Ask Bonnie

Boomers
(561) 347-1888 • 3100 Airport Road, Boca Raton • Map
Hours: Open 7 Days a week, including Holidays. Fall Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-10 p.m.; Friday Noon-midnight; Saturday: 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: n/a
Web site: boomersparks.com
More information: Massive amusement park with a loads of fun for the whole family. Attractions include: Batting Cages, Bumper Boats, Gameroom, Go-Karts, Kiddie Playland, Lazer Tag, Miniature Golf, Rock Wall, Snack Bar. Definitely something for everyone.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
(561) 338-1473 • 1801 North Ocean Boulevard, Boca Raton • Map
Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 4pm; Sun: 12-4 .
Admission: Suggested donation $2
Web site: gumbolimbo.org
More information: In winter, up to 700 people visit daily to see the migrating song birds called warblers. In the summer, visitors see blue tailed skinks, lizards, giant land crabs and red-winged black birds on the coastal portion of the hammock. Throughout the year, sharks and tortoise are rotated in the outdoor water tanks. Hikers can take the almost one mile boardwalk to a five-story observation tower-66 steps to behold a panoramic view of Boca Raton.

Lion Country Safari
(561) 793-1084 • 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee • Map
Hours: Open daily. Vehicles admitted 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Park closes at 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults (ages 10+) $21.99 (plus tax), seniors (ages 65+) $19.99 (plus tax), children (ages 3-9) $16.99 (plus tax), children under 2 free. Parking $4.00 per vehicle.
Web site: LionCountrySafari.com
Regular Admission (ages 10-64) = $21.99 More information: 500 acres of adventure awaits you at Lion Country Safari, America’s first cageless zoo! The park is a great place to blow an afternoon - a day, even - with bored kids. You drive your own car through 4 miles of safari, with more than 1,000 animals. The temperature outdoors, and the time of day, can affect how many critters you see, but the ostriches almost always take a peck at a passing windshield. Included in your admission is Safari World amusement park with animal encounters and demonstrations, rides, games, shopping, food and thrills. There’s a nature walk, aviaries, a boat tour, paddle boat rentals, miniature golf and a restaurant. Really adventurous? Take the camper or tent and sleep to the roar of a lion. A leader in wildlife preservation, LCS is home to such fascinating animals as the African elephant, white rhinoceros and the giraffe.

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
(561) 735-6030 • 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach • Map
Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset.
Admission: $5 per private vehicle.
Web site: loxahatchee.fws.gov
More information: With over 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is home to the American alligator and the endangered Everglades snail kite. In any given year, as many as 257 species of birds may use the refuge’s diverse wetland habitats. In addition to being a home to wildlife, the refuge offers many recreational opportunities. Walking trails, a canoe trail, bike trail, boat ramps, fishing platform, observation towers, butterfly garden, and a visitor center are available to outdoor enthusiasts.

Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
(561) 495-0233 • 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach • Map
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Admission: $9 adults; $8 seniors, $6 children and students with ID, free for children under 6.
Web site: morikami.org
More information: “The Yamato Colony: Pioneering Japanese in Florida.” Exhibits on Japanese culture, tropical bonsai, near mile garden path, Asian cafe and museum store.

Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
(561) 533-0887 • 1301 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach • Map
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Adults $12.95, Seniors (60+) $9.95, Children ages (3-12) $8.95, Children under 3 and Palm Beach Zoo Members are FREE!
Web site: palmbeachzoo.org
More information: Over 23 acres of lush, tropical landscaped habitats that are home to over 900 animals from Florida, Central and South America, Asia and Australia. Enjoy the Florida Exhibit, Tiger Falls, Aviary, Children’s Carousel, and the newly opened Harriet W. and George D. Cornell Tropics of the Americas – a multi-exhibit showcase of Mayan culture, animals and horticulture. Be intrigued by the jaguars, bush dogs, Baird’s tapirs, giant anteaters, the Caracol Observatory, Primate Island, suspension bridge and explorer’s cave, Amazonian Market Place, and more!

Rapids Waterpark
(561) 842-8756 • 6566 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach • Map
Hours: Open daily from May 14 to August 29. Open weekends only from August 30 to October 17. Fall 2004 Hours: Monday-Friday closed; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Hours of operation are subject to change, the park is open weather permitting.
Admission: $26 + tax. Under 2 free.
Web site: rapidswaterpark.com
More information: The Rapids features a full day of fun for the entire family whether you make a splash in the cool blue waves, take a thrilling ride down any of our 16 water slides, or just float around the lazy river. Rapids Water Park has over a million and a half gallons of water and 22 acres of action packed adventure with something for for everyone. Thrilling South Florida for 25 Years!

