Your Summer Sebring Getaway Guide
Looking for a family-friendly, affordable vacation loaded with outdoor adventures and interactive attractions? Take a trip to Sebring and its neighboring cities. We’ve mapped out a guide to having the best family summer vacation at must-see spots only found here.
Day One: Exploring Sebring
Make vacation memories that will last forever by setting off on the right foot. Start your trip in Sebring with a day full of arts, crafts, outdoor adventures, and indoor entertainment.
Rise and Shine
With a vast selection of unique hotels in the Sebring area, consider a stay at Inn on the Lakes. The pet-friendly lakefront property includes an outdoor garden and a beautiful pool area in the heart of Sebring.
Save time and money by starting your day with a complimentary breakfast that will fuel your day of adventures. You can even treat your four-legged friend to a Gourmet Pet Room Service meal.
Explore the Outdoors
Begin your day with a visit to Highlands Hammock State Park, which offers a genuine outdoor adventure filled with ancient oaks and diverse wildlife. With nine trails, an elevated boardwalk, and a tram, your family will witness this preserved Florida ecosystem from almost every angle. Watch carefully; you might be lucky enough to spot a Florida alligator, deer, or black bear, among other wildlife, in the park. And don’t forget to check out the playground where the kids can play, climb, and swing under the shade of the trees.
Admission is $6 per vehicle. Sunscreen, bug spray, and water are also recommended. During peak season months, stop at the Hammock Inn Camp Store—open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.—for drinks, snacks, and free WiFi.
Museum Mania
You might be reluctant to bring the family to a museum while on vacation, but this one was designed with families in mind. Visit the Children’s Museum of the Highlands and let your kiddos have a blast while they learn. From crafting and science to sports and games, they’ll undoubtedly burn off a lot of energy and learn a thing or two while they do. Plus, the admission fee is just $8 per person and covers an entire day of play for ages 1+.
You never know what kind of events will pop up in the museum, so check its Facebook schedule and see if you can fit any extra events into your trip.
Lunchtime
When hunger strikes, head down the street to Ebert’s Kitchen at Gigio’s Pizza. Order from a huge selection of freshly made pizzas or customize one yourself, then grab some napkins and enjoy your pie indoors or on the outside patio.
Round It Out
While lunch settles, stroll the Circle in downtown Sebring. This roundabout of shops, restaurants, and businesses is also the site of HGTV’s Hometown Makeover (2024). Explore the recent renovations and streetside murals while you wander through local boutiques. The kids will love playing corn hole and ping pong or climbing on the newly installed art installation and gazebo in the Circle’s center.
I Scream, You Scream
Before you leave the Circle, “pop” into Sebring Soda and Ice Cream Works. Home to 300+ craft and vintage sodas and 35 ice cream flavors, guests love to search the shelves for that old classic soda or the crazy new flavors available, such as cucumber, peach cobbler, or chocolate soda. We suggest building a custom 6-pack to take home as a souvenir and snagging a cone, milkshake, or float with your choice of hand-dipped ice cream for the road.
Get on the Water
Pop over to the other side of the lake for some afternoon adventure with Lakeview Water Sports. Carrying a selection of kayaks, waterbikes, and paddleboards (and plenty more), you can paddle around Lake Jackson at your own pace. The calm waters are perfect for beginners and allow the family to soak in the sun, the views, and the fun.
Dinner Delight
With a dining deck overlooking Lake Jackson, Don Jose Mexican Restaurant is a local favorite that offers a vibrant atmosphere and authentic Mexican fare the family will devore. And don’t worry if you have some picky eaters; their children’s menu offers everything from cheese quesadillas to chicken fingers.
Day 2: Fun in Avon Park and Lake Placid
We want your second vacation day to be just as fun as the first, so we’ve planned a day trip to let your family taste the best local grub, learn about local history, and spend more time on the water.
Start the Day Right
Breakfast is complimentary at Inn on the Lakes, but who can resist a delicious local meal to start the day? Load up the family and head to Broken Egg Diner for traditional breakfast plates, affordable prices, and good company. Choose from an excellent selection of traditional breakfast items ranging from a simple short stack to a personalized create-your-own omelet.
Park It!
Let your stomach settle with a short drive to Donaldson Park in Avon Park for a morning of fun and relaxation. This park, located on the shores of Lake Verona, offers a sandy beach area perfect for swimming and a clean, fun playground for the kids. It’s a great spot to let children burn off energy while you relax by the water.
Old World, New Wonders
Next, take the family to the Avon Park Depot Museum for an up-close look at the area’s local history. Housed in a historic train depot, the museum features fascinating exhibits of military, family, and working life. Complete with relics, including an original telephone switchboard and a railroad dining car, the museum showcases diverse roles and samples of life in the yesteryear. It’s an educational stop that’s interesting for both kids and adults.
Dive Into Lunch
Just a short walk (and even a shorter drive) away is The Diving Girl Diner. Decorated in a spirited beach motif with colorful stripes, the family can enjoy delicious burgers and sandwiches with witty names. An experience on its own, the restaurant’s name is an homage to a neon girl who graced a historic, local hotel for decades.
Orange You Glad?
After lunch, head to Maxwell Groves. Established in 1935, this local treasure is free to visit and loaded with fresh fruit wines, juices, and jellies, as well as delicious orange ice cream made from fresh-squeezed orange juice.
The Maxwell family has been growing citrus for three generations, and their country store creates a genuine local experience. Purchase goodies to take home with you or order online. Enjoy the rocking chairs on the front porch before you head out for an on-the-water adventure!
Fan-Tastic Fun
Experience the thrill of an airboat ride with Airboat Wildlife Adventures. Located at Neibert’s Fishing Resort, this exciting 1.5-hour tour takes you through pristine waters and over tall grass, through a diverse range of scenery and local waterways. The best part? The opportunity for up-close encounters with Florida wildlife like alligators, birds, and plenty more. It’s a thrilling, unforgettable experience for the whole family. Reservations are recommended, so call or email ahead of time.
A Delicious Evening
Transition from afternoon to evening with a family dinner at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole. Dig into signature burgers, premium steaks, or any number of mouthwatering entrees that everyone in the family will love and that are served at affordable prices. Feeling adventurous? Try their tasty gator tail or frog legs for a unique experience.
Sweet Delights
End your trip with a visit to Cherry On Top Ice Cream Shop at Lake Placid’s Journal Plaza. Indulge in a variety of delicious ice cream flavors and enjoy the friendly, small-town atmosphere. It’s the perfect sweet finale for your family vacation.
Create memories that will last forever, celebrate your family, and visit Sebring to make this summer vacation the best and most affordable one yet.
