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Day 1: Downtown Arts & Waterfront Fun
This day focuses on the cultural heart of Sarasota and ends with a waterfront dinner and splash zone.
| Time | Activity | Location/Details | Pro-Tip! |
| Morning (9:30 AM) | John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art | 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota | Visit on “Free Mondays” if possible! Otherwise, head straight to the David F. Bolger Playspace to let the kids burn energy on the 66-acre bayfront grounds before attempting the indoor galleries. |
| Lunch | Casual Lunch Near Downtown | ||
| Early Afternoon (1:30 PM) | Selby Public Library | 1331 First St., Sarasota | Marvel at the aquarium above the children’s section entrance. Participate in a free event like preschool story time or a “Partners in Play” session if available. |
| Late Afternoon (4:00 PM) | Sarasota Children’s Garden | 1670 10th Way, Sarasota | Explore the whimsy of this two-acre garden, including the kid-sized Black Pearl ship and fairy gardens. |
| Evening (5:30 PM) | Bayfront Park & Children’s Fountain | 1 Marina Plaza, Sarasota | Let the kids cool off in the Children’s Fountain (April–October) and climb on the adjacent playground. |
| Dinner | O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill | Next to Bayfront Park | Head over to O’Leary’s for a hot dog from the kids’ menu—and a well-deserved melon colada for the 21+ chaperones! |
Day 2: Coastal Critters & Gardens Adventure
Day two is dedicated to animals, conservation, and the beautiful Sarasota coast, culminating in the famous Siesta Key Drum Circle.
| Time | Activity | Location/Details | Pro-Tip! |
| Morning (9:30 AM) | Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium | 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota | Pet a stingray, spy on a jellyfish, and check out rescued marine life. Afterward, check out Save Our Seabirds next door. |
| Lunch | Pack a Picnic! | Before heading to Lido Key’s southern tip, stop by the main pavilion’s Lido Beach Restaurant and snag peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for supper (or lunch!). | |
| Early Afternoon (1:00 PM) | Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach | 2201 Ben Franklin Drive and 190 Taft Drive, Lido Key | Embark on a self-guided canoe or kayak tour to see the mangrove tunnels up close, or simply settle in for some playground time. |
| Mid-Afternoon (3:30 PM) | Marie Selby Botanical Gardens | 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota | Explore the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden—hike up to the banyan tree canopy and check out the waterfall. |
| Evening (5:30 PM) | Siesta Beach | 948 Beach Road, Sarasota | Rent a snorkel, boogie board, or umbrella. Look for the hair wrap kiosk for a lasting souvenir for your kiddo’s salty mane. |
| Dinner/Show | Siesta Key Drum Circle | Near Beach Access 11 | Stay for the Sunday sunset drum circle for a true Sarasota experience! |
Day 3: Inland Wonders & Bradenton Explorations
Wrap up the trip with some unique inland experiences, a taste of circus life, and a visit to the neighboring city of Bradenton.
| Time | Activity | Location/Details | Pro-Tip! |
| Morning (9:00 AM) | Sarasota Jungle Gardens | 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota | This is a must-do: Feed the flamingos—they will literally eat out of the palm of your hand! See over 150 animals, including alligators and birds of prey. |
| Late Morning (11:00 AM) | Crowley Museum and Nature Center | 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota | Walk the 3/8-mile Children’s Discovery Path with five interactive stations to learn about Florida panthers, gopher tortoises, and other indigenous animals. |
| Lunch | Mixon Fruit Farms (Bradenton) | 2525 27th St. E., Bradenton | Take a tram tour of the orchards, feed the koi, and scoop up an orange-vanilla ice cream cone! |
| Afternoon (2:30 PM) | Bradenton Riverwalk | 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton | The 1.5-mile walk along the Manatee River features a family fun zone with two playgrounds and a skate park. Bring a volleyball to use one of the courts! |
| Late Afternoon (5:00 PM) | Hermann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions (Seasonal) | 32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City | If visiting between December and early May, try to catch a practice session (Thurs/Fri at 3 PM, Sat at 10 AM). |
| Evening (Optional) | Kids Comedy Lab at Florida Studio Theatre | 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota | See an all-ages improv and music extravaganza that’s completely made up on the spot based on audience suggestions! |
The Day Trip Option
If you have an extra day or prefer a theme park/large museum experience, consider these Tampa-area destinations:
| Attraction | Highlight for Kids |
| Busch Gardens Tampa | The three-story Treetop Trails play area and the Sesame Street Safari of Fun are great for younger children. |
| Glazer Children’s Museum | More than 170 hands-on activities that let children pilot a cruise ship, design cities, and slide down a firefighter pole. |
| Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) | The Kids In Charge! children’s science center features space mission simulators and a moonwalk bounce area. |
| Manatee Viewing Center | A great seasonal (Nov-April) trip to see sea cows gather in the warm discharge waters of the Big Bend Power Station. |
