The best part about summer for our kids is doing the things they never get to do during the school year. For my kids, these are fun excursions to surrounding areas. These activities go under our “Day Trips” category on our Summer Bucket List.
All these activities take extra planning, and we often invite another family to go with us or even meet friends in the area. These days are long, so plan according to your kids’ ages. If nap time is still on your daily schedule, you might want to plan driving time during nap time.
Here are some of the places we traveled to last summer and some we plan to this year!
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
The Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Navarre was a hit with my turtle-obsessed child, but overall it was just a few live turtles and a small museum. This center focuses on how to protect our sea life, specifically turtles. Outside they have turtles for viewing, puzzles, and bubbles.
Pro Tip: arrive before opening and get on the list, they only allow 30 people in at a time, and it was busy. Bring water and hats.
Bonus: For lunch, go to Juana’s Pasologa, which is on the sound side for easy, safe access to dip your toes in the water and a playground. If you want to see the gulf or walk the fishing pier, stop by Windjammers.
Gulfarium
The Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach is all things sea animals. If your child is more into sea animals, I’d recommend going a little further past Navarre for the Gulfaruim. Mostly outside with small indoor viewing areas, come prepared to be in the heat. Don’t miss the dolphin show.
Pro Tip: It is mostly outdoors with some shade cover, so be prepared with sunscreen, hats, and water.
Steve’s Catfish Farm
Steve’s is a great place to take the kids fishing, especially if they’ve never gone before. Before you go, check out the PMC Pensacola Fishing Guide for pro tips. The biggest points are to go early, take shade, and get bait from Walmart.
Alligator Alley
For your older kids looking to be adventurous this summer, check out Alligator Alley. We didn’t make this last summer, but I feel it will make the list again.
OWA
Don’t forget about OWA! Described as a mini Six Flags, this place has roller coasters from “thriller” style to “family-friendly” and “kids” rides (all labeled on the website so you can pre-plan the trip). Also coming this summer (opening June 27th) is the Tropic Falls Indoor Water Park.
Pro Tip: While there are restaurants in downtown OWA, also bring your kids snacks and water, so you don’t have to constantly stop for food/water. It’s hot and open, so bring sunscreen and hats, and wear a fanny pack (yes, moms, you will thank me! They are the ultimate). Also, bring a change of clothes so your kids can jump in the Splash Pad for a cool down.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island is another theme park in Orange Beach. While not as big, it has some fun rides, go-karts, arcade, mini-golf, bumper cars, laser tag, and water activities.
Pro Tip: Check their website for BOGO on tickets before 4 pm and bring cash for the arcade.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Located in Mobile, the Battleship is a living museum to give your kids a first-hand account of what it would feel like to be on a battleship.
Pro tip: pack some car snacks, and bring a hat and sunscreen for walking the Battleship because some parts are outside. Kids under 5 are free, but there is a parking fee of $5.
Exploreum Science Center
Also located in Mobile, the Exploreum Science Center is another excellent interactive museum to check out along with the Battleship. The Science Museum is an interactive museum with tons of fun, hands-on things for kids to do, live demonstrations, a Flight Experience (simulator), and a DOME theater currently featuring Backyard Wilderness and Dinosaurs of Antarctica. Coming this summer is Tiny Giants and Great Bear Rainforest.
Pro Tip: The Battleship opens at 8 am, whereas the Science Center doesn’t open until 10 am, so if you go early, you can tackle the Battleship before it gets hot, then lay low inside learning some science during the hotter part of the day. Also, it’s closed Mondays!
Bonus: On your way out, check out some of the great restaurants that overlook the bay on 98, including Cafe Del Rio (Mexican), Ralph and Kacoo’s (seafood), or Felix’s Fish Camp.
Water Parks
Waterville in Gulf Shores can give some relief from the heat of summer. It has a theme park and water park attached, including an arcade, escape room, and mini-golf. Another water park should you want to go the other way is Big Kahunas in Destin.
Both are around the same pricing, the same level of theme park and water park, and both are in high tourist areas. Which one? It depends on the age of your kids and what they want to do, so check out the websites.
Pro Tip: Rent the Cabana. This will provide a central location in the water park for your kids to come, shade, and a table to eat lunch.
Glamping
If you want some more laid-back, family-bonding time, consider taking the weekend or a few nights to go Glamping at Coldwater Gardens in Milton or Twin Lakes in Defuniak Springs. Both places offer glamping tents, cabins, tiny homes, and other camping options.
Pro Tip: Cold Water Gardens provides a more solitary retreat with numerous hiking trails and access to blackwater. Surrounded by water, Twin Lakes offers excellent fishing. Both places book up in advance, so you must plan ahead.
Other Outdoor Adventures
Other adventurous options are Blackwater Tubing at Adventures Unlimited or spending the day exploring Fort Pickens (side note: there is also a good pier at Fort Pickens for fishing).
