Mayday Ice Cream - Downtown Gainesville

Studio suites if you want more room, with a fridge and microwave in each. A sensible base for a few days of outings.

Soft serve dipped in the coating your kid picks, then piled with toppings from a row of more than 20. A dessert stop, not dinner.

The walkable one: restaurants and sights are a stroll away, which older kids love. Only some rooms have the sleeper sofa, so pick carefully.

A roomy patio and board games to play, so dessert can turn into a round of something with your kid.

A deli with a simple grilled cheese for kids, so the picky eater is covered while you get a real sandwich.

A historic theatre with acting, improv and storytelling classes for kids and teens, so an older kid can go from watching a show to being in one.