Family Fun Sarasota Style

Bethany
Family Fun Sarasota Style

City/town information

Sarasota is a city south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast that was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Today, it hosts a number of cultural institutes, notably the Ringling Museum of Art, which showcases old masters and modern art. It’s also the gateway to miles of beaches with fine sand and shallow waters, such as Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach.
221 locals recommend
Sarasota
221 locals recommend
Sarasota is a city south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast that was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Today, it hosts a number of cultural institutes, notably the Ringling Museum of Art, which showcases old masters and modern art. It’s also the gateway to miles of beaches with fine sand and shallow waters, such as Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach.
Venice is a city on Florida's Gulf Coast. It's known for Venice Beach, with its offshore coral reef, and Caspersen Beach, where shark teeth are often found. Multi-use trails hug the Intracoastal Waterway in Venetian Waterway Park. Other green spaces include Centennial Park, with its interactive fountain, and the Monty Andrews Arboretum at West Blalock Park. Oscar Scherer State Park is home to Florida scrub jays
90 locals recommend
Venice
90 locals recommend
Venice is a city on Florida's Gulf Coast. It's known for Venice Beach, with its offshore coral reef, and Caspersen Beach, where shark teeth are often found. Multi-use trails hug the Intracoastal Waterway in Venetian Waterway Park. Other green spaces include Centennial Park, with its interactive fountain, and the Monty Andrews Arboretum at West Blalock Park. Oscar Scherer State Park is home to Florida scrub jays

Sightseeing

Animal sanctuary home to big cats & other wild species offering animal encounters & seasonal hours. There are tiger shows, a petting zoo and many exotic animals to learn about and observe. Family friendly fun.
158 locals recommend
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer Blvd
158 locals recommend
Animal sanctuary home to big cats & other wild species offering animal encounters & seasonal hours. There are tiger shows, a petting zoo and many exotic animals to learn about and observe. Family friendly fun.
With 99% pure white quartz sand, Siesta Key Beach was voted the #1 Beach in the United States in 2020. The beach also has a playground for kids, bathrooms, a concession stand and accessibility for wheelchairs out to the beach.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
798 locals recommend
With 99% pure white quartz sand, Siesta Key Beach was voted the #1 Beach in the United States in 2020. The beach also has a playground for kids, bathrooms, a concession stand and accessibility for wheelchairs out to the beach.
Park with several miles of walking or biking trails through the woods and a playground. You'll often see deer, armadillos or birds while at the park.
7 locals recommend
Rothenbach Park
8650 Bee Ridge Rd
7 locals recommend
Park with several miles of walking or biking trails through the woods and a playground. You'll often see deer, armadillos or birds while at the park.
Local park with paved walking, biking or running trails around a lake used for World Class rowing competitions and other events. Playground for kids and bathrooms.
82 locals recommend
Nathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson Cir
82 locals recommend
Local park with paved walking, biking or running trails around a lake used for World Class rowing competitions and other events. Playground for kids and bathrooms.
Mote Aquarium is a great place to learn about sharks, dolphins, manatees, fish, otters and more! Observation and touch tanks for all ages. Interactive exhibits to help you understand and care for our oceans! Come discover our wondrous oceans and meet the scientists working to save them at Mote Aquarium, which is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway., Sarasota, FL 34236, just a few minutes from downtown Sarasota. From downtown, take the Ringling Causeway to St. Armands Circle and head about one mile north to Mote's address, which is on City Island.
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
532 locals recommend
Mote Aquarium is a great place to learn about sharks, dolphins, manatees, fish, otters and more! Observation and touch tanks for all ages. Interactive exhibits to help you understand and care for our oceans! Come discover our wondrous oceans and meet the scientists working to save them at Mote Aquarium, which is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway., Sarasota, FL 34236, just a few minutes from downtown Sarasota. From downtown, take the Ringling Causeway to St. Armands Circle and head about one mile north to Mote's address, which is on City Island.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a tourist attraction located in Sarasota, Florida, United States since 1939. The gardens contain over 10 acres of botanical plantings along with bird and animal shows.
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Rd
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a tourist attraction located in Sarasota, Florida, United States since 1939. The gardens contain over 10 acres of botanical plantings along with bird and animal shows.
Skydiving is an amazing experience, but we wanted to make it better. You won't drive hours just to wait all day for your jump here at Skydive Sarasota. We are right in town at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and jump by appointment only. The appointment time is only for your booking. You will have a private plane and will not have to wait on anyone else. This means you'll be on the plane right at your appointment time, not hours afterwards, while also having a beautiful view of the ocean throughout your entire experience. 1234 Clyde Jones Road Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 500-2250 skydivesarasotafl.com
Skydive Sarasota LLC
1234 Clyde Jones Road
Skydiving is an amazing experience, but we wanted to make it better. You won't drive hours just to wait all day for your jump here at Skydive Sarasota. We are right in town at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and jump by appointment only. The appointment time is only for your booking. You will have a private plane and will not have to wait on anyone else. This means you'll be on the plane right at your appointment time, not hours afterwards, while also having a beautiful view of the ocean throughout your entire experience. 1234 Clyde Jones Road Sarasota, FL 34243 (941) 500-2250 skydivesarasotafl.com

