On to Florida, the next stop on our Road Trip…
The Small people and I last visited Florida on our own some 6 years ago now (time really does go too fast, but this has mostly been thanks to our various International moves, plus not to mention a small addition to the family!). I am not sure I will ever forget the sprint across Chicago Airport to make our flight with my then 6-year-old clutching one shoe (there was no time to put it back on, we were that close to missing the plane!!)! I have never been so relieved to hear the doors closing behind us as we stepped on board in my life!!
This visit was, of course, the Three-Year-Old’s very first visit to his Grandparent’s house (they have lived in Florida for almost 30 years!). It goes without saying that what with being thoroughly spoilt by his Grandparents AND having access to a swimming pool for his every waking hour, he was in pure heaven (as were the older two)!
As is the case with most of our Florida visits nowadays, we don’t tend to go for the massive theme park experiences (we have done most of them countless times before. Plus have you seen the prices to visit them just for a day or two? They really want you there spending your money for a good few days in a row, so the entry price for a single day or so is nothing short of extortionate – even for Florida locals!). Instead, we tend to explore things surrounding the reason we think Florida’s really worth visiting – the wildlife, not to mention spending valuable time with loved ones of course!
There’s obviously a lot to do in this part of the US, so we managed to pack a lot in during this chunk of our road trip! The boys went to a Tampa Bay Rays Baseball game, which was an amazing experience in itself, and we also managed visits to Dunedin, Alligator spotting in Lake Land, kayaking on Weeki Wachee Springs, plus various trips to nearby Tampa to the Glazier Museum.
We also had time for a great night out at The Hall on Franklyn with my Brother and Sister in Law (go for lunch if you don’t want that much of a wait, but believe me when I tell you there’s so much to choose from (the concept here is several restaurants under one roof) here you will be grateful for a lengthy pause before you take your table!)…
The Sunshine State might have been a little shy about living up to Sun part of things at times, but it was lovely to see it again all the same…
It’s so awesome to read about your adventure in Florida. You sure did manage to squeeze in a lot of fun.
Thanks Crystal! :)
This has really made me want to get back to Florida, we love it there and Weeki Wachee Springs are one of my favourite places, the water there is incredible isn’t it?
So beautiful! Thanks Nichola! :) x
Sounds like a wonderful time and I can see why your three year old was in heaven, who wouldn’t be being spoilt rotten and getting to use a pool everyday. I went to Florida years ago and would love to go again one day with the kids, think they’d love the kayaking and alligator spotting.
It’s really worth doing. Thanks Elizabeth! :)
That’s so nice that you’ve had the ability to go there and visit family so much. I’d love to go to Florida, although I’d want to do all the parks as I’ve never been so I definitely need to get saving x
You have to do the parks at least once I think :) Thanks Rhian x
I would love to visit Florida and some of the places you have mentioned here such as the Glazier Children’s Museum and Circle B Wildlife Park sounds fun but will give Lake Land a miss as I am afraid of Aligators
We even spotted alligators in the pond near my Mother in Law’s supermarket there they are everywhere!
I’d love to go alligator spotting in Florida! It definitely sounds like you managed to do a lot!
We definitely did a lot! Saw more than a few alligators too, some of them unexpectedly! :D Thanks Rebecca! :)
You sure did manage to pack a lot in! I love spending time in Florida, it is one of my most favourite places in the world.
It can be really beautiful can’t it? Thanks Mellissa! :)
We drove through parts of Florida years ago. It’s such a lovely place to visit. Shame it wasn’t that sunny but it’s good you had a nice time. The prices for 1 day at the theme parks can be crazy!!!
Unbelievable. I think for one of them it was going to cost almost $2000 – crazy! Thanks Melanie!
It looks like you had such a great time. I’d love to visit Florida one day! It’s definitely on my bucket list x
It’s really fun, and I am sure you would love it! Thanks Louise! :)