[Bay Kid]

Family coming to town and they want an airboat tour. I found 3, Tom & Jerry's, Swamp Fever, and Wild Bill's. Which would be safe, the best experience, condition, price, etc.?

What other adventures would be worth a short trip? No amusement parks this time. Also inside TVs for 8, 12 and 30 some olds?

Thanks!

[GJohn]

I can't speak to the others, but we went on an air boat tour with Swamp Fever and had a great time. The grand kids thoroughly enjoyed the experience and got to hold a gator.

Captain Ron ran a well organized tour and we all got a little education along the way.

[JGVillages]

Wild Bills is a good ride. 1/2 hour from Wild Bills is Homosassa State Park. Grandkids loved both. Basically a small zoo. Check the websites for both.

[petsetc]

I second Swamp Fever - went last month and will do it again.

Also, there is a Group-on available.

[villagetinker]

We have been on Wild Bills several times with guests, all were great except the last one, the water was so high that they were restricted on speed and where they could go.

[2newyorkers]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Family coming to town and they want an airboat tour. I found 3, Tom & Jerry's, Swamp Fever, and Wild Bill's. Which would be safe, the best experience, condition, price, etc.?

What other adventures would be worth a short trip? No amusement parks this time. Also inside TVs for 8, 12 and 30 some olds?

Thanks!

You can take them zip lining in Ocala.

[eigig]

Hi
The airboat ride sounds nice.
My grandchildren (8 and 10) and their 30 something parents visited in February. Also, no amusement parks this time. I was concerned that I would not have enough activities to fill up a day -- but I was pleasantly surprised.

We did an activity each morning and then went to the pool in the afternoon. We did Fiesta Bowl bowling (get the schedule for open bowling and be prepared for a short wait), miniature golf, saw the movie Peter Rabbit, and took a golf cart ride. I found that after their parents detached them from their IPADS and they got ready to go it was mid morning already. One activity (as above) then lunch and pool did the trick. We went out to dinner each evening too so that added to the entertainment.

We had a hard time getting them out of the pool (it was 85 degrees in February) and I was really surprised cause their are no slides or water features. I guess coming from the frozen north that just the sun was a big entertainment feature.

Thanks for the airboat ride suggestion. I had also researched horse back riding at Blue Moon Ranch near 466A. $50 per person for a one hour lesson/trail ride with supervision so the kids generally go out alone. They were really nice about showing me the set up when I went out there to see it.

Good luck and have fun and remember to factor in IPAD use.

Eileen

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by eigig

Hi
The airboat ride sounds nice.
My grandchildren (8 and 10) and their 30 something parents visited in February. Also, no amusement parks this time. I was concerned that I would not have enough activities to fill up a day -- but I was pleasantly surprised.

We did an activity each morning and then went to the pool in the afternoon. We did Fiesta Bowl bowling (get the schedule for open bowling and be prepared for a short wait), miniature golf, saw the movie Peter Rabbit, and took a golf cart ride. I found that after their parents detached them from their IPADS and they got ready to go it was mid morning already. One activity (as above) then lunch and pool did the trick. We went out to dinner each evening too so that added to the entertainment.

We had a hard time getting them out of the pool (it was 85 degrees in February) and I was really surprised cause their are no slides or water features. I guess coming from the frozen north that just the sun was a big entertainment feature.

Thanks for the airboat ride suggestion. I had also researched horse back riding at Blue Moon Ranch near 466A. $50 per person for a one hour lesson/trail ride with supervision so the kids generally go out alone. They were really nice about showing me the set up when I went out there to see it.

Good luck and have fun and remember to factor in IPAD use.

Eileen

That sounds perfect and a lot more relaxing then what Orlando has to offer.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by eigig

Hi
The airboat ride sounds nice.
My grandchildren (8 and 10) and their 30 something parents visited in February. Also, no amusement parks this time. I was concerned that I would not have enough activities to fill up a day -- but I was pleasantly surprised.

We did an activity each morning and then went to the pool in the afternoon. We did Fiesta Bowl bowling (get the schedule for open bowling and be prepared for a short wait), miniature golf, saw the movie Peter Rabbit, and took a golf cart ride. I found that after their parents detached them from their IPADS and they got ready to go it was mid morning already. One activity (as above) then lunch and pool did the trick. We went out to dinner each evening too so that added to the entertainment.

We had a hard time getting them out of the pool (it was 85 degrees in February) and I was really surprised cause their are no slides or water features. I guess coming from the frozen north that just the sun was a big entertainment feature.

Thanks for the airboat ride suggestion. I had also researched horse back riding at Blue Moon Ranch near 466A. $50 per person for a one hour lesson/trail ride with supervision so the kids generally go out alone. They were really nice about showing me the set up when I went out there to see it.

Good luck and have fun and remember to factor in IPAD use.

Eileen

Sounds like a fun time. Soooo much to do here! Thank you for ideas.

[tomwed]

Butterfly Rainforest – Exhibits

Not all kids are the same, and this is a long drive but it is memorable. Especially if the kids have cameras.

Two out of 3 of my kids enjoyed art museums and Ocala has a beautiful one.
About - Appleton Museum of Art

and

Menu – Blue Highway, a pizzeria
Great place to eat near the Art Museum.

tom

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Butterfly Rainforest – Exhibits

Not all kids are the same, and this is a long drive but it is memorable. Especially if the kids have cameras.

Two out of 3 of my kids enjoyed art museums and Ocala has a beautiful one.
About - Appleton Museum of Art

and

Menu – Blue Highway, a pizzeria
Great place to eat near the Art Museum.

tom

This would be of interest too!

[Jdmiata]

Wild Bill’s was a hit with my gang.