What child doesn't want to be a Southern belle, a cowboy or a pilot or for a day – or a week?

Throw in a daring water-ski show, roller-coaster rides, a water park and the lush tropical surroundings of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, and you have a hassle-free, affordable vacation that'll satisfy the whole crew.

Escape the crowds and long waits and still find more than enough to keep the family entertained in the heart of Florida between Tampa and Orlando. Central Florida's Polk County is a convenient destination that offers low-cost, year-round attractions, a huge selection of family-friendly accommodations and unique educational summer camps that'll make the kids beg to learn more.


Amusements First

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park is where the fantasy of Florida first came to life with hoop-skirted belles strolling botanical gardens and water-skiers pyramiding five high on the adjoining lake. Seventy-two years later, Florida's first theme park is alive and kicking in Winter Haven – and it doesn't require a small loan to visit. A family of four can ride, splash and live in a fantasy world for two days for less than $150 in total admission fees.

Ever radiant with towering begonia-clad animal topiaries and dazzling with world-famous water-ski shows, the park has added thrilling amusement rides, a diverse collection of animals, a water park, more family shows and concerts by big-name performers such as the Beach Boys and Loretta Lynn.

The new rides give your family an adrenaline rush, but it's the lush grounds and time-honored characters that fuel their imagination. Little girls play dress-up in the Junior Belle program, where they get to wear a frilly hoop-skirted costume and join the adult Southern belles in Plantation Gardens.

The water ski shows can conjure up other ideas. Barefoot water-skiers do flips across the water, others jump ramps and hang glide. It may be so stimulating that you'll have to follow up with a trip to ski school or camp (there are plenty in the area) or perhaps buy kneepads and a helmet for anticipated re-enactments on land.

By day, the whole family will learn the ropes of outdoor life, which is a good diversion from the video games, TV and other electronic fun we know all too well.

Fun on the Frontier

No need to hitch up the wagon and head West for a taste of life on the range. You'll find one of the nation's largest dude ranches and even a cow hunter's camp right here in Central Florida.

A dusty cow hunter helps bring the frontier days to life at the 1876 Cow Camp at Lake Kissimmee State Park. A state park ranger in costume (don't ruin it for the kids) tells tales of when the state was an open range and lets you taste coffee "strong enough to float a bullet." The land was part of a camp for cow herders before it was made a state park, and you can still see Cracker cattle, descendants of the Spanish cattle brought to Florida centuries ago. The state park is open every day, but you can visit the cow hunter at his camp on Saturdays and Sundays.

The authentic Westgate River Ranch Resort allows as much immersion into cowboy culture as you and the brood could want while still allowing you to ease your haunches in a comfortable cabin at night. Saddle up for a cattle drive in the morning or take a hay ride in the evening while listening to a singing cowboy. There's a professional rodeo every Saturday night. And by day, the whole family will learn the ropes of outdoor life, which is a good diversion from the video games, TV and other electronic fun we know all too well.


Up, Up and Away

Not many kids can say that they got to fly a real airplane during summer camp. Young aviators at Sun 'n Fun's Destination Aviation Camp at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland glow in that glory at show-and-tell. After a week of learning how an airplane works and using a flight simulator, they get to operate the controls of a small plane on a flight segment (with the instructor at his or her side, of course).

"They're doing something that 99 percent of their peers will never do," said Ernie Sanborn, camp director. The camp can be taken as a day or overnight residential camp, complete with dorms, meals and nighttime entertainment.

Year 'round, kids and adults fulfill dreams of flying with a hot air balloon or bi-plane ride at Fantasy of Flight, just off Interstate 4 in Polk City (between Lakeland and Orlando). If you prefer to stay grounded, the attraction also has flight simulators, authentic fighter planes that you can board and a massive collection of restored vintage aircraft. Either way, it takes "family getaway" to a whole new level.

For more information on planning your family getaway to Central Florida's Polk County, call 800-828-7655 or go to www.VisitCentralFlorida.org.