Kissimmee for Kids (and their families, too)

View Full Size

Spashing through the outdoor fountain in Celebration (Kissimmee area)

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

'Kids love our critters- is a slogan you'll hear at Green Meadows Farm in Kissimmee.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Entertainment and great Italian food await at Capone's Dinner & Show in Kissimmee.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Zipline at Forever Florida

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Rounding up cattle at Forever Florida.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Kids can get a lesson in alligator wrestling at Gatorland.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Michaels, VISIT FLORIDA Family Travel Expert

View Full Size

See Florida's famous reptiles at Gatorland.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

A family outing to Gatorland in Orlando

Photo Credit: VISIT FLORIDA

View Full Size

Old Town in Kissimmee is packed with fun for everyone.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Take the time to go on Old Town's rides for some added fun to your trip.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Arabian Nights provides an entire dining experience.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Watch a spectacular princess love story unfold at Arabian Nights.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

View Full Size

Sword dueling at Medieval Times in Kissimmee.

Photo Credit: Kissimmee CVB

View Full Size

Medieval Times in Kissimmee offers a family-friendly themed dinner and show.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

Boredom be gone! In Kissimmee, kids can zip across the treetops, feed alligators, have dinner with knights, reel in big bass and much more, right in the heart of Florida.

Seeking that magical vacation spot where everything for the ideal getaway is right outside your door or a within a short drive? Where you can spend one day lounging on a stretch of golden beach and the next day zip-lining amidst the treetops of pine forests – or visiting a world famous theme park?

Kissimmee is not only geographically located in the heart of Florida, it is the heart of Florida family fun. Theme parks, beaches, lakes and outdoor activities are all right here or close by (east coast beaches are only one hour away and west coast beaches can be reached in less than two).

On Safari

Theme parks aside, there is a world of discoveries to be made. One of the most unique opportunities can be had at Forever Florida, where you can choose one of three safaris: horseback, zip line or coach. Ride through a 4,700-acre wildlife conservation area and see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, endangered Florida panthers and lots of Old Florida pines. It’s the Florida safari of a lifetime.

Tee It Up

Prefer to swing a club than photograph nature? Kissimmee is known for its golf. Whether it’s on mini courses with volcanoes or championship courses designed by PGA pros, you can tee it up all over Central Florida. Check out some of Kissimmee's best golf at ChampionsGate Golf Club, Reunion Resort Golf Course, Mystic Dunes Golf Club, Falcon’s Fire Golf Club and many more. Get tips on your swing at one of Kissimmee's premier golf academies: ANNIKA Academy, David Leadbetter Academy and Golf Academy at Celebration. One of the favorites for mini golfing is Congo River Golf. You can even feed one of 25 gators at their onsite gator pit!

Gators Galore

Prefer to watch someone else do the alligator feedings – and wrestling? Bring your crew to Gatorland. This 110-acre park is at the head of the Everglades and is known as the international gator capital of the world. There’s even a Gator Gully Splash Park so bring those swimsuits.

Loveable Critters

For animals a little tamer in nature, Green Meadows Farm is where you need to be. "Kids love our critters" is a slogan you’ll hear at this happy place, and it’s no wonder. With more than 300 farm animals to see and touch, along with pony rides, it’s ideal for visitors from one to 101.

Pack suits and a towel because the fountain in Celebration (and Downtown Disney) is famous for being irresistible! Best of all, it’s free entertainment.

Downtown Delights

What about shopping? The short answer is yes. For a taste of southern charm, visit Downtown Kissimmee; it will take you back to yesteryear with its antiques stores and restaurants, some painted with colorful murals. You can also spend the day browsing the shops and boutiques in St. Cloud and Celebration. If you bring the kids, pack suits and a towel because the fountain in Celebration (and Downtown Disney) is famous for being irresistible! Best of all, it’s free entertainment.

Park It

There are dozens of wilderness preserves and lakefront parks in Kissimmee, too. The best part: park entrance fees are painless, and you can bring your own picnic. St. Cloud Lakefront Park has a white-sand beach right alongside beautiful East Lake Tohopekaliga. You can picnic under the pavilions, walk the paths, fish from the shore and get wet at their Splash Pad. Shingle Creek Park's northern end is a quiet retreat with citrus trees and winding hiking trails. Bring your own kayak or canoe to Steffee Landing and explore 2 miles of Shingle Creek. Journey from the late 1800s to modern day at Peghorn Nature Park and Trail in St. Cloud. See a Cracker Village as well as wetland and trails, which teach kids about the "real" Florida they don't often get to see.

Old Town

When the sun goes down, there’s still plenty of fun to be found. See the sights from 60 feet in the air when you take a seat on the Century Ferris Wheel at Old Town. With free parking and free admission, plus lots of shops, restaurants and rides, it’s a must-see for the family set.

Dinner and a Show

Ready for a nice dinner with a heaping side of live entertainment? Experience one of the area’s dinner shows. Favorites are Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, Capone's Dinner & Show in Kissimmee, where dinner shows got their start. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure is another option in nearby Orlando.

This is only a small sampling of the good times to be had in Kissimmee. No matter what your budget, Kissimmee delivers what you seek. You can definitely have your vacation your way, in Kissimmee.

This article is brought to you by the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau. To plan your Kissimmee family vacation, request a 2009 Kissimmee Visitor's Guide at 800-333-KISS or find more details at www.VisitKissimmee.com.