Welcome to Routes 1 and A1A, the twin coastal roads along the Atlantic coast between Jacksonville and Key West that form the greatest Florida beach road trip.
U.S. Route 1 runs along the eastern coast of the United States for more than 2,000 miles between Key West, Florida and Fort Kent, Maine. Designed in the 1920’s to cover a route similar to that of the old Atlantic Highway, it connects the major east coast cities in a direct way that the more modern I-95, which parallels it, does not.
A New York to Florida road trip (a.k.a. cheap beach getaway) occupied two or three weeks each summer in my youth. Today, time-pressed families typically explore a shorter stretch in Florida. Yet, this is still slow travel at its best.
This year, focus on the wonderful combination of Route 1 and Route A1A that snakes along the Atlantic coast of Florida. Drive yourselves or choose private transportation from Jacksonville to Key West.
The southernmost end of the route is perhaps the most fun drive of all. It was built as the two-lane Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West in the mid-1930s and was annexed to US 1 soon afterward.
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The Charm of Florida’s Route A1A
From the Georgia border south, driving US1 will take your family through Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Titusville, Melbourne, Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and all the way to Key West.
Note the points where US 1 runs inland from the beach. The Atlantic coast and US1 are separated by the scenic Intracoastal Waterway (Florida’s marine highway). To the east you’ll find Route A1A, also marked SRA1A (State Road). This smaller coastal road veers off into the charming little (and big) beach towns for which Florida is famous.
A Family Favorite Florida Beach Road Trip, Especially for East Coast Families
The federally-designated A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway is also a National Scenic Byway. It changes names as it courses through towns and along a little bit of undeveloped coastline.
This stretch of road protects some of Florida’s last remaining native habitats. Nature lovers must stop at the Guana River Management Wildlife Area or Washington Oaks State Park. Bird life, giant oaks and coquina rock tidal pools are conserved in both areas. Back on the main road, the view changes back to swaying palms, dune grass and sea grapes, gold sand beaches and sparkling waves to ensure a fun road trip.
Pro Tips to Plan Your Jacksonville to Key West Adventure
1 . Watch out for road closures, especially during the summer hurricane season. Much of A1A runs along Florida’s barrier islands, so the road is subject to flooding or other storm damage
2. Customize the drive by choosing a few key family destinations along the way (or veer west to Orlando.) Spending as much or as little time as you’d like at each stop.
3. Leave rental cars in Key West and fly home, or else backtrack along the Overseas Highway to Miami, then jump on I-95 for the long trip north.
4. Plan ahead to find very affordable places where the kids can let off steam at night. An Airbnb alternative and good resource for lodging is the booking.com app . Many family-owned properties with kitchens, pools, and outdoor play areas (and commercial vacation rental agencies) use it to reach a broader audience.
Our suggested 8-day Florida Beach Road Trip itinerary follows:
Day 1: Jacksonville
Day 2: Jacksonville to St. Augustine
Day 3: St. Augustine to Daytona Beach
Day 4: Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach
Day 5: Cocoa Beach to Palm Beach
Day 6: Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale
Day 7: Fort Lauderdale to Miami Beach
Days 8-10: Miami to Key West
Day 1: It Begins in Jacksonville
Begin in Jacksonville on US 1. Families who want to stay a few days have more than enough to keep them busy. Nestled in the northeast corner of Florida, where the St. John’s River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the city of Jacksonville has two riverwalks packed with restaurants and shops. Explore great museums and several galleries. Discover plenty of outdoor recreation space, and a lively waterfront that can be toured by watertaxi.
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Families with younger children shouldn’t miss the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where more than 1, 000 animals live in natural habitats. Metropolitan Park, the city’s downtown park, offers many free concerts in summer.
Been driving for a while and need something more active? Take the family to Adventure Landing for its amusement rides, waterpark, go-kart racing and teddy bear factory. A free trolley circles many of the main attractions. For more information about the area, contact the Visit Jacksonville office.
Day 2: Jacksonville to St. Augustine – 41 miles
From Jacksonville Beach, drive US 1 south to St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental U.S. Make time to drive the 72-mile A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway. Follow the waterfront two-lane blacktop on a road that began more than 500 years ago.
Historic St. Augustine on Foot or by Trolley
Walk around St. Augustine’s small historic district or switch modes of transport. Hail a horse-drawn carriage, join a sightseeing train, book an Uber, or hop aboard a guided, sightseeing trolley.
