Adventure Landing
What: Waterpark, go karts, laser tag, golf, arcade and more.
Where: 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, (also location at 4825 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, that does not have a waterpark)
Call: 904-246-4386 (Jax Beach) or 904-771-2803 (Jax)
Website: www.adventurelanding.com
Alhambra Theatre and Dining
What: One of the nation’s last remaining dinner theaters — and the oldest — Alhambra features Broadway shows. Children must be 5 years or older.
Where: 12000 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville
Call: 904-641-1212
Website: www.alhambrajax.com
Baja Buggyz Dune Buggy Adventure Park
What: A dirt track for kids and adults to drive dune buggies. Speed is monitored to ensure safety.
Where: 10622 103rd St., Jacksonville
Call: 904-318-7398 (Be sure to call to find out when “open riding times” are)
Website: www.bajabuggyz.com
Black Raven Adventures Pirate Ship
What: Black Raven calls its ship a floating performance stage for pirate shows. Kid-friendly, featuring games, songs, face painting, magic, and storytelling along with the ride.
Where: 111 Avenida Menedez St., St. Augustine
Call: 877-578-5050
Website: www.blackravenadventures.com
Boardz Skateshop
What: An indoor skateboarding park and shop. Offers one-on-one lessons. Helmet and board rentals available. Waivers required.
Where: 11350 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville
Call: 904-329-3541
Website: www.boardzskate.com
Castillo de San Marcos
What: This large fort over 300 years old is brought to life by costumed interpreters. Occasionally feature cannon firing events.
Where: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine
Call: 904-829-6506
Website: www.nps.gov/casa
Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc.
What: Sanctuary for endangered or threatened cat species. Animals taken in at Catty Shack live there the rest of their lives. Open to the public on select days and nights.
Where: 1860 Starratt Road, Jacksonville, FL
Call: 904-757-3603
Website: www.cattyshack.org
Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum
What: Step back in time in the middle of St. Augustine’s St. George Street as costumed interpreters recreate the historic Spanish Colonial community that once made up St. Augustine.
Where: 53 St. George St, St. Augustine
Call: 904-825-6830
Website: http://staugustinegovernment.com/your_government/PurposeofHT.cfm
Cummer Museum of Art
What: Art museum in downtown Jacksonville with thousands of years’ worth of art pieces and formal gardens outside. Also a hands-on classroom feature.
Where: 829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville
Call: 904-356-6857
Website: www.cummer.org
Hands On Children’s Museum
What: Numerous exhibits to let kids ages 1 to 12 play grown-up, including a store, a post office, a fire truck and others. Also a ball pit, climbing tubes, train and play areas.
Where: 8580 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville
Call: 904-642-2688
Website: www.handsonchildrensmuseumjax.com
Jacksonville Fire Museum
What: Historic 1902 firehouse displaying firefighting memorabilia including a working 1926 fire engine. Free to visit, but you must call ahead to schedule a tour.
Where: 1406 Gator Bowl Blvd. Jacksonville
Call: 904-630-0618
Website: www.jacksonvillefiremuseum.com
Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex
What: North Florida’s only indoor ice facility, with an NHL-sized ice rink. Also has indoor turf, basketball and volleyball courts, and multipurpose courts.
Where: 3605 Philips Highway, Jacksonville, FL
Call: 904-399-3223
Website: jaxiceandsportsplex.com
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
What: The only walking safari in NE Florida has 1,800 animals and 1,000 varieties of plants. Has a playground, splash park, maze, and a train that winds through the exhibits. Lots of special programs for kids.
Where: 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville
Call: 904-757-4463
Website: www.jacksonvillezoo.org
Kingsley Plantation
What: Historic site from the early 1800s with the remains of about two dozen slave cabins and a plantation owner’s home.
Where: 13165 Mount Pleasant Rd., Jacksonville
Call: 904-251-3537
Website: www.cr.nps.gov/goldcres/sites/kingsley.htm
Marineland
What: Watch dolphins swim, play and interact with their trainers while learning all about them. Also interactive options including swimming with or feeding the dolphins.
Where: 9600 Oceanshore Blvd., St. Augustine (quite far south – almost to Daytona)
Call: 904-471-1111
Website: www.marineland.net
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
What: Art museum that includes the ArtExplorium, 16 interactive stations geared to help kids connect basic visual art principles with the MOCA collection. Free admission to families 12-4 p.m. Sundays.
Where: 333 North Laura St., Jacksonville
Call: 904-366-6911
Website: www.mocajacksonville.org
MOSH (The Museum of Science and History)
What: Museum focused on bringing science and history to life in a kid-friendly way: live animals, planetarium, skeletons, aquariums, artifacts and more.
Where: 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville
Call: 904-396-6674
Website: http://www.themosh.org
Ollie Koala’s Backyard
What: Food, entertainment, arcade-style games, small rides, and jungle gym for children ages 2-12.