South Florida Science Museum
(561) 832-1988 • 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach • Map
Hours: Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: Adults, $7; children 3-12, $5; children under 3, free; museum members, free. Additional fees of $2 for planetarium, $4 for lazer matinee and $2 for Galaxy Golf.
Web site: sfsm.org
More information: Planetarium, laser shows, aquariums with fish from all over the world, Egyptian gallery with a mummy, space gallery, gift shop.

Sugar Sand Park
(561) 347-3900 • 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton • Map
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-Sunset
Admission: Free
Web site: Sugar Sand Park
More information: This place is fabulous for kids. The outdoor playground is a very cool science playground filled with interactive learning tricks. At one point, it’s three stories high. There are some water fountains involved, so kids (and grown-ups) do get wet here. The clubhouse has a theater and a museum called the Children’s Science Explorium. And the park itself has indoor basketball courts, outdoor roller hockey rinks, baseball fields and plenty of green open space and shade. Hike nature trails on this 132 acre site that is pretty much preserved in its original condition, relatively untouched and dating back to the Pleistocene era.

Sandoway House
(561) 274-7263 • 142 South Ocean Boulevard, Delray Beach • Map
Hours: Open Tuesday- Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Admission: $2 ages 5 and up
Web site: sandowayhouse.com
More information: Shells and sharks have always been the big draw at Sandoway House Nature Center, a timeless cottage by the sea. Two nurse sharks circle relentlessly in an outdoor tank behind the building. Their feeding times featuring buckets of squid and sardines invariably attract a cluster of children and adults who can observe the relatively benign creatures up close and personal. Sandoway’s charms include the house itself. Built in 1936, it has pine floors, cypress ceilings, original double-hung windows, French doors and an arched decorative window on the buildings south side. It was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 2002. On the wrap around porch are displays of turtles and tortoises, a distinguished-looking Florida lobster, crabs and other critters, all orphans living happily ever after in captivity. The Sandoway also has a small science room where visitors can peer through a microscope at some feathers and other bits of nature. Swallowtails lay their eggs on pipevines in the Sandoway butterfly garden, dense with milkweed, porterweed and other butterfly plants. There is also a small gift shop with jewelry, books and T-shirts. Directly across the street, Sandoway summer campers go kayaking, snorkeling, and beachcombing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Butterfly World
(954) 977-4400 • 3600 W. Sample Road, Coconut Creek • Map
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; Admission gate closes at 4 p.m.
Admission: $18.95 for adults and seniors $13.95 for children (ages 3-11). Children under 3 are FREE.
Web site: butterflyworld.com
More information: Amidst thousands of flowers, tropical plants, waterfalls, gardens, and classical music, Butterfly World is a unique, breath-taking site that is one of Florida’s leading tourist attractions. It is also a popular “”field trip”" for tens of thousands of schoolchildren yearly. The Tropical Rain Forest Aviary is one of Butterfly World’s finest attractions. This mammoth 8,000 square foot screened enclosure is a marvelous, open-air environment within which to enjoy the flight of thousands of live butterflies. It is also the largest single butterfly habitat in the world, soaring to 30 feet in height and enclosing 240,000 cubic feet of space. Inside, over 5,000 butterflies enjoy a natural rain forest environment, complete with flowers, trees, a waterfall, a cave and a cooling tropical mist. As many as 100 butterfly species from South and Central America, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and other Asian nations are typically found within our aviaries. Some of the favorites include the Owl butterfly, and the brilliant Blue Morpho. Fish, Hummingbirds, Macaws, and hundreds of birds from around the world add to the beauty. Museum/Insectarium, Live “Bug Zoo” (newest attraction), Gift and Plant Shops, Outdoor Cafes. The perfect adventure for the whole family.

Miami Children’s Museum 980 MacArthur Causway, Miami (305) 373-5437
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine and create. The 56,500 square-foot facility includes 12 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center, Kid Smart educational gift shop, 200-seat auditorium and a restaurant. The museum offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits; programs and classes and learning materials related to arts, culture, community and communication.

Metro Zoo
(305) 251-0400 • 12400 SW 152 St., Miami • Map
Hours: Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Admission: adult (13+) $11.50; Seniors $10.50; Child (3-12) $6.75; Children under 2 free.
Web site: miamimetrozoo.com
More information: This well respected institution is home to a very, very wide variety of wildlife including: Tigers, African Elephant, Arabian Oryx, Asian Elephant, Black Rhino and baby, Clouded Leopard, Cuban Crocodile, Dama Gazelle, Defassa Waterbuck, Galapagos Tortoise, Grevy’s Zebra, Impalas, Indian Hornbill, Indian Rhino, Komodo Dragon, Lioness, Sloth Bear, Squirrel Monkey, Sun Bear, Tree Kangaroo, White-Handed Gibbons, and a White-Tiger. Special attractions include: Wings of Asia, Dr. Wildes World and ToadStool.

