You cannot wait to enjoy a fun-filled trip with your family but are busy wondering about the perfect spot for it. This is a common scenario in every household where the main questions include where to go, what to do, and where to stay. While hunting for the perfect spot for a family-friendly vacation, you would require something that has exciting and fun family activities in Sarasota, FL for all age groups. Though the focus usually lies on kids, it is also necessary to opt for a destination that appeals to adults too. If beach and sand are the words that excite you and your group, you can check out the beautiful Gulf Coast in Florida. From the gorgeous Key West to exciting Sarasota, the coast has many fun destinations for the entire group. Spend some relaxing moments on the coast while admiring the blue ocean or dive right into the ocean while enjoying fun water sports, the options are endless. There is so much to do and enjoy that you would not have to worry about killing any dead time. Sarasota is a family-friendly city with a vibrant ambiance to its credit. It is known for its pristine beaches with white sand and blue waters. But, it is also known for its culture with museums, tourist attractions, nature preserves, and much more. You can easily spend a fun day with your family while visiting some unique spots, sampling diverse cuisines, and participating in both indoor and outdoor adventures.

Plenty of Family-Friendly Events for the Trip

Sarasota is a vibrant city so you can look forward to having a great time. It is also a budget-friendly city so you would not have to break the bank while looking for family-friendly attractions. One of the best spots that can easily entertain you for hours is the pristine Siesta Key Beach. This white sand beach has miles of shoreline where you can have a great time with your folks. It is exciting for water sports and activities like surfing, swimming, kayaking, sailing, and much more. Kids can play in the sand while adults can admire the changing colors of the sky. It is also a perfect spot for a picnic where you can relish home-cooked meals while bonding with your folks. After spending a day on this beach, the next adventure awaits at the gorgeous Lido Key Beach. Here you can find picnic areas, white sand, restrooms, and a happening vibe. If you and your kids love to meet animals of different species, you must visit the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Find a variety of sea animals while learning about their habitat, food habits, activities, and much more. Here, you can see coral reefs, sea jellies, otters, and alligators.

Spend an exciting time at one of the picturesque parks in the area. The Oscar Scherer State Park is a nice destination where you can enjoy a picnic with your group. It has many play areas for kids. Spread over more than 1400 acres, the spot is blessed with lots of natural beauty. It is an excellent idea for a nature trip where you can enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking. The park also has designated areas where children can do activities like snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and rollerblading. Nothing can match the joy of spending a day exploring different birds and learning about their sound, color, activities, and habitat. This is possible at the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center where you can go on guided tours to learn about the different birds. The Sarasota Jungle Gardens is the place to be if you would like to see more than 200 different species of animals and birds. It is a fun spot for kids where they can see a wide range of native and exotic animals. Spread over more than 37,000 acres, the Myakka River State Park is another famous family-friendly place where children can have a great time. Another nature trip awaits at this destination where you can see the different varieties of trees, animals, and birds. Some of the popular activities include bird watching, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and camping. If you and your group enjoy walking, you cannot miss the unique Legacy trail. This popular 18.5-mile long trail cuts through the city taking you through downtown districts, suburbs, and other spots. You can enjoy a relaxing walk while checking out the city on foot.

For an outdoor adventure, we can suggest the Celery Fields. This 400-acre site is a fun outdoor spot where you can see a variety of birds. The picturesque landscape has deep ponds, canals, marshlands, and trees. You can enjoy activities like birdwatching, fishing, wildlife viewing, and nature photography.

Choose a Perfect Accommodation

With so many family-friendly activities in Sarasota, you cannot afford to miss all the fun. Along with all the ideas for activities, you would require a safe, comfortable, and clean accommodation. Check out the different options with us at Rent the Keys where you can see the different vacation rentals. Our fully furnished vacation rentals can make you feel at home. While staying with a group, you can choose a big house with a large living area, dining area, a functional kitchen, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, and outdoor amenities. Enjoy both private and common areas that make it easy while staying with a big group. Get in touch with us at the earliest to book an impressive vacation rental.

The year-round sun and warmth of Florida make it the ideal destination any time of year you need a break. Pack your bags and gather your friends and family for a fun and exciting fall vacation full of sand, water, and sun, as well as some fun indoor activities for when there’s a little chill in the air. Set your sights on the Florida Keys and Sarasota and their many exciting offerings, and you’ll build one of the best Florida fall vacations to keep you happy and busy throughout your stay.

Anna Maria Island Historical Museum

Take some time out of your busy schedule of fall activities to learn about one of the area’s barrier islands. The Anna Maria Island Historical Museum on nearby Anna Maria Island is loaded with history and treasures from the locale’s past. Visit the old city jail, now an Anna Maria tourist spot but previously the actual city jail that was in use until the 1940s. Learn about the many Hollywood movies shot in the area, like Palmetto and The Perfect Storm, and even early life on the island dating all the way back to 700 AD and evidence of Native American cultures.