Where: 11700 San Jose Blvd., Suite 9A, Jacksonville
Call: 904-288-7230
Website: http://www.olliekoalas.com (Check site for coupons and deals)
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum
What: The very first Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, housed in an old mansion, has hundreds of bizarre artifacts like shrunken human heads and the world’s largest operational erector set Ferris Wheel.
Where: 19 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine
Call: 904-824-1606
Website: www.ripleys.com/staugustine
Sally Corporation Animatronics Factory Tours
What: “Robot” factory specializing in dark rides and animatronics offers free tours Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kids must be 7 or older.
Where: 745 West Forsyth St., Jacksonville
Call: 904-355-7100
Website: www.sallycorp.com
St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park
What: A zoo featuring alligators and crocodiles (including 1250-lb. Maximo) as well as other species. A new feature allows visitors to ages 10 and up to take on an obstacle course featuring ziplines above the park.
Where: 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine
Call: 904-824-3337
Website: www.alligatorfarm.com
Talbot Island State Parks
What: Just south of Nassau County, Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park offer miles of undeveloped beaches, hiking trails, picnic and fishing facilities and tours. There is an admission fee.
Where: 12157 Hecksher Dr. (also part of A1A), Jacksonville
Call: 904-251-2320
Websites: www.floridastateparks.org/bigtalbotisland and http://www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland
Fort Clinch State Park
Where: 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach
Amenities: A 19th century fort, self-guided nature trails, undeveloped
beach, campgrounds, bicycling, hiking. Fee to enter, additional fee to
tour fort.
Amelia Island Museum of History
What: Exhibits cover island’s history spanning from its first settlers, the Timucuans, to today’s preservation efforts. Regular kid-friendly events and a host to many school field trips.
Where: 233 S. Third Street, Fernandina Beach, FL
Call: 904-261-7378
Website: http://www.ameliamuseum.org
Bancroft Sail Memorial Exhibit
What: A submarine replica embedded in the grass at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay’s Franklin Gate. Free and open to the public.
Where: 1063 USS Tennessee Ave., Kings Bay, GA
Call: 912-882-2782 or 912-573-4714
Website: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Kingsbay/index.htm
Cumberland Museum & War of 1812 Exhibit
What: Museum housing Cumberland Island artifacts and history.
Where: 129 Osborne Road, St. Marys, GA
Call: 912-882-4336
Website: http://www.stmaryswelcome.com/cumbermuseum.html
Fort Clinch Read Review
What: A large fort built in the 1800s and occupied by both Confederate and Union regiments at different times during the Civil War. Open for tours daily. There is a fee to enter Fort Clinch State Park and an additional fee to tour the fort.
Where: 2601 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach
Call: 904-277-7274
Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/
McIntosh Sugar Mill Tabby Ruins
What: The largest and best preserved of all tabby structures in the Southeast, this mill was built in 1825. Picnic areas on the grounds.
Where: 3600 Charlie Smith Sr. Highway, St. Marys, GA
Call: No phone number.
Website: No website, but check out this site for history and photos of the mill.
Oak Grove Cemetery
What: Since its inception in the 1770s, this cemetery has become the resting place of soldiers from every major US conflict, as well as Acadians. Tours offered occassionaly.
Where: Corner of Bartlett and West St. Marys streets, St. Marys, GA
Call: 866-868-2199
Website: None.
Orange Hall House Museum
What: Greek Revival home built sometime between 1829 and 1839. Open for tours.
Where: 311 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Call: 912-576-3644
Website: http://www.stmaryswelcome.com/orangehallV2.html
St. Marys Film Museum
What: Journey through the world of film and see memorabilia from some of America’s favorite movies. Open weekends only. Free.
Where: 300 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Call: 912-576-5488
Website: http://www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org/museum.html
St. Marys Submarine Museum
What: Submarine artifacts, models, photos and written history.
Where: 102 St. Marys St., St. Marys, GA
Call: 912-882-2782
Website: http://stmaryssubmuseum.com
Seldomridge’s Tow Mater Read Review
What: This remodeled old tow truck typically parked out the body shop that created it looks exactly like the Disney character from Cars and Cars 2.
Where: Seldomridge Body Shop, 551508 US Highway 1, Hilliard, FL
Call: 904-845-2533
Online: Here’s a link to their Facebook page.
Toonerville Trolley
What: Once serving commuters between Kingsland and St. Marys in the 1920s and ’30s, this trolley became famous after it was regularly featured in the syndicated comic strip “Toonerville Folks.” Now on display next to St. Marys Welcome Center.
Where: 406 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA
Call: 800-868-8687
Website: http://www.stmaryswelcome.com/toontrolleyV2.html
Woodbine International Fire Museum
What: This museum displays all kinds of firefighting memorabilia, including helmets, extinguishers, muffin bells, badges, uniforms, pictures, insurance policies, fire masks, tools, and much more from the U.S. and Europe dating back to the 1800s.
