Looking for a fabulous family getaway?
The region is ringed with world-class airports, offering flights near and far. But where to go that offers something for both parents and kids? We’ve come up with five fantastic destinations, all with nonstop service from one of your favorite Florida airports
ATLANTA
Grab some southern hospitality in the Big Peach and explore tons of family fun. Must-dos include visiting the Center for Puppetry Arts, which explores the art of puppetry; wondering at the 10-million-gallon Georgia Aquarium; taking in community-wide free events at Centennial Olympic Park; enjoying the effervescent excitement at the World of Coca-Cola; getting in touch with nature at the noted Zoo Atlanta; grabbing a hot dog and Frosted Orange at The Varsity; and explore a few of the parks and trails along the Atlanta Beltline.
For more, www.DiscoverAtlanta.com
Getting there nonstop:
From Daytona Beach (www.FlyDaytonaFirst.com) on Delta
From Jacksonville (www.FlyJAX.com) on Delta, Southwest
From Orlando International (www.OrlandoAirports.net) on Delta, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit
Airfares start at $76
AUSTIN
Howdy, partner. A trip to Austin starts with sightseeing with Austin Duck Adventures, an amphibious tour on land and water; visit Austin’s hands-on children’s museum, the Thinkery; rent a bike and pedal along the Barton Creek Greenbelt; catch the sunset show at the Bat Bridge in-season where a million-plus bats take flight April through October; go horseback riding around Lone Star Ranch with Texas Trail Rides; and explore the city’s barbecue and taco scene.
More, www.AustinTexas.org/city-visitors
Getting there nonstop:
From Jacksonville on American
From Orlando International on American, Spirit
From Orlando Sanford (www.FlySFB.com) on Allegiant
Airfares start at $53
CHICAGO
Get acclimated to the Windy City by heading to the Skydeck Chicago atop the Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings; tour the Chicago waterways via kayak with Urban Kayaks guided tours; build the fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Center, a humongous indoor playground; visit Sue the T. rex and more at the Field Museum and check out the She’d Aquarium next door; ride a Ferris wheel and carousel and enjoy lots else to do at the iconic Navy Pier; grab a deep-dish pizza.
For more, www.ChooseChicago.com
Getting there nonstop:
From Jacksonville to Chicago Midway on Southwest
From Jacksonville to Chicago O’Hare on American, United
From Orlando International to Chicago Midway on Frontier, Southwest
From Orlando International to Chicago O’Hare on American, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, United
Airfares start at $75
NEW YORK CITY
The Big Apple is big enough for the whole family to take a bite. View the city from the top of either the 102-story Empire State Building or One World Observatory at Freedom Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere; ship out on the free Staten Island Ferry with stunning skyline vistas, which goes just past the Statue of Liberty, another go-to; stroll through the exciting Times Square and visit Madame Tussauds wax museum while there; indulge at the Museum of Ice Cream; be wowed at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum with their vast collection, including a space shuttle; try authentic Italian food in Little Italy.
More, NYCgo.com
Getting there nonstop:
From Jacksonville to Newark on United
From Jacksonville to New York Kennedy on Delta, JetBlue
From Jacksonville to New York LaGuardia on Delta, JetBlue
From Orlando International to Newark on JetBlue, Spirit, United
From Orlando International to Kennedy on Delta, JetBlue
From Orlando International to New York LaGuardia on Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit
Airfares start at $86
WASHINGTON, DC
A visit to the nation’s capital is both awesome and awe-inspiring. The whole family will love the museums of the Smithsonian; there are actually 17 of them here, including the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History and the National Zoo; stroll the National Mall, a large green space from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial; climb the 896 steps to the top of the Washington Monument; walk past the White House; get secretive at the International Spy Museum; explore Chinatown and grab some chop suey.
More, Washington.org
Getting there nonstop:
From Jacksonville to Washington Dulles on Allegiant, United
From Jacksonville to Washington National on American
From Orlando International to Washington Dulles on Southwest, United
From Orlando International to Washington National to American, JetBlue, Southwest
Airfares start at $121
