Fun Labor Day Weekend Plans for the Whole Family!

By Amanda Roland
Labor Day Weekend

Believe it or not, Labor Day is this Monday! The year is flying by, kiddos are already back in school and I’d say that a day off is much needed – for everyone. Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend in a safe way with these fun plans for the whole family!

Carson Springs Drive-Thru Safari

The Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation is located at 8528 E County RD 225 Gainesville, FL 32609! Carson Springs has been providing the community with a safe drive-thru safari for the family to enjoy from the comfort of your car. Take the whole family to see rare animals and new enclosures that are not seen from the walking tours! The price is $10 per person, and children 5 and under are free! The safari will be available all weekend and on Labor Day.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is open and welcomes visitors to come out for some fresh air! The gardens offer guided tours on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., and masks are required for all visitors. The admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages  5-13 and children under 5 are free! For group rates, email gardenjoy3@yahoo.com and put “tour” in the subject line.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Head out to Ichetucknee Springs for the last weekend of tubing! This local favorite allows for a peaceful float down the river with the whole family. Admission price is $6 per vehicle, and some park activities may be limited due to COVID-19. Click here for more information and a park map!

Rockin the Ocala Drive-in

The Ocala Drive-In has been able to safely entertain people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the drive-in on Sunday, September 6, for “Rockin the Ocala Drive-in” to enjoy 10 local musical artists with the whole family. Gates open at noon, and the music will start at 2 p.m., and the event will last until 11:30 p.m. Get your tickets here! The drive-in is also open seven days a week showing a variety of movies! Click here to find out what is showing.

Go to the Beach

Going to the beach is a great Labor Day weekend activity as long as social distancing from people that you don’t live with is maintained. Also, when at the beach, limit gatherings of large groups and the sharing of food and drinks. Some beaches across Florida have decided to close beaches for Labor Day weekend, so make sure to research the beach you are going to before making the trip. Click here for a list of beaches that are open and closed on Labor Day weekend from The Ledger. Also, here are the CDC’s recommendations for staying safe at public beaches.

Morningside Nature Center

Visit the Morningside Nature Center to see what life was like back in the mid-1800s. This farm is meant to show you what a North Florida family homestead would have been like back in the day. Because of COVID-19, the Living History Farm and Educational Building at the center are closed, but all trails are still open. For more information on park hours, visit cityofgainesville.org.

Visit a Local Museum

Gainesville has a handful of awesome museums that can turn your weekend into an educational opportunity! Head to the Florida Museum of Natural History to check out some awesome fossils and view their current exhibits like the “Earth’s Forecast: Hurricanes and Climate Change” exhibit. Visit the Harn Museum of Art to show your art-loving kiddos of the “Dreaming Alice: Maggie Taylor Through the Looking-Glass” exhibition! Or, try the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention to let your STEM kiddos explore the museum’s newest exhibit, “Moon to Mars.” Museum admission prices and safety standards may vary.

No matter what you do this Labor Day weekend, make sure you spend it with your family! Have fun and stay safe!

Don’t forget to follow CDC guidelines when in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

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