Multigenerational Family Fun on Florida’s Cultural Coast

From circus acts to ray feedings, Sarasota offers endless opportunities for family vacation fun. And at these attractions, there’s something for the whole crew—from grandparents and parents to teens and little ones—so no one gets left behind!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The whole family can wander through acres upon acres of pristine botanical gardens, with massive banyan trees and exquisite orchids at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Both the Downtown Sarasota campus and the Historic Spanish Point campus feature adult-specific and kid-friendly exhibits, tours and activities.

For the Adults

Explore rotating exhibits at the Downtown Sarasota campus, which often display masterpieces on loan from major art institutions worldwide. Legendary artists showcased in previous exhibitions have included Salvador Dalí, Paul Gauguin, Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein and Patti Smith. At the Historic Spanish Point campus, check out the region’s only butterfly house. Grandparents, parents and kids alike will enjoy spotting colorful Florida butterflies and their favorite flowers. Docent-guided tours for adults are available at both campuses, and the Historic Spanish Point campus offers a 45-minute boat tour on Little Sarasota Bay for visitors 6 years and older.

For the Kids

Feed the colorful fish at the Koi Pond, or take a walk in the Fern Garden, where toddlers and young children can play hide-and-seek with lightning-fast lizards among the low-lying ferns. The real star of the show at the Downtown Sarasota campus is the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden, which lets kids swing from 27 feet above along the Canopy Walk and Rope Bridge, play scientist at the Research Station or swing to their heart’s content on the Lawn. Got preschoolers? Bring them to the Little Sprouts Club, an interactive program designed for little ones aged 2-5, with hands-on activities, crafts and story time.

The Ringling

The Ringling, a historic mansion and arts complex, is composed of the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan, Historic Asolo Theater and Bayfront Gardens.

For the Adults

Take a guided tour of Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringlings’ opulent “Great Gatsby”-esque waterfront mansion, to see the home in detail, or join a free (with museum admission) volunteer-guided tour of the Museum of Art to learn about the family’s impressive art collection. Looking for date night ideas sans kids? Take a class or workshop together, from sunset yoga to Japanese woodblock printing to clowning. 

For the Kids

The Circus Museum takes visitors through Sarasota’s circus history with festive music, vintage posters and a 3,800-square-foot Howards Bros. Circus Model, which is sure to capture the imagination of visitors young and old. Kids — and kids at heart — will enjoy the hands-on activities and interactive installations, including tests like walking the tightrope, balancing on horseback or squeezing into a clown car. After you’ve explored, stroll through the gardens to find the David F. Bolger Playspace, which features a slide, net swings and a climbing area — perfect for tiring out the little kids. On Saturdays, the free ROAR! storytime invites families with preschoolers and toddlers to read together, make art and learn about the museum.

Myakka River State Park

The state’s one and only Wild and Scenic River, the Myakka River, stretches 72 miles through three counties, from eastern Manatee County through Sarasota County and into Charlotte Harbor.

For the Adults

Birders, bring your binoculars! Take a trip down the Birdwalk, a boardwalk that extends through the marsh. You can spot herons, egrets, turkeys, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and even bald eagles. Myakka River State Park also features boating, fishing, canoeing and kayaking on the water, plus hiking and biking on miles of trails and back roads. Pitch your tent under the stars, then gather the whole family at a campfire circle for ranger-led presentations and discussions about Myakka. 

For the Kids

Explore the park from 25 feet above on the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which traverses 100 feet through the hammock canopy. The William Boylston Nature Trail, a 0.8-mile interpretive walk, is a perfect trek for grandparents and younger kids. Grab a scavenger hunt map from the ranger station for a competitive twist. Make it a weekend trip to remember by staying the night at one of the park’s three campgrounds. 

Mote SEA

Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park is the perfect rainy-day attraction for visitors of all generations. And this isn’t your typical aquarium — Mote SEA features state-of-the-art habitats, immersive galleries and interactive learning opportunities. 

For the Adults

Whether you’re a science geek or an animal lover, you’ll enjoy taking a look behind the scenes at cutting-edge Workforce Development Labs, where interns and program participants learn about Mote’s research and conservation efforts. And adults, teens and older kids will definitely want to try the Virtual Reality Experience, which lets guests go “under the sea” in a specially designed VR pod. 

