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The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Summer Family Fun on Siesta Key

Come on over to Siesta key for some of the best family fun in Florida.

From cool family-friendly museum attractions to some awesome activities by the water, there’s a whole lot to do on Siesta Key whether you are 3 or 93. We cover all that Siesta Key is about for families to maximize the fun for the season.

Firstly, you may have a hard time finding Siesta Key on a map or otherwise. You could even drive right past it!

Siesta Key is located along the Gulf of Mexico, almost exactly halfway down the state of Florida, and just southwest of Sarasota. Most visitors fly into Tampa or Bradenton and take the drive on over.

Kid-Friendly Summer Activities

So what can you do with all the kids?

A beach is a safe bet. Kids can choose what kind of adventure they want to have. Families can easily rent a small fleet of kayaks or canoes and have a blast on the water. These organized trips can take you on a guided trip through the tight channels of Siesta Key. But you can also rent a kayak, even getting it delivered to one of the local Siesta Key beachfront hotels. We recommend checking out Siesta paddle Sports for water activities.

Families can also enjoy some fun by bike with Siesta Key Bike and Kayak. For something a bit different, check out Robinhood Rentals. The small team offers some awesome alternative rental equipment, like segways!

family on siesta key beach
Photo from Unsplash

Siesta Key Family Attractions

Most of the most popular questions revolve around the attractions. We know you can go to the beach and fish, but what is there to see?

Fortunately, a whole lot! Families can check out the odds and ends of the Florida Railroad Museum. It is a cool time capsule for kids who love railroad history and trains. There’s also the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. It is an incredible adventure through Florida’s natural history. You can see some Florida staples, like the flamingo and alligator. But there are also some really fascinating creatures, like a skunk or the hissing cockroach!

Finally, if hissing cockroaches cause you and the kids to crawl up into a ball, check out the Children’s Garden. This Sarasota attraction is a splendid play place that lets kids let loose while also teaching them about natural habitats. There’s cool sculptures, plants, and yes, even hobbit holes.

Our Favorite Restaurants

Our top favorite restaurant for families is, without a doubt, the Old Salty Dog. Firstly, kids will just love the pup decorations and décor. Just about everything at the Old Salty Dog is a pup pun. This often includes the menu, filled with children’s favorites (hot dog, grilled cheese, the team has the kids covered).

For something less healthily-scrumptious but definitely just as satisfying, we recommend two top sweet shops. Meanery’s Mini Donuts has, as you guessed, a wide variety of freshly-made donut holes. There’s also plenty of authentic Italian gelato over at Made in Rome. Give the kids a taste of what gelato is, especially if they are used to just “plain old ice cream.”

There’s a lot more restaurants not covered here. Siesta Key is really filled with possible places to eat, with all kinds of vibes and styles.

Best Resort Rooms for Families

Families can find a wide array of places to stay. Simply review our rentals by category. Smaller-sized families can find stunning views with 1-bedroom superior suites, or choose a 2-bedroom resort room. Families who need more room can discover numerous 3-bedroom suites. We have features like furnished kitchens, bike rentals, pool access, large patio, and balcony spaces, and high thread counts for the coziest sheets on the key. There’s also fine dining options around the corner and some specialty shops for you to find all sorts of peculiar souvenirs to take back home.

There truly is a little something for every taste. There’s no shortage of fun things to do and sights to see to accommodate any interest. We can help steer you to the right Siesta Key resort and the right itinerary. Contact us for more details to plan your long-desired family vacation at a family-friendly resort.

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