Food scene

Farm-to-fork dishes & a robust wine list are offered at this hip restaurant with an industrial feel.
80 locals recommend
Boca Sarasota
19 S Lemon Ave
80 locals recommend
Farm-to-fork dishes & a robust wine list are offered at this hip restaurant with an industrial feel.
When you’re at SKOB, you’ll feel like you’re hanging out with good friends on your back porch – if you’re back porch was a stone’s throw from the #1 beach in the country, had dollar bills covering the walls and ceiling, and served the finest cocktails for miles around.
167 locals recommend
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
5238 Ocean Blvd
167 locals recommend
When you’re at SKOB, you’ll feel like you’re hanging out with good friends on your back porch – if you’re back porch was a stone’s throw from the #1 beach in the country, had dollar bills covering the walls and ceiling, and served the finest cocktails for miles around.
The Daiquiri Deck is the perfect place to share a meal with the whole family or kick back and relax with friends. Enjoy Live Music, Tasty Treats, and the best Frozen Daiquiris anywhere! Our casual atmosphere and unparalleled selection of taste-tempting Frozen Daiquiris will bring you in, but our Regular and Raw Bar menu, which includes mouthwatering selections for seafood lovers and land lovers alike served by the friendliest wait staff around, will keep you coming back for more. The Daiquiri Deck is open for full service from 11:00 am until 12:00 am, 7 days a week. Don't miss our legendary happy hour from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm daily at all locations! The Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key is even more fun after dark! There's never a dull moment with great Live Music featuring a variety of local artists, Sporting Events, Competitions like Beer Pong and Corn Hole, and lots of Special Events and Drink Specials. You're never too far from a Daiquiri Deck when the craving hits you! Hit The Deck!
90 locals recommend
Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village
5250 Ocean Blvd
90 locals recommend
The Daiquiri Deck is the perfect place to share a meal with the whole family or kick back and relax with friends. Enjoy Live Music, Tasty Treats, and the best Frozen Daiquiris anywhere! Our casual atmosphere and unparalleled selection of taste-tempting Frozen Daiquiris will bring you in, but our Regular and Raw Bar menu, which includes mouthwatering selections for seafood lovers and land lovers alike served by the friendliest wait staff around, will keep you coming back for more. The Daiquiri Deck is open for full service from 11:00 am until 12:00 am, 7 days a week. Don't miss our legendary happy hour from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm daily at all locations! The Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key is even more fun after dark! There's never a dull moment with great Live Music featuring a variety of local artists, Sporting Events, Competitions like Beer Pong and Corn Hole, and lots of Special Events and Drink Specials. You're never too far from a Daiquiri Deck when the craving hits you! Hit The Deck!
Bustling locale serves up imaginative takes on seafood dishes amid eclectic decor. Dine outside under the trees and enjoy the breeze from the nearby Sarasota Bay while enjoying seafood dishes carefully crafted by the local chef.
260 locals recommend
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns Ct
260 locals recommend
Bustling locale serves up imaginative takes on seafood dishes amid eclectic decor. Dine outside under the trees and enjoy the breeze from the nearby Sarasota Bay while enjoying seafood dishes carefully crafted by the local chef.
Breezy outpost offers casual food & drinks in an open-air, tropical-themed joint on the water. Restaurant is located in the marina next to small boats or huge yachts. Enjoy a stroll in the park and see the sunset while enjoying food or drinks at Oleary's! Family friendly.
171 locals recommend
Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill
5 Bayfront Dr
171 locals recommend
Breezy outpost offers casual food & drinks in an open-air, tropical-themed joint on the water. Restaurant is located in the marina next to small boats or huge yachts. Enjoy a stroll in the park and see the sunset while enjoying food or drinks at Oleary's! Family friendly.

