Day Trips for 11 year old grandson
 

Our 11 year old grandson is coming to visit in March. We are looking for activities to keep him busy during his stay.

Activities we've considered: Ocala Zip Line Park, horse back riding (need suggestions as to where to go), Kennedy Space Center tour.

We've been to the parks in Orlando. Scratch them this trip.

Any help will be appreciated.

About 90 minutes away down Hwy 27 in Lakeland Florida on the grounds that were once Cypress Gardens and the ski shows, is Legoland.

LEGOLAND FLORIDA | Official Site | Tickets, Passes, Vacations

https://www.tampabay.com/resizer//px...IBWI6S7HAY.jpg

https://www.floridaspiritvacationhom...k_map_2014.png

Glass bottom boats in Silver Springs. Air boat rides on Lake Panasofki.

Search for the websites for the suggestions below:
~Homosassa Springs Wlidlife State Park (about an hour)
~Wild Bills Airboat Tours (about 1/2 hour)
~GatorWorld Park/Wildwood (about 20 min)
~Carson Springs Wildlife Sanctuary (Gainsville/1 1/2 hours)

Zoos in Tampa or Sanford. Sanford zoo has zip line also.
Beach trip - We like Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs for easy access and parking.
Aquarium in Tampa - Includes a water park for play if the weather permits
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Giraffe Ranch in Dade City - A bit pricey but nice.

This ebook is $4.99 on Amazon and there are copies available to download and read at no cost (via Hoopla) from the Sumter County library.

https://www.amazon.com/Days-Out-Vill...3948275&sr=8-2

kathy

IFLY indoor skydiving Orlando. Escape Room on 301 in Wildwood.

The Silver Springs Glass Bottom Boat rides is one of the oldest attractions. When I was 7 years old I took the glass bottom boat ride and the operator showed us where the movie 'The Creature from the Black Lagoon' was filmed. I never forgot that trip, I have the movie on my DVR right now, and I'm working on the Creature plastic model right now.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pr...dBf_4dpSQgkW5w

See the manatees at blue spring state park before they leave for the ocean. Check before you go.

CADE MUSEUM - Home

Rainbow River Kayak | Kayak, Tube & Paddleboard Rentals - Dunnellon

Orlando Attractions | Things To Do In Orlando - WonderWorks Orlando

ANY OF THE ABOVE WOULD BE GREAT FOR THAT AGE CHILD.

May not be everyone’s cup of tea, but ichetucknee springs is great for young folks when weather is warm. Especially a small group. The springs are crystal clear to see bottom of river while in tubes or swimming. It’s off 27 in the fort white area NW of Gainesville. A place of nature and cheap day trip. Nice little date trip for any couple to enjoy as well

Not most exciting day trip for us, but boy the grand boys loved Gatorland as much as Disney believe it or not ! Boys really "dig" this place... LOL ! It's a nice park, decent food, decent price, etc.

All these are good suggestions I agree....

Is there a print copy of this? Never mind. Just found it!

Frisbee Golf at Lake Okahumpka.

My 10 year old grandson loved the drag racing museum just up 75 right by exit 341, just 15 minutes away. And I actually liked the antique car portion of it. Also the butterfly museum in Gainesville was great.

Took our granddaughter to uncle Donald’s farm. She loved it, she was 5 at the time but the truth was grandma and grandpa loved it too.

Horseback riding
 

Cactus Jack's trail riding in Ocala off of 475

Daily Excursions
 

Gator World on Rt44 in Wildwood. Just west of 75 . ...
Homosassa State Park in Homosassa, zoo, Manatees and more

Places to go
 

My nephew loved the Leesburg mall . They have bowling - in the bowling place are race cars( check hours , I believe only open late afternoon ) they can drive and an arcade ( cheaper during the day ) also. There is an ice skating rink in the mall ( check hours , I believe open at night only) . Movies and food court

Airboat rides, horseback lessons, skyzone ( in Clermont) , fishing , golf cart rides, pool ( bring a small nerf size football from the dollar store)

A more local option is Eaton's beach where they rent boats, kayaks paddleboats and it's a nice pleasant scene where you can play beach volleyball and have a nice meal with a view of the huge lake.

eaton's beach - Google Search

Don’t take him to the beautiful new World Equestrian Center in Ocala to watch show jumping. He may decide he wants to get a horse and learn to ride at that level. (Like my girlfriend.) It’s more expensive than drugs, and nearly as dangerous. This is sort of like that song, “Mama, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” but because they’ll leave you broke.

DeLeon Springs is very close and a nice day trip. The Pancake house would be a great start , get there early and your grandson can make your pancakes! A boat ride afterwards is a fun, relaxing afternoon.

Discovery Cove is amazing!

How about the boat ride thru the canal in Mt Dora

Gatorland!
 

Don’t miss Gatorland in Orlando. Lots of’ gators, and this time of year a tremendous number of nesting migrating birds. All viewable close-up. Plus other features. My three grandsons loved the place!

Get a whole week package at Universal or Disney.

Recently we went canoeing on the Rainbow River. Many were in kayaks. Nice place. We took our lunch and stopped at an inlet to eat. Didn't have to worry about masks or social distancing on the river, (352)489-7854.

If you go to Clermont, check out the Bulk Candy Store next door to Dollar Tree.

Activities for 11 year old
 

Central Florida Animal Reserve in St Cloud. Big Cats.
Air boat ride. There a few around google locations.
Gatorland in Orlando/ Kissimmee
Off 441/Orange Blossom Trail.

The Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda does virtual plane flying, space ship walks, sky diving, and many more virtual activities.

These places are fun and not expensive. Kelly Park Springs, Wekiva Springs, King’s Landing, Wekiva Falls, Homosassa Springs, Tarpon Springs where they dive for sponges, and Weeki Wachi, Bach Singing Towers, St Augustine, Ghost Hill, The Yearling’s Cross Creek, caverns a little north of Ocala. These are all places that cost little money.

Crystal River has kayak & canoe rental, lots of fun. Also gator land was a lot of fun for our grandsons. He is too old for legoland.

LunaSea Alpaca Farm is an alpaca farm located in Clermont, Florida owned by King and Lucy Lee Fowler.
we spent the day here, all the kids we saw had a great time

We took our grandson to GatorWorld and he loved it. Unfortunately they are temporarily closed due to COVID. Keep checking their website for updates at GatorWorld Parks - Drive-Through Alligator Attraction near Orlando, Florida

Horseback riding at Blue Moon Ranch at nearby Camp Geneva in Fruitland Park. They have a website

I take most of my out of town guests to Crystal River to canoe or kayak. We have seen manatee, huge gators and monkeys. In January, there were many baby monkeys.

The "Sling Shot" ride in Daytona is something he will remember for life.
 

The "Sling Shot" ride in Daytona is something he will remember for life.

if he likes nature -

Gatorland
Clearwater Aquarium
Sea World
Homosassa Springs State Part

Scubagirl finally found the travel guides in print.