Forty-five minutes from Hernando Beach is the family-friendly amusement park Busch Gardens in Tampa, which has no shortage of activities and attractions. Families will likely have a hard time choosing between all of the park's roller coaster rides, encounters with African wildlife, and other interactive experiences such as the new swashbuckling adventure ,Pirates 4-D., Busch Gardens is open every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but visitors may want to visit the park's web site for more information on special events and extended summer hours. Admission is $57.95 plus tax for adults and $47.95 for children ages 3 to nine. Package offers are an affordable option for families.

Busch Gardens

Hernando Beach is also 90 minutes from the Walt Disney World Resort, which includes four family-friendly theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. The resort is open year-round, but families will want to check the web site for information on special events happening during their visit. A variety of family-oriented packages are offered and admission rates vary depending on which park is visited.

Disney World

Step back in time and discover nearby Brooksville's rich Civil War history at the Hernando Heritage Museum. Faithfully preserving Civil War-era dcor and displaying more than 11,000 artifacts, the museum is housed in a four-story antebellum mansion built in 1856. Guided tours last approximately 45 minutes and are available from noon to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Hernando Heritage Museum