Option 1: Theme parks preference + some Nature.
- Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
- Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
- Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
- Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
- Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
- Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park or Epcot
- Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
- Thu, Dec 29: Drive to Miami. Biscaynes national park.
- Fri, Dec 30: Everglades national park.
- 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
- Sat, Dec 31: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if tickets booked early or see Key West attractions.
- Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (17.5 hours)
Option 2: Nature preference + some theme parks.
- Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
- Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
- Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
- Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
- Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
- 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
- Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
- Wed, Dec 28: Big Cypress National Preserve. Drive to Orlando.
- Thu, Dec 29: Universal Studios, Florida (Harry Potter)
- Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
- Sat, Dec 31: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park
- Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston (14 hrs)
Option 3: Theme parks:
- Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Mobile, Alabama. Stay.
- Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
- Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Orlando, Florida. Stay.
- Aggressive option: Drive to Orlando in one day. Go to Sea World or Kennedy Space Center.
- Sun, Dec 25: Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park, Florida (with Harry Potter)
- Mon, Dec 26: Universal studios theme park
- Tue, Dec 27: Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park
- Wed, Dec 28: Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park or Hollywood Studios
- Thu, Dec 29: Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Fri, Dec 30: Disney's Epcot
- Sat, Dec 31: Start driving back. Stay en-route.
- Aggressive option: Add one more theme park. Busch Gardens or Sea World Discovery Cove or Gatorland.
- Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston
Option 4: Nature:
- Fri, Dec 23: Drive to Tallahassee. Stay.
- Three rivers state park, Florida at Florida, Georgia, Alabama line: Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola rivers. Rent canoe.
- Florida Caverns State Park
- Bayou airboat tours, Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
- Gulf Shores State Park, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center (animals for kids), Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- The institute of mammal studies, Gulfport, Beau Rivage Casino, Beauvoir museum, Biloxi visitors center, beach & lighthouse
- Sat, Dec 24: Drive to Miami, Florida. Stay. En-route visit:
- Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Sun, Dec 25: Biscaynes national park.
- Mon, Dec 26: Everglades national park.
- 10,000 islands cruise, airboat tours
- Tue, Dec 27: Key West. Dry Tortugas national park if booked early or see Key West attractions.
- Bahia Honda State Park: Kayaking, snorkeling, beach.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Snorkeling.
- Grayton Beach state park: Beach, Sand dunes, kayaking.
- Collier-Seminole State Park: mangroves
- Wed, Dec 28:
- Big Cypress National Preserve. or
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park: Riverboat ride
- Myakka River State Park: Canopy walk, pontoon boat ride, boardwalk
- Lake Kissimmee State Park: paddling & wildlife.
- Thu, Dec 29: Silver Springs State Park. Glass-bottomed boats, kayak. Manatees. Ocala National Forest nearby.
- Fri, Dec 30: Blue Spring State Park: Manatees
- Sat, Dec 31:
- Anastasia State Park: Kayak, see manatees
- Big Talbot Island State Park: birds.
- Falling Waters State Park: waterfall, wildlife
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: mermaid show
- Sun, Jan1: Drive back to Houston
References:
