sunset at Blind Pass Beach

Restaurants Near Sanibel Island Beach Resort

We did not eat at the Resort’s on site restaurants, Sandollar Kitchen & Bar or Tiki Bar, but we did have a number of great meals nearby. Periwinkle Way is the main street through Sanibel and where all of the restaurants we dined at are located. The fact that all the restaurants we chose had animal-themed names was completely coincidental. Here are our Sanibel dining recommendations:

#1: The Island Cow

We had dinner at the Island Cow on Friday night. We heard this cute diner regularly seats 1,000 customers per day, and we believe it. I think there is almost always a line for tables, and the Island Cow offers Adirondack chairs, corn hole and even a random skeleton to help pass the inevitable wait comfortably. The hostess also handed us the extensive menu (including kids’ meals) upon our arrival so that we could make our selections before we were seated and expedite the service.

My husband and I ordered drinks from the bar while we were waiting to be seated. The drinks were unfortunately not so great. My strawberry daiquiri was not well mixed, and I wasn’t sure if there was actually any alcohol in it. My husband’s drink was also sub par and almost offensively strong.  The festive atmosphere made up for the unappealing drinks, and we were seated much faster than we expected.

The interior décor at the Island Cow is a bright eclectic kitsch. While knickknacks can be overwhelming, this collection was carefully curated, and we enjoyed looking at all the pictures and the cows on the walls and shelves throughout the restaurant.

Fish is a specialty at the Island Cow, and we all enjoyed our meals. We ordered the alligator appetizer, which was breaded like chicken fingers and tasty. Our oldest is always adventurous when it comes to trying local specialties and thought it tasted very similar to chicken. Our youngest spent the rest of the weekend slightly worried that the alligators might somehow know that we ate one of their friends.

A live karaoke singer accompanied our dinner, and there seemed to be one birthday celebration after another in which the whole restaurant sang the birthday song to the special guest. Over the course of these celebrations, my boys kept reminding us that the trip fell right between our sons’ birthdays and tried to claim birthday priority, mostly because of the large sundae that accompanied each celebration. When our server came with our check, she overheard the conversation and brought out a sundae for the kids to share (no singing).

We heard great things about the Island Cow’s breakfast service and decided to come back on Sunday morning for a hearty brunch. The mimosas on the menu were tempting, but after our experience with the drinks on Friday night, I stuck with coffee. The Island Cow’s brunch definitely lived up to our expectations and was a favorite for all.

My breakfast burrito

#2: The Blue Giraffe

On Saturday, we wanted a quick and tasty sit-down lunch. We called ahead to the Blue Giraffe in Periwinkle Place Shopping Center to make sure that they could accommodate our family with no wait for a late lunch and were thrilled to walk right in and sit down at our table.

Blue Giraffe prominently features giraffe décor, but not all of the giraffes are blue!

Blue Giraffe features typical American fare and kids’ menus, and we all enjoyed our sandwiches and hot dogs. My kids actually chose fruit over French fries as well.

Hot dog kids’ meal at the Blue Giraffe

#3: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen

We had dinner on Saturday night at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen. MudBugs just opened its Sanibel location in December 2018, and the airy, two-story building is exquisite with exposed bricks, outdoor patios and classic New Orleans architecture. I noticed the Chihuly-style blown glass chandelier as soon as we walked in. Later, my sons asked if it was a Chihuly, and knowing how expensive an original Chihuly might be suggested that it likely a “knockoff.” Later, our server confirmed that the chandelier was an original Chihuly! I wonder if the renovated building or the chandelier has a higher value.

MudBugs offers kids’ meals, but our three kids split an adult-sized jambalaya and gumbo. My husband and I each enjoyed a superb cocktail. We all loved our meals, and now I can’t wait for our next trip to New Orleans for more crawfish etoufee and hurricanes.

#4: Pinocchio’s

As our last stop in Sanibel before heading to the airport, we enjoyed Pinocchio’s original Italian ice cream. Pinocchio’s has been a Sanibel staple since 1980 and features bright green walls and endless options of ice cream and gelato. My daughter remembered Pinocchio from our trip to Italy and greeted the large namesake as an old friend. We enjoyed our sweet treat on the store’s large front patio before bidding farewell to our island weekend.

Planning a family trip to Florida? Be sure to check out our entire category of blog posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida, including Sanibel.

March 23, 2019
A Visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel

Thank you to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum for providing complimentary tickets for my family. All opinions are my own.

Our visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island was the perfect end to our family’s long weekend in Florida. Sanibel Island is regularly designated as the best shelling beach in the world, and honestly, shelling was a main draw for us when deciding where to spend the weekend on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Hunting for shells on the beach in Treasure Island and Clearwater was a highlight of our trip last winter. At the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel, we learned about different species of mollusks and the wide variety of shells that they make. This educational opportunity provided the context we needed to better understand the shells we found in Sanibel.

Sanibel Shelling

We woke up at sunrise on both of our mornings in Sanibel and headed straight to the beach. This gave us the chance to watch the sunrise over the ocean during prime shelling time as the beach was covered with shells that had washed up into the sand overnight. My husband found more unusual shells a few feet into the water. Serious shellers had nets, but because we weren’t that savvy, he used his hands and found some very interesting shells.

Our visit to Sanibel Island coincided with the Annual Shell Festival. Our family visited the Festival and scoped out all the shell varieties that were available for sale along with shell art. We also had a preview of the National Shell Museum by visiting their mobile tank unit, which was staffed by middle school experts practicing their presentation skills.

History of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

The National Shell Museum was incorporated in 1986 and was originally housed in a shack. Early supporters and donors included Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame. Burr helped with the Museum’s first capital campaign and donated his collection of cowries from Fiji to the National Shell Museum. Burr died before the Museum’s current building opened in 1995 on land donated by the Bailey and Matthews families, and the circular garden in front of the Museum was dedicated in his honor.

Raymond Burr’s collection of Fijian cowries

The “National” designation was added to the Museum’s title in 2014 because it is the only professional museum in the U.S. devoted to shells. The Museum began a $6 million renovation project in January 2019. The project includes a new aquarium that is expected to open in 2020.

Visiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The National Shell Museum’s operations are fully funded by admissions fees and charitable contributions. Admission costs $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 5-13 and seniors. There is no admissions fee for children under 5.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Scavenger Hunt

We visited the National Shell Museum on our last afternoon in Sanibel. Our kids each received a scavenger hunt when we arrived, and we started our tour in the main exhibition space. The kids found many of the shells featured on the scavenger hunt in the Children’s Learning Lab. Our eight and eleven year old sons completed the hunt independently. Our four year old needed some assistance but quickly matched the shell pictures on the scavenger hunt to those in the display cases. The Museum brilliantly utilized tear strips on the scavenger hunt worksheets so kids didn’t need to carry around writing instruments. It was a great activity to help kids investigate the main exhibition space, and they received a shell and a wrist band or coloring book when they turned in their completed worksheet at the main desk.

Completing the National Shell Museum’s scavenger hunt

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Record Breaking Sized Shells

The exhibit of world-record shells was another hit. My kids are fascinated with world records. Each year, we purchase the updated copy of Guinness Book of World Records, and my boys spend hours reading the pages. My boys checked out the entries on mollusks in the recent editions but did not find any of the Museum’s shells featured. The Museum’s world record shells include the goliath conch, the lightning whelk, the Atlantic trumpet triton, and the horse conch. The horse conch is two feet long!

The world’s largest horse conch

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Mollusks in Action

The Museum rotates two, 30-minute educational films on shells every half hour. We watched Mollusks in Action, which was filmed locally. Our four year old was so exhausted from her morning at the beach and pool and found the dark room to be a perfect place to nap, and so my husband stayed with her for the second presentation while I headed to the art room with two enthusiastic boys ready to create some shell animal art.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Shell Animal Art

Shell animals were available for purchase at the Shell Festival, but the kids were itching to make their own. The National Shell Museum made an otherwise messy and complicated art project super fun and easy, so I was all for it. The art room includes thousands of shells separated by type into clear plastic bins, hot glue guns, covered tables and a wrapping station. Each guest is permitted to make one animal with 12 or fewer shells. There are a number of examples to copy, but my eight year old chose to create a dolphin on his own and then became super creative and placed the dolphin on top of a decorative shell “stand.” My eleven year old made a starfish and then placed it inside a large shell. They each asked for my advice in their shell selection but were able to work the hot glue guns and create their animals with minimal assistance.