Beaches

A Sarasota-area vacation without a visit to its beaches, no matter the time of year, is virtually unheard of. Pack up your group and your beach gear and make the short trip to the sand. While taking a dip in the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico may be a bit chilly, there are plenty of things to do on land, including taking a walk, sitting and soaking up the sun and read, or watching the kids build sandcastles. Whether you choose one of our rentals in Sarasota or surround yourself with water on one of the keys, the many area beaches are a top priority for any family getaway.

Festivals and Fairs

Each one of the Florida Keys, as well as mainland towns like Sarasota, celebrates fall in its own way. Check with the local chamber of commerce or event organizers to find out what special things may be going on. From Oktoberfest and fall harvest and local arts and crafts fairs to special island celebrations like Anna Maria Island Bayfest, there will be plenty of fall flair to enjoy on your Sarasota getaway.

Golf

For the golfers in the group that want to golf near the Gulf, you can set sail with your clubs to one of the two courses on Longboat Key or have the only water you encounter to be the water hazards on the courses around Sarasota. Make tee times at Sarasota courses like Stoneybrook, the Meadows, and TPC Prestancia. The island courses both call the Resort at Longboat Key Club home. Links on Longboat and the Harbourside course are both challenging courses that not only bring on-course water and sand hazards into play but potentially the waters of the Gulf, too!

Bicycle Rentals

Like on many islands, there barrier islands of the Sarasota area have several places that a motor vehicle can’t go. Instead, explore the many walking and bike trails that let you see the sights of the Florida Keys during fall. You will find a bike to fit the needs of each group member, like cruisers, tricycles for added balance and basket space, a romantic bicycle built for two, and even children’s bikes and adult bikes with baby seats. Many rental companies provide complimentary locks and baskets with your rental. Ask about safety gear like lights and helmets, and perks like delivery to your accommodations.

Fall Fun in Florida

When you book a getaway with Rent the Keys, you won’t be short on fun fall activities to fill your time. From spending the day on the sand to spending the day lounging in your vacation rental, you’ll be able to build a getaway that is uniquely yours. Relax and unwind after a fun-filled day. Enjoy a one-bedroom for your small family or fall sweetheart getaway, all the way up to six bedrooms for a group reunion. Make a home-cooked meal in your unit’s fully equipped kitchen, many with stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the meal in the large living/dining areas, or in a private outdoor space. Relax in a private bedroom, or gather the family, pop some popcorn, and watch your favorite movie. Choose a premium unit for perks like a fireplace, double ovens, flat-screen TVs, a private pool, and more. Include the whole family by inquiring about select rentals that allow your fur babies to stay.

Contact us today to book your fall fun Florida getaway!

The warmth and sun of Florida is an attraction any time of year. Pack your bags and prepare for fun in the sun, water, and even on land as you check out many of the exciting activities the area has to offer. While the weather may be perfect for the majority of your trip, you’ll want to prepare some activities in the Florida Keys for times when the weather doesn’t cooperate with your beach and outdoor schedule.

Sea-renity Beach Spa & Bou-tiki

The spa is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit, no matter how gloomy the weather. Head to the spa on Anna Maria Island to pamper yourself with a wide range of spa services, with a myriad of massage treatments you’ll love. Enhance the experience with reflexology, scalp soothing, warm stones, or a sea scrub. There are facials and other bodywork techniques to choose from, too. If you don’t want to brave the rain, someone will come to you to complete your relaxation at your rental. If you choose to visit the spa in person, you’ll be able to choose one of the many rooms in the spa. Come back when the sun is shining for treatment in their beachfront tiki hut. Keep in mind some of the add-on treatments may not be available in the hut, and wherever your treatment occurs, make sure to bring a mask.

Island Players

While movies may be a great way to pass a few hours on a rainy day, give your entertainment a live twist and take in a show by The Island Players. The Anna Maria Island group is the oldest community theater in Manatee County. When in season, they have shows Tuesday-Saturday, plus a Sunday matinee. If the rain hits on a Monday, you’ll be out of luck for a show, since that’s their day off. Make sure to visit their website, where you can check the schedule and book tickets beforehand.

Anna Maria Island Historical Museum

After you’ve spent plenty of time in the sunny, warm weather exploring the outdoor aspects of Anna Maria Island, use a rainy day to learn more about the history of the island at an indoor venue. The Anna Maria Island Historical Museum, near the old city jail, has plenty of information about the history and treasures of the island’s past. You can brave the rain to visit the jail, which used to be the city jail until the 1940s or stick to the museum and stay warm and dry. You’ll also learn about the many Hollywood movies shot on the island, like Palmetto and The Perfect Storm. Go way back in time and find evidence of Native American cultures that date back to 700 AD.

Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Florida is one of the best places for a variety of nature’s best. From inland lakes and the picturesque shores of the coast of the shimmering Gulf of Mexico to wildlife that live on land and wildlife that inhabits the sea, there’s a lot to see and learn about the unique ecosystem of Florida. For some indoor fun on a rainy day when you can’t visit the beach, head to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, formerly known as the South Florida Museum, located in Bradenton. You’ll want to prepare for fun and learning with many permanent exhibits, as well as a number of rotating exhibits, meaning no two visits will ever be the same! Make sure not to miss the manatee habitat where you can meet the manatees and learn about measures for manatee rehabilitation or visit the planetarium for an out-of-this-world show.

