A pirate's ship. Castle turrets. A kid-sized locomotive. They were all built by volunteers for Wellington's Tiger Shark Cove Park, home to colorful Leather's Playground, which was designed by local residents. Children can explore its twisting wooden paths or swing between monkey bars. Parents love the park almost as much as kids not only for its creative features, but also for its safety: the ground is covered with a cushy blue mat to protect little knees and elbows, and the entire playground is fenced in with only one entrance and exit.

Beyond the playground, Tiger Shark Cove boasts three pavilions for picnics, as well as a concession stand for snacks. On weekends, you can reserve the pavilions for a half or whole day, but on weekdays they're first-come, first-serve. It also holds four softball fields and two batting cages for more structured play.

Tiger Shark Cove Park
13800 Greenbriar Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 791-4000
https://www.wellingtonfl.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/parks-a-rental-facilities/tiger-shark-cove.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tiger-shark-cove-park-wellington

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Matthew Paul Argall

If your children take an interest in nature in any capacity, then be sure to take them to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. Its eclectic mix of exhibits and aquarium habitats showcase everything from local flora and fauna to artifacts from the field of space exploration.

Head to the "Out of This World" exhibit if you have a budding astronaut in your brood. He or she will probably enjoy getting the chance to touch a 232-pound meteorite and see the moon rock that's on display. The "Everglades" exhibit, on the other hand, caters to kids who want to learn more about their natural habitat. The hands-on exhibit teaches little ones about the colorful creatures living in the Florida Everglades, from the Florida Panther to the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Anyone who wants to see the living, breathing creatures up close can head to the 3,000-square-foot aquarium, where you'll find everything from sea horses to rattlesnakes. Your youngster can even pet a live alligator every Saturday and Sunday afternoon!

South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
4801 Dreher Trail N.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 832-1988
www.sfsciencecenter.org
www.yelp.com/biz/south-florida-science-center-and-aquarium-west-palm-beach

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Michael Gray

Aptly named Casa Tequila makes the margarita the star of the show every night at dinner. Fresh, frosty margs come in massive glass goblets, salt around the rim, and brimming with ice. The margaritas wash down authentic Mexican cuisine, the same stuff that launched Casa Tequila into local fame back in 1989.

Bite into the fajita burrito, stuffed with rice and beans, cheese, and either steak or chicken smothered in the house's signature sauce. On top, gooey cheese, burrito sauce, and tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, and sour cream create another tasty layer. You can also chow down on fish tacos, seafood enchiladas, or fully loaded ceviche. Regulars, however, would probably recommend the fajitas, served fresh from a sizzling skillet. They're filled with your choice of fixings: veggies, shrimp, chicken, or a combination of meats. For something lighter, opt for the fajita salad. It transforms the same ingredients into a greener option.

Casa Tequila
8228 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33434
(561) 430-5458
www.casatequilafl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/casa-tequila-boca-raton

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr timlewisnm