At the end of our visit, our well rested daughter woke up and wanted her turn to make shell art. She chose to make a butterfly. I had to take the lead on most of the gluing, but she selected and placed the shells. After each creation was complete, we wrapped them in newspaper and carried them home in small brown paper bags.

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Tank Talk

The Tank Talk is definitely not to be missed during any visit to the National Shell Museum. Tank Talks are offered four times each day at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The standing room only crowd for the 2:30 p.m. presentation listened intently to Bubby, a Florida master naturalist and general shell expert. Bubby was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic and held the attention of the whole audience for the duration of her 30-minute presentation. The Museum reports that 90% of the visitors to the National Shell Museum are not aware that shells come from living animals, but no one can leave Bubby’s presentation without a clear understanding that shells are the exoskeletons of mollusks such as snails, clams, oysters and many others.

The presentation included some scientific shelling terms, but Bubby defined each in kid-friendly jargon. We learned that gastropod means “stomach foot” because these mollusks with whirl around shells use what looks like a stomach to move. The horse conch, which is the Florida state shell, is the largest gastropod in the Atlantic Ocean and therefore the top mollusk predator. We also learned that most mollusks use calcium and carbon from the ocean to form calcium carbonate shells.

I particularly enjoyed Bubby’s discussion of lightning whelks. Female lightening whelks are larger than the males because they hold the eggs. Each of their egg castings hold 300-1,000 eggs. We got to see tiny eggs under a magnifying glass. The eggs were tiny versions of the full-sized shells.

Lightning whelk eggs under a magnifying glass

We also learned that the most coveted shell in Sanibel is the junonia. Junonia shells are so rare because junonia live in the Western Atlantic at depths of 100 feet to 400 feet. Because of the junonia’s deep water habitat, few shells wash up on Sanibel’s shores, and shellers who find a junonia shell are often featured in the local paper. The shells have spots that remind me of a giraffe, and I thought the shell was particularly beautiful before I knew it was so rare. In over 40 years of shelling, Bubby has never found one on her own, but a casual sheller next to her on the beach picked up two a few years ago. Before leaving the Museum, we checked out the junonia exhibit in the main exhibition space with a new understanding of the precious shell.

Bubby told us that different winds, tides and currents effect what shells come up on the beach on any given day. The best shelling is often right after a big storm. We also learned that the collection of live shells is strictly prohibited in Sanibel, and any living shells found marooned on the beach should be carefully placed into the Ocean. Too often, tourists find a living mollusk and throw it back into the Atlantic, which could seriously injure the animal.

Our Review of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

We spent about 2.5 hours at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Our kids were engaged throughout the visit and gained a deeper understanding of shells. We definitely recommend a trip to the National Shell Museum to any family visiting Sanibel Island. This unique educational opportunity truly deepened our knowledge of mollusks, and we will never look at a beach the same. We only wish we went to the Museum at the beginning of our time in Sanibel.

March 17, 2019
Best U.S. Zoos With Kids
Like most kids, my kids love zoos. We have been regular visitors of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since my oldest was a few months old and even had an annual membership there for years. Zoos are generally great for families – they are a stroller paradise, and even the youngest babies are mesmerized by the animal habitats. They also offer great educational opportunities – my kids learned about many animals by watching them in their habitats. They could identify armadillos as toddlers and knew that giraffes like to eat lettuce because they’ve had the opportunity to feed them on several different occasions. With zoos in almost every metropolitan area in the U.S., we asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites and came up with this list of the best U.S. zoos with kids:

Bronx Zoo – Bronx, New York

A trip to New York City conjures up thoughts of big buildings and the urban jungle. But a short subway ride away, up in the borough of the Bronx, is one of the most iconic, world-famous zoos. The Bronx Zoo is very large with various exhibits and attractions. The Zoo is open year-round and features outdoor animals like bears, sea lions, tigers, and wild dogs along with indoor exhibits such as the aviary, giraffe house, monkey house, world of reptiles and our favorite, the Madagascar exhibit.

In addition to the animals, my family loves the attractions at the Bronx Zoo – from the newly renovated children’s zoo, to the bug carousel and the World Asia Monorail! We have visited the Bronx Zoo often, and always have trouble seeing everything in one day!

Recommended by Harmony from Momma To Go.

Dallas Zoo – Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Zoo includes 100 acres of not only animal exhibits, but educational and interactive exhibits for all ages! This zoo is perfect for kids of all ages! Our family favorites include the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo and the Wilds of Africa Adventure Safari Monorail. We’ve spent hours in the Children’s Zoo playing, exploring, hand feeding birds, splashing in the creek that runs through the nature playground and petting the farm animals – it’s the perfect spot to let the kids explore! The monorail also provides the perfect break for those tired feet as it gives everyone a birds-eye view of five African habitats that visitors can’t visit by foot. This ride provides amazing views of hippos, chimps, crocodiles, penguins, and many more animals, along with a beautiful ride through a waterfall!

For elephant fans like us, the Giants of the Savannah habitat is a big hit – it’s the only multi-species zoo exhibit in the US to mix elephants with other species like zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, in the same habitat!

Recommended by Ashley Clark from Timeout in Paradise.

Denver Zoo – Denver, Colorado

One of our favorite zoos is the Denver Zoo. We love being able to witness the baby animals. Over the past few years, we have seen infant red pandas, gorillas, bongos and zebras. But, one of our favorite experiences has been watching a baby giraffe growing up. Dobby was a surprise birth. He was born during the time when everyone’s focus was on April the giraffe giving birth in 2017. Surprise! Nobody knew that Dobby’s mom was pregnant until she gave birth in February to the reticulated infant giraffe. We have enjoyed watching the little guy (well, big guy now) growing stronger and taller.

Recommended by Lance Hale from Family Well Traveled.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Orlando, Florida

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most unique zoological theme park that we’ve ever experienced! In fact, it is an enriching cultural experience. We have done complete cultural lessons for our “ABCs” (our four children) just by spending intentional time in the themed areas! From admiring the architecture, taking part in cultural traditions, dining on authentic food, and even hearing stories from cast members about their home country, it is full of depth and richness.

As for the amazing animals, they are relatively free roaming in their natural environments. Visitors meet most of them on an open-air safari tour or on exotic jungle trails woven throughout the park. Kids can also take part in a free Wilderness Explorers program where they can earn badges for attending brief lessons about the animals. It is great for engagement, a special souvenir, and is an awesome learning experience.

And then, lastly, there are the world-renowned rides and attractions! Each ride is amazing, and a lot of people come just for the rides. However, we encourage visiting families to spend a whole day there and really take their time exploring the details of the park. There is so much depth and richness to uncover.

Recommended by Danielle Weiden from Traveling ABCs.

Fort Worth Zoo – Fort Worth, Texas

Among the greatest features of Fort Worth Zoo is the “Wilder Vision,” backed by a $100 million project spanning ten years including an additional ten acres of exhibit space, experiential dining, new ways to observe and interact with animals, and conservation efforts. Our favorites activities at the Zoo include:
- Eating With Crocodiles: With only a glass barrier separating visitors and the wild, dine in an underwater viewing area at Crocodile Café.
- Interacting with animals: Feed free-roaming giraffes on the African Savanna, offer cockatiels and parrots birdseed in the walk-through Parrot Paradise Aviary, or cuddle snakes in the award-winning 30,000 square foot indoor/outdoor Herpetarium.
- Splashing in the wild: Play at the 14,000 square foot animal-themed Safari Splash water park.
- Untamed Learning: Kids can participate in formal educational classes taught by certified teachers for all ages including preschool, middle school camps, a high school career camp and full day summer camps. Amy Coslik, Fort Worth Zoo Animal Projects Coordinator and mother of two states: “The camps provide opportunity to learn about and work in all areas of the Zoo, including our one-of-a-kind Nutrition Services department…responsible for feeding all 7,000 animals at the Zoo.” Programs highlight enrichment for animals and conservation while using electronic resources and hands-on techniques.
Recommended by Brandy Morgan from Kid Allergy Travel.

Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha’s zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, is located just off I-80 and is an easy stop for families heading across the country or spending a little time in Nebraska. Kids will love some of the largest displays of their kind, constant development of new exhibits, and a friendly Midwestern vibe. A large aquarium houses jellyfish, penguins, and a shark tank with a tunnel to walk through.