Miami Seaquarium
(305) 361-5705 • 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami • Map
Hours: Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ticket booth closes at 4 p.m. Last series of shows begins at 2:30 p.m.
Admission: $24.95; Children (3 to 9) $19.95
Web site: miamiseaquarium.com
More information: An interactive, educational marine experience second to none. Swim with the dolphins, witness exciting shows, learn about animal rescue and ocean environmental conservation.

Monkey Jungle
(305) 235-1611 • 14805 S.W. 216th St., Miami • Map
Hours: Open daily 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Ticket office closes at 4 p.m.
Admission: Adults $17.95; Children (3 - 9) $11.95; Seniors 65+ $14.95; Children under 3 free.
Web site: monkeyjungle.com
More information: Home to nearly 400 primates, most running free on a 30 acre reserve. It is one of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the United States and the only one that the general public can explore. Visitors today are immediately welcome by the Java monkey troop, now numbering in the 80’s. The Java monkeys forage through the Jungle eating natural foods. This experience with the monkeys continues to be a highlight of Monkey Jungle. The Java monkey is a skilled diver in the wild, collecting crabs and other shellfish along the riverbanks and mangrove swamps. Scheduled feedings at MONKEY JUNGLE show off these water skills as animals dive into a pool to receive fruit from the guides.

Museum of Discovery and Science-IMAX
(954) 467-6637 • 401 S.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale • Map
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday noon - 6 p.m.; Extended evening hours for IMAX Theater.
Admission: Museum Exhibits and one IMAX Film; Adults $14; Children 3-12 $12; Seniors 65+ $13; Students $13
Web site: mods.org
More information: The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs and films. Many permanent and travelling exhibits on display including the IMAX theater.

Quiet Waters Park
(954) 360-1315 • 401 S. Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach • Map
Hours: Open 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $1/person; children under 5 free.
More information: This is an example of how county government (Broward in this case) should build parks! This place only costs $1, and it’s unbelievable. There’s tent camping and cabled water skiing. You can also rent rowboats, canoes and aqua cycles. The park is also home to a terrific mountain bike trail. Great for beginners and advanced bikers alike. But the best part might be the park’s splash adventure, a high-tech participatory water park with swings and slides and tunnels. A wonderful day trip that will leave everyone tired but refreshed.

Children’s Museum
Directions from East & West
East: The Museum is located at 498 Crawford Boulevard in Boca Raton . Crawford Boulevard intersects Palmetto Park RD one block west of Boca Raton Boulevard ( 2 nd Avenue ). We are at the end of the street on the right hand side – you can’t miss us!

West: The Museum is still located at 498 Crawford Boulevard in Boca Raton and intersects Palmetto Park RD. From I-95 take exit 44 ( Palmetto Park RD ) and go east about one mile. Cross over NW 4 th Avenue and then make your second left hand turn onto Crawford Boulevard . We are at the end of the street on the right hand side – you can’t miss us!

Permanant Exhibits at the Museum
Change this Art created by Florida Artist, Susan Williams. Create your own “Picasso” with large magnetic pieces on wall size metal boards

A Space Place enhanced through NASA/JPL Laboratories features the physical sciences that make outer space exploration possible. Action Figures from the past take each child through a journey of self-discovery that encourages the imagination to think about the future.

Ricketts Corner Store gives children the opportunity to shop the old fashion way in this replica of Boca Raton’s first grocery.

KidsCents Bank teaches the workings of a bank with teller windows and a working vault. Reading is important for this activity as prizes can be retrieved from the vault if word problems are answered correctly.

Oscar’s Post Office offers the opportunity to make handmade postcards to send to a favorite friend. If you know their address you even get a stamp and place it in the Museum’s Mailbox.

FACES Multicultural Room features musical instruments, try-on clothing, books and crafts from countries around the world.

Audubon & Friends is a naturalist living exhibition from rodents to seaside crabs. Lessons are given for taking care of these animals as pets.

Dr. Dig’s Back-porch features fossil and artifact identification along with a terrific life size puzzle created by British artist, .

Lillian’s Kitchen is “look only” but has the treasured articles of “Singing Pines” (our historic name) owner, Lillian Williams on display.

HOURS: Tuesday through Saturday; 12 – 4PM .
Morning hours from 9:30 – 11:45 are reserved for School Groups, Birthday parties and “Mommy & Me” groups.

ADMISSION: $3 per person, infants are free

GROUP PRICES : $5 per child, adults free - minimum of 10 admissions.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES : $175 maximum 35 people (children & adults)

Special Note: The Museum is closed the first week following the Fourth of July for Adventure in the Arts Summer Camp (4 weeks)

QUESTIONS? 561-368-6875