By the early 1600’s, the Spanish colony of St. Augustine had a fort, church, hospital and more than 100 houses and shops. Tour Fort Mose Historic Park for the story of Free Black soldiers and families loyal to the King of Spain. It’s just part of the fascinating Black history of St. Augustine.
Feeling worn out by the drive? Rejuvenate the family at the touristy Fountain of Youth, a natural spring said to be discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Look for exhibits about the indigenous Timucua tribes, a Christian Burial Ground, and paper cups to drink from the spring.
St. Augustine Fun for the Family
You’ll have to spend at least two nights to get to know this fun town.
Take a golf cart Ghost Tour of the town’s historic district, or even a haunted boat trip. Between Thanksgiving and New Years, families can enjoy the annual Night of Lights illumination, when the historic city center glitters in white holiday decor.
For more information about St. Augustine and the region’s history, visit Florida’s Historic Coast.
Day 3: St. Augustine to Daytona Beach – 59 miles
Keeping the Matanzas River on your right, continue south on A1A to Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Little ones will be thrilled with a dolphin interaction at ‘the world’s first oceanarium’ – a bit of vintage Americana founded in 1938. Pass Flagler Beach and within an hour you’ll reach Daytona Beach.
This bustling beach town is known for its Daytona Speedway. Forget about navigating US 1 or A1A and continue your road trip driving right on Daytona’s 17-mile stretch of beach!
Here’s your beach getaway. Stroll the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. Stop for some treats on the pier, then see if there’s live music (always free) happening at the Bandshell. Rent a chaise and umbrella or put down your beach towels and enjoy the warm Atlantic surf. Travelers with pets can head to the Ormond Beach Dog Beach.
Quirky Daytona Beach Fun
Admiring the many colorful dune buggies out on the sand? If you don’t have your own low-rider convertible Corvette, rent one, or a four-seater ATV or dune buggy, from local vendors. Be sure to take a helmet for each rider.
The Daytona Lagoon is an entertainment center with a small water park, amusement park rides, minigolf and a zip line.
If you are in Daytona Beach on a Sunday, check out the Drive-In Church. The First Christian Church established it in 1957 when they purchased the Neptune Drive-In Theater. The Drive-In Church welcomes everyone. You can even wear your beach attire to church because you get to stay in the car and tune in on your radio or listen through the speakers. At the end of the service the reverend will come by to shake your hands. Then, hop across the street to the beach or keep on driving.
Day 4: The Space Coast — Extraterrestrial Florida Beach Road Trip from Daytona Beach to Cocoa Beach – 95 miles
Then comes the famous Space Coast. The 95-mile stretch of Florida coast is home to the Kennedy Space Center and towns of Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, and Palm Bay.
If you’re joining our road trip after a theme park visit, you’ll see that Orlando is only 35 miles to the west.
This area is an economical base for a few days of fun and sand. Depending on the time of year, choose between watching shuttle and rocket launches, surfing or learning the sport. Between June and October, join a bioluminscent kayak tour on the brackish waters of the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, or Indian River Lagoon. Tiny underwater creatures glow when you disturb the water surface creating a Milky Way of their own. Opportunities for traditional bird watching, golf, fresh and saltwater fishing — as well as airboat rides — abound.
Space Talk on The Space Coast, Part of Your Florida Road Trip
The main attraction for wannabe astronauts is the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Allow a full day here. Admission includes a terrific, two-hour bus tour of the launch pads and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. (Book ahead to dine with one.) The unique, half-day ATX: Astronaut Training Experience is designed for ages 10+ to encourage budding astronauts and rocket scientists. Families can also enjoy the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition, which gives visitors a chance to get nose-to-nose with the final shuttle orbiter to fly a NASA mission, Atlantis.
Offbeat Cocoa Beach Has Spacey Charms
Back on earth at the surprisingly interesting Brevard Zoo, the kids can feed giraffes or kayak along the zoo’s river.
A star along A1A, Cocoa Beach is a good value town to spend a few days of your family beach getaway. There are interesting restaurants and fun sights. Visit Ron Jon’s Surf Shop — the largest in the world — so kids can admire the latest surfboard styles. Open 9am-11pm daily.
Watch local surfers paddle out and glide in, or fish the day away, from the Cocoa Beach Pier. Have a meal in the Historic Cocoa Village. The preserved Victorian-era town built along the Indian River lagoon is very commercial and a great photo opp along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway.