There’s also a sting ray touch tank for some hands-on time with animals. Another highlight is the new African Grasslands exhibit with elephants and giraffes, part of which is under the “Skyfari” aerial tram that runs across the campus. Then visitors can head over to the world’s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome, which is an iconic Omaha landmark. There are also cats and apes and sea lions and bugs. For another reason to go, the team at the zoo conducts world-class research and conservation efforts that are truly unique. Visitors’ patronage supports plant and animal restoration locally and abroad.
It’s a must see for anyone passing through Omaha!

Recommended by Joshua from One Good Family Life.

Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago, Illinois

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a completely free park. Visitors can walk right in at any of the six gates. There’re no turnstiles, no actual gates and no wristbands. We took the CTA bus route No. 151 from the AC Marriott Hotel near the Magnificent Mile and were dropped off right in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo sign. While the indoor buildings don’t open until 10 a.m., the gates open at 7 a.m., which allows for families to view animals when they are most active. A visit to this zoo during our recent 2-night trip to Chicago was a perfect break from the typical Chicago sights. This is a decent sized zoo, with a variety of animals and an amazing view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Visitors can spend a few hours or pack a picnic and turn it into a full day visit. Pro tip: Don’t miss the climbing structure or the otters, which are located in the building near the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

The Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, Maryland

While not possessing the grandeur of the National Zoo, Baltimore’s Maryland Zoo is a kid-friendly and logistically easy day out. Visitors need a car to get to the Zoo, as it is not walkable from downtown Baltimore. Those with young kids should take the shuttle to the main entrance as the walk is long, and kids will tire out. My suggestion is to first head to the Polar Bear Watch, which is near the entrance and gives kids the quick gratification of watching the bears up close, swimming and playing with toys. Afterwards, move on to African Journey, where kids can feed giraffes and watch elephants play in water with one another. Then, on to Maryland Wilderness.

Kids enjoy the nooks and crannies of the zoo, including oversized bird nests for climbing, lily pads to jump across, tree slides, a bat cave and even a petting zoo area. There is also a small merry-go-round for younger kids.

The Maryland Zoo does offer a couple of unremarkable food stands with pizza, hot-dogs, salads, burgers and chicken fingers. A nice alternative is to pack a picnic lunch. The Zoo is nicely shaded and plenty of grassy areas beckon a blanket and a relaxing lunch.

Recommended by Alison Netzer from Five Family Adventurers.

The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens – Miami, Florida

The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, or simply Zoo Miami, is one of our favourites. Here are the reasons why we absolutely love it:
- It is the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental United States. Because of south Florida’s climate, many animals from tropical places feel right at home here.
- Visitors will be hard pressed to find animals in cages. Because of this zoo’s commitment to animal welfare, the displays are mostly open air, yet very safe for the public.
- Visitors can explore the zoo on a Safari Cycle (a pedal-powered bicycle/vehicle that can accommodate up to 8 people). This is a perfect way to see this massive zoo.
- Visitors can watch animal feedings or even feed the giraffes, rhinos, camels, giant tortoises and parrots themselves.
- The zoo is very large (750 acres) and thorough visitors who wish to come back within ten days of their original visit receive reduced admission.
Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags.

Philadelphia Zoo – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the U.S. dating from 1859. Despite its history and architecture, there’s nothing old-fashioned about this Zoo. It has a 4-D Migration Theater and research centres as well as see-through mesh walkways that go above the treetops all throughout the 42-acre facility. My kids loved watching animals (mostly monkeys) scamper overhead on the walkways. It’s easy to get to the Philadelphia Zoo – there’s good parking facilities, which are great for a city-centre zoo. Nearby there is also the 2000-acre Fairmount Park which, is wonderful for a roam when the kids need to let off some steam.

Recommended by Shobha George of Just Go Places. Find out more from Shobha about visiting Philadelphia.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden – Columbia, South Carolina

With over 2,000 animals, eight different gardens, and even a few historical landmarks, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina is one of our favorite zoos! Why? Well, mainly because of a very simple reason: it is so easily walkable. After visiting zoos throughout the United States, we have truly come to appreciate a zoo that has exhibits located close enough together that little feet can walk with ease. Riverbanks Zoo has attractions including train rides, zip lines, and even a splash zone which is always fun for kids of all ages. But, our family favorites are the animal demonstrations like the penguin presentation and feeding the giraffes!

Recommended by Julie from More than Main Street. Check out their family friendly guide to Columbia, South Carolina for more ideas of things to do in South Carolina’s state capital.

San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California

The San Diego Zoo is world famous and for good reason. Not only is this 100-acre zoo huge, but it’s home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 650 species. The San Diego Zoo offers several options to help visitors see as many animals as possible. For walking, a stroller is a must, and stroller rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To get to the other side of the zoo, there is the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which offers some incredible views at the same time. For tired legs, there’s a double-decker bus that provides guided bus tours that cover most of the zoo, while the Kangaroo Bus is a hop on/hop off bus with four different stops throughout the zoo. Transportation aside, what truly makes the San Diego Zoo exceptional is the host of different animals to see. Not to be missed are the pandas, koalas, orangutans, and polar bears.

In addition to all that, the San Diego Zoo is located within the beautiful Balboa Park. Though the zoo is likely to take an entire day to visit, there is also plenty more to see nearby.

Recommended by Celine from Baby Can Travel. Find out more from Celine about the San Diego Zoo.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Washington, D.C.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a family favorite, and it’s a free admission zoo that is open 364 days per year. The 163-acre large park located in Washington, D.C. offers 18 distinct areas and is home to over 2,000 animals, 25% of which are endangered. Not to be missed animals include the endangered Giant Pandas (follow the panda camera from home), The Great Ape House (see the first orangutan born at the National Zoo in 25 years), the American Trail and the Great Cats. We recommend taking public transportation to the National Zoo and enjoying it in the early morning when the pandas and other large animals are most active. The National Zoo is built on a hill, so take that into consideration when planning a trip with young children. While the zoo is free, food is very costly so plan accordingly and visit around meals or bring a picnic and lots of water. Visitors should plan on a minimum of three hours to enjoy this Zoo, but a full day at the massive National Zoo would not be difficult to imagine.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel. Find out more from Ruth about Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so many of these top zoos in the U.S. that we have not yet visited. Make sure to check out our post on the Best International Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited with kids during our travels.
May 20, 2018
WGWK’s Fun Family Beach Wrap Up

Our series on Fun Family Beaches gave us the chance to live vicariously through our contributors and their idyllic beach destinations but also reminded us of some of our favorite beach visits.  Even if visits to any of those stunning Australian or South Pacific beaches have been only in our dreams, we have been fortunate to visit quite a few amazing beaches around the world and look forward to our next beach vacation. Putting together our list of beaches reminds us that some beaches we visited pre-kids are not necessarily ideal family vacation destinations, and so we haven’t planned recent return trips. While not all the beaches we’ve visited with kids are picturesque sand beaches, our boys have a lot of fun skipping rocks.

Some of our favorite beaches, both close to home and far away:

Alleppey Beach – Kerala, India

After a day on a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala, we stopped at a beach to dip our toes into the Arabian Sea.  Our driver did not understand my need to take the kids to this practically empty beach with no amenities, but I admittedly have a thing about dipping my toes in a new body of water and didn’t want to miss this chance for my kids to experience the Arabian Sea. Years ago, I arrived in San Diego close to midnight and practically skipped down to the beach for my first touch of the Pacific Ocean. The salt water even stained my pants in the process. The boys are always up for a visit to a beach – new or old, and we were all glad we made the stop on the way back to our hotel. – CMD

Boulders Beach – South Africa

As part of our tour of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, we stopped at Boulders Beach, which is definitely one of my favorite beaches on earth. Definitely not your typical beach experience, Boulders Beach is an enclosed, protected penguin habitat. We enjoyed walking along the newly constructed enclosed boardwalk, which provided great views of the penguins and were in awe of just how amazing it was to see these beautiful birds in their “natural” habitat. – NKC

Clearwater Beach – Clearwater, Florida

We recently spent an afternoon at Clearwater Beach during a long weekend escape from the cold Ohio winter. Clearwater Beach, which received the Traveler’s Choice Award for the best beach in the US by Trip Advisor in 2016 and 2018, had beautiful powdery sand and gentle Gulf Coast waves.  After a delicious lunch at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, we rented two lounge chairs and an umbrella. The water was a bit too chilly to fully enjoy during our February visit, but the kids had a blast in playing in the sand and kicking around a beach ball.   We grabbed milk shakes from Ice & Cream on our way back to our hotel. – CMD

Conneaut Beach – Conneaut, Ohio

We make a day trip to Conneaut, Ohio each summer with my parents. We always eat a picnic lunch at White Turkey and grab ice cream at Heavenly Creamery, which is housed in a former church. However, the highlight of Conneaut is spending the afternoon at the beach. Honestly, the safety of the water quality in Lake Erie is something that concerns me, but the numbers looked good on the day of our visit last year, so the kids enjoyed some time in the water with their seven cousins and also found some sea glass. – CMD

Geneva Beach – Geneva, Ohio

One of our favorite weekend day trip destinations is the Grand River Valley wine country in nearby Northeast Ohio. After lunch at Ferrante Winery and Ristorante, we often visit the beach at Geneva State Park.  While this can be much rockier than a typical sand beach, our boys have a great deal of fun skipping (or throwing) them into Lake Erie. – CMD

Kaanapali Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Once named America’s Best Beach, Kaanapali Beach in Maui offers three miles of pristine white sand and blue waters. Even with a large number of resorts lining the shore, we never felt crowded and some of our favorite memories are of kite flying at dusk. – NKC

Naples Beach – Naples, Florida

I spent a weekend in Naples with a friend years ago. We stayed at her parent’s beach-front condo and split our days between the beach in front of their condo and the pool behind. The Gulf water was warm during our March visit, and the white sand was particularly soft. I’ve been dreaming about retiring to beach front property ever since this trip. – CMD

Playa Bavaro – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The first all-inclusive my husband and I visited together was Punta Cana’s Iberostar Bávaro, which has recently been renovated and rebranded as Iberostar Bávaro Suites.   The Iberostar Bávaro included the preferred club rooms of three affiliated resorts. So, we had access to the facilities on the other two resorts, but guests of those resorts could not use the Bavaro’s facilities. The Caribbean Sea water was a crystal clear blue, and the sand was pristine white. I thoroughly enjoyed the week of rest and relaxation bouncing from the beach to the pool and read a record four books during the trip. – CMD

Playa Nacascolo – Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica

Located just a few minutes away from the Andaz Papagayo Peninsula Resort, the Andaz Beach House located on Playa Nacascolo offers beautiful white sand beaches and stunningly clear, blue water. It’s truly the perfect place to enjoy a drink or two while watching your children splash safely in the mild waters. – NKC

Puerto Morelos Beach – Riviera Maya, Mexico

We so enjoyed our visit to Riviera Maya during my maternity leave with our second child that we repeated it when our third was born. The all-inclusive Now Jade and Now Sapphire were ideal resorts for our family. Between meals, we spent most of our days lounging at the pool or the beach. The Caribbean Sea was warm, and the waves were calm. The Now Sapphire had sailboats available for guests to use, and my husband took our oldest on an extremely memorable snorkeling trip. These resorts also offered nighttime family entertainment and on-site local marketplaces so that it was not necessary to leave the resort to purchase handmade souvenirs. – CMD

Reynisfjara Beach – Southwest Iceland

Reynisfjara Beach is one of the most stunning beaches we have ever visited, even though it is not one where visitors spend the day lounging in the sun. We didn’t actually see the sun when we were there during a typical June day, which was cold, wet, gray and windy. Nevertheless, this a black sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean, which featured the stunning Reynisdrangur sea stacks and phenomenal basalt sea cave, Halsanefshellir, was breathtakingly beautiful.

It’s important to note that Reynisfjara was also the most dangerous beach we ever visited.   We took note of the cautionary signs regarding recent tourist deaths that occurred in 2016 and 2017 due to the dangerously unpredictable waves and strong undertow. We thought we were keeping more than a safe distance from the water’s edge, but our nine-year-old tripped and fell running away from a sneaker wave that came inland much further than previous ones and was immediately covered by the water. My husband was able to safely pull him out before the wave retreated, but it was a very scary experience for all of us. Luckily, the only casualty was the pair of shoes he was wearing that had to be discarded due to the overwhelming stench of sea water. – CMD

Santa Monica State Beach, Santa Monica, California

The Santa Monica Pier was my favorite spot in Los Angeles. The Pier adds a great deal of excitement to the otherwise typical Pacific Ocean beach. Pacific Park, the amusement park, features the world’s first and only solar paneled ferris wheel and eleven other rides, including a roller coaster.  I particularly loved how the bright colors of Pacific Park popped against the ocean and sky. On our stroll down the pier, we passed musicians, artists, magicians, souvenir shops, carnival games and various food stalls. My son was particularly intrigued by a magician doing tricks for a crowd and a painter who was painting the pier on a piece of slate.  As the sun began to set, we headed off the Pier and onto the beach. It was a pretty amazing end of a quick trip to feel the sand between our toes while we stood at the water’s edge and listened to the waves ebb and flow. We really savored those moments as we waded into the Pacific. – CMD

Treasure Island Beach – Treasure Island, Florida

During our recent visit to Treasure Island, we stayed at Treasure Island Beach Resort, a new beach front property. The sand is not quite as pristine as it is at the nearby Clearwater Beach, it was still great for sand play and also much better for collecting shells. The Gulf Coast waters are relatively calm but were still pretty chilly in February. We spent time on the beach each of our days in Florida but only rented an umbrella and chairs on the one day that we really dedicated to Treasure Island beach. We definitely enjoy the quieter beach as our home base, especially with the amenities of a resort nearby. – CMD

Vieques Beach – Vieques, Puerto Rico

My husband and I honeymooned on Puerto Rico’s Vieques Island years ago.  Vieques’ Mosquito Bay is the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay and a remarkable nighttime experience.   We recently saw Mosquito Bay featured in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s recent special exhibit, Creatures of Light. While we would love to take our kids to Mosquito Bay, we have not prioritized Vieques as a family travel destination because of the challenges associated with its remoteness. We rented a Jeep so we would could travel on the unpaved roads that lead to some of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in the Caribbean. These beaches were certainly pristine and breathtaking, but ultimately, we decided that we prefer beaches with nearby services, particularly when traveling with kids. – CMD

Villa Caletas Beach – Jaco, Costa Rica

My husband and I traveled to Costa Rica pre-kids and spent a lovely few days at Hotel Villa Caletas, which is probably our favorite hotel ever. Hotel Villa Caletas is a small resort, and we saw the most fantastic spider webs, macaws and other exotic birds during our stay. The beach is extremely secluded and accessible by an hourly hotel shuttle or rented 4×4 vehicles. While we were often the only guests at the beach, services were available. I enjoyed relaxing on a sun bed while my husband explored the wildlife in the rock pools, including the crabs. Even though the beach was rocky, our kids would absolutely love the animal sightings on this luxurious property. Unfortunately, Hotel Villa Caletas does not offer rooms that accommodate families with three children. – CMD

White Sand Beach – Paia, Hawaii

One of our favorite ways to to travel is to rent a vacation home and stay for a few days. It’s a great option when traveling with kids as you generally have more space and can cook some meals at home, without always having to rely on restaurants or take out. One of the most unexpected surprises of our vacation rental in Maui was access to a private beach. My son’s favorite memories of Maui are of running from the ocean in his pajamas every morning. – NKC

Now, we really wish we were headed to a beach vacation.

May 1, 2018
Best Beaches in North America With Kids
We spend way too much time looking at other people’s beach vacations on Instagram and wishing we had sand stuck between our toes. While some of the best beaches in the world are known for surf and parties, families generally look for more low key beaches with calmer waves. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, there are so many great beaches for families in North America. We asked some fellow family travelers to share with us their recommendations for the best beaches in North America with kids and came up with this amazing list:

Akumal Bay Beach – Mexico

One of the most kid friendly beaches in all of Mexico’s Mayan Riviera might be the beach on Akumal Bay. Known as one of the best places in all of Mexico to easily swim with sea turtles right from the shore, Akumal Bay Beach is also great for kids of all ages. As an added bonus, it is fairly easy to reach as it is located between the major tourist centers of Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

With silky, fine white sand and almost no waves due to the natural reef protecting the area, Akumal is a great place for turtles and also your little ones. With many palm trees and places to throw down a towel, it’s a fun beach to spread out water toys and let the little ones enjoy the calm waters.

