Because of its subtropical climate, Kissimmee attracts families with kids year round for wildlife and bird-watching. A visit to the Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area (no website; Crabgrass Road Holopaw, FL 34739; 407-498-099), Lake Lizzie Natural Preserve (no website; 6495 Old Melbourne Highway, St. Cloud, FL 34771; 407-343-7173), Three Lake Wildlife Management Area (no website; 1231 Prairie Lakes Road, Kenansville, FL 34739; 407-436-1818) or Prairie Lakes Wildlife Management Area (no website; 1231 Prairie Lakes Road, Kenansville, FL 34739; 407-436-1818) should yield sightings of animals such as bald eagles, egrets, herons, pelicans, lizards and even alligators and manatees. Most wildlife areas also offer short to medium length hiking and nature trails that kids should be able to complete. A wildlife boat tour of the nearby Everglades (nps.gov) offers a tour of Florida's wetlands. If your family isn't quite so adventuresome, take a leisurely stroll down historic Kissimmee downtown or visit the St. Cloud Lakefront Park (stcloud.org) on East Lake Toho. Kids interested in military history can visit Veteran's Park (no website; 1201 13th St. St. Cloud, FL 34769-4407; 407-957-7243), with its many military displays and exhibits.
Kissimmee is known for its many lakes. For motorized and non-motorized boating, go to Lake Kissimmee State Park (floridastateparks.org) and explore the 35,000-acre park. Other area lakes include East Lake Tohopekaliga and West Lake Tohopekalinga (known simply as Lake Toho to the locals), Lake Rosalie and Tiger Lake. Family activities include sail boating, motorized boating, kayaking, canoeing and row boating. Less adventure-oriented family can spend the day sunbathing or wading in the water. Little anglers can go fishing for catfish, bass, and crappie at most Kissimmee area lakes.
Most people visit central Florida for its theme parks, and there are surely no shortage of them in the Kissimmee area. Walt Disney parks (disneyworld.disney.go.com) such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom are open year round. If the little ones are interested in fish and other sea life, head over to Sea World Orlando (www.seaworld.com). And if all this adventure isn't enough for the kids, don't forget to check out Universal Studios (universalorlando.com) and Universal's Island of Adventure.
Camping is an old family favorite, and Kissimmee offers plenty of opportunities to spend a few days and nights in the outdoors with the family. Whether you prefer a RV or want to rough it a bit in a tent, Kissimmee offers a wide variety of camping options. However, if you plan to visit between Memorial and Labor Day, make a reservation at least six months in advance. Lake Kissimmee State Park offers both primitive and full hookup camp sites, and reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Other area campgrounds and RV resorts include: Ponderosa RV Park (ponderosarvpark.com), Kissimmee/Orlando KOA (koa.com), Orange Grove RV & Camping (orangegroverv.com) and Mill Creek RV Resort (millcreekrvflorida.com), among dozens.
