Are new family fun adventures calling your name in 2024?
By Mandy Carter
A new year gets me thinking about new places to go and new experiences to give my kids. But with a busy family schedule I like to stay realistic and plan nearby adventures.
While some experiences are best done as an adult, some places have unique advantages of experiencing as both a child and an adult and then if you are lucky you get to add the unique advantage of also seeing it through the eyes of a child (if you know you know).
Here is my list of weekend adventures I would like to plan with my family this year. You will see a bit of a theme; I hope the list provides some inspiration for your family’s 2024 adventures.
Wander among life-sized dinosaurs
Pack a picnic and explore Dinosaur World – a family-friendly outdoor museum located in Central Florida that features over 150 life-size dinosaur sculptures designed and created by Christer Svensson.
Play in space and feel what it’s like to blast off
Spend a day at the John F. Kennedy Space Center- NASA’s primary launch center of human spaceflight. The complex is divided into several “mission zones,” or buildings dedicated to different eras of space travel. It has been recommended to plan to spend at least 6-8 hours enjoying all there is to experience.
Take guided safari through working ranch
The Giraffe Ranch is located in east Pasco County 45 minutes north of Tampa next to the Green Swamp, Florida’s second-largest wilderness area. It’s a 47-acre licensed working ranch and native wildlife preserve that is home to several exotic species, including giraffes.
Sleep with the sounds of lions roaring
Have a little camp out at the West Palm Beach KOA campground across from Lion Country. Then wake up and take an early drive-through the attraction to see the lions, rhinos and zebras we heard all night roam freely up close to our car!
Want to check out my list of places? Here are the locations on my must explore this year list:
Giraffe Ranch
38650 Mickler Rd,
Dade City, FL 33523
813-482-3400
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Space Commerce Way,
Merritt Island, FL 32953
(855) 433-4210
Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew Rd,
Plant City, FL 33565,
813-717-9865
Lion Country KOA
2000 Lion Country Safari Road
Loxahatchee, FL 33470-3976
561-793-9797
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Mandy Michelle Carter … Just a SWFL mom living the dream. She loves to inspire parents to spend authentic time with your kids and to chase your own dreams unapologetically! Found on Instagram @mandymcarter and her family blog at Acupful.com.
