DK - Eyewitness Travel Family Guide Florida

This DK Family Guide is one of a series of illustrated travel-guide eBooks that is designed to help you and your family get the most from your holiday. With dozens of expert recommendations for sightseeing with kids, as well as detailed practical information, this eBook is ideal both for planning your trip and exploring on the go browse essential practical and cultural information on your destination, check out the best things to see and do in each sightseeing area or simply tap through the guide and be inspired.

The best way to explore this eBook is to begin at the main table of contents. The first section of the guide (Introducing...) gives you all the essentials for planning a family holiday including how to get there and around, health, insurance, money and communications as well as a brief historical overview. Next comes the main sightseeing section (Exploring), which is divided into areas and comprises best of features along with key sights and other attractions, accompanied by Kids Corners quizzes, activities and fun facts designed to engage children in the story of each sight. throughout this section take you to separate chapters in the guide. These include: Eat and Drink; Where to Stay; sight-specific Practical Information; and More Things to Do, which suggests where to take your kids to run about (Letting off Steam) or shelter from the rain (Take Cover), sight-related downloads, apps, games and films (Find out More) and other places to visit (Next Stop).

Shorter contents lists appear at the start of every section in the guide, and throughout the sightseeing section, and are designed to make chapter navigation quick and easy. You can jump back to these by clicking on the chapter-heading links that sit with an arrow icon at the top of every article.

A simple map at the start of the Exploring chapter identifies each area in the guide, and there are more detailed maps at the back of the eBook. Select the grey map tabs throughout the guide (entitled Sights and Restaurants Map and Hotels Map) to access these, and double-tap or click the maps to see larger-scale versions fill your screen.

As you use this guide, you can create a personalized itinerary by bookmarking the sights, venues and activities that are of most interest, giving you the quickest possible access to everything you'll need to make the most of your time away.

Please note that due to software limitations on some devices, you may find some of our tab links will not function. If this should occur, we recommend navigating via the table of contents.

Eat & Drink Price Guide

Picnic: Under $25; Snacks: $2550; Real meal: $5080; Family treat: Over $80 (based on a family of four)

Accommodation Price Guide

The following price ranges are based on one nights accommodation in high season for a family of four, inclusive of service charges and additional taxes.

$ : Under $150 ; $$ : $150300 ; $$$ : over $300

*The first time the grey tabs are used, it may be several seconds before they take you through to the next page. However, when they have been used once, the function speeds up.

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The Best of Florida

The high-speed thrill ride Kumba at Busch Gardens, Tampa

Famously known as the Sunshine State, Florida is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, drawing some 75 million visitors a year, including many families. With over 600 miles (965 km) of world-class beaches, and numerous waterways, Florida offers dozens of activities, from yachting and kayaking, to fishing and snorkeling. Nature-lovers can discover exotic flora and fauna in a host of nature preserves, or explore glorious scenery on the many biking and hiking trails. In addition, there is an array of world-famous theme parks, plus excellent museums that hold a special appeal for kids.

Beach bonanzas

The first decision is: which coast? Families can choose between the exciting Atlantic Ocean waves on the east coast or the soft sand and calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast and in the northern Panhandle. off the Panhandle.

Scream machines

Roller Coasters R Us could be the motto of central Florida, and for many families, theme parks are Floridas biggest lure. If you have only a day for a park, consider in Tampa, which has a choice of half a dozen world-class thrill rides such as Kumba.

Most kids would love to spend days in Orlandos theme parks. Harry Potter fans will not want to miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, split between ; the two parks are connected by the Hogwarts Express. The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in Universal Studios Florida is billed as the most high-tech coaster in the world.

The biggest theme park, , Coastersaurus is a wooden coaster that curves and dips through a prehistoric jungle of animated and life-size dinosaurs made of LEGO blocks.

Be warned, however, that the lines for major rides at all the theme parks can be long. See individual entries for tips on cutting the line.

The great indoors

Family fun is weatherproof in Florida, even for children who do not usually enjoy museums. The in Jacksonville, Art Connections introduces kids to art by inviting them to walk through a painting, listen to a sculpture, or paint with a virtual paintbrush.

Miami, St. Petersburg, and Tampa are among several cities with terrific museums designed specifically for younger kids. Others, including the in Jacksonville have separate museum wings filled with a variety of hands-on science activities geared to kids.

The unique entrance to The Body Within exhibit in the Museum of Science and History, Jacksonville

Butterfly, bird, and flora gardens

Floridas tropical climate fosters fabulous exotic plants, and the states exceptional gardens allow kids to work off energy while their parents savor the scenery. Children will enjoy Miamis , south of Orlando, are beautiful year-round.

Something fishy

Floridas waters are filled with fantastic and colorful sea life. At Tampas , where visitors can look at the resident manatees and hundreds of fish.

Arresting architecture

Floridas architecture can help bring to life different phases of the states history for kids. Tallahassees ).

The Gilded Age brought lavish mansions such as Henry Flaglers 1902 Beaux Arts-style Whitehall, now the .

Traditional buildings on the extensive, picturesque grounds of Mission San Luis, Tallahassee

On the road

Pleasant day trips from a base can be more fun for families than long drives that try the patience of young kids, and smaller roads may often offer more accessible pleasures than the super-highways. The Everglades Parkway (I-75), also called Alligator Alley, is the expressway through the allows for more interesting stops along the way, and offers stunning views.