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Bring the babies along to this great Florida destination, a natural for families with tiny travelers in mind.

There’s lots of "oohs" and "aahs" in Polk County, the timeless and authentic heart and soul of Old Florida charm. Sugar coated with Southern hospitality, the area serves up generous portions of fun for families with little ones. An easy drive farther enhances its allure as a prime site between Orlando and Tampa’s major attractions, and Florida’s famous beaches. Plan on spending plenty of time outdoors in the county’s small towns peppered with fascinating places that are guaranteed to keep the younger set giggling with glee.

Gentle Pleasures

A spring afternoon begs for an outing to Lakeland. Linger through Hollis Garden on historic Lake Mirror Park where there are more than 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs and shade trees to feast your eyes on. The toddlers will delight in the secluded cove of butterfly-attracting plants that lure nature’s creatures to gently flutter about.

Adjacent to Hollis Garden, in a magical setting of whimsical sculpture, captivating Barnett Family Park offers fun and wonder for kids. With safety in mind, the well-thought-out play areas have rubber-covered grounds topped by bits of recycled tires to cushion any falls. The inchworm swing sports large saucer-shaped disks for seats and can accommodate three to four kids at a time. A ”spider web climb” of steel cables wrapped with nylon reaches 21 feet skyward, designed so the smallest kids can’t navigate themselves very high. In the main play area, keep your eyes out for a giant ant on a piece of cheese, a beautifully painted frog with a toadstool, a big black widow spider and a three dragon flies spinning on poles. A big Florida panther that can be used as a slide is joined nearby by Blinky the Alligator, named for a one-eyed gator who graced Lake Mirror and gained celebrity status in the 1960s and 70’s. Squeals of delight will wrap up this fun-filled afternoon with the little ones taking a romp in the interactive water fountain.

Explorations V Children's Museum (863/687-3869) is a “please touch” odyssey fueled by kids’ imagination. Three fun floors of mind-stretching, kid-powered exhibits include playing in a kid-sized grocery story, piloting a plane or space shuttle, or driving a Sheriff’s car. “Our Town” on the main floor is the tot spot. Toddlers can build, crawl, climb and explore this special exhibit reserved for museum visitors up to 4-years of age. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm; there’s a small admission charge for adults, and children under 2 are free.

In Pope City, watch your imagination soar at aviation-themed Fantasy of Flight (863/984-3500). The centerpiece is a huge Short Sunderland, the last airworthy four-engine civilian flying boat in the world. The Fun with Flight Center is designed for the kids as well as the kid in all of us. In this “fun”damentals of flight area, you get to experiment with the basics of paper airplanes, to a state-of-the-art hang-glide simulator, a hands-on interactive experience for kids. Take a break for lunch at the Compass Rose, a classic American diner with high-flying flair, and be sure and browse the wonderful gift shop. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, there is a fee for adults, a special fee for seniors and children, and kids under 5 are free.

In Lake Wales the adults will especially enjoy Historic Bok Sanctuary, one of Florida’s most famous landmarks, located on the peninsula’s highest point The sanctuary’s renowned 205-foot-tall bell tower houses one of the world’s greatest carillons and recitals are given throughout the day. Surrounding the tower are 128 acres of exquisite gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. The grounds are also home to Pinewood Estate, a 1930’s Mediterranean Revival manor, that the adults would enjoy touring. The Education and Visitors Center includes a children’s interactive discovery and exhibit area. The Sanctuary is open daily from 8am to 5pm. There’s an admission charge for adults and children ages 5-12, while children under 5 are free.