There are also a few restaurants, plus washrooms just off the beach, so it is easy to grab something to snack on while enjoying a day at the beach.

Recommended by Micki and Charles Kosman from The Barefoot Nomad. Find out more from Micki and Charles about Akumal.

Destin Beach – Florida

Destin, Florida is home to an amazing white sand beach with emerald colored ocean water on the Gulf of Mexico. It is the perfect beach for kids since the sand is super soft and the water is crystal clear. Families can spend all day at the beach building sandcastles and playing in the gentle water and then finish the night off with a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Beach life at it’s best!

For some non-beach action, Destin is filled with great family friendly restaurants, pirate cruises and dolphin cruises, fishing expeditions, go-carts and arcades – Destin has it all!

Recommended by Bryanna from Crazy Family Adventure. Find out more from Bryanna about Destin.

Fort Myers Beach – Florida

Fort Myers Beach is fun for all ages! The northern end of the island is home to numerous bars and restaurants that let visitors dine or drink beachside. The southern end of the island is mostly home to condos and quiet beaches. North or south, a sunset view is on the horizon (literally), and anyone will be glad to pull up a chair. While nearby Sanibel Island is known for being a sheller’s dream, we found numerous sand dollars on Fort Myers Beach that were just washed up on the shore. Beach access points are throughout the island but they do contain metered parking and it’s $2/hour.
Fort Myers Beach is family-friendly because the sand is spacious with no major drop-offs. Being on the Gulf of Mexico, the calmer water makes it easier to watch small children! In perfect weather conditions, it can be as smooth as a warm bathtub. We traveled in November, and there were few tourists, but do note that November is hurricane season.

Recommended by Leah Yoder from Yoder Toter Blog. Find out more from Leah about Fort Myers.

Ko Olina Beach – Hawaii

Ko Olina beach on O’ahu does kid friendly better than any other beach on the island. What sets Ko Olina apart from the other Pacific Ocean beaches are the four manmade lagoons. Instead of waves crashing right on top of swimmers, they crash into a rock wall before gently moving to the shore. This calm water makes Ko Olina the ideal beach for kids of all ages.

For a short trip to the beach or an all day excursion, Ko Olina is set up to accommodate the whole family. Each lagoon comes equipped with showers, restrooms, and changing rooms. If visitors happen to forget sunscreen or sand toys, there are convenience stores within walking distance of each lagoon.

Ko Olina also offers a wide range of kid friendly entertainment. For an authentic Hawaiian experience, head over to the Paradise Cove Luau for arts and crafts, dinner, and a wonderful show. For a more laid back experience, stick around Lagoon 1 for Ko Olina’s Disney Movie Night under the stars.

With everything this beach has to offer, kids and parents of all ages are sure to have an excellent experience at the wonderful Ko Olina.

Recommended by Casey Harkleroad from Our Happy Place.

Lewes Beach – Delaware

Lewes is a Mid-Atlantic beach on the bay; the sand is coarse and the water cool. Houses line up right along the beach and the local Dairy Queen has been the only place to buy food on that beach for 30 years. Everyday, a sand bar pops up at low tide.

Nearby family-friendly activities include:
- Grab an ice cream at Kings Ice Cream and stroll to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Cemetery, which features tombstones dating back to the early 1700s.
- Let the kids pretend to be pirates and head out to the Pirates of Lewes Expeditions.
- Fisherman’s Wharf provides head and charter boats for fishing excursions, including gear, bait and fishing assistance.
- Cape Henelopen State Park has a surf-filled public beach. Hike the World War II bunkers, climb the observation towers, and pretend to search for enemy submarines. Buy gear, bait, and a fishing license from the store at the end of the pier, and then drop bait.
- Walk Rehoboth’s boardwalk to Funland, a family-owned carousel. Enjoy its original rides and a few thrill ride for older kids. Afterwards, head for a walk and dinner on the boardwalk.
Recommended by Alison Netzer from Five Family Adventurers. Find out more from Alison about Lewes.

Martha’s Vineyard – Massachusetts

The Island of Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of the Cape Cod peninsula offers a beach for every type of taste and family. From calm waters and big waves, to beaches only accessible by hiking, families will find a different beach experience to fill their days and nights while on The Vineyard. The cliffs and lighthouse of Aquinnah (aka Gay Head) is an experience unique to The Vineyard. No trip to Martha’s Vineyard would be complete without heading out to the fishing village of Menemsha to eat fresh lobster and watch the sunset. Lastly, families can incorporate history by taking their kids to swim at The Inkwell Beach and watch the famous Polar Bears of Martha’s Vineyard as they engage in their ocean exercise (daily at 7:00 a.m. early July until Labor Day) which is deep in history, community and culture. The Polar Bears are a group of African American men and women who swim and pray each morning in the waters of The Inkwell Beach. Once families experience what the regulars call being on vineyard time, the kids will be asking to make an annual pilgrimage to the island.
Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

South Beach, Miami, Florida

Even though many may not consider South Beach somewhere to bring children, it is an amazing, kid-friendly beach. At South Point Park, parking, playground, bathrooms, splash pad and a snack stand are available before even hitting the sand! The beach isn’t as large, so pulling a stroller is just a small workout. There are a lot of locals on the weekends, so come early for a good spot or consider visiting on weekdays. Because there are no chair or umbrella rentals on this section of the beach, it’s necessary to come prepared.

A few more things to do with kids in the South Beach area include:
- Flamingo park with an amazing water park area for the kids
- Bike path following the whole stretch of Ocean Drive
- Lincoln Road shopping, dining and street performers
- Parrot Jungle shows and snacks
- Miami Children’s Museum for a break from the sun or a rainy day activity
Have fun, and pop into Mangos for a salsa show and mojito!

Recommended by Izzy Rixon from New York Nomadic Project.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks of North Carolina (or OBX as locals call it) is super kid friendly because there is literally something for everyone. With over 100 miles of coastline, kids can surf, skim board, boogie board, and swim to their heart’s content. If they’re not into waves, they can play in the sand or head over to the sound side where adults can fish, crab, kayak, paddleboard, or rent a boat or jet ski. For families looking for a more rustic experience, there are areas to drive a 4×4 onto the beach, camp, or look for wild horses. And when the children get tired of the sun and sand, there is also the aquarium, water park, lighthouse, or the local historical sites. The possibilities are endless!

Recommended by Julie from More than Main Street. Find out more about why Julie’s family loves this area in her kid friendly Outer Banks guide.

Vanderbilt Beach, Naples, Florida

We are lucky enough to travel to southwest Florida every year, and our favorite beach in the region is Vanderbilt Beach. Located in North Naples, at the end of Vanderbilt Beach road, this beach, known as “Vandy” by the locals is such a great family spot! Access to the beach is free, and there is a parking garage adjacent – with only a $7 parking charge. From the garage, it’s a short walk to the sand. The beach is beautiful and clean, with warm, calm and clear Gulf of Mexico water. It’s a great spot to rent a Stand Up Paddle Board, a kayak, or as we always do – a jet ski!

This beach has clamshells and chairs for rent, life jackets for use (free), bathrooms and a little snack bar. It does get crowded, but go early and/or walk down the beach a bit for a more empty spot to lay your blanket. Also, plan to spend the day – Vanderbilt Beach is a very popular place to watch a beautiful, southwest Florida over water sunset!

By Harmony Skillman from Momma To Go. Find out more from Harmony about Naples.

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

Few beaches carry a cachet the way Waikiki does. Mention the name, and the listener immediately pictures hula dancers, royal Hawaiian surfers, and a mile long silky stretch of golden sand slowly melting into the warm embrace of the Pacific Ocean. Hawaii, and the island of Oahu where Waikiki is located, does not need any introduction. This is where people go to enjoy the sun and the sea, to see and feel the tropics and the legendary hospitality of the islands. This is the land of Moana and Lilo, of play and plenty.

It is almost true, at least the part of the silky sand and the warm ocean. Since Waikiki beach literally is located in front of several great hotels – and condo complexes behind them – it is easily accessible for people who want to enjoy the ocean. The beach is accessible with a stroller, but there are not too many public restrooms available on the beach itself.

Although the big surfing waves are not suitable for small kids, a toddler will run and laugh an entire day, trying to avoid the waves (or catch them). There are also several wavebreaks along the beach, creating calm pools where smaller kids can play. The water is shallow, and the sand is silky and smooth.

