Top Five Cool Summer Attractions South Florida: Summer Fun for All Ages!

Now that school is over, many parents are in a quandry as to how to entertain their kiddies during these long lazy days of summer...

For those who live here or who may be planning a vacation to our fair community in the hot summer months I have a few suggestions that hopefully will be found helpful..

My Top Five best places for kids

Number one:

On those extremely hot days, how about taking a swim? In Miami, ctually Coral Gables, the most beautiful and unique pool awaits your visit...Venetian Pool, built more than 80 years ago, located at 2701 De Soto Blvd, is fed by an artsian well, the water is always cool and you feel as if you are swimming in a lagoon on a far away exotic island...Big overgrown palm trees surround you as well as lush waterfalls on this most unique property...This is truly a wonderful pool to cool off and have fun in the sun...but bring your sunscreen!

Number two:

A bit warmer than swimming but cool none the less is a trip to Everglades National Park ...This is an experience children of all ages will love... one of America's greatest wildernesse, with wildlife galore ..Take an airboat ride and it is almost guaranteed that you will see alligaters, some just sunning themselves beside the many paths...there are many species of fantastic water fowl; Herons, Egrets, Commorants and other exotic birds galore...You might even see a Florida Panther...the earlier the better is the time to go, for the heat can get pretty intense..

Number Three:

Lion Country Safari....What can be more exciting than sitting in your car as Lions, Elephants, Ostriches, Wildebeest and other exotic animals from far off lands come to see you...More than 1300 animals live on this 500 acre preserve and have freedom to roam the grounds as they choose....You drive a loop trail at only 15 miles an hour and the kids will just thrill at the sights they see..so will you if a giraffe sticks his long neck in your window...Included in your admission is Safari World an amusement park with paddleboats, miniature golf, a carousel and a nursery where you can visit the tiny newborn animals born on the preserve...Go in the early morning or late afternoon when the Lions are not sleeping.. Located in West Palm Beach .

Number Four:

If the heat is really oppressive and air conditioning is what you seek, than trip to the Miami Childrens Museum is just the ticket. This museum is designed to entertain and teach all the young ones many varied and interesting things, there are over 56,000 square feet filled with activities that will delight and capture any young imagination...A new exhibit, Splendid Suess, brings the most memorable characters alive.."Oh Suess! Off to great Places", is a 4000 square foot exhibit, and it is as fanciful as Dr Suess has always been....Located on the McCarthar Causeway leading to Miami Beach...and across the highway from my fifth selection,

Number Five:

Parrot Jungle Island, well, actually they've changed their name to Jungle Island since there is so much more to see than Parrots...Though there's nothing wrong with Parrots and all the other exotic and beautiful birds awaiting your arrival, ready to entertain you, but what about the big cats...There are plenty of those big felines, one, a Liger, a cross between a lion and a tiger, what a sight he is, weighing over 1000 lbs, he's truly a sight to see, and what about a crocosauris..this big guy weighs over 3000 lbs...he doesn't do much but just watching him is something else again...there are scheduled shows thoughout the day, snakes, birds, the big cats...even monkeys and rare orangutangs...again the best time to go in early in the day...

So there you have it..My top five attractions, to entertain and delight children of all ages,,even those who are just young at heart and spirit ....