Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Sarasota

"The 66-acre winter estate of railroad, real-estate and circus baron John Ringling and his wife, Mable, is one of the Gulf Coast’s premier attractions and incorporates their personal collection of artworks in what..."

"The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, is home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United..."

"Ca' d'Zan, (Venetian for "House of John"), is the waterfront residence built for Mable and John Ringling. The mansion was designed by architect Dwight James Baum with assistance from the Ringlings, built by Owen Burns, and was completed in 1926. It is designed in Venetian Gothic style."

"The winter home for the American circus owners John Ringling and his wife Mable, the Ca d’Zan Mansion is a stunning five-story Mediterranean Revival home overlooking Sarasota Bay."

"The Capri at Siesta is a small boutique hotel that has garnered plenty of top reviews from visitors. There are only 10 rooms here, ranging from the Studio that sleeps up to two people to the Deluxe Suite that sleeps up to five. All have a kitchenette and complimentary wi-fi."

"The Siesta Key Beach lives up to the hype of being consistently ranked as the best beach in the United States. It even was ranked as the fifth best beach in the world by TripAdvisor. The fine, white sand and beautiful water are gorgeous."

"History: The land was purchased in the 1950's through a referendum. The historic pavilion was designed by Edward J. Seibert of the..."

"If you are a baseball fan, one of the must-dos for the spring season is stopping by LECOM Park to watch the Pittsburg Pirates complete their spring training. The park was initially called McKechnie Field when it was built in 1923, in honor of Bill McKechnie, who was a Pittsburg native and Hall of Fame manager. The park was renamed after receiving new sponsorship from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, shortened to the acronym LECOM."

"Leffis Key Preserve was once overgrown with plants not native to the island, but thanks to the efforts of the local government and private individuals, it has now been transformed into a nationally significant estuary. Head up to the 26-foot high hill in the middle of the restored area, where you can have a 360-degree view of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. Throughout the Preserve, you’ll find convenient footpaths with benches and 1,500 feet of boardwalks that take you through the mangrove forest."

"On the south end of Anna Maria Island, across the way from Coquina Beach, you’ll find the small but stunning Leffis Key Preserve. What was once an overgrown spoil full of invasive species plants, Leffis Key Preserve has now become a impressive example of what a community can do to save its natural wetlands and estuaries. Leffis Key has 1,500 feet of boardwalks that take you around the island and lead up to a 26-foot high hill that features stunning panoramic views of Sarasota Bay and Anna Maria Island."

"Located on either side of the Intracoastal Waterway, the Venetian Waterway Park was developed by Venice Area Beautification Inc or VABI. Highly popular with locals, this attraction near Venice beach connects the heart of Venice to the park belonging to Caspersen beach and offers hiking and bicycle trails, picnic, and restroom facilities. This trail also connects to the Legacy Trail, which will take you into Sarasota."

"The Venetian Waterway Park is a fantastic place to explore the city’s beautiful canals and waterways. The park follows the waterways – in particular, the major Intracoastal Waterway, which separates the coast from the mainland. There are several miles of walking paths leading from downtown Venice, following a gentle route along the water that eventually leads all the way to Caspersen Beach to the south of the city."

"Walkers, joggers, bicyclists, nature lovers, and rollerbladers can enjoy the Venetian Waterway Trail running either side of the Intracoastal channel, and the Legacy Trail a paved recreational trail. See boats, birds, and even dolphins as you enjoy exercising in the fresh air."

"Located in the middle of a quiet, middle-class neighborhood, this peaceful park is the perfect setting for a cookout with the family under shady trees or a game of catch in unobstructed open space. Shade trees cover half the park, but the portion at 13th Avenue West and 28th Street is primarily open green space. The park is surrounded by a wooden, rail fence and parking is prohibited inside."

"If you’re looking for a pick-me-up in the middle of the day or want to escape the hot sun, stop by Big Olaf Creamery. This hidden gem features homemade ice cream in waffle cones and any other sweet treat you might want!. They are located at 5208 Ocean Boulevard and are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m."

"5208 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota; 941-349-9392; bigolafsiestakey.com. This is where children of all ages have been going for ice cream, made by local Amish experts since 1982. Mask up to order inside and then enjoy your treats at one of the many surrounding benches."

"Sweet treat enthusiasts will find the focus-on-the-basics approach at Big Olaf Creamery pleasing. It’s all about ice cream, pure and unique, and there’s plenty of it to go around. The rotating menu offers different seasonal delights."

"Explore Florida's ecosystems with a day of hiking or bicycling around the nature trails at De Soto National Memorial park or take a 45-minute Trail Walk with one of the Park Rangers from the Visitor Center to learn about the rich history and heritage of the grounds. The De Soto National Memorial is home to the living history Camp Uzita; a ten-table picnic area; several small beaches; and The Cove, an anchorage for small pleasure boats. Admission to the De Soto National Memorial is free to the public, but donations are accepted."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Located in Manatee County, DeSoto National Memorial Park is a place that was established to commemorate the landing of Hernando de Soto in 1539, a Spanish explorer and conquistador who made landfall in Tampa Bay along with his army of soldiers. Aside from that, it was also built to remember the Europeans’ first exploration of the southern United States."

"As soon as you see the bright blue waters and white sand beaches of this park, you’ll instantly be at peace. Take some time to ride a paddleboard across the waters, search for shells on the beach, or lie back and enjoy catching up on your suntan!. Wildlife abounds here, so keep an eye out for pelicans, especially at Brushy Bayou!"

"The Sarasota Jungle Gardens, which opened in 1939, is a popular tourist attraction that features a gorgeous botanical garden and animal shows."

"America's neighborhood restaurant, bar & grill, serving up good times, featuring steaks, chicken, burgers, salads, desserts and more. Visit Applebee's today."

"I have now eaten at two locations and they have great diner food. I highly recommend that you check it out!"

"Bonjour French Cafe is another great Sarasota breakfast restaurant located in Siesta Key. This French-inspired restaurant is known for its sweet and savory crepes, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. (They even offer buckwheat crepes if you’re feeling extra healthy that day!) There’s also a great kids menu that offers both lunch and breakfast options."

"offers sandwiches, crepes and other French fare in a quaint cafe. Inside, the place is lined with French memorabilia, and offers patrons a selection of croissant, a variety of crepes, omelettes, quiches, fruits, panini and sandwiches on baguettes. Try the crepe gourmande, which is a spongy crepe filled with strawberries, bananas, and chocolate."

"Had a super yummy croissant with Brie, walnuts, and spinach. The next day had a delicious Eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce..."