​There are so many amazing destinations from Florida’s coast to coast that it would be impossible to list them all! This year I decided that as a family we would make a bucket list of local destinations to explore that is right here in Central Florida and within driving distance!

Coast to Coast Bucket List: Summer Vacations Destinations for Florida Families

Let’s start on the East Coast in Titusville

We will start our Coast to Coast Bucket List in Titusville, my stomping grounds! Since moving to the Space Coast last year, we’ve discovered there is so much to do here on the coast! We live 15 min away from Playalinda Beach. It’s gorgeous with turquoise water and the park is always so clean! Not to mention being able to take the kids 5 min up the road to see a space rocket launch while eating lunch at a local favorite like New York, New York. Another place I’d recommend is BHIVE. This family owned and operated business has a fun and friendly atmosphere. Serving Italian Ice, hot dogs, paninis, pizza, pretzels, smoothies, shakes, and NITROUS ICE CREAM. There’s even bounce houses for the kids!

A 30 minute drive up the road from Titusville is Viera. That’s where you’ll find the Brevard Zoo. You can feed the giraffes, have close up encounters with Rhinos, and they have a wonderful splash pad area for the kids.

West Coast, including Siesta Key and Tampa!

Next we’ll hop on the 528 over to I-4 and take our Coast to Coast Bucket List over to Siesta Key! We have never been to Siesta Key, but I’ve done my homework! If you’ve never been, it’s an 8 mile long, crescent-shaped barrier island easily accessible by one of 2 bridges connecting it to the Mainland of Sarasota. Siesta Key has 4 main areas, Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach and Siesta Key Village, each with their own, unique character and charm. We are really looking forward to riding the trolley! It’s free…and no tips are accepted. 

The three open air trolleys run 7 days a week from 8-Midnight between Turtle Beach to Siesta Village. They will pass by about every 20-30 minutes. My kids are going to love it! The beach and Sarasota itself offers a lot for families to do from sailing to airplanes tours.

From there we are heading up to Tampa to check out Busch Gardens, The kids will love the animals and the kid’s area featuring Sesame Street.

Orlando

Next up we are planning to head over to Discovery Cove, right in our backyard here in Orlando. We have never been, and although I have had the opportunity to swim with dolphins before in Mexico, my husband has not, and it is something he has always wanted to do. My son isn’t old enough to to swim with the dolphins (you have to be 6 years old), but I think he will get a kick out of snorkeling in the reef!

Coast to Coast Bucket List: Summer Vacations Destinations for Florida Families

The final destination on our Coast to Coast Bucket List is Walt Disney Resort! We are annual passholders, so Disney sends us some really nice discounts every couple of months on discounted hotels and restaurants. My oldest is 5, and he’s especially looking forward to the Be Our Guest Restaurant for lunch!  The heartwarming mystery and romance of Beauty and the Beast are certain to be a highlight of the trip! We also can’t wait to visit Ohana at the Polynesian Resort. Our bucket list includes staying at the Pop Century Resort; the rooms are quite affordable and there is so much to do!

Coast to Coast Bucket List: Summer Vacations Destinations for Florida Families

So this summer don’t stress out with vacation planning. Kids love simple. And the best part is you do not have to go far to have a lot of fun!

Join us for an INDOOR Egg Hunt!

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