Shopping

Immerse yourself in an exceptional array of shops, restaurants, salons and spas in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Treat yourself to a breath of fresh air and savor the experience as you stroll our streets and park, admiring the exquisite statuary of John Ringling, walking the Circus Ring of Fame and making new discoveries with every step.
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands Cir
358 locals recommend
Immerse yourself in an exceptional array of shops, restaurants, salons and spas in an atmosphere of casual elegance. Treat yourself to a breath of fresh air and savor the experience as you stroll our streets and park, admiring the exquisite statuary of John Ringling, walking the Circus Ring of Fame and making new discoveries with every step.
Local upscale mall with over 100 stores, 20 restaurants and a playplace for children all under one roof. Macy's, Dillard's, Sak's Fifth Avenue as well as Apple, Tesla, Lululemon, Kate Spade, Lush, Michael Kors, Pandora, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Vineyard Vines and more!
326 locals recommend
The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center Dr
326 locals recommend
Local upscale mall with over 100 stores, 20 restaurants and a playplace for children all under one roof. Macy's, Dillard's, Sak's Fifth Avenue as well as Apple, Tesla, Lululemon, Kate Spade, Lush, Michael Kors, Pandora, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Vineyard Vines and more!
We are proud to provide our community with a connection to local farmers, growers, artisans, and chefs, right in the heart of Downtown Sarasota since 1979. Open every Saturday, rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, 7am – 1pm.
136 locals recommend
Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon Avenue
136 locals recommend
We are proud to provide our community with a connection to local farmers, growers, artisans, and chefs, right in the heart of Downtown Sarasota since 1979. Open every Saturday, rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, 7am – 1pm.

Arts & Culture

A true pioneer in the cultural development of Sarasota, the Van Wezel, (pronounced Van Wayzull), presents a broad spectrum of the world's finest performers representing the diverse tastes of Southwest Florida residents and visitors. This season, with more than 100 events, the Van Wezel has carried on the long tradition of presenting spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, popular comedians, world-class symphony orchestras and a compelling mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance. The Van Wezel also hosts more than 50 performances and events presented by the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Concert Association and the Ringling Library Town Hall Lecture Series.
154 locals recommend
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami Trail
154 locals recommend
A true pioneer in the cultural development of Sarasota, the Van Wezel, (pronounced Van Wayzull), presents a broad spectrum of the world's finest performers representing the diverse tastes of Southwest Florida residents and visitors. This season, with more than 100 events, the Van Wezel has carried on the long tradition of presenting spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, popular comedians, world-class symphony orchestras and a compelling mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance. The Van Wezel also hosts more than 50 performances and events presented by the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Concert Association and the Ringling Library Town Hall Lecture Series.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the official state art museum of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable Burton Ringling and John Ringling for the people of Florida. Florida State University assumed governance of the museum in 2000.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the official state art museum of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable Burton Ringling and John Ringling for the people of Florida. Florida State University assumed governance of the museum in 2000.