Those mild breezes rustle palm trees and banyans behind you. The tropical sun illuminates the holiday landscape, coating everything golden. Just remember sunscreen on the kids. The sun is a lot stronger than it seems.

Recommended by Wisterian from Wisterian Watertree.

Xpu-Ha Beach – Mexico

There’s no question that the Mayan Riviera is littered with stunning white sand beaches with turquoise water; however, it was Xpu-Ha Beach that impressed us the most. What we loved most about Xpu-Ha Beach was how shallow the water was for a long time and how small the waves typically were. It was also pretty quiet, with only one major resort and a few other boutique hotels along the beach. As parents of two young children, we enjoyed having the space to let them run and also being able to let them play in the water without worrying they would be knocked over by the waves. With the calm water, it was also a great spot to try stand-up paddleboarding for the first time and letting the kids get out on the board for a ride.

Xpu-Ha beach is located approximately 35 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The beach is public and free, but there is a small fee to drive on the access road to get to the beach.

Recommended by Celine Brewer from Baby Can Travel. Find out more from Celine about the Mayan Riviera.

We definitely can’t wait to visit more of these top beaches in North America. Ready to hit the beach right now? Check out our Fun Family Beaches in Asia, Europe, Australia and Central and South America .

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April 22, 2018
Fun Family Hidden Gems in Florida

It’s Spring Break time, and many families will be heading to Florida. With Disney World, Universal Studios and thousands of miles of beaches, Florida may be the family vacation capital of the world, but there are also so many great spots that do not get as much attention as the world-famous theme parks. We asked traveling families for their family favorite hidden gems in Florida and found these amazing places to put on our list!

Fun in the Sun While Swimming in the Hotel Pool in the Middle of Winter

Ever planned an action filled family vacation only to ask the kids what their favorite part was and for them to respond: swimming in the pool? Seriously, this has happened to me more times than I could count including on our last two visits to Disney. As a result, during our last pre and post cruise trip to Orlando, I decided to focus on exploring hotel pools, and it was a huge hit. My four kids and I (hubby joined us for cruise only) enjoyed water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers and poolside dance parties while Connecticut was hit with a Nor’easter.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Our family enjoyed a mouse free Orlando trip, and I wanted to give our youngest an opportunity to feel like he went to Disney World without breaking the bank and spending thousands of dollars on a pre and post cruise Orlando stay. The Ohana Character Breakfast at the Polynesian Resort with Mickey, Lillo, Stitch and Pluto provided us with a delicious meal, character signatures, pictures and interactions without paying park admission and spending time waiting in the hot sun.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park is a stunning state park only an hour and a half from Orlando. The water is warm year-round, making it the perfect place to go swimming with kids. One of the coolest experiences is diving into the crystal-clear water with a snorkeling mask, which is sure to entertain kids (and adults) of all age. It’s only $2 for entry per person with children under six getting in for free, so it’s a great deal for families looking for a budget day trip in Florida. It’s also possible to go tubing down the river, but advance reservations are required.

Recommended by Karen of Wanderlustingk. Find out more from Karen about Rainbow Springs State Park.

Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa makes for a fabulously fun and educational day out for the whole family. The focus is on making learning fun, and all exhibits are interactive and entertaining. We learned all about the weather system of Florida (and got slightly wet in the process!), took part in our very own stage show (costumes included) and tried out various careers in the imaginative play area. Probably my favorite children’s museum yet! There’s even a splash fountain outside to cool off from the Floridian heat!

Recommended by Karen from Are We There Yet Kids.

Bo’s Ice Cream

Bo’s Ice Cream is a small, unassuming ice cream shop in Tampa that’s full of possibilities. Open since 1954, it has a variety of choices from a simple chocolate cone to extravagant sundaes and milkshakes, all at a decent price. It’s not unusual for the shop to be packed, but they have a convenient drive-thru window as well as benches for parents to share the moment with their kids. The tradition of going to Bo’s has been handed down through the generations – there’s nothing wrong with an ice cream cone!

Recommended by Jamie of Crashed Culture.

Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida is about a 30 minutes drive east of Tampa. The park is lush with tropical foliage and filled with life size displays of all kinds of dinosaurs sure to please any dino-philes, including our five year old boy who is absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs.

There are playgrounds for big kids and little tykes, as well as numerous covered picnic areas. We were allowed to bring in snacks, and we saw many families with coolers. There are also fossil digs and cave shows that occur every hour. We didn’t have time for the cave show, but the three kids (ages 3, 4, and 5) all enjoyed the fossil dig. They were allowed to pick 3 fossils and take them home.

The park itself is well planned and situated. It was 81 degrees that day in February, but I could imagine a sweltering summer day and the need to escape the heat. The park has several covered exhibits to fit this need. Overall, Dinosaur World is a fun and leisurely destination, especially for travelers needing a break from the lines and crowds associated with larger theme parks.

Recommendation from Chanta C.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show

The mermaid show in the town of Weeki Wachee, Florida could be the last of its kind. For an entrance fee of $13, visitors sit in front of a large glass-fronted natural spring where half a dozen mermaids (and mermen) perform the story of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid underwater. They lip sync, dance, and act without weights and seemingly without needing to breathe. Occasional turtles, fish and manatees also make an appearance. It was very mesmerizing and made me want to desperately believe in mermaids. The Weekie Wachee Mermaid Show is a throwback to the old glory days of road trips. Just like other small road trip attractions though, it’s in danger of disappearing forever. Go see it before it does.

Recommended by Jill of Jack and Jill Travel. Find out more from Jill about the Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show.

Shelling in Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida is a perfect spot for family vacations and a place that kids love as much as Mom and Dad. Separated from the city of Ft. Myers by a palm tree-lined causeway, Sanibel is quiet and secluded, with paved bike paths running the length of the island. But the most fun on Sanibel is combing the white sandy beaches for amazing seashells – little gifts of the sea – that wash up everywhere. They’ll capture kids’ hearts and imaginations for days. Don’t forget to bring mesh bags for shells and goggles for diving in the crystal clear shallow water!

Recommended by Lori Sorrentino of Travlinmad. Find out more from Lori about shelling on Sanibel Island.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Nestled in the shade of over 100 different species of palm trees, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about native Florida wildlife. A variety of different shows are hosted throughout the day, and visitors can hand feed a flock of friendly flamingos after walking the Jungle Trail, which is also home to a turtle pond and a petting zoo. Willing volunteers can also become a perch for one of their many resident birds or hold a young alligator. Families will also enjoy the large shaded play area for kids and an on site restaurant with a variety of snacks and cold treats for sale, perfect for a hot Florida day.

Recommended by Leslie Stranathan. Check out Leslie’s YouTube video about Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

Hollywood Beach Hike

During a recent last minute long weekend in Hollywood, Florida with my boys, my sister and my nephew, my sister and I longed for the excitement of the “Hollywood Broadwalk” about two miles north of our Hallendale Beach hotel. I was cautiously optimistic when I proposed a “beach hike” to Hollywood to our crew. We began our journey alongside the ocean, and soon I was carrying everybody’s sandals and water bottles. Though we guessed it would take forty minutes, we enjoyed letting the kids set the pace, playing catch with the ocean waves and a found coconut, destroying abandoned sandcastles, and appropriating cast-off water guns. They watched couples canoodle in the water and prospectors explore with metal detectors.

Before we knew it, the Broadwalk, a 2.5 mile broad pedestrian way, with its array of iffy restaurants, bike rental shops and even a farmers’ market appeared before us, and we brushed the sand off of our toes. It was time for fish and chips. We chose Bonny & Read’s based primarily on its large sunny deck – a spot where we could order our food and enjoy a drink while the kids played on the beach playground-directly in our line of sight, while the sun set.

I confess that while they enjoyed setting off as the sun set on the beach, my kids weren’t up for the roundtrip, but even in a Lyft, felt proud of themselves for the mileage they covered… as they negotiated the next ice cream stop.

Recommended by Suzann Moskowitz.

Drum Circle Sunset on Nokomis Beach

The Nokomis Beach drum circle is a unique experience for the whole family. It’s held each Wednesday and Saturday evening year-round on Nokomis Beach beginning two hours before sunset. We needed to arrive early to find a spot for our blanket and chairs near the front of the large crowd that eventually surrounded the circle.

