It seems to happen sooner every year. Your swimsuits are packed away, the Halloween décor begins to appear on the shelves of your favorite shops, and your social network feed is filled with back-to-school photos of kids, bringing with it the end of the carefree days of summer. But what if you aren’t ready for the end of summer and your soul is crying to feel the warmth of the season’s sun on your shoulders, to hear the roar of the sea in your heart, and to watch that same sun set over turquoise waters? A Florida vacation in the Keys over Labor Day can bring you an extension of summer’s glory, and a stay in our RentTheKeys seasonal sanctuaries can bring you the comfort and relaxation you need, shoring up your soul for the hectic days that lie ahead. This guide to Labor Day in the Florida Keys will give you many ideas on how to fill your holiday itinerary.
A Taste of Summer in Longboat Key
The flavors of summer are the freshest ones, locally sourced from the seas around us and providing a smorgasbord of deliciousness without all the excess fat and calories that often accompanies vacation dining. Seafood restaurants in Sarasota are plentiful, of course, but one particular restaurant stands out, having garnered the attention of some of the top critics and very recently being named one of the top 100 seafood restaurants in the country. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, 412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, comes in at number 32 on the list, but has always been number one in our hearts. Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner and offering stunning views of the Sarasota Bay, fall will be banished from your brain as you devour a Florida favorite fresh grouper that was until recently swimming through the waters you are admiring from your table on the patio at sunset.
The Quintessential Summer Activity in Cape Coral
The smell of sunscreen, the sounds of water rushing down waterslides, and the taste of fruity slushies cooling down your insides as their unnaturally bright colors dye your tongue and lips; these are everyday sights and sensations at Sun Splash Family Water Park, located at 500 W Lake Kennedy Drive in Cape Coral. Labor Day signifies the end of everyday hours, switching to weekends at closing time on Monday, but for this weekend, you and your family can pretend that summer will go on forever as you challenge your bravery with trips down the Terror Tube or Thunder Bump. Families with younger kiddos will appreciate the interactive qualities of Pirate’s Cove, offering pint-sized adventures for your tiniest travelers, and because summer should be about relaxing, parents can spend some of their waterpark time leisurely floating around the lazy river while draped over the vinyl of an innertube.
Book a Tee Time in Sarasota
Unlike your own northern hometown, golf is a year-round sport in the Sunshine State, and your Sarasota stay should involve at least one round of golf at the Tatum Ridge Golf Links, 500 W Lake Kennedy Drive. It offers an 18-hole course designed by Ted Anlis, practice facilities, and of course, the 19th hole, where golfers can brag about their skills or commiserate with fellow golfers about games that don’t exactly go your way. If it’s been a while since you have played the game, consider hiring a pro for a lesson, helping you smooth out your swing and fine tune your short game. The course celebrates the natural side of Florida, offering preserved wetlands, 11 lakes, and mature trees that give it an added dignity; the chance of catching sight of some local wildlife is highly likely. On the 9th hole of the course there is a phone where golfers can order food and drinks that will be ready for them to devour when finish up their game.
Step Back in Time in Bradenton for a Labor Day in the Florida Keys
The history of this area is a long and rich one, and Manatee Village Historical Park, located at 1404 Manatee Avenue E in Bradenton, offers a fascinating peek into the past. Featuring a collection of historical structures, burying grounds from 1850, and a 1913 Steam Engine known as Old Cabbage Head, this is one museum that even your kids will enjoy. Closed on Labor Day, the park’s regular hours are Monday through Friday, and there is no entrance fee, but donations are happily accepted.
Family Barbecues at Home with RentTheKeys
A family barbecue is one of life’s simpler pleasures and with most of our RentTheKeys escapes offering either a private grill on the back deck or access to a collection of community grills, you can enjoy a holiday get together with the people you love most. Reserve your favorite Florida Keys Labor Day escape today!
