Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Take a Picnic Basket When You Vacation in Florida

Picnic baskets contain all the essentials for a family meal except the food. Flatware, plates, glasses, napkins and a table cloth are generally included with every picnic basket. You will find some baskets that are so well equipped that they also include wine glasses, bottle opener, cutting board and cheese knife. Some picnic baskets also include plastic bags for the trash and dirty dishes. All you need to do is add in your favorite foods and you are ready to hit the roads.

I find it odd that people will not plan ahead with their meals. They know that they are going to have to eat but they won't plan what or where they will eat.

Florida tourists have no problem finding places to spend their money on food. This state seems to be overwhelmed with dining options. With the numerous parks, rest stops and outdoor dining opportunities it seems a shame not to take full advantage of these.

Theme Park Dining

The most expensive places to eat in Florida are our theme parks. Be prepared to spend a minimum of $10 - $15 per person per meal at a theme park. That means a family of 4 will spend $40 - $60 per meal inside one of the Florida theme parks. Do a couple of those per day and you will quickly spend the vacation budget on food rather than fun.

But did you know that every theme park also has a policy that allows you to exit the park to go to your car? That's right. You can exit the park, grab your picnic basket, eat your family meal and then return to the park when you are done. While you are heading back into the park you are all smiles as you just saved yourself about $50.

Watch a Shuttle Launch

One of the most awesome sites you can see in your life is a shuttle launch from Cape Canaveral. The power and beauty of a launch is something that still brings traffic to a stop all around Central Florida. We live 45 miles away in Orlando and we still stop and watch the launches from our homes or from the side of the road.

Imagine how wonderful it would be to watch the launch from your picnic spot in Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach, Florida or the National Seashore in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Either of these parks provide a great view of the launch and both are close enough that you can hear the rockets as they burn.

Go "Toes Up" on the Beach

Florida is a huge peninsula that is surrounded on 3 sides by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The hundreds of miles of beach can never be explored in a lifetime of trying. What may come as a surprise to you is the varying types of beaches that you will find.

In Daytona you will find the sand is packed hard enough to drive on. Just south of there in New Smyrna you will find the beach sand soft and banked high so you can't get a car onto the beach.

On the west coast you will find some beaches made up of millions tiny shells and others the powdery sand that you can easily sink into.

All of these beaches have something in common. They all are perfect for a picnic meal with your family. Pack you lunch and be sure to take along the sun screen. You may even want to take along a Frisbee or a kite for the kids to play with while you set up the family meal.

And when the meal is done you can lay back and relax while the kids build a sand castle or go swimming in the ocean.

No matter where you go in Florida you will find picnic areas, parks and beaches that will welcome you and your family to dine. You already know that you are going to eat out when you vacation in Florida. Plan ahead and you will enjoy your vacation more, eat for less and make lasting memories for your family.

Source : http://www.ezinearticles.com/

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