For the Kids

Mote SEA is stroller-friendly (guests must bring their own), so little ones of all ages can watch sharks, rays, manatees and river otters in their habitats. Throughout the day, catch animal care and feeding demonstrations, or try hand-feeding curious rays during the Ray Feeding Experience. Don’t miss the Shark Pups & Grownups program, where kids ages 2 through 5 learn about the marine environment through imaginative play, STEM-focused activities and music.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

A Smithsonian Affiliate, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is home to a state-of-the-art planetarium, manatee rescue habitat and local history exhibits.

For the Adults

Stroll through the museum’s permanent exhibitions, which display Paleo-Indian artifacts, recent scientific expeditions and local industrialization. Everyone will enjoy a show at the Planetarium, an immersive 50-foot full-dome theater. Space enthusiasts will want to catch “Forward! To the Moon” or “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage,” while physics nerds might appreciate “Messengers of Time and Space.”

For the Kids

The must-see for kids here is the Mosaic Backyard Universe, an ADA-accessible playspace designed for all ages. They can climb the Mighty Oak and Tree House Platform — complete with binoculars and telescopes to explore a scale model of the solar system — launch virtual missions in the immersive Cardboard Rocket, run hands-on experiments in the Science Shed and unearth fossils at the Dig Site. Plan your visit for the first Saturday of the month to join in on Space Saturdays, where kids ages 6-11 can enjoy hands-on activities in the Backyard Universe and a planetarium session with a staff astronomer.

Siesta Beach

Siesta Beach ranks among the world’s best for good reason. It’s easy to reach via the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley, and both the beach and nearby Siesta Key Village are packed with family-friendly activities.

For the Adults

Pitch your beach tent, grab your chairs and sink into the cool, soft quartz-crystal sand, while the kids run wild along the waves. Looking for more adventure? Try snorkeling and diving at Point of Rocks on Crescent Beach, an area rich with coral formations and vibrant marine life. End the night with an adults-only sunset tour aboard Fun Boat Tours.

For the Kids

Let the younger kiddos play on the playground or grab beach toys and snacks at the Public Pavilion, or take them to spot sea turtle nests (without touching or getting too close!) during turtle nesting season. Got teenagers? They'll be thrilled to pick up a game of beach volleyball at the nets, go jet skiing with CB’s SaltWater Outfitters or try parasailing — a great way to see dolphins.

Downtown Wellen Park

At the heart of Wellen Park, this charming downtown district features boutiques, all-day dining, a playground and splash pad, and year-round family-friendly events.

For the Adults

The downtown area offers a refined escape from the daily grind. Enjoy high-end, lakeside dining together at one of the many restaurants, or grab a quick bite at The Yard, a modern food container featuring quick service gourmet options like PopDawgs, whose popcorn and hot dogs bring a little Atlanta flavor to Sarasota County. Friday Night Live Concerts on the Great Lawn are a weekly opportunity to get family together on blankets and beach chairs to enjoy live music in the amphitheater. 

For the Kids

Take the little ones under the giant banyan tree to burn off energy at the playground and Splash Pad, or take a family walk or bike ride on the Grand Lake Trail, a 2.8-mile loop through downtown. The massive Great Lawn is also perfect for unstructured play, from throwing a frisbee to rolling down the grassy hills in a safe, pedestrian-friendly environment. Be sure to grab a sweet treat at Bright Ice, whose ice cream is made using locally sourced, all-natural ingredients. 

Venice Fishing Pier

While a fishing pier might not sound like the most exciting family outing, the Venice Fishing Pier is famous for its gorgeous sunsets and nearby restaurants. 

For the Adults

Love fishing? Drop a line from the pier — no fishing license required. Families also can play volleyball at nearby sand courts, keep an eye for dolphins and manatees passing by or grab some spiced seafood nachos and a Bait Bucket Margarita from Sharky’s on the Pier, a multi-time winner for Best Florida Beach Bar. 

For the Kids

Toddlers might enjoy just wandering around the pier and watching the fish! Older kids will want to get in on the action, so a trip to Papa’s Bait & Snack Shop for fresh and frozen bait is a must. You can also pick up a sifter for shark teeth hunting and head down to Venice Beach, aka the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World." Unearthing little fossilized teeth in the sands will always be a fan favorite – no matter the age! And Sharky’s on the Pier isn’t just for adults — the kids' menu features favorites like popcorn shrimp, chicken fingers and sea weenies (grilled hot dogs).