Rainy Day Fun Activities in the Florida Keys

When you book your fun-filled getaway to the Florida Keys, you won’t be short on activities to fill every minute of every day, even when the sun isn’t shining. With so many activities in the Florida Keys to choose from, you’ll find something to do to keep the entire group entertained and happy. Spend some time in your accommodations if you don’t feel like going out. From a one-bedroom for your small family or a getaway with your sweetheart, all the way up to six bedrooms for a family or group reunion, you’ll find something by Rent the Keys to fill the bill! Instead of getting wet when heading out to eat, stay warm and dry and prepare a mouth-watering home-cooked meal in your rental’s fully equipped kitchen. Recharge with a nap or a good night’s sleep in your own bedroom or spread out in the spacious living area to read a book or watch a movie. Indulge in a premium unit for upgrades like stainless steel appliances, double ovens, flat-screen TVs and more.

Contact us to book your stay full of all-weather memories today!

The sun and warmth of Florida is attractive any time of year you need a getaway. Pack your bags and prepare for fun in the sun, water, and even on land as you check out many of the exciting activities the Florida Keys have to offer. You’ll find plenty of activities and Florida Keys tours to keep you busy throughout your stay.

Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & EcoVentures

Based in Longboat Key and serving the visitors and residents of Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton Beach, and Sarasota, this company offers rentals, lessons, and tours by kayak and stand-up paddleboard. Choose the coastal island tour to kayak around Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key where you’ll spot dolphins, manatees, birds, and all sorts of other marine life. Take a tour of the mangroves at the Robinson Preserve on the mangrove kayak tour and learn about the wildlife and history of the area that includes nearly 700 acres of restored coastal wetlands, tidal salt marsh habitats, and more. For the anglers of the group, they’ll want to check out the kayak fishing tour where they can bring back snook, red drum, spotted sea trout, and other species to grill up for a delicious lunch or dinner. For a romantic evening afloat or a colorful perspective of the area, book one of their sunset tours and watch the sun sink below the horizon.

833-LETS-FLY Air Adventures

Enjoy Anna Maria Island from above! Fly high above Anna Maria Island and the surrounding area with 833-LETS-FLY. The safe and stable open-air cockpit flight vehicle is designated as a “weight-shift-controlled” aircraft by the FFA and is a motorized vehicle evolved from hang gliders. Try the introductory “discovery flight” where you’ll have the opportunity to discover the awesomeness of flying over the beaches in the unique glider for a bird’s eye view. You can even take the controls if you like. Stay on the lookout for dolphins, stingrays, manatees, and sharks swimming the waters below. Choose from a 30- or 60-minute tour, and make sure to add on an HD GOPRO recording of your flight to relive the experience once you get home.

Paradise Boat Tours

The best way to get to know the area you’ve decided to call home for a while is to get out and explore all the nooks and crannies. While exploring on land is easy, by car or on foot or bike, you’ll want to get familiar with the waters of the area too. Based in Bradenton Beach, Paradise Boat Tours offers fully narrated, 90-minute tours of the intercoastal waterways. You’ll want to bring your camera along and keep it ready and your eyes peeled for sea life that many include dolphins, manatees, rays, and more! Plan a private tour for you and your group or you and your sweetheart and pack a picnic, including your favorite alcoholic beverages.

Bradenton Beach Parasailing

Another way to see your chose vacation destination from a bird’s eye view is with a parasailing adventure. Sail high over the water on your airborne adventure with Bradenton Beach Parasailing. You’ll take off from the beautiful waters off of Anna Maria Island and fly high above the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Dare to look down and spot dolphins, turtles, manatees, stingrays, and other sea life. You can choose to take off and land without getting wet, or when the weather’s warm cool off from the beat of the sun with a little dip in the water before flying back up once again to come down for a safe landing on the boat deck of the specially designed and USGS approved parasailing boat. The harness fits up to three people, so you can go it alone or do your best to convince a couple of your group members to go up with you. Non-participating passengers are welcome if space allows. Ask about age or weight restrictions when booking.

Amazing Experiences on Florida Keys Tours

When you book your fun- and tour-filled getaway to the Florida Keys, you won’t be short on activities and experiences to fill every minute of every day. With so many things to choose from, you’ll find something to do to keep the entire group entertained and happy. When booking accommodations, make sure to choose a beautiful vacation home provided by RentTheKeys. Choose a one-bedroom for your small family or a getaway with your sweetheart, all the way up to six bedrooms for a family or group reunion! Prepare a mouth-watering home-cooked meal in your rental’s fully equipped kitchen. Relax after a long day or take your morning coffee out to a private deck or balcony. Recharge with a nap or a good night’s sleep in your own bedroom or spread out in the spacious living area to read a book or watch a movie. Choose a premium unit for upgrades like stainless steel appliances, double ovens, flat-screen TVs and more.

Contact us to book your stay full of unforgettable Florida Keys tours and experiences today!