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Northwest Florida's a find for families

By Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom

Orlando is typically the first destination that comes to mind when people think of family fun in Florida.

While the theme park capital of the world is terrific, there are any number of fabulous places in the Sunshine State that are perfect for families.

High on the list is the northwest coast of Florida, which offers an array of fun options ranging from dolphin shows to museums to awesome state beaches.

One of the region's hot spots is popular Panama City and the surrounding beach communities, which are home to many family-oriented attractions.

Visitors can explore Gulf World Marine Park, featuring 25 different shows and exhibits -- including dolphin, sea lion and tropical bird performances, to name a few.

Other options include Shipwreck Island Waterpark, the Ocean Opry Show, and the Sea Dragon Pirate Ship -- an 85-foot replica from the days when the ocean outlaws roamed the Florida coastline.

Among numerous lodging options, the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort on Panama City Beach features activities for the whole family, including a beach obstacle course, castle building, pool games and arts and crafts.

To the west, Pensacola is home to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, where families can explore one of the largest collections of historic aircraft in the world.

The historic Pensacola Lighthouse has been operating since 1858 and is open for tours. The Hilton Garden Inn and The Hampton Inn, both located on Pensacola's famous white-sand beaches, are affordable lodging options for families.

For people who enjoy water sports away from the beach, the town of Milton and surrounding Santa Rosa County boast the title of "Canoe Capital of Florida," thanks to the Blackwater River and numerous creeks and streams.

Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach and Destin areas, meanwhile, also offer plenty of family diversions, along with numerous accommodations ranging from family-friendly condominium rentals to resort properties.

The Gulfarium features one of the oldest performing-porpoise shows in Florida and is home to a 10,000-gallon aquarium where sharks, stingrays and loggerhead turtles coexist.

An appealing indoor destination is the Focus Science Center, where children can try on spacesuits, plot the path of a hurricane and experience the hair-raising Van der Graaf generator.

And the easternmost section of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which stretches from Florida to Mississippi, is an ideal beach for families as it fronts the calm shallow waters of Choctawhatchee Bay.

There are so many affordable, family-friendly activities in these communities that you can make an entire vacation by visiting just one of them.

Read more about Emily "Travel Mom" Kaufman and her children's exploits at thetravelmom.com.

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