Where: 110 Bedell Avenue, Woodbine, GA
Call: 912-576-5351
Website: http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/13184
Georgia Day trips
Chehaw Parks
What: Includes a Wild Animal Park featuring 212 animals in the setting of boardwalks and a cypress swamp. Also camping, BMX racing track and Frisbee/Disc Golf Course.
Where: 105 Chehaw Park Road, Albany
Call: 229-430-5275
Website: www.parksatchehaw.org and www.chehaw.org
Folkston Train Funnel
What: Viewing platform where visitors can see the double track that serves as the main artery for trains passing between Florida and Georgia. Picnic tables, a frill and restrooms nearby.
Where: 3795 Main Street, Folkston
Call: 912-496-2536
Website: www.folkston.com/trains/trains.htm
Folkston Train Museum
What: Restored train depot featuring old train memorabilia. Across the tracks from the Folkston Train Funnel (see above).
Where: 202 West Main Street, Folkston
Call: 912-496-2536
Website: www.discoverourtown.com/GA/Folkston/Attractions/58815.html
Fort Pulaski National Monument
What: Civil War fort has drawbridges, dikes and ditches outside and cannons and tunnels inside.
Where: US 80 East, 15 miles east of Savannah
Call: 912-786-5787
Website: www.nps.gov/fopu
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
What: Exhibits on sea turtle conservation, rehabilitation and their journey from egg to adulthood.
Where: 214 Stable Road, Jekyll Island
Call: 912-635-4444
Website: www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace
What: Historical 1821 home where the founder of Girl Scouts was born.
Where: 10 E. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah
Call: 912-233-4501
Website: www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org
Marine Education Center and Aquarium (MECA)
What: Aquarium featuring 14 exhibit tanks with 200 live animals including fish, turtles and invertebrates.
Where: 30 Ocean Science Circle, Skidaway Island (near Savannah)
Call: 912-598-FISH
Website: www.uga.edu/aquarium
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
What: Museum featuring original combat aircraft, flight simulators, POW exhibit, memorial gardens and more.
Where: 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler (Close to Savannah International Airport)
Call: 912-748-8888
Website: www.mightyeighth.org
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
What: A wildlife center that has walking trails and boardwalks snaking through marshes and forests. Among the animals are alligators, bobcats, foxes and a farm. Call ahead to register for weekly toddler program.
Where: 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah
Call: 912-395-1212
Website: www.oatlandisland.org
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
What: Cyprus forest, marsh, lakes and islands make up this 402,000 acre refuge. See over 400 species, including alligators, Sandhill cranes and red-cockaded woodpeckers. Guided boat tours, boardwalks, trails and driving and biking areas available.
Where: 2700 Suwanee Canal Road, Folkston, GA
Call: 912-496-7836
Website: http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee/
Okefenokee Adventures
What: Guided kayak and canoe tours and rentals in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Choose anything from a quick tour to a several day excursion. Bike rentals, picnics and fishing also available.
Where: 4159 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA
Call: 912-496-3325
Website: www.okefenokeeadventures.com
Old Fort Jackson
What: The oldest standing brick fortification in Georgia, this 200-year-old fort was used to protect Savannah in the War of 1812. Features daily cannon firings.
Where: 1 Fort Jackson Road, Savannah
Call: 912-232-3945
Website: www.chsgeorgia.org/home.cfm/page/OldFortJackson.htm
Pirates House Restaurant
What: A 1753 building that began as an inn frequented by pirates and sailors. Now pirate impersonators keep the place lively. Be sure to take a look at the entrance to their legendary tunnel rumored to lead to underground to the Savannah River.
Where: 20 East Broad St., Savannah
Call: 912-233-5757
Website: www.thepirateshouse.com
Roundhouse Railroad Museum
What: The oldest and largest existing 19th-century railroad operations complex; museum has steam and diesel locomotives and one of the country’s only operating turntables.
Where: 601 W Harris Street, Savannah
Call: 912-651-6823
Website: www.chsgeorgia.org
Summer Waves Water Park
What: Water park with open and closed water slides, wave pool, lazy river, kiddie pool and other features. Seasonal hours, so check before going.
Where: 210 South Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island
Call: 912-635-2074
Website: www.summerwaves.com
Telfair Art Museum’s ArtZeum
What: A 3500 square-foot interactive art gallery for children and their families. Features 22 activities to help children understand art, including a “make your own metal sculpture” magnet wall, dress up activities and a glass house.
Where: 207 W York St., Savannah
Call: 912-790-8800
Website: http://telfair.org/learn/artzeum
Tybee Island Marine Science Center
What: Offers guided educational tours on the beach and in the marshlands as well as talks about the ocean, marine life, shells and more.
Where: 1510 Strand Ave., Tybee Island (east of Savannah)
Call: 912-786-5917
Website: www.tybeemarinescience.org
Wild Adventures Theme Park
What: A theme park, water park and animal park in one place. The 200-acre park is known for its wooden roller coaster, The Cheetah.
Where: 3766 Old Clyattville Road, Valdosta
Call: 229-219-7080
Website: www.wildadventures.com
Thank you, definitely bookmarking this!
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