Say Yes to Nokomis, FL

"No shirt, no shoes, Nokomis!"

According to my buddy, who grew up in this small town located between Sarasota and Venice, this is the unofficial slogan of Nokomis, Florida. It embodies the laid back, low-key feel of the area perfectly. In Nokomis, you'll find surfing and fishing to be primary recreations, and formality to be at a minimum. It's the ideal place to explore in search of fresh fish and outdoor adventures without the crowds of the adjacent cities.

Yes to the Sea: Nokomis Beach & Casey Key

Because of the location of this triangle-shaped town, pretty much anything you do in Nokomis will inevitably involve a lovely water view. Most restaurants, parks, etc will show you one of the Bays, Gulf, or Intracoastal. And looking at water pretty much makes everything better.

Casey Key and Nokomis Beach are no exception, of course, located on the lovely Gulf of Mexico. However, unlike its popular beach neighbors Venice and Siesta, they are far less crowded, while still giving visitors a glimpse of the clear turquoise waters this coast boasts.

Yes to Great Eats: Restaurants in Nokomis

When I asked the aforementioned Nokomis native for restaurant recommendations from a true local, he suggested Café Evergreen, Evie’s on the Bay, and Pop's Sunset Grill. We opted for Pop's, not only for the location, water views, air conditioning, and food, but mainly because my husband and I have a nostalgic history with the place that involves a capsized pontoon. We couldn’t wait to go back. It's the quintessential Florida restaurant, featuring fish and margaritas with Key West decor. But the food is actually good. I have found that often one must choose between a great location with water views or decent food. But Pop's left all four of us happy, if not overfull. The kids' fish fingers are real fish, the beer is local, and the music is live. It's the trifecta.

Yes to Play: Nokomis Community Park

In continuance of the place that has the whole shebang, there's Nokomis Community Park. Despite the unassuming name, this park has pretty much everything a family in Florida could want. For starters, the playgrounds are fully covered and shady. As a mom, this is probably the most important feature during the hot Florida summers. When the kids hop down the slide, their thighs don't burn. They can swing without being blinded with every arc. Mine deemed it "the greatest place on earth." Beyond the playground are public tennis courts, pickle ball, sand volleyball courts, a covered basketball court, and a multi-sport field area. If there's a game your family likes to play, you can play it here. History buffs will love that the bathrooms are housed in the original Nokomis school house. For the animal lovers, gopher tortoise homes scatter the park, fully labeled and marked so they can be identified and protected. The kayak launch screams convenience and leads you directly to the calm waters of Roberts Bay, just beyond the mangroves.

Yes to Ride: The Legacy Trail

The park provides direct access to the Legacy Trail. If you've never ventured along the Legacy Trail, you're missing out on one of the most fun things a family can do. Spanning from Sarasota to Venice, this paved route provides bikers – or skateboarders, rollerbladers, scooterers, walkers, or runners – to safely travel amongst nature without the risk of vehicular collisions. It's like taking a safari through southern Florida. Tortoises, foxes, snakes, and bunnies have all been spotted by my family. The Trail setup allows you to start and finish wherever you'd like, and ride whatever distance you'd like, in true Nokomis laid back style.

Yes to Rest: Places to Stay in Nokomis

Make yourself at home - it’s easy in comfortable, inviting Nokomis. If beachfront is your jam, both A Beach Retreat on Casey Key and Escape Coastal Resort & Marina will give you those sunset dreams. Take advantage of all the homey amenities at Home2 Suites by Hilton Nokomis and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nokomis.

Can’t decide? Casey Key Resorts offers luxury lodging both beachfront and mainland. No need to stress yourself out making decisions.

Yes to the Beat: Nokomis Beach Drum Circle

Sunday and Wednesday evenings in Nokomis feature the Drum Circle on Nokomis Beach. Head to the sand an hour before sunset to participate in this weekly festivity. Bring what makes you happy - be it a chair, a snack, or a hula hoop. Stay as long as you’d like. It’s nothing if not casual.

Yes to Hanging Out: North Jetty

If there's one more place in Nokomis where anyone and everyone can enjoy him/herself, it's where my buddy claims "everyone hangs out" – the North Jetty. If you've been to the jetty in Venice, you've seen the North Jetty. That strip of rocks surrounded by water and full of people laughing, fishing, and enjoying the views? That's the North Jetty. A place where dolphins swim by and the sunset illuminates the sky each night. Bring a pole and see what bites; in case it's not a keeper, you can hop into the North Jetty Concession for tacos and a Jetty Juice. Let the kids throw rocks, run to the adjacent park, or draw pictures of the seabirds perched nearby. No need for a shirt. No need for shoes. But yes to Nokomis.