Still keeping the mainland on your right and the narrow beach strip and Atlantic on your left, head south along US 1 to one of America’s best known resort areas, toney Palm Beach.
Day 5: Cocoa Beach to Palm Beach – 138 miles
During the 2.5-hour-long drive between Cocoa Beach and Palm Beach, you’ll pass a few family-oriented landmarks. Vero Beach is the gem of Florida’s so-called Treasure Coast. Look for the classic Cracker houses dating to the mid-19th century. Typically white, cedar-or cypress-plank, peak-roofed cottages, the homes of poor plantation farmers are now considered energy-efficient marvels.
Hallmarks of the Florida Crackers in Vero Beach
- Oyster shell and lime foundations (to provide shade for chickens and dogs who ate the mosquitoes)
- Wide cracks between the floorboards to circulate air
- Deep porches and often a center walkway to create shade
- Several windows to augment the cross breezes.
The Indian River Citrus Museum is dedicated to the Florida orange-growing business. Call ahead to check their operating schedule: 772/770-2263. McKee Botanical Garden features historic sub-tropical plant specimens that enhance the authentic old Florida feel; closed Monday.
The Road to Palm Beach Paved with Gold
About 30 miles south and not much to look at, the town of Port St. Lucie is best known to family travelers as the site of the former Club Med Sandpiper resort. Not far away in Jupiter, the non-touristy Busch Wildlife Sanctuary provides rehabilitative care to over 4,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals each year. This is the type of hospital that kids will want to tour.
Whether you’re an E.F. Hutton heir, descendant of European royalty, or just like to follow Donald Trump, it’s worth a stop in Palm Beach. That’s especially during “The Season” when the rich and famous flee cold weather to gather at their yachts and mansions. Visitors will have to make do with a room at the legendary Palm Beach resorts, or one of the many other hotels in all price ranges that cater to families.
Add West Palm Beach’s Family Activities to your Florida Beach Road Trip
West Palm Beach, inland on US 1, attracts a younger and hipper crowd. But in summer, this attractive Mediterranean style city on Route 1 has appeal to families. Disover plenty of swimming pools, a long sand beach, and natural attractions that give families a little bit of that south Florida, tropical feel.
Start at the 500-acre John D. MacArthur Beach State Park on Singer Island. Here, a secluded beach offers opportunities for beachcombing, swimming or watching nesting turtles between May and August. The nature center brochure guides you to gumbo-limbo, strangler figs and three types of mangrove trees, as well as butterflies, poisonous plants and huge spiders.
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium also offers outdoor nature trails as well as a kid-oriented planetarium, aquarium, observatory and miniature golf course. If you’re staying a few days in the Palm Beaches and traveling with younger children, they’ll enjoy time at the Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park. The very commercial Lion Country Safari is a drive-through “game park” that’s most fun during the morning feeding sessions.
Day 6: Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale – 47 miles
Heading south to Fort Lauderdale, pause for conch fritters at any of the seafood shacks along the Intracoastal Waterway. (Conch is farmed now so fresh fritters are harder to find!)
Detour to Hollywood Beach to stretch legs or bike along the 2½-mile oceanfront Hollywood Boardwalk. This area is complete with outdoor cafes and a variety of updated condos and old-style motel accommodations. The 3½-mile-long Pompano Beach, with play areas and ongoing family festivities, is always active too. Most families will already have their Fort Lauderdale Hotel picked out, as this is one of Florida’s most popular family resorts and advance reservations are recommended.
The palm-fringed, gold sand Fort Lauderdale Beach is a long time favorite. Explore the mangrove-lined coastline, endless rivers, canals, lakes and ponds where families can find dolphins, manatees, ospreys and pelicans. It’s an ideal beach vacation destination if your family is interested in deep sea fishing or watersports. Facilities are plentiful and well-priced! Water ski or jet ski, parasail, join a canoe or kayak tour, scuba dive or snorkel. The kids can learn kite surfing or standup paddleboarding here too.
Fort Lauderdale & Everglades Family Attractions
This is also a place to visit The Everglades, a diverse flora and fauna ecosystem that covers 750,000 acres of southern Florida. At Everglades Holiday Park, join a guided airboat skimming across the top of the water through the “River of Grass.” After possibly viewing alligators and baby crocodiles, waterfowl and eagles in their natural habitat, you can catch the amazing alligator show back at the park.
