Kennedy Space Center (
www.kennedyspacecenter.com): Ill put this here since many do day trips from VB. We did enjoy our time here, probably DD12 and DH most. To me it gave me flash backs of when I was young walking through endless museums with my Dad telling me about everything. We actually broke this up into two days since the tickets are good for two days within a seven day period. Doing a few hours the first day in the visitor center, doing the simulator and watching the Imax movie. We returned the next morning to go on the tour and then a talk with an astronaut. All it all it was a good experience and I could see us going again 5 years or so (when DD6 is that age).
Kayaking: As I mention earlier, this was the highlight of my trip. I just adore manatees and getting to play with one on his own terms was the best. We also saw some dolphins playing really really close as well. I had printed out a couple kayak tour operators before we left but probably would have gone with the Disney organized tour if they had let my DD6 go along just because it was easy. The CM gave me the name and number of the tour operator that runs their tours and they had the exact same tour at the same time with a different guide. Because of the high winds they moved the location from Pine Isand (right near VB) to Round Isand (20 min south). The wind was against us on the way back and was difficult for my DD12 but petting the manatee erased all that. I would recommend this trip to anyone and our guide Ronda was great. Adventure Kayaking with Steve Cox (
www.paddleflorida.com) or Tropical Kayak Tours with Ronda Cox (
www.TropicalKayakTours.com) (yes, they are married but decided to keep their business separate but do collaborate.)
DD12...
Environmental Learning Center (
www.elcweb.org): There is a very nice little nature center on Wabasso Island right over the tall bridge on your way from to US1 from VB. We went on a scheduled tour for an hour talking about the native plants and animals. They had a nice hands on area for the kids. It was good for us northerners who had been going to FL for a while but never learned the names of some of the basics. They have some boat tours and events that need reservations.
Pool: The slide was a hit with DD6. She was obsessed, even driven to go down the slide continuously. I had to stop her every handful of slides to make sure she had a break and didnt hurt herself. We swam every day but it was very windy and colder then I would have liked. Cant really report about chair saving since we usually came later in the day and just found a chair to sent our stuff on and went about our play.
This is usually what I saw of DD6.. (notice the emptiness of the pool area and chattering of teeth)
Other Activities: We used our mini-golf membership to the fullest playing many rounds. We went to one Campfire. It was almost called off because of the wind but was fun. DD6 went to an Unbirthday party and DD12 went biking with DH on the jungle trail loop. We played a few rounds of shuffleboard as well.
Ocean: DH went for a couple morning walks which he enjoyed but made comments about all the erosion. I guess in some places there was no beach left and could not walk without getting wet. DD6 and I collected shells and brought home a popcorn bucket full. We also had some fun in the waved a couple days. The wind and waves were incredible 2 out of the 4 days we were there (20-30 mph) One day the beach was closed to swimming due to rip currents and warnings on the other days. We did see the lifeguard come down and talk to a couple swimmers. Because of the wind, waves, not so much beach and cooler temperature we did not sit down on beach at all (and never used those swap chairs!).
BF is asking if they have places with live music close by. It looks like Squid Lips does on the week-ends. Anyplace else you would recommend? 
Is that at high tide?
