Growing Up....pre-Disney World (Volume 1)

Diving platforms and glass bottom boat rides at Wakulla Springs

One of the things about growing up in the 50s and 60s was having parents that believed in taking us to every tourist attraction around the state. In the years before Disney World opened and pretty much was the death-knell for the mom and pop type attractions there was an abundance of neat little places to go scattered throughout the state.

Near where I grew up in the panhandle was Wakulla Springs. To us a great place to not only go on glass bottom boat rides but just to go swimming in the springs themselves. 72 degree springs year round. Lots of fun for a day trip from home.

Starliner roller coaster at Miracle Strip Amusement Park

Nearby also was Panama City Beach, the "redneck Riviera". Thats all we knew for summer vacations. And of course no trip to Panama City Beach was complete without a visit to Long Beach Resort, Goofy Golf, Petticoat Junction western world and amusement park, or Miracle Strip Amusement Park. Now pretty much all gone. Ft Walton Beach had the marine attraction, Gulf World. And of course numerous things to do and see in St Augustine, the oldest city in America.

Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid

Florida was home to other water attractions of course...Weeki Wachee, Homasassa Springs, Cypress Gardens, and the like with their ski shows and mermaids. Most are all state parks now. Silver Springs...another great place for glass bottom boat rides. Good places to stop by on the way to or from some other attraction or on the way to visit relatives.

And there were lots of similar attractions...several Monkey Jungles, Jungle Worlds, Gator Lands and such. Busch Gardens during the 60s was primarily a tour of the brewery and gardens and having your photo taken with parrots. Nothing like it is today.

In Palm Beach County was the Flagler Museum and later Lion Country Safari...both still open today. And of course with the space program in full swing was Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center with the live viewings of the launches and tours of the facilities.

Some cities themselves were attractions. Daytona Beach and Ft Lauderdale attracted large numbers of tourists. This was all pre-Disney again but there was no shortage of things to do and see around the state. All you had to do was take the time to explore and have parents willing to try to provide interesting and fun vacations which my brother and I were lucky to have.