As mothers, we’re all the time looking out for family-friendly locations that make touring with children each enjoyable and enjoyable. I’m thrilled to share an exquisite travelogue from one in every of our readers about her go to to Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. Whether or not you’re planning your subsequent household journey or simply daydreaming in regards to the excellent seashore day, her firsthand expertise provides inspiration. Get pleasure from!
Mother’s Journey Testimony:
Among the finest locations I’ve discovered for taking my rising household is Fort Desoto Park in Pinellas County, Florida. This park provides a marvel of issues to try this are excellent for households with younger kids. Since my very own kids are 3 months and 18 months outdated, it was important to discover a vacation spot that would stimulate their rising curiosity whereas being kids/family-friendly.
Listed here are a few of the issues I like about Fort De Soto Park:
Bicycle trails and leases: There are onsite bicycle leases is the park close to the historic fort, with a surrey and bikes with toddler seats. The bike trails are paved and lighted and run by way of the park or you’ll be able to go on the dirt-covered bike trails operating alongside the gulf bay.
Nice seashores: One of many top-rated seashores in america, with an commentary pier so your little ones can benefit from the sounds of nature. We loved every part from wading within the water to watching the dolphins swim within the bay.
Seashells: The park’s seashores are identified for his or her abundance of seashells. We didn’t choose any this 12 months, but when we come again subsequent 12 months, I feel my oldest will get pleasure from looking for distinctive shells.(Discover extra toddler-friendly beach activities here.)
Household-friendly facilities: The park is well-equipped with family-friendly services, together with clear restrooms and a handy concession stand. These facilities make the expertise a lot simpler for folks with younger kids.
Nature trails: It’s so simple to reap the benefits of the character trails because the park’s trails are stroller-friendly and excellent for a peaceable stroll whereas exposing your kids to nature.
Playground: The park has a pirate-themed playground on the North Seaside. It’s a fantastic spot for teenagers to burn off vitality. This will likely be excellent when my oldest is 2.5 years outdated subsequent 12 months!
Shaded picknic areas: There are shaded areas with picnic tables and pavilions to get pleasure from that special occasion on the seashore.
Campgrounds: Additionally they have a campground (with a playground) that gives primitive and full hookups in your pleasure to remain outdoor.
I extremely advocate Fort De Soto Park as an escape that stimulates the senses with pure sights, sounds, and the calming atmosphere solely nature can supply. Close by points of interest embrace numerous Gulf seashores, fishing spots, and mountaineering trails, making it a flexible vacation spot for households.
Regardless of the busyness of life with two younger kids, as you’ll be able to think about, I actually felt that Fort De Soto allowed me to decelerate and really chill out. It’s a spot I’ll maintain coming again to!
Watch this video to get an impression of what this glorious place is like!
Ideas for Households with Older Children
Along with the good ideas offered by our reader above, I’d like so as to add a number of extra issues to do for households with older children:
Discover the historic fort: Uncover the park’s namesake fort, full with cannons and a wealthy historical past courting again to the Spanish-American Battle. It’s a enjoyable and academic exercise for households with older children.
Wildlife watching: Carry binoculars for birdwatching or maintain a watch out for sea turtles and manatees within the park’s waters.
Kayaking and canoeing: Hire a kayak or canoe to paddle by way of serene mangroves and waterways—an ideal journey for older children and teenagers. Leases can be found within the park.
Fishing: Fort De Soto provides fishing piers the place households can solid a line and revel in a calming time collectively.
Take a ferry to Egmont Key: Hop on a ferry to close by Egmont Key, a secluded island with a historic lighthouse, mountaineering trails, and snorkeling alternatives.
Snorkeling and swimming: Carry masks and fins for underwater exploration within the calm, clear waters. (Examine water safety for children here.)
Geocaching: Take part in a real-world treasure hunt by geocaching. It’s an attractive exercise that older kids and teenagers might get pleasure from – gaming in actual life as a substitute of on their mobiles for a change…
Sundown viewing: Keep till night to observe a wide ranging Gulf Coast sundown. Carry a digital camera to seize the magical colours over the water. (You probably have younger children who’re used to falling asleep within the stroller, that is excellent as a romantic date for brand spanking new dad and mom, too!)
Park Location
Fort De Soto Park is positioned in Pinellas County, Florida, on the southern tip of the county close to St. Petersburg. It isn’t a state park, as many assume, however a county park. The park spans 5 interconnected islands (or keys) and covers over 1,100 acres of pristine seashores, mangroves, and pure habitats alongside the Gulf of Mexico. The names of the keys are:
- St. Jean Key
- St. Christopher Key
- Bonne Fortune Key
- Madelaine Key
- Massive Island Key
These keys are linked by bridges and have a mixture of seashores, mangroves, trails, and leisure services, making the park a various and family-friendly vacation spot. It’s simply accessible by automotive, however sadly not with public transportation. Extra details about Fort De Soto Park may be discovered here on the Pinellas County website.
Extra Child-Pleasant Trip Spots In Florida
Who else has visited Fort Desoto State Park or is contemplating a go to? Drop a remark beneath! 🙂
Paula Dennholt based Simple Child Life in 2006 and has been a passionate parenting and being pregnant author since then. Her parenting method and writing are based mostly on research in cognitive-behavioral fashions and remedy for kids and her expertise as a mom and stepmother. Life as a mother or father has satisfied her of how essential it’s to place relationships earlier than guidelines. She strongly believes in constructive parenting and a science-based method.
Paula cooperates with a team of pediatricians who help in reviewing and writing articles.
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