Ft. Laud / Hollywood with Baby
 

My husband, 10 month old and I are heading down to Hollywood Beach Florida at the end of November for 5 days. <BR>I was wondering if anyone can give us some good tips on things to do with the baby. So far we are considering Metro Zoo, Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle and Flamingo Gardens. Please give me your opinion on the ones that are good and ones that we should skip.<BR>Also wondering about the Jungle Queen Riverboat cruise. <BR>If anything else comes to mind, it would be very much appreciated!<BR>We are also considering taking a ride to South Beach for an afternoon. Will it be worth it with the baby or is it totally a singles scene where we would not fit in ;-)<BR><BR>Thanks a lot everyone,<BR>Mina

Mina, I can only comment on The Jungle Cruise tour of your intended activities. We enjoyed the tour. There are several ones, to take. One is for 3 hours. It takes you all around, the canals, gives a history of the homes. They also have an p.m. trip to some island which includes dinner and a show. I would suggest doing the 3 hour or the dinner show. One or the other. Have fun.

Your itinerary sounds just fine--just don't knock yourself out! If you find you're getting too tired, just be sure to keep the Zoo on your list! As for South Beach, well, it isn't exactly known as a "family-type" Disney experience, you know! And be aware that some sections of the beach feature and allow topless nudity as well!

Sorry, didn't get to finish my reply. Getting back to South Beach: Well, you're not exactly going to see hundreds of people with babies in their strollers, but I wouldn't necessarily let that stop you from seeing it just ONCE out of curiosity (at night, FORGET it!). After all, there are people there from all over the world, some with kids, some not. But as I said, it's NOT Disneyworld, so don't expect that! The Jungle Boat cruise IS nice, but I think the shorter cruise is PLENTY for that kind of thing! Are you staying at the brand new Westin Diplomat in Hollywood? If not, call them and see if you can get a good deal for the least expensive room category! The hotel is fantastic!

Jungle Queen is fun- go during the day with the baby. They stop at an island where you can get out, see an alligator show, and look at small animals and birds. We also enjoyed Flamingo Gardens. It is a low keyed beautiful place where you can stroll thru gardens and enjoy flamingos and other birds and animals. They also give you atour of the orange groves.

Hi everyone,<BR>Thanks for your replies! We will be definitely going to the zoo, jungle queen cruise and South beach. I also looked into Flamingo gardens and that looks pretty nice, but we are going to play it by ear depending on baby's mood. For some reason, my husband is dying to go to south beach. I have been there about 7-8 years ago and it was wild.<BR>We are staying with family on this trip, so no Diplomat for us. I have heard how beautiful it is though.<BR><BR>Thanks again for your replies everyone!

are you going to the zoo, seaquarium, monkey jungle, etc...for you guys of the baby? at 10 months they probably won't appreciate it and it could be a drain on your vacation.<BR><BR>The zoo is fun but it's hot, very little shade. Go early in the morning or late at night. Wear lots of sunscreen. Seaquarium won't be appreciated by a 10 month old. Also wear sunscreen. Monkey Jungle - never been since everyone tells me it stinks, lots of heat and bugs... Parrot JUngle would have been the best choice because of the shade and smaller animals but they closed and I'm not sure the new one is open yet. Check it out first.<BR><BR>Flamingo Gardens - nice<BR><BR>All are fun but I wouldn't do all of them for your child. There are fun things to do closer to Hollywood. Lots of parks to take breaks at and watch the free birds and lizards. The Discovery Museum in Ft.Lauderdale is good and has a kids section as well as interesting stuff for adults. The beach! <BR><BR>South Beach is fun to walk around one afternoon or early evening with a stroller. Later on it gets too crowded for you to be manuvering with a stroller.<BR><BR>With a 10 month old you can still make most adult activity fun so enjoy yourselves. Next year and for years to come you will be doing lots and lots of &quot;kid stuff&quot;. <BR><BR>Take photos. My kids went to loads of museums and amusement parks as babies and have no memory of it. Only photos to prove it.<BR><BR>

There is a Chidren's Museum in Davie, off State Road 84, which would be fun for a 10 month old. Its called the Young at Art Museum. Best of all it is inside and air conditioned!