THE EVERYTHING FAMILY GUIDE TO COASTAL FLORIDA
Bob Brooke
Dear Reader,
Thanks for picking up this copy of The Everything Family Guide to Coastal Florida. I've written this book to help you and your family get the most out of your trip to Coastal Florida, no matter whether it's your first time or one of many visits. As one of the few family guides to Coastal Florida on the market, it's an important tool in helping your family experience Coastal Florida to its fullest and bring back memories to cherish forever.
It's hard to keep information current about any destination, and Coastal Florida is no exception. Phone numbers and Internet addresses change constantly. I've made sure all of these phone numbers and Web sites are up-to-date, but as time passes, please be aware that you may have to double-check with a hotel concierge or local phone book.
In order for you to keep up with the latest information on Coastal Florida, please visit the Web sites listed in this book, including www.visitfl orida.com . If you'd like to share your Coastal Florida experiences with me, drop me a line at bobbrooke@bobbrooke.com . To learn more about me, visit my main Web site at www.bobbrooke.com . My goal has been to provide a comprehensive and informative book on Coastal Florida. Only after you've returned with suitcases full of happy memories will I be able to know if I've succeeded.
Have a great trip!
Welcome to
THESE HANDY, PORTABLE BOOKS are designed to be the perfect traveling companions. Whether you're traveling within a tight family budget or feeling the urge to splurge, you will find all you need to create a memorable family vacation.
Use these books to plan your trips, and then take them along with you for easy reference. Does Jimmy want to go sailing? Or maybe Jane wants to go to the local hobby shop. The Everything Family Guides offer many ways to entertain kids of all ages while also ensuring you get the most out of your time away from home.
Review this book cover to cover to give you great ideas before you travel, and stick it in your backpack or diaper bag to use as a quick reference guide for activities, attractions, and excursions you want to experience. Let The Everything Family Guides help you travel the world, and you'll discover that vacationing with the whole family can be filled with fun and exciting adventures.
TRAVEL TIP
Quick, handy tips
RAINY DAY FUN
Plan ahead for fun without sun
FAST FACT
Details to make your trip more enjoyable
JUST FOR PARENTS
Appealing information for moms and dads
Director of Innovation: Paula Munier | Director of Manufacturing: Susan Beale |
Editorial Director: Laura M. Daly | Production Project Manager: Michelle Roy Kelly |
Associate Copy Chief: Sheila Zwiebel | Prepress: Erick DaCosta, Matt LeBlanc |
Acquisitions Editor: Lisa Laing | Interior Layout: Heather Barrett, |
Development Editor: Meredith O'Hayre | Brewster Brownville, Colleen |
Production Editor: Casey Ebert | Cunningham, Jennifer Oliveira |
Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com
A complete guide to Jacksonville, Miami, the Keys, Panama City and all the hot spots in between!
Bob Brooke
avon, massachusetts
Copyright 2007 by F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.
Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-59869-157-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-157-3
Printed in Canada.
J I H G F E D C B A
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the publisher.
Brooke, Bob.
The everything family guide to Coastal Florida / Bob Brooke.
p. cm. (The everything series)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59869-157-3 (pbk.)
ISBN-10: 1-59869-157-0 (pbk.)
1.Florida Guidebooks. 2. Atlantic Coast (Fla.)Guidebooks. 3. Gulf Coast (Fla.)Guidebooks. 4. Family recreationFloridaGuidebooks. 5. Family recreationFloridaAtlantic CoastGuidebooks. 6. Family recreationFloridaGulf CoastGuidebooks. 7. ChildrenTravelFloridaGuidebooks. 8. ChildrenTravelFloridaAtlantic CoastGuidebooks. 9. ChildrenTravelFloridaGulf CoastGuidebooks. I. Title.
F309.3.B758 2007
917.5904dc22
2007015757
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.
This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases. For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.
I'd like to dedicate this book to my close friend Michael, who encouraged me to do the best that I could throughout the writing of this book.
Top Ten Family-Friendly Activities to Experience in Coastal Florida
Beaches: Soak up some sun on Coastal Florida's fabulous sparkling white sands.
Exploring the Florida reef.
The mysterious Everglades: Explore the river of grass, the only ecosystem of its kind on Earth.
Playing the links.
Mother Nature's best: Discover a natural world just waiting to be explored.
Soaring into virtual space: Visit the Kennedy Space Center, Coastal Florida's number-one attraction.
Visiting museums: No longer dark and boring places, Coastal Florida's museums help you to understand her culture and people.
Theme parks.
Baseball rendezvous: See your favorite baseball players warm up for the season in Spring Training.
Next page