Florida is one of the most family-oriented travel destinations well known for its theme parks, sun-drenched beaches and other recreational offerings. The Sunshine State is absolutely one of the best places to visit to ensure that family members get quality, fun and lasting experiences together.
There is a good balance between fun and logistical constraints when planning a self-drive vacation to Florida ranging from determining the best time to fly out and mapping the attractions of the area to ensuring that all the necessary items for the trip are packed and the thrilling theme parks are prepared for. Here are the tips that will make your road trip with the family in Florida easier.
Choosing the Right Time to Visit
If you want to enjoy a family vacation road trip to Florida, determining the most appropriate period when you want to go will be critical. The peaks and the off-peak seasons are the two periods that Florida beach holidays generally fall within, each benefiting in some way.
Peak level
The peak travel seasons in Florida, occur mainly during school holidays like the spring (March – April, ) Summer (June, August) and winter break (December up to the first week in January).
If you’re planning to come to Orlando or other theme parks during these periods, just remember that while it makes it more fun, it comes at a price that is longer queue waiting and costlier prices.
Reduced-crowd months
Traveling during the off-peak months (late August to early December and January to February) will lead to a more relaxed atmosphere.
The parks are less crowded, and accommodations are generally cheaper. However, be aware that hurricane season runs from June to November, so it’s wise to monitor weather forecasts and prepare accordingly.
Weather considerations
Florida, due to its geographical location, is a place that has warm weather for most part of the year. However, the summer months can be very hot as well as extremely wet, especially during the afternoons when thunderstorms are expected.
The winter, on the other hand, is much more bearable due to moderate temperatures and decreased humidity – making outdoor activities possible. Consider the weather when choosing your travel dates to ensure that every member of the family is comfortable and safe.
Planning Your Route
Traveling to Florida by road can also be enjoyable and is almost the same as your eventual destination, when for example you are on the busy and interesting route with numerous sites to see and visit on the way.
- Scenic routes: Depending on where you’re starting from, consider taking routes that offer picturesque sites. For instance, moving from the Northeast region, stunning mountain views are offered through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway. Midwesterners will enjoy this especially the Great River Road, which traces the Mississippi River, and is ideal for short stopovers in small towns before heading southeast.
- Family-friendly stops: Look for family-oriented sights or places to activities on your way. You can visit the Kennedy Space Center located in the east coast of Florida or the historically important Savannah, Georgia or the first city of the US, St. Augustine, Florida. To make the journey entertaining for both kids and adults alike, it would help if there are some fun as well as educational breaks.
Essential Packing Tips
Packing for a road trip with kids requires more than just tossing clothes into a suitcase. Here are some essential items to bring along:
- Snacks and drinks: Let no one in the family go hungry or thirsty by having an assortment of snacks and drinks. On the journey healthy fruits, nuts, and granola bars can be a great option, and maybe a few indulging snacks will keep everyone in good spirits.
- Entertainment: Cannot make any child stay still for too long especially when the vehicle is in motion because of boredom and long walks, therefore make sure that there are games, coloring books, and electronic devices full of movies and educational games. Audiobooks and music created for the entire family are also entertaining tools worth using for the entire family.
- Comfort essentials: For more enjoyment of the ride, travel pillows and blankets, and sun protectors for the car windows are encouraged. These items also allow children to nap and be comfortable while they are traveling.
- Florida climate gear: Florida has sunny weather and therefore in order to be comfortable, one needs to pack swimming clothes, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion. Don’t forget insect repellent for when you plan to explore the affectionate nature and pack a thin raincoat or poncho, to be prepared for the sudden rain.
Top Family Attractions in Florida
Florida is filled with attractions that cater to families of all ages. Here are some must-visit destinations:
Theme parks
Walt Disney World Resort, located in Orlando, and other nearby attractions are quite popular among tourists. The amusement park, with its four component parks of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center, Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, also offers dream holidays to its visitors.
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure provide rides and attractions based on some popular movies. SeaWorld Orlando showcases live performances by sea animals and interactive experiences in various exhibits.
Wildlife parks
The richness of Florida’s ecosystem increases the chances of meeting animals on site. In Gatorland in Orlando areas one can view alligators at a close distance while there are also airboat rides in the Everglades National Park showcasing alligators, birds, and even panthers living in the swampish habitat.
Beaches
Florida also has beaches that are ideal for families to spend some quality time relaxing and engaging in lagoon fun, playing games, swimming and soaking in the sun. A popular Florida Gulf Coast Clearwater Beach has white sandy shoreline and calm waters, as opposed to the vibrant Daytona Beach on the Atlantic with a bustling Boardwalk.
Safety Considerations for The Road
Looking out for the safety of everyone on board is important when going on a family road trip, let alone one that takes as long as driving down to Florida.
- Car maintenance: A vital step in preparation for a road trip is putting the car in order therefore; check the brakes, tire pressure and fluid levels. If you head to the Sunshine state, make me sure that the air conditioning unit works, trust us, you will need it.
- Road conditions: Always check for road construction progress and any changes regarding a possible detour along the route. Navigation apps that help avoid last minute traffic are a necessity.
- Emergency preparedness: A few precautions must be taken in the event an accident occurs or there is a problem with your vehicle. More commonly known as a roadside kit, such a kit must hold a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, etc. If you do get involved in an accident, stay calm and look for a lawyer in nearby cities like Orlando who specializes in car accidents to help you handle any legal matters.
Preparing for Theme Park Visits
Theme parks are a highlight of any Florida trip, but navigating them with children requires some strategy.
- Crowd management: If you arrive earlier than the checkpoints, chances are you will have avoided the longest waits. Mid-afternoons are mostly the most populated, hence it is better to schedule your breaks or less-to-do attractions in this period.
- Advance tickets and fast passes: When tickets are procured beforehand and fast passes are availed, it helps reduce the amount of time spent on lines. A good number of parks provide mobile applications that show wait times and schedules of activities, hence will assist in planning your day effectively.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks: The heat in Florida can be too much for a child and for everyone else. There’s always the help of breaks when shaded and hydrated throughout the day. Luckily, a lot of the parks have indoor activities or water misting stations to help with this.
Conclusion
Finally, the best family road trip that many Americans agree on is a trip to Florida. With a good mixture of famous attractions, splendid scenery, and plenty of outdoor entertainment everyone would find something worth visiting.
However, going somewhere with this much variety requires proper preparations to ensure safety, and comfort. No matter whether you will be traveling in the busy months of the peak season or in the off peak season, keep the weather in mind and take advantage of all the wonderful attractions that the Sunshine State has to offer.
