Family Adventures

Northeast Florida has the attractions for kids of all ages to make any family or multigenerational vacation complete. Enjoy time together while looking for an adventure or discovering something new with the kids.

Get out and soak up the sunshine at Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach. Challenge the family to a round of adventure miniature golf, indoor laser tag and a race on the go-kart tracks. During the summer, bring your bathing suit and check out the Shipwreck Island Water Park featuring the Little St. Johns Lazy River, Typhoon Lagoon - the giant wave pool and four extreme slides: the Rage, the Hydro Half-Pipe, the Undertow and the Eye of the Storm.

Get a unique perspective of Northeast Florida on a guided Segway eco-history tour with EcoMotion Tours. Experience wildlife and history in a setting like no other, traveling through off-road paths in the heart of Fort George Island. All tours are guided, with riders equipped with a wireless headset to learn from guides of native plants, animals and history of the trails. Be on the lookout for tortoises, rabbits and, for the lucky travelers, the occasional alligator off in the distance. Riders must be at least 13 years old, so this is a great way to explore Jacksonville's natural surroundings with the older kids.

The beach is always a great spot for a little fun in the sand and Jacksonville's over 20 miles of wide beaches make for the vacation with the family. Search for seashells, jump in the surf or simply build a sandcastle with the kids. In need of chairs, umbrellas, volleyball nets and bikes to enjoy the warm Florida weather? Let Rent Beach Stuff bring the gear to you! The business is the headquarters for all things beach related. Or if history is of interest, the beaches have a colorful past from its historic buildings, residents and events that have shaped its present. The Beaches Museum & History Center in Jacksonville Beach celebrates the coastal heritage with interactive exhibits, photographs and stories of a simpler time.

Spend a day at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens exploring 2,000 rare and exotic animals and over 1,000 unique plant species. A brand new permanent exhibit opened in March 2009.  Asian Bamboo Garden and Komodo Dragon Exhibit features the Moon Gate, the Lotus Pool, the Orchid Pavilion and the Bamboo Mist Forest.  The Asian Bamboo Garden currently is host to 111 plant species and varieties and 29 species and varieties of bamboo.  The Komodo dragon exhibit is set in an Indonesian fishing village and it features two komodo dragons.  Komodo dragons are the largest lizard in the world.

Downtown Jacksonville's Kids Kampus, located in Metropolitan Park just off the ciyt's Sports Complex, allows children to indulge their natural curiosity while enjoying its engaging playscapes and miniature Jacksonville landscapes. The 10-acre playground area features a mini-water park with "Three Friends," a large boat play structure accompanied by and surrounded by water cannons. A non-skid, rubberized surface called "Bayou, Bogs & Frogs" depicting Florida's wetlands includes benches and water jets for wet and wild fun! Admission is free and open to the public.

Check out the latest exhibition at The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, located at Hemming Plaza in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. Kids will love the ArtExplorium Loft, the museum's family interactive center, featuring 16 hands-on stations in addition to three floors of galleries.

With over 1,220 holes of golf, and home to over 70 public and private courses, Northeast Florida is the ideal spot to play a round. The World Golf Hall of Fame celebrates the history and sport with interactive displays, memorabilia and trophies on display. Check out an IMAX movie while your there, with family-friendly movies showing daily.