Our children loved playing with juggling sticks, drums, hula-hoops and dancing with people of all ages inside the drum circle as the sun began to set. A drum circle on Nokomis Beach is definitely a unique experience in Florida.

Recommended by Jill Greising-Murschel of Let’s Travel Family.

Florida Everglades

Take a one-hour airboat tour of the Florida Everglades to get up close and personal with alligators in the Everglades swamps of South Florida. Kids of all ages will enjoy the thrill of gliding past marsh grasses as an expert guide educates them about the wildlife. Be sure to keep the little ones on the inside seats of the boat, because these alligators are real! After the airboat ride, the team from Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” will present a 20-minute show with the alligators as part of the Everglades Holiday Park of Fort Lauderdale!

Recommended by Cindy Loe of One Perfect Day In Travel. Find out more from Cindy about the Florida Everglades.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Ever wondered what life would be like as a marine animal? We experienced it up close in Key Largo during the Glass Bottom Boat Tour from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first underwater park. Apart from Hawaii in the USA, the largest living coral reef is spread across the coast of Florida. The 2½ hour boat tours traverses through the vast mangrove plantations then deep into the ocean for a glimpse into the underwater world. We all huddled around the glass and were charmed to see the beautiful fish, the coral reef, and the diverse aquatic ecosystem. It was a sight to see the excitement on kids’ face. It’s the best way for kids and non-divers to espy this underwater world.

Pro Tip – Travelers who suffer seasickness should avoid or take medication before the tour.

Recommended by Neha Kulshrestha. Check out Neha’s recent post on South Florida.

Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne, a barrier island just a few minutes east of Miami, is a great place to visit for a few hours, a day or even stay for a week. The Key has much to offer kids and adults of all ages: a public beach, a State park, biking, canoeing, food, golfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, sailing, shopping, skateboarding, snorkeling, tennis, wakeboarding, walking and windsurfing.

At the southern end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to a historic lighthouse built in 1825. Guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage are given year round. The park has 2 restaurants, picnic areas, a mile long beach, nature trails and a playground. A reef located six miles off shore also protects this beach from heavy surf.

Recommended by Tracy McKenna.

Crandon Park Beach

More than just a beautiful beach, Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne has a great nature center and an amusement center. At the nature center be sure to check out the touch tank as well as other displays throughout the center. Self-guided nature walks allow visitors to explore the mangroves, sand dunes and seagrass beds. There are opportunities to see a heron or osprey, maybe even come across a sea star, puffer fish or sea turtle. The beach is protected by an offshore sand bar which prevents crashing waves, perfect for young children.

Recommended by Tracy McKenna.

We can’t wait to try out some of these Florida hidden gems during our next winter or spring break trip. Be sure to check out our entire category of blog posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida including Florida cities to explore with kids.

March 23, 2018
A Weekend in Treasure Island, Florida

After a few months of winter in Cleveland, our family jumped at the chance to take a last-minute trip to central Florida in early February. We have planned family vacations with as little as a few weeks notice in the past. But, booking flights for our family of five less than six days before our departure was a new record for us. While flight and hotel deals are sometimes available for last-minute travelers, we were not lucky enough to score an amazing deal. We were just glad that we could take advantage of a few days off and get some natural vitamin D and family down time. Our three kids (ages 10, 7 and 3) are always up for any adventure, especially if it involves sand and sun, and they were ecstatic about our surprise trip to visit Treasure Island in Florida!

A Family Trip to Treasure Island Florida

We flew to Tampa on Spirit Airlines because their direct flights from Cleveland had the most convenient times for our three-night trip. For the first time, we traveled without any checked or carry-on luggage. We brought only one backpack/personal item each but had sand toys and more clothes than we needed (thanks to our tailored packing list).

Where is Treasure Island, Florida?

Treasure Island is a barrier island west of St. Petersburg, Florida and about 30 minutes from the Tampa International Airport.

Review of the Treasure Island Beach Resort in Florida

There are many great options for Treasure Island, Florida hotels. We wanted to stay at a resort right on the Gulf Coast and didn’t consider any of the plethora of VRBO or Airbnb options. By the time we booked our trip, many hotels in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area were already full. We totally lucked out when we found a room at Treasure Island Beach Resort. This property appealed to us because we wanted a beach-front property but at a quieter beach with a great pool and nearby restaurants. Treasure Island Beach Resort ticked all of those boxes and more. This property was probably the newest resort we have ever stayed it having just opened in March 2016. It is so new that Google Satellite does not yet show the completed resort.

Watching sunset at Treasure Island beach

Treasure Island Beach Resort was designed specifically to cater to the wants and needs of family travelers. The interior art deco design features modern whites and blues. Each of its 77 suites has a kitchenette, its own patio with either Adirondack chairs or a small dining table and a view of the Gulf. The bathrooms are impeccably appointed and large. Parking at the ground-level garage, pool towels and bottled water are all included in the resort fee. The lobby offers chocolate chip cookies and fruit punch all-day long.

We booked a room with a king bed and pull-out couch but were ecstatic to be upgraded to a suite upon our arrival. Edwin, the resort’s bellman extraordinaire, enthusiastically escorted us to our fourth-floor suite, which included two identical bathrooms, full kitchen facilities, a living/dining room with a pull-out couch and a separate bedroom with a king bed and bathroom. It also featured two chests of drawers (each of our kids had 1-2 drawers of their own) and two flat screen televisions.

As Edwin showed us our suite, he joked with the kids that the bathroom on the living room side of the suite was for their use only and that they should not use the adults’ bathroom. My daughter, the perpetual rule-follower, took his words as law and absolutely refused to use the bathroom off the bedroom, even when it was more convenient. Edwin was a joyful presence throughout our stay and definitely a highlight of the resort.

We felt right at home in our luxurious and spacious suite. The 2018 Winter Olympics started on the day of our arrival, and we enjoyed watching the nightly coverage as a family. We ended up bringing in take-out two of our three nights, and the in-room refrigerator and microwave allowed us to bring home leftovers and eat them for breakfast and snacks, which we could enjoy at the patio table or in the living area.

Treasure Island Beach Resort’s Pool

The pool deck was exactly what we were looking for. The heated pool was located at the far edge of the deck with a plexi-glass wall that gave the effect of an infinity pool. We also thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub and the fire pit area. The lounge chairs were not only pretty but also comfortable, and most had a view of the Gulf. Very attentive servers were available to bring food and drinks from the bar.

The pool at Treasure Island Beach Resort

The view from our balcony at Treasure Island Beach Resort

Things to Do in Treasure Island, Florida

Visit the Beach in Treasure Island, Florida

The Treasure Island beach is set back farther than others we have visited. From the resort, we had to cross a small pathway to reach the beach, and from there, it was still a bit of a hike to the water. We spent time on the beach each of our days in Florida but only rented an umbrella and chairs on the one day that we really dedicated to Treasure Island beach when we spent the afternoon with cousins who are lucky to call central Florida home. A trip to the beach is so much more fun when you have friends to enjoy it with you.

Splashing in the water at the Treasure Island beach

I enjoyed visiting with my cousins while we watched the kids play.

The sand at Treasure Island beach is not quite as pristine as it is at Clearwater Beach, but it was a much better beach for collecting shells. It was great fun to examine shells and pick out our favorite ones to carry back with us. I also brought home a bit of some sand. Now, if I could only be crafty enough to create a really great ongoing beach in a bottle souvenir to commemorate our beach trips….

Restaurants in Treasure Island, Florida

We did not venture very far from our resort for meals, but we still found a number of family-friendly restaurants. Some of our favorites include:

VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant in Treasure Island

We had a lovely lunch at the VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant and were lucky to catch $3 margarita day. The margaritas (and fajitas, quesadillas and chips) were delicious. Their steak, which was expertly prepared and served in strips, was a particular highlight. We ate outside on the back patio, which was a special treat considering our plane required de-icing before departure from Cleveland. The servers were also jovial and attentive. It was a memorable meal that happened to coincide with the NBA trade deadline. My son was wearing his Isaiah Thomas jersey, and a server stopped by and told him that Thomas had just been traded to LA. I checked my phone and found that the news literally broke only a few minutes before. By the time we finished our meal, five other Cavs players had also been traded. The boys were initially bummed, especially because they had attended the Cavs game the night before and watched an amazing overtime win, but fingers crossed that it’s a positive move for the team. We liked VIP so much that we picked up take-out another night.