Fun and educational displays of wildlife can be found at the commercial Butterfly World and at the 60-acre Flamingo Gardens. Nature trails at Hugh Taylor Birch State Recreation Area and mountain biking paths in Fort Lauderdale’s Markham Park are less commercial. In this large city, there are constant entertainment options, too. Shop at a myriad of malls and enjoy outdoor cultural performances. Enroll kids in summertime children’s camps. Visit fine art museums, including the Museum of Science and Discovery, a children’s museum and children’s theatre. If you’ve got a Michael Phelps in the family, check out the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Day 7: Fort Lauderdale to Miami Beach – 28 miles
The brief US 1 drive south from Lauderdale to Miami presents colorful old and new Florida sights. Expect slow-moving traffic, key lime pie shops, Jewish delis, Cuban cafes and always, sunglasses and bathing suit shops. The city of Miami is a great family destination because its special blend of Latin and European influences makes for an exciting multi-cultural landscape.
For most road-trippers, though, this is the time to open the sunroof and cruise east across the MacArthur Causeway, that long, low bridge that connects the mainland to the famous barrier island of Miami Beach. Drive past the pastel-colored Art Deco hotel towers and beach-bums in flipflops on the sidewalks of Collins Avenue (also A1A.) 1st Street is the south end of the famous South Beach (or SoBe strip.) Turn east here toward the beach and drive north on Ocean Drive.
During the winter high season or any weekend evening, we recommend you park on Washington, one street inland, and then walk along Ocean Drive. Or you can park at one of the Deco hotels and make this buzzy stretch your family beach getaway.
Put on the Glam to Get Familiar with SoBe’s Ocean Drive
South Beach’s Ocean Drive may be just a two-lane road. However, this part of A1A is the city’s most famous half-mile stretch. Everyone will enjoy the people-watching, guaranteed. You may spot a model being photographed on the sands of Lummus Park or a rock star out for a stroll. Watch for enormous cruise ships leaving the Port of Miami. Check out this busy stretch of gold sand and the wild roller rink in MacArthur Park.
The must-see is the Art Deco District of South Beach. A whole neighborhood is comprised of wild and colorful 1920s and ’30s architecture. Start your walking tour of the registered National Historic Landmark district at the Miami Design Preservation League, where maps, guided tours and souvenirs are available. The FIU Wolfsonian Museum nearby houses an extraordinary design collection, from early 20th century to Art Deco and beyond, that older kids will enjoy seeing.
Miami Area Family Attractions
Plan a meal or a shopping spree on the Deco thoroughfare that runs perpendicular to the beach, now the pedestrian-only, seven-block-long Lincoln Road Mall. All ages will enjoy the sidewalk cafes, shops, galleries, street performers and public fountains. The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, a spectacular 820,000-gallon pool formed from a rock quarry in 1923, is a worthwhile detour. With two waterfalls, coral caves, grottos and stone bridges, the spring-fed Venetian Pool sees more than 30,000 visitors every year.
From a base in South Beach or the neighboring, family-freindly neighborhoods of Miami, Coral Gables or Coconut Grove, your family will enjoy some of Miami’s south Florida classic attractions. Allow time to see the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens on Biscayne Bay, and the Miami Seaquarium marine shows. Interact with the cool exhibits at the new Frost Science Museum and Planetarium.
Pause for some croquettas and cafe con leche to prepare kids for a visit to Calle Ocho. The neighborhood is Miami’s “Little Havana” where the cuisine and culture of the pre-Castro Cuba still flourishes. More information and details can be found at MiamiAndBeaches.com.
Days 8-10: Miami to Key West – 160 miles
You haven’t completed the US 1-A1A journey until you reach the southernmost point in the United States: Key West. The Florida Keys extend south of Miami in a string of narrow limestone and mangrove islands bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. You can rush this National Scenic Byway to Key West in about 3.5 hours or take a week and savor it slowly.
Pro Tip: Most addresses are written as MM; the “mile marker” signs begin near Florida City at around MM 127 and descend to MM 0, site of the Green Parrot Bar (“The 1st and Last Bar on US 1” their sign proclaims) in Key West. Whoever invented this system anticipated that backseat passengers would someday ask, “Are we there yet?” and parents could tell them to see for themselves.
Exploring the northern Florida Keys
You don’t have to drive all the way to Key West to appreciate the bohemian charm of many of the Keys communities. The first major key you’ll reach after Key Biscayne (almost an extension of Miami Beach) is Key Largo. It’s home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park a noted diving spot, the National Marine Sanctuary, Molasses Reef, and the underwater caves of French Reef. Each area is known for its wrecks and the lush coral reef formations and marine habitats that have developed among the ship’s ruins.
