Rocket Launches and Where to See Them
The Jumbotron was bellowing “T -6, 5, 4...” when suddenly the sky ahead burst into flames. We were on the shore of Banana Creek, about 4 miles from Cape Canaveral’s Launchpad 39A to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. Our NASA host had said, “Watch, don’t listen.” The livestream from SpaceX Mission...
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The 10 Best Themeparks For Family Vacations
At almost any time of year, family planners can count on a theme park to shift the annual vacation into high gear. Whether you’re planning a long vacation or just a day trip, a themepark is the perfect destination for family bonding no matter the age of your children. In “America's Most Popular Family...
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Relaxing in 361 Days of Sunshine at Sirata Beach Resort
"You picked a fantastic weekend to come down, though there's really no bad time around here," our driver told us on the way from the Tampa Airport to St. Petersburg's family-friendly Sirata Beach Resort. "We get an average of 361 days of sunshine a year." I looked outside and squinted up at the brilliant sun, certain I must have misunderstood him. "No place has that much sunshine," I thought...
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Parent’s Day Out In Orlando
Do you have business in Orlando and want to bring a child along to have their own day out on the town? I would recommend something special so you can work stress-free. Arrange trusted childcare in advance of your Orlando trip and your kids will be treated to a fun outing or other custom-made activity. You can always check online with services such as Care.com. And here are a couple of local...
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Favorite Clearwater Beach Family Resorts
Clearwater Beach, halfway between St. Petersburg and Tampa, has become so popular that you need to plan ahead to choose the best Clearwater Beach resort for your family. Why? Clearwater delivers a great family beach experience because it’s cheaper than Florida’s East Coast beaches; and it’s on the Gulf of Mexico which is calmer, shallower and therefore, safer for swimmers than the Atlantic....
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Swimming With Manatees, Gentle Giants of the Sea
Swim and explore the undersea world of the manatee in Crystal River, home to the largest concentration of Florida manatees in the world. These lovable mammals are native to the bays and fresh-water estuaries around the towns of Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida. Although only 85 miles west of Orlando, it's a vacation experience that's a world away in natural beauty and Southern charm.
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Historic Cocoa Beach Pier Offers Closest Sand and Surf to Orlando’s Theme Parks
One of our favorite family travel bloggers, Dave Parfitt from Adventures by Daddy, gives us his insights on historic Cocoa Beach Pier, with a step back in history up through to present beachside celebrations. Follow along with us on his adventure. The Great Space Race Each...
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A Club Med Sandpiper Bay Family Vacation
At Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Americans no longer need a passport to enjoy an exotic, all-inclusive family beach vacation packed with children's activities. Club Med's legendary tropical village ambiance -- minus the beads -- has been remade in central Florida at the very sporty Sandpiper Bay. The resort is thriving after a $27-million investment a few years back that improved its...
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3 Great Florida Beach Towns to Celebrate New Year’s Eve
A family vacation to Florida over New Year's can be a low-cost, beachside adventure with hiking, biking and plenty of attractions. The cities and quaint oceanside towns dotting Florida's Gulf Coast are often overlooked for their warmer weather cousins surrounding Miami and the Keys. But there's still plenty to do in the crisp winter air from South Walton to Panama City Beach to Clearwater Beach, before...
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7 Florida Hot Spots to Visit That Don’t Include Disney or Universal
With 271,000 miles of road, more than 30,000 lakes, 11,000 miles of waterways and over 1,300 miles of coastline beaches that touch the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it's easy to explore Florida beyond the theme parks. The Sunshine State is home to one of the 15 oldest cities in the United States, and features 11 professional sports teams from hockey to NASCAR and golf. There's something...
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