Tag Archives: Vacation

Sarasota Florida Fun Family Activities


Sarasota is a splendid destination for your family vacation.  Yes, Sarasota does have some of the most amazing beaches in the US, but it’s not just a beach destination.  When you’re looking for other diversions, you’ll find a variety of family friendly things to do.

Check out Mote Marine Aquarium for a close up look at marine life and current research and conservation programs.  The entire family will enjoy seeing over 100 species of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, manatees, seahorses and sea turtles.

Mote is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. on City Island, 1 mile north of St. Armand’s Circle.

For the animal lovers, the Big Cat Habitat is a sanctuary for animals right here in Sarasota.  Not just tigers and lions and bears…you can also see coatimundis, a camel, birds, lemurs, tortoises and more.  And don’t miss the Mia the Liger.  Yes, a liger – her mother is a Bengal tiger and father is a lion!

The sanctuary is located at 7101 Palmer Blvd.  The habitat opens at 12:30 five days per week, but the schedule may be changed based on the weather.  So check their event calendar for current activities and prices or call them at (941) 371-6377 for all the details.

Your children will also appreciate some non-structured, imaginative play time.  Make sure you plan to visit the unique Sarasota Children’s Garden and let the kids be kids.  You can’t beat this whimsical spot for family fun.

These are just a few of the family friendly amusements you’ll find when you vacation in Sarasota.

Sarasota Florida Beaches Best Rated in The US

Plunge your bare feet into the pure white sand of Siesta Key beach, and you’ll understand how beach sand can be trademarked: Worlds Finest, Whitest Sand™.   In fact, in the Great International White Sand Challenge, this sand was scientifically proven to be the world’s finest, whitest finest beach sand.  First time visitors are amazed by the temperature of this perfect barefoot beach.  The sand is 99% pure quartz, so regardless of the temperature – this incredibly soft sand never heats up!

You just can’t beat this location for a vacation.  This wide, flat, crystal white beach is truly kid friendly with its gentle gulf waves.  There’s a large shaded pavilion with food, changing rooms and retail shops, a number of picnic areas, tennis courts and a playground.

Dr. Beach ranks beaches using 50 criteria from softness of sand, condition and temperature of the water, slope, currents and sand and water color.  He also considers amenities, lifeguards, cleanliness and competition for resources.  Siesta Key Beach repeatedly ranks in the top 10 and in 2010 was ranked the #2 beach in US by Dr. Beach.

The Travel Channel describes Siesta Key beach sand as “soft and white as sugar” and rates it 5 out of 5 in swimming, sand and child friendliness.   See their article on Siesta Key beach here.

And Siesta Key isn’t the only great beach in Sarasota County you’ll want to visit.  Go diving or look for shark teeth in Venice or enjoy the solitude at Caspersen Beach.  And if you have your best friend along – visit Brohard Paw Park and Dog beach.  You can let your four legged friend off leash to play in the surf.  The park is on the island of Venice at 1600 Harbor Dr. S.

All in all, we locals know how lucky we are to live near these wonderful beaches.  Come on down for a vacation, the water’s fine!