10 Ways to Play in Family-Friendly Sarasota County

Siesta Beach has gotten lots of national attention in recent years, and for good reason. It’s got about 100 acres of nearly pure quartz crystal sand that’s fine, white, and powdery, offering lots of room for playing Frisbee, sandcastle building or just running around. And a major improvement project has added more parking and updated the tennis courts, playground, restrooms, and concession areas. Or you can head further south to Venice, Caspersen or Manasota Beach to hunt for fossilized sharks' teeth, a cool souvenir to take home from your trip.

Bring your own gear or rent some to see what’s biting at spots like the Venice Fishing Pier at Venice Jetties and Tony Saprito Pier in Sarasota. Or get out on the water with the help of local fishing guides/operators at CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, Outriggers Charter Fishing, and Siesta Key Fishing Adventures, which offer folks the chance to land everything from snapper and redfish to tarpon and cobia.

Kayaks and paddleboards serve as great ways to explore the local waters. Companies like Bay and Gulf Adventures and Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures lead kayak tours suitable for all ages around spots like the Myakka River and Lido Key and its mangrove tunnels. Or take a family paddleboarding lesson through WhatSUP at Ted Sperling Park. If you’d prefer a DIY approach, you can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards from outfitters like Economy Tackle/Dolphin Paddlesports and Enticer Water Sports.

There are lots of places to pedal around Sarasota County. Covering more than 10 miles, the Legacy Trail stretches from Sarasota to Venice and connects with Venetian Waterway Park, which features five more miles of biking and walking trails on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway. Both offer flat, car-free pathways easily maneuvered by bike riders of all levels and ages. (If you don’t have your own bikes, you can rent them at places like Village Bikes and Siesta Key Bike & Kayak.) Kids 10 and up can ride with Sarasota Bike Tours, which supplies all the necessary equipment and takes participants on rides through places like downtown Sarasota and Siesta and Lido Keys.

Got little animal lovers? They can have encounters with all kinds of creatures in Sarasota County. Head to Myakka River State Park to see alligators gliding through the water or sunning on the shore. Visit famous local manatees Hugh and Buffett, rescued sea turtles, and other aquatic animals at Mote Marine Aquarium or feed flamingos and catch a reptile show at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Bring binoculars to spot birds and even sometimes bats at the Venice Area Audubon Rookery and see the big cats roar at Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sancturary.

Forgo the fast food and chain restaurants. When it’s time to refuel, there are lots of restaurants in the area that provide a family-friendly atmosphere and eats that Mom and Dad will like as much as the kids. Brunch it up at neighborhood breaky spot, First Watch, with a giant menu for the whole family. Grab some a la carte tacos at Circo, a build-your-own pizza at Siesta Ripfire Pizza, tapas at local institution Columbia or homemade ice cream at downtown's Rise & Nye's. And you can’t come to Florida without supping on seafood—Marker 4, Old Salty Dog and Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar all offer interesting settings and plenty of menu options for young and old.

Sarasota's Saturday farmers market is also a great place to find local food products and yummy treats, as well as Waterside Place's Ranch Nites, where dozens of area food trucks line up and park for hungry families to have a bite and taste all different cuisines.