The signage becomes denser and the beaches become leaner as you reach Islamorada, the self-styled “Sport Fishing Capital of the World.” You can’t miss the giant brown lobster outside the Treasure Village gift shop. Stop for the fountains crashing over the illuminated sign of Theater of the Sea, a marine amusement park with animal shows and gifts galore, on little Windley Key.
Driving south from the very commercial and developed Marathon Key is Grassy Key, where you can see a statue of what looks like Flipper. Indeed, this is where the original pet dolphin film “Flipper” was shot in the 1950s. It is said the bones of the late star are buried under the sculpture. Almost any turnoff along A1A has a story.
Florida Keys Resorts in the Middle of Keys
Slow down and enjoy some of the glitziest attractions in the Keys. There are notable Florida Keys resorts like the Cheeca Lodge & Spa with ith its elegantly furnished family condos or The Moorings Village and Spa.
A bit south on Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort is a destination for many Florida families. It has a picturesque setting between the bay and the Atlantic, with docks and beaches on both sides. This property is bisected by manmade canals, the main swimming pool has a pirate-themed waterplay area, guests can swim with dolphins, and the family cottages are popular with larger family groups.
The Florida Keys are packed with small resorts. They owe years of prosperity to Henry Flagler. The visionary railroad magnate’s name is everywhere. He decided in 1912 he would extend his Floridian Overseas Railroad to the tip of the country and made history.
Heading south, look inland to the original roadbed for the railroad (destroyed long ago by a hurricane.) The famous Seven Mile Bridge (actually 6.9 miles) is broken in places to allow taller ships to cross through. You can walk or jog down the northern end from Marathon to Pigeon Key. The islet to the west of the recently built highway is a Florida Heritage landmark because of its original conch houses.
See More on Your Florida Beach Road Trip in the Lower Keys
At about 128 miles south of Miami are the Lower Keys. This region is best known for scuba diving and snorkeling spots. The MS Looe, which ran aground in 1744, is the centerpiece of the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary and a magnet for tropical fish.
An unusual stop is at the National Key Deer Refuge about 30 miles north on Big Pine Key. It is the only official North American home of the tiny Virginia white-tailed deer. Dense mangrove hugs each caye (key) as well as the roadway. Watch for vehicles pulled onto the narrow shoulder of the road, where kayakers and canoers can unload their boats. Most of the Keys’ shoreline is broken coral. However, there’s a little visited beautiful sand beach at the 500+ acre Bahia Honda State Park. This is the place to snorkel, kayak, fish, camp, hike and bike.
And, suddenly, modern suburban malls appear and you’re approaching the outskirts of Key West. Stil charming and eccentric, Key West is a well-preserved enclave of two-story Victorian houses and conch cottages clustered along Duvall Street.
Allow at least one overnight if you’ve driven this far! Taste an original key lime pie and show the kids the fun shops. Talk with the colorful locals, the deep sea fishers who spend their days drinking, and workers in the pirate museums.
You’ll want to join the street performers and artisans who turn the famous sunset celebration at Mallory Pier into a carnival, just because you’ve come this far.
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On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop selling the Google Glass product to consumers — who became its “Explorers” — while it makes more improvements to the technology and hardware. Simultaneously, the product will move from its test phase at Google X and become its own department within the giant technology company.
For complete details, please see this story: Google Glass Sales Halted.
This is a great summary of emerging family travel trends in 2015. I am very excited to see ecotourism evolving to include the youngest travelers as well as multi-gen travelers. Very interesting to see uber attempt to dig into the family market. As for all-inclusive hotels, after years of resisiting, I am finally a convert. My kids have always loved them and now their parents finally see the ease and economy of the pay-one-price concept. Happy Travels in 2015!
great feedback on what we’re seeing for 2015; agree that ecotourism has become so mainstream that it’s time all ages and all abilities (including those with disabilities) are included in nature-focused travel.
And yes, disruptive technologies like uber and airbnb are usually started by young people and grow by appealing to young travelers, but as we all know, they too will settle down and have kids and then look at new ways to make their services more “family-friendly.” So that’s an area where we see tremendous growth potential and hope for fresh ideas.
excited about what’s coming in 2015! Thanks for your comments.