Britt’s Coal Fire Pizza in Treasure Island

Because the kids were ready to relax and watch the Olympics after we finally made it in from the pool and hot tub, we picked up a few pizzas from Britt’s Coal Fire Pizza, located from across the street and enjoyed them in our suite.

Captain Bill’s Beach Kitchen

We had lunch at Capt. Bill’s Beach Kitchen with our cousins. Capt. Bill’s was conveniently located within walking distance of our resort. The restaurant was undergoing new management, but provided lovely food and atmosphere, complete with live music.

Salty Rim Grill in Treasure Island

We ventured out to the Salty Rim Grill on our last night in Florida. The Grill is located on the Intercoastal, and we had a view of the water from our patio table. They offered kids’ meals and seafood.

The beach and hotel pool were the biggest draws for our family during our weekend stay in in Treasure Island, but we also enjoyed a side trip to nearby Clearwater.

Visiting Treasure Island, Florida

Treasure Island with kids was the perfect location for a weekend family getaway at the beach. We’d all go back in a heartbeat.

Doesn’t a beach vacation sound amazing? Be sure to check out our posts on nearby Clearwater with kids and our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida with kids.

February 23, 2018
Spotlight: Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids
Thank you to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for hosting our family’s visit. All opinions are my own.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not a typical aquarium. It allows visitors to spend time with rescued and awe-inspiring animals while maintaining an educational focus and throwing in a bit of Hollywood. We have been to many wonderful aquariums that offer amazing displays of marine life. Unlike almost every other aquarium, however, Clearwater Marine Aquarium does not buy, breed or sell any animals and is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of rescued marine animals. The only permanent residents are animals who have some permanent condition that precludes a safe release. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is not only the home of Winter, the world-famous bottlenose dolphin who overcame all odds after losing her tail and uses a prosthetic tail, but is also the main filming location of two movies about Winter, Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. We definitely recommend visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium with kids!
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium opened in a former water treatment facility in 1979.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Dolphin Tale

The number of visitors to Clearwater Marine Aquarium grew exponentially since the debut of the Dolphin Tale movies. As a result, expansion seemed inevitable, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been careful to maintain its education focus and not venture into theme park territory. The parking garage was completed in 2017, and construction began on the two-year expansion of the Aquarium in December 2017 that is expected to be complete by January 2020. Temporarily, visitors parking in the garage need to walk alongside the construction zone to reach the Aquarium. The kids enjoyed following Winter’s signs to the temporary entrance.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s expansion includes two four-story buildings and a new dolphin habitat.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Winter the Dolphin

The highlight of Clearwater Marine Aquarium is definitely the Winter Zone, which is home to both Winter and Hope, the stars of Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Winter was rescued in December 2005 after being entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral in 2005 when she was only two months old. Because the entanglement cut off circulation to her tail flukes, her tail ultimately deteriorated and caused her to swim unnaturally. Winter was not expected to survive, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium received recommendations to euthanize her after her rescue. However, she persevered and overcame incredible odds. Hanger Prosthetics created a silicone-and-plastic tail with a specially-designed gel sleeve that allowed her to swim properly.

Winter – Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Kid Facts: Dolphin calves usually spend their first few years with their mothers, learning important survival skills. Because Winter was separated from her mother at about two months and had a prosthetic tail, she was not a candidate for release and became a permanent resident at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Winter’s Inspiration

Winter has become an inspiration to children and adults with medical conditions or disabilities. People travel from all over the world to meet Winter, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium displays pictures and cards from inspired visitors and friends in Winter’s Gallery of Hope. Winter also made quite an impression on my kids. My daughter sleeps with her Winter souvenir every night.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater resident Maja Kazazic lost her leg at age 16 when she was injured by a motor shell rocket grenade in Bosnia. She was inspired by Winter and wanted the same doctor who treated Winter. Hanger Prosthetics also made her a prosthetic leg with the same type of gel originally created for Winter. Maja volunteers at Clearwater Marine Aquarium weekly and is a motivational speaker.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Hope the Dolphin

Hope was rescued from the Indian River Lagoon December 2010 as an orphaned dolphin attempting to nurse from her mother, who had died after becoming beached. Because her mother died before teaching her important survival skills, Hope was also not a candidate for release. Before our trip, we watched Dolphin Tale 2, which includes a dramatization of Hope’s rescue. We enjoyed watching Hope’s feeding during our visit.

Maintaining its educational focus, Clearwater Marine Aquarium never requires its animals to “perform” for visitors. However, dolphin Nicholas enjoys showing off for visitors. Nicholas is also a bottlenose dolphin who was rescued with his mother on Christmas Eve in 2002 when he was about six months old. His mother, Noelle, died a few days later but Nicholas was left with severe sunburn. When his burns healed, Nicholas like Winter and Hope, was not a candidate for release due to his separation from his mother at such a young age. We were lucky to watch one of his presentations during our visit.
- Kid Facts: Nicholas has successfully predicted the outcome to many national championships and portrayed Mandy in Dolphin Tale 2.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an animal hospital and constantly treating rescued animals. We got to see the Surgical Suite, which was featured as a movie set in Dolphin Tale 2 as a turtle ICU.
- Kid Facts: This surgical suite was the set for Dolphin Tale 2 scenes featuring medical care for the sea turtle, Mavis. Permanent resident, Harold, played Mavis. Harold was rescued in 2010 and is non-releasable because of vision impairment.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Turtle Rescues

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, we also learned about turtle rescues. Many turtles were effected by the recent cold weather in Florida and brought in for rehabilitation. By the time of our visit in February, 80 rescued turtles came to Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2018, compared to a total of 79 in all of 2017. Additionally, 39 turtles had already been released this year, compared to 29 in 2017.
- Kid Facts: Clearwater Marine Aquarium released 29 green sea turtles effected by cold temperatures on nearby Honeymoon Island on January 25, 2018.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also treats many green turtles infected with the fibropapilloma virus that causes benign tumors on soft tissues. These highly contagious tumors can be removed with laser therapy, and cured turtles can be released back into the ocean. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is participating in research to find the cause of the fibropapilloma virus and why it typically effects only green turtles. Because the fibropapilloma virus is highly contagious, infected turtles are quarantined in tanks separated from turtles rescued for other purposes.
- Kid Facts: Current research suggests that the fibropapilloma virus may be connected to agriculture and waste-water runoff.
Mavis’ Rescue Hideaway features Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s resident sea turtles, including Harold. Divers were doing a scuba presentation during our visit.
- Kid Facts: On Valentine’s Day, a Clearwater Marine Aquarium volunteer was married in an underwater wedding in the Aquaium’s turtle habitat.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Pelicans

We also met Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s pelicans. Matthew and Tyndall reside in Rufus Beach, which was named for the pelican featured in the Dolphin Tale movies. Rufus was played by Ricky, one of Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s permanent residents, who resides in the new aviary with Skylar.
- Kid Facts: Pelicans are flighted birds that can have wingspans up to 11 feet.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Cooper and Walle

The kids also enjoyed otters Cooper and Walle at the Otter Oasis.
- Kid Facts: Walle is a five-year-old otter with more energy than fifteen-year-old, Cooper.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium With Kids – Dolphin Tale Memorabilia

Clearwater Marine Aquarium features lots of memorabilia from the Dolphin Tale movies and pictures from the films that were especially fun for my kids, who really enjoyed both movies.

Our favorite bit of memorabilia was the houseboat. Our amazing guide, Julia Anderson, expertly answered our countless questions about the movies and the Aquarium. We not got to see many of the animals featured in the movies but also learned a good deal of “fact v. fiction” about the movies. The movies maintain key elements, but there was some dramatization for Hollywood purposes.
- Kid Facts: The lookout on top of the houseboat frequented by Hazel in the Dolphin Tale movies was deemed too unsafe for filming. All scenes were filmed looking up into the lookout, which was actually placed on the ground.
Most aquariums are educational facilities that help visitors enhance their knowledge about marine life. Clearwater Marine Aquarium offered not only an educational experience but showcases inspirational examples of animal perseverance and the necessity to protect marine life. Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release marine animals and also focuses on environmental conservation. Located about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, we totally recommend a trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium with kids of all ages.

Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out our post on Clearwater Beach with kids and our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida with kids.
February 18, 2018