South Florida Scenic Drives to do with Kids

Do you have the urge to wander and explore?  If so, why not think about small road trip adventures around sunny South Florida? With plenty to do and a host of natural scenery to explore, there's something for the whole family. Here are some South Florida scenic drives to do with kids which will not only take you past some of the state's most breathtaking views, but also keep you busy for the whole day.

Option 1:  Day trip to see Wildlife, Shops & Beaches

An Adventurous Morning

A great route for a summer road trip is U.S. 1 which takes you down the east coast and gives constant views of those famous palm trees and blue sea. Better still, Route 1 is easily accessible from Palm Beach International Airport so if you're flying from further afield and hiring a car when you get here, this is an excellent place to start. 
But first, how about a trip less than half an hour west on US Route 98 (Southern Blvd) and then down the US 441 to visit the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge? Run by the Department of Fish & Wildlife, it's in western Boynton Beach, just off Lee Road and costs only $5 per vehicle. With huge open spaces to explore, this is truly a natural wonder. The visitor center is open from 9 - 4 but the grounds and trails are open from sunrise to sunset every day. There are some well-done interactive displays about the Everglades and the wildlife of Florida and kids can crawl 'under the Mangroves' in one exhibit to see what lives underwater! Other points of interest are the boardwalk through the wetlands and a butterfly garden. There are restroom facilities and plenty of parking available, but please bear in mind that trails may not be suitable for those with mobility problems.  

Lunch & Shopping

There's enough here to keep you occupied all day, but if you've had a tiring morning at the Refuge, how about heading to The Mall at Wellington Green just a few miles away? With plenty of shops to get some retail therapy or pick up anything you need, you can also take a pit-stop in one of the many restaurants or eateries there including Subway, Taco Bell and the California Pizza Kitchen.  If you have time there is a wonderful farmer's market for a fresh snack right at the corner as you leave the Refuge on 441 (Bedner's Farm Fresh Market).

A relaxing afternoon

A trip to one of the beaches in the afternoon will allow you to wind down and relax after an adventurous morning, none of which are very far away. Boynton Beach and Delray Beach are two of the best, and Downtown Delray could really fill a whole day with its array of galleries and shops, but this time why not just soak up the sun on the two miles of beachfront which is well known for being clean and well-managed? Take it easy, because there's a lot more to do if you're staying in South Florida for a few more days...

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Option 2: Towns, Carnivals & Mini Golf

Explore a bustling town

Today, how about a trip to see some sights in the iconic Palm Beach county, and explore the popular destination of Abacoa Town Center in the city of Jupiter? It has plenty of entertainment and shopping facilities but to keep the kids interested, consider coming here in February when they celebrate the yearly Fiesta Maya. This involves a procession and ceremony, a soccer match, dance theater and a lot of fun and food - it's a great carnival atmosphere for the entire family.

Lunch

Stay in Abacoa for lunch at one of the well-reviewed local restaurants offering high-quality American, Japanese, seafood and more. Walk off the calories and cruise down the street after your meal in the open-air street.  While relaxing here, look around at all the different types of architecture in Abacoa, many of them have a famous distinctive style of green aluminum roof with cream stucco.

A sporting afternoon

Take I-95 South for less than half an hour to reach Lake Worth where you can find a great Adventure Mini Golf course located at 6585 S. Military Trail. This is fun for both adults and kids, with adults playing 18 holes for $9 and children under 5 play for just $5. There are 2 courses including waterfalls, fountains, tropical gardens, rapids and interactive waterholes. Plus, when you or your little ones get tired or hungry, there is a snack bar on site.

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Option 3: The Most Scenic Drives and Action Town

A Beautiful Morning Drive

No road trip to South Florida would be complete without a visit to Miami, and the famous Coral Way drive is unmissable. The road stretches between Downtown Miami to Westchester, but the best part is in the Coral Cables section of Miami-Dade. Covered by majestic oak trees, it creates a tunnel effect which is great fun to drive through. Keep an eye open for some of the largest houses owned by the rich and famous!

Afterwards, visit the area of Hialeah which is less than an hour away to spend some fun time at Action Town - a family center where you can play paintball, mini golf and laser tag. It's open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 - 5:00 but you need to make a reservation if you plan to go during those times. Alternatively, you can just turn up any time between 9:00 and 6:00 on weekends.

Lunch

The Amelia Earhart Park is literally just around the corner from Action Town, so why not take a picnic lunch and enjoy taking in some of the 515 acre open space? If you'd rather eat at a restaurant, try the Westland Mall just a few miles west and do a little shopping at the same time.

Afternoon Drive and Tropical Gardens

Time for another scenic drive because Miami offers so many diverse and beautiful routes. The Old Cutler Road goes on for miles and curves and snakes around, being sheltered by hundreds of trees just like Coral Way. This route has been painted by famous Miami artist Federico Carosio and ranks as the number one scenic road in Miami. Just be careful as this road really does bend!  If you're still raring to go, a family attraction on route is the Fairchild Tropical Gardens which houses many beautiful plants, butterflies and birds as well as providing benches to sit and rest, and two cafés if you need a snack and a refreshing drink.

These are just 3 days' suggestions of South Florida scenic drives to do with kids; there are so many more that it would be impossible to do them all. Some of these cover the urban routes which take you right down the coast and towns, and others take you through more remote and tree-lined paths, but you really don't have to go far to find fantastic family attractions. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your exploration of South Florida now!