I’m in, would love to win a stay at the Camelback water park in Pennsylvania. Close to my NJ home and sounds like a fun snowy or rainy day break with my boys. Sign me up!
After returning from a vacation with her daughter, C.S. shared this review of the Dreams Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
“Hi, we did not get sick at Dreams Punta Cana, stuck to bottled water, they were nice there not really attentive at concierge or lobby not knowledgeable and internet not working well, entertainment was okay and food just okay beach nice, tours not organized very well for swim with dolphins and no shopping for malls provided.
Yes the food was not great at all, hoping for better at gourmet restaurants, they always burnt the steak and not great the food, the world café was fine, buffet.
Kids club for my 8 year old she was bored, most of the kids were younger and not a lot to do for the 8 to 9 year olds, riviera maya dreams does a better job with kids club and takes them out to the real pool for kid games that is always nice.
I like Riviera Maya Mexico still a lot better.”
“The Singing Tower.” Bok Towers Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.
The Vera Bradley outlet sale sounds like a midwestern version on Filene’s Running of the Brides! It sounds like a paisley lovers dream and a fun Mother/Daughter bonding event. Thanks for sharing!
How’s the weather up there now? Would it be warm enough to swim outdoors in late April, or still chilly? Seems like a fun spring break getaway since we only have a few days. Thanks for sharing.
I love Rocky Mountain National park! It’s great for all Colorado seasons. In the winter, when other parts of the park are closed down, they open up sledding areas. When I went, we shared the hill with just one other small group. A great afternoon for all ages!
In spite of all the cold weather we have been experiencing, this story makes me want to head up to Montreal for a frosty weekend of fun. The Montreal en Lumiere festival sounds like a winner, as does the hotel. Thank you for the terrific seasonal suggestions!
Skiing is such a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s beauty! There is such pride in that state and I love that so many resorts really cater to children too.
Eldora Mountain Resort wasn’t mentioned on this list, but on Saturday, March 8, they are hosting a scavenger hunt to raise money for Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to teaching people to take care of the world around them, while also having fun. How awesome is that?! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
This is an excellent article. Well researched, thoughtful and motivating. I know as a parent right now considering a family cruise this Spring Break in March, kids drowning will be on my mind even though my son is on a swim team and swims two miles five nights a week for practice. Drowning can happen to anyone, any time, at any age. As a former swim instructor and lifeguard myself for many years to earn summr spending money and put myself through college, I know how water is dangerous — whether in a pool, lake, baeach or bathtub. But we all need reminding and education about what drowning looks like. And that is what you’ve done for me today. Thank you.
As a teen life guard, I saved a kid at our local pool who was “just floating.” It was a crowded pool on a sticky, hot Midwest day. A swimmer in the middle of the packed giant kids’ pool started yelling at me and pointing to the child “floating.” I’ll never forget doing mouth-to-mouth, his wide vacant eyes, his limp body, and then him catapulting upwards, spitting, sputtering to life. I tear up as I write this. What if he hadn’t lived? The guilt, the fright, the parents, the park district, the system…who to blame if the child had died? Would I be blamed for not seeing him inactive sooner? Would the pool be blamed for allowing too many people in? Would the park district be blamed for booking the swimming event? Did anything change after this incident? Yes. I got fired. And went to work for another pool heading up their swimming lessons program.
Thank you for writing this and your call to action for everyone to take responsibility for children around water at all hours of the day and night. Your “unthinkable” article has given us all much to think about.
Would be a fun vacation if you could really save money by doing it too!
What an adventure, I would love to do embark on a journey like this with my teens. The flora and fauna seem incredible, the guides professional. Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard the Boeing factory tour is really interesting – wondering now if there any exhibits or parts areas that relate to the new Dreamliner. Would love to see one up close, especially being assembled after all the battery snafus.
Wish we all could have been there, Morocco looks fabulous and during the winter it would be a very productive coder’s retreat.
Congratulations to ALL of the students who entered in the FTF Writing Scholarship contest :3 Of course a big "congrats" should be merited to our winners, but I think every student who entered deserves a pat on the back–hopefully they'll be inspired to continue writing, too!
This sounds like a great resort for my all-inlusive loving teen children, who have a " bigger is better" attitude. I love that it is so close to the Cancun Airport, so you can get right to the fun as soon as you land.
I love the idea that guests at the hotel can "assemble" their own favorite meals from a variety of healthy offerings. Sounds like a great idea. If only I had time to cook so many different options every night at home!
