Family Days at Bonnet House
The Bonnet House is a Fort Lauderdale jewel. And if you haven't visited, take the kids on one of their family discount days this summer -- July 4, July 18, Aug. 1, Aug. 15.
Admission will be half price for adults ($10, $9 for seniors) and free for kids younger than 12. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The last tour starts at 2:30 p.m.
This is one of my favorite all-time places, here or anywhere. Just off the beach, south of busy Sunrise Boulevard, the Bonnet House is an oasis. The grounds are tropical and lush -- the kids will love looking for the monkeys in the trees. Walking paths take you across a quaint covered bridge (seen in the movie Hoot) over a pond with swans. There's a small shell museum and an orchid house. Walk the path to a view of the beach across A1A.
And the house itself is unique. Built in 1920 by artist Frederic Bartlett as a winter retreat, this house is not like the opulent mansions of Palm Beach. It's casual and livable for a tropical climate, with an inner courtyard, ringed by rooms where art and music were created and enjoyed back in the day.
We took advantage of the discounted rates last year. The guided tour of the house is probably more enjoyable for adults than kids, but my trio of 10 year old girls seemed to enjoy it.
On July 18, they'll have Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream for sale. A percentage of all ice cream sales benefit Bonnet House.
PHOTO: Sun-Sentinel file
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