Sarasota Family Vacation

For years, I avoided visiting Sarasota because I was under the impression that it was an obscure destination that catered exclusively to affluent senior citizens. I was wrong. During a recent visit, I discovered much to my surprise that Sarasota is one of the most beautiful, family-friendly and affordable vacation destinations in Florida.

But the city offers opportunities beyond just a family beach vacation. Sarasota also has a rich arts and cultural community, and offers plenty of attractions to explore for families and individuals alike.

Sarasota Activities and Attractions

Located along the Gulf Coast in Southwest Florida a short drive south of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Sarasota is known for its miles of pristine beaches, consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the country. They’re located within the city’s mainland boundaries on Sarasota Bay as well as on the stretch of barrier islands that also compose the city, including Longboat Key and Lido Key. Top spots include Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, the mainland Venice Beach (close to downtown) and remote Casey Key, for a touch of Old Florida.

But Sarasota offers more than just an opportunity for a family beach vacation. The city also gas golf—Sarasota claims to be the site of the first golf course built in the United States— spas, shopping, fine dining, boating, water sports and fishing. What most people don’t expect from Sarasota, however, is that it also offers an abundance of top-quality cultural activities and family-oriented attractions, all accessible within a 10-mile radius.

While many of the beachfront resorts in the area offer plenty of on-site activities, you will definitely want a rental car so you can explore the Sarasota area, including neighboring islands.

• Two kids get a close-up look at manatees at the Mote Aquarium.
• Courtesy of Mote Aquarium

Aquatic Adventures

Whether you’re traveling with or without kids, plan to visit Mote Aquarium. The aquarium offers marine exhibits featuring dolphins, sharks, manatees and more than 100 other marine species, and it hosts several daily boat and kayaking tours with partner company, Sarasota Bay Explorers. The guided kayak tours last for about two hours and take participants through the area’s maze of mangroves that surround Sarasota bay.

Rates: $55 for adults, $45 for children; not recommended for kids under age 6. Tel. 941-388-4200; www.mote.org.

Ringling Museums

To complement your aquatic adventures, pay a visit to the Circus Museum within the Ringling Museum complex, which showcases a history of the world’s most famous circuses. Teens and adults alike can also experience circus life first-hand by participating in trapeze classes taught at the Tito Gaona Flying Trapeze Academy in nearby Venice, Fla.. In addition, adults can visit the John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art.

Scenic Segway

Teens and adults can enjoy a two-hour guided Segway tour of Sarasota, offered by Florida Ever-Glides. Priced at $59 per person, participants pilot their own Segway personal transport vehicle past Sarasota landmarks during their beachfront excursion.

• The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art features 21 galleries that showcase a variety of art from all over the world.
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Ages 12 and older; weight restrictions: 100 to 280 lbs. Tel. 941-363-9556; www.floridaever-glides.com.

Gardens, Golf and Shopping

Other memorable and affordable Sarasota area attractions include the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens and Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf. If you want to shop, St. Armands Circle features 140 upscale shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants in a lovely, park-like setting.

Performance Art

Visitors can experience live evening performances at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, the Players of Sarasota, the Florida Studio Theatre or the Florida West Coast Symphony.

Sarasota Accommodations

In terms of accommodations, there are plenty of mid-priced and luxury hotels, many of which are very close to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the United States.

• Take a siesta while watching the sun go down over Siesta Key in Sarasota.
• Courtesy of the Sarasota CVB

Mid-Priced Lodging

For between $150 and $200 per night, guestrooms are available at a wide range of hotels and resorts in the area, including Hotel Indigo, the Captiva Beach Resort, Casa del Mar, ResortQuest and the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. These hotels and resorts all offer special mid-week deals and incentives throughout the summer and fall. Keep in mind, however, that not all of the hotels or resorts in the area have swimming pools, so ask about on-property activities and amenities before booking your reservation. You can learn more about local accommodations by visiting the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Ritz Luxury

For the ultimate in luxurious accommodations in Sarasota, look no further than the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. This resort features top-notch service and amenities, including The Members Golf Club, with a new 18-hole course recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and a full-service day spa. While adults are enjoying all that the Ritz-Carlton has to offer, kids can participate in the Ritz Kids supervised recreational programs; kids day camps offer nature walks, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts, and the Kids’ Night Out program offers themed activities like Alien Invasion.

The biggest perk to staying at this resort is that guests have exclusive access to the members-only Ritz-Carlton Beach Club, situated on one of the most gorgeous private beaches in the area. It also offers a separate pool area and the award-winning Beach Club Grill that overlooks the ocean. Dinner at the Beach Club’s “Sunset Celebration” (featuring a live drum ceremony as the sun sets on the beach) was definitely a highlight of my recent trip. Standard room rates start at $289 per night during the low season, June through August.

If You Go

More than a dozen major airlines (including JetBlue Airways, AirTran Airways, US Airways, Delta Airlines and Continental Airlines) offer flights directly to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, conveniently located less than six miles from the popular beaches, resorts and tourist attractions. At this small airport, you will avoid long lines and crowds, and you can pick up your rental car right outside of the airport terminal. The Tampa International Airport is another nearby option, a little over an hour away.

Whether you plan to spend a weekend or a week in Sarasota, you’re in for a fun and memorable experience that is a different experience from what other tourist destinations in Florida have to offer.