This looks like a fascinating experience to remember and to go too! I have always wanted to go to Dubai and going there is a vacation never to forget!
Enjoy
One of the best states to come visit!
You make me want to go there and spend weeks on end, reconnecting with nature and making friends. And blobbing too. Thanks for sharing this.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Just another city in the Mid-West, right? Wrong. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in Ohio. With our stunning river front view, our bustling downtown, and the newly gentrified Over-the-Rhine, what else could we have in store?
For starters, Cincinnati has the 7th best zoo in the nation.Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a great location for exploration and learning. People of all ages can appreciate the wide variety of animals found in the Zoo. Not only are the animals astounding, but guests get the chance for a hands on experience with many of the animals. For example, in Giraffe Ridge, guests can purchase a snack for the Giraffes and then feed them over the balcony. These moments will be remembered and cherished for the rest of a person's life.
Another great accessory Cincinnati has is the new, urban planned area called "The Banks. The Banks features apartments on the second floor of the buildings and restaurants and music venues on the first floor. This is a great area for younger couples to hang out at night.
Findlay Market is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or weekend. Findlay Market is the oldest public market in the state of Ohio. The market is open every day but Monday and is one of the best places to find locally and organically grown foods. Another great feature about Findlay Market is that the area surrounding the market is newly gentrified, meaning that it has been refurbished. This makes the area even more desirable.
The Newport Aquarium</a>is not located in the city of Cincinnati itself but it is an awesome place for family fun. Newport, Kentucky is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and has other amenities. Other places to visit while in Newport would be Dewey's Pizza, Brothers, Brio, and the Haufbrau House. All these restaurants give a different essence to the name "Cincinnati". Dewey's is a local pizza joint that runs the gamut in available options. Clever names and quick service make for a great time. Brothers and Brio are Italian restaurants that serve authentic Italian cuisine (Brothers is the less expensive option). The Haufbrau House is a German Bier Garten style restaurant that offers a large selection of beers and sandwiches. Along with normal options, the HaufBrau House also provides authentic German food. After you eat, the chicken dance is played, giving patrons the opportunity to dance on the table tops.
Other Cincinnati food traditions are Goetta and Skyline. When German immigrants came over to America, they settled along the Ohio River, then called the "Rhine". The Germans created a meat similar to sausage called Goetta. Goetta consists of ground pork or beef, oats, and a variety of spices. This specific meat can only be found in Cincinnati and occasionally there are large festivals for Goetta and German heritage. On the other hand Skyline is chili, created by Greek immigrants. The name "Skyline" originates from the owner believing that the Cincinnati skyline was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Skyline chili has a unique flavor due to the large amount of chocolate used in the chili.
Come one come all! Memphis is the breeding grounds to fun and adventure!
I truly love my City of Houston. Though I don't know where my education will take me, Houston will always be my home.
Austin is a great place to live, love, and visit. It has wonderful sites, people, and things to do. Everybody should visit Austin.
Say what you will. An open mind is insightful.
Thank you for this spot-on mini-review of Greve and Panzano, two of the most scenic and charming towns in Chianti. Daniel Ferro's summer music program only adds to the area's beauty, with music in the piazza to entertain locals and visitors alike. The rental property sounds like an excellent choice for families who choose to vacation in and explore the area. Thanks for sharing!
Ames, Iowa provides many opportunities to experience American culture and become immersed in American history. Since the mid 1800s, Ames has become a booming college town. Culture has had lots of time to flourish in this time, and evidence of the age of this town can be found everywhere. Tourists coming to Ames can also feel safe and enjoy Ames' attractions without fear of crime. Gun fights in Ames are practically unheard of, and the friendly people never hesitate to wave, even at newcomers to the area. Any tourist can appreciate the age and personality of Ames, as well as its safety.
To experience the culture in Ames, tourists must visit Stephen's Auditorium on Iowa State University's campus. This theater hosts a variety of concerts, plays, musicals, and other theatrical performances. Comfortable seating and awesome acoustics make this location a worthy contender for a relaxing night out. Big acts such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and the band Needtobreathe have to known to reserve this venue so one feels included in a special and popular event, but the space does not have an overwhelming size, so overcrowding and overheating will not deduct from the experience. Stephen's Auditorium will help in discovering the culture of Ames.
Tourists wishing to discover some of Ames' culture would greatly benefit from attending Ames' Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street. Vendors have local and homegrown produce, meat, eggs, pastries, jewelry, art and many other items for sale that offer a taste of Iowan culture. Musicians often perform for shoppers, so they can be entertained while shopping. Ames' Farmer's Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of Ames and Iowa.
