Visit Pompano Beach, Florida

Last summer, my family and I took our vacation to Pompano Beach, Florida, for the first time. There were four reasons that made us decide on this location:

1. The beach- This beach is much less crowed than Ft. Lauderdale, so it is great for families!
2. Funky Fish Ocean Camp- This day camp allows kids to interact with other kids, while learning skills such as wake boarding, snorkeling, and more!
3. Everglades- Only a little over an hour of a drive, and you can visit parts of the everglades!
4. Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science- Here, children and adults can learn science interactively, and view a variety of animal species as well!

Pompano Beach, FL is much more secluded than the popular, overcrowded, Ft. Lauderdale Beach in Florida. Therefore, Pompano Beach is a great place for family vacations. It offers Jet-Ski and chair/umbrella rentals too. Don't miss out on the pelicans at the Pompano Municipal Pier, either! Additionally, Pompano Beach is one of the three locations of the "Funky Fish Ocean Camp." This camp is a unique day camp for kids. You are able to sign up your child/children for just one day of camp, or the entire week. Last summer, camp hours at Pompano Beach were from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., during which our daughter was occupied learning how to wake-board, snorkel, and more, while my husband and I were provided time for each other.

As I mentioned in the first paragraph, the Funky Fish Ocean Camp is great for kids, as they learn skills such as wake-boarding, snorkeling, and more. Additionally, they have a "craft time" and lunch. Pizza is usually provided (but I cannot remember if your child is supposed to bring extra money for the pizza or not). On the last day of the week, the camp takes the kids to 25-30 feet of water, in order to snorkel. Parents have an option to pay about $70 (prices may have changed) to accompany their child/children on this trip. I HIGHLY recommend going with your child, but BEWARE, every U.S. state has different laws about life-vests, and the children were not wearing them. All they had were pool noodles. PLEASE DO NOT SENT YOUR CHILD/CHILDREN WITHOUT YOU OR A SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER. One little girl fell off the boat, and my husband brought her back on it; what if he would not have been there that day? It could have had a much worse outcome.

Only a little over an hour of a drive from Pompano Beach, Fl, lies parts of the Everglades. We decided to take this drive, and when we arrived, we paid for a boat tour. As the motor to the swamp boat was extremely loud, sound-reducing headpieces were provided for the tour. Among the tour, we saw small alligators and birds. When the boat tour was over, we viewed the small visitor center, where we learned some interesting facts, such as the stuffed alligator they had (in the building) had eaten three dogs when it was alive. Additionally, we visited another part of the everglades, and walked some paths, on which we saw the most colorful grasshoppers (I never knew they could be any color other than green until that moment), lizards, and more birds. We visited the visitor center there, and learned about the differences between alligators and crocodiles, and shopped at the gift shop. It was definitely worth the hour drive!

The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is definitely comparable to the well-known Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA. It is full of multiple levels of interactive activities, which are all related to science. From a nose that squirts out mock mucas to a "superhero" strength machine, to being able to observe many different animals, this center is action-packed, and will keep your children quite occupied! The only negative was the parking. As it is right in the city, you are on your own for finding a lot, but we were able to find one nearby, so just remember to bring that cash with you to pay for your parking! Great place, and great fun! It is definitely worth the trip, if you have children.

Visiting Pompano Beach, FL, proved to be a great "Family Vacation" destination for us, as well as the other locations mentioned above (which are all within about one-one and a half hours of a drive from Pompano Beach). Therefore, the great news is that all of these places are able to be done in the same trip! Take a look at the map below, which pinpoints each of these destinations, and get started planning your trip! Have fun, and travel safely, please!