Recommendations where to take kids?

[tpaladino]

Grand kids coming next month (3 and 6 years old). I’m looking for suggestions of some fun places to take them (other than Orlando, they are doing Disney after they leave us).

[Bogie Shooter]

Grand kids coming next month (3 and 6 years old). I’m looking for suggestions of some fun places to take them (other than Orlando, they are doing Disney after they leave us).

This thread has some ideas. The manatee park is very nice.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/there-many-things-do-tv-grandchildren-47294/

[cathyharrison]

The Florida Carriage Museum is very close. Children can take carriage rides (somewhat expensive) or just look at the stabled horses. The setting is lovely - pastoral and pleasantly rural. There's a deli with fresh pastries, great coffee, and sandwiches. You can take your food onto the veranda and sit in rocking chairs and gaze at the vast green landscape and great oaks festooned with Spanish moss.

Another entirely different flavor is Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts near Best Buy on 441. Children as young as 5 can take classes in sewing, crafts and cake decorating.

Have fun!

[buggyone]

Great place to go is Homosassa Springs State Park about 1 hour from The Villages. There is a Florida natural animal zoo (which includes a hippo - you will have to find out that story when you get there) and an underwater viewing area of Homosassa Springs headwaters with hundreds of fish you can observe in the crystal clear water. Also, manatees!

Very nice place for lunch or dinner is the River House restaurant in Crystal River just a few minutes from the state park. Kids love sitting by the riverside windows and looking at the monkeys on Monkey Island about 25 yards off in the river.

[George Bieniaszek]

Mini Golf at Tree Tops Golf on Rolling Acres Road. They also have batting cages but that may be better for them when they get a little older.

[Bogie Shooter]

OP Feb 2012

[buggyone]

OP Feb 2012

Thanks, I did not notice.

Well, if anyone else needs to know, Homosassa Springs State Park is an excellent place to go.

Florida even has made entrance to all state parks free for life for disabled veterans and their spouses. Saves several dollars each time!

[MLBellis]

In Ocala, Silver springs...they have glass botom boat, snakes & gator shows, rides, a kids park, pet zoo & more...North 441, left on RT 40 just a bit passed Baseline on the right, they also have a water park too! Google it for more info!

[babbs455]

2 thumbs up for the homosassa springs...your Grandkids will absolutely love it make sure you take the boat ride into the park and perhaps if you are all parked out and have tired grandparents you will want to take the tram ride back..you will see all sorts of things down the river. I love the underground aquarium there and watching all the fish circling ...
if your kids like farm type animals with some surprise animals as well...there is uncle donalds farm out here on griffin ave just east of co rd 25...they will love the hay ride and feeding the long horn steer feeding baby goats with a bottle...etc...
they have a mini zoo out there.
have fun...with the kiddies