Evidence of Ames' history can be found in a visit to Iowa State University's campus. Founded in 1858, Iowa State University was the sight where George Washington Carver decided to do much of his botany research. Visitors to the college will see evidence of the age of this college in the buildings from this era that still exist. Iowa State University also housed the master minds who created the first computer. Tourists to Ames can take a trip to Durham Center in Iowa State and view the replica of this first computer. Main Street offers a taste of history also. The buildings in this area of Ames give a taste of what architecture looked like back in the early 20th century. A mural on Main Street depicts some of the founders of Ames. History holds great importance in Ames, and tourists can experience this without too much trouble.
To curb tourist's hunger, Ames offers many excellent places for dining. No tourist should visit Ames without eating at Hickory Park. This restaurant is famous not only for its deliciously moist chicken but also its tangy barbecue sandwiches. After the main meal, enjoy sweet and creamy ice cream. Dublin Bay offers wonderful Irish cuisine for tourists to enjoy. Try the moist Shepherd's Pie with perfectly salted fries for contentment. For fans of Mexican food, El Azteca guarantees friendly service, free chips, and delectably flavorful food. Many restaurants with amiable service and food that delights the taste buds are available for hungry tourists.
Though a relatively small town, Ames offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of not only Ames, but the state of Iowa without fear of crime. Numerous attractions exist for this purpose. Visitors can also talk to the mayor of Ames, Ann Campbell, about the culture of history of Ames. City council members happily will answer questions from tourists. Tourists will not be sorry for visiting this town.
Northern Nevada never stops to amaze.
Sunday River has been on my radar for a potential family ski trip for quite a while. This story is so loaded with good information, it seems like it is worth the extra time spent in the car to ski at such an excellent family resort. Thanks!
Wow, this sounds likea great merging of chocolate and history, two of my favorite subjects.
I am looking forward to experiencing this for myself, thank you for the informative post.
I love this post so much! I hope I will come here one day!
This is a terrific article that I am so glad to have read. I didn't know there was a car-free way to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun, scenic and eco-friendly option.
Your essay moved me to tears. I am also a finalist in the scholarship and I wrote about visiting Poland’s concentration camps. I would love your opinion on my essay.
I wrote this essay hoping to bring people closer to understanding, as close to understanding as we can get. I want to share an experience that had an impact on me. This trip truly changed me, and what I want do with my life. I suggest if you have the means or are able to visit Poland or go on March of the Living. I know there are teen and family trips with BBYO.
Thank you so much for what you said. I truly appreciate what you said. I also visited the picture of your family. Your family is beautiful and I am so glad that they were able to make it through such a devastating time.
I loved reading about your romantic return to what sounds like a beatiful and vibrant island. Thanks for sharing some of its treasures.
This is a great story, thank you for sharing the glories of Octoberfest in lesser known Nerumberg. My mouth was atering reading about all of the regional delicacies that accompany the beer!
Oh goodness, this is so sad! Thanks for sharing all of this information, a lot of these things I did not know until just now. We're taught about the Holocaust at school, but I'm sure that there is nothing like actually being at a concentration camp to understand how it actually was. Thanks for sharing.
wow! This sounds like such a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was very enlightening, and it really makes me happy to read that last paragraph. I think it's beautiful that you see things that way, and I hope to some day personally come to that realization through my own experiences. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
This is really incredible. It is a dream of mine to visit Alaska, and I hope that if I ever do get to go, that I can experience what you did. My dad and I are avid kayakers, so it was somewhat relatable, although I doubt that Miami waters are NEARLY as cool (haha) as those in Alaska.This truly sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
I wanted to add that I loved the way you described everything, it was so beautiful and real.
Aw, I'm so sorry that happened to your dad but I'm glad something good came out of it. My family was actually planning on going to Gatlinburg next summer but we're all way too chicken to do this white water rafting haha. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this! That sounds like a truly beautiful experience. I love the bit about never underestimating yourself the most, very true.
*2009 not 2008
This is about my trip to South Dakota.
This trip was indeed and enriching expreience.
If you copy and paste the URL at the bottom of the post into your browser, it will take you to a video clip of the event, and if you skip to the last 12 seconds of the video you will see myself and one of my good friends sprinting in to the finish. We ended up tieing for 9th place.