I'll be visiting your area for a week to escape the snow this winter-- in the Sarasota area. Looking for fun, cheap, family activity ideas and ideas for restaurants (will eat out only on occassion). Specifically, aside from the beach (which we all love), any thoughts on what else to do? And what about a nice waterfront spot for dinner when we get a sitter? Your help is so much appreciated!! TIA!

There are a ton of things to do in this area depending on the age of the kids, etc. On US 41 just north of downtown Sarasota is the visitor's bureau that has a lot of coupons, maps and whatnot for you to use in your hunt of things to do.

Obviously check out the beaches but there are several that you may want to visit depending on if it's just sun and sand or if you want to do other things. Nokomis (about 20 min south) has a great spot to fish on the jetty and rents jet skis, etc. Siesta Key beach is the one to visit if you want to see the sugar sand but ones further south (Venice) are good for collecting sharks teeth.

A fun place to eat with the family on the water (casual) is O'Learys. It is located at Marina Jacks and has awesome food. (On US 41 by downtown.) There is also a splash water park there for the kids complete with playground equipment.

St. Armand's Circle is a fun to go to check out the shops, get coffee and ice cream. IMO Kilwin's is the best.

Jungle Gardens, Myakka River State Park, Spanish Pointe, Mote Marine (great burger joint on the street you turn in on), Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, G. Wiz, and the Ringling Museum are also fun to do but will cost $. Of course stop in at the VB and get some coupons for discounts. The Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary might also be an option but I'm not sure if they are open atm or not.

Here's the VB webiste that might help you out with other ideas and you can signup for a visitor's guide - Official source of Sarasota travel information: Find Sarasota hotels, Sarasota vacation attractions and Sarasota Restaurants and of course, just do a search in google for things to do in sarasota.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is exactly the "in the know" kind of info I was lookng for! I have been on several "official" VB sites, but you can never tell how good each attraction is through all the advertising. I prefer another mom's take on it all! Kids are 10 & 8, so the Ringling Museum might be a great idea! And renting jet skis, (probably just hubby & I on that one), will be fun, too! Your help is so much appreciated!

One other thing. DH and I might be able to do a one or 2 night "escape" with just the two of us - would love Key West, but that is just too far. Any other ideas for a classic, beachfront, laid-back KW type atmosphere? TIA!!

I love all the helpful moms and info on MS!!!

I haven't been able to get out for a "nice" dinner in several years with being preggos and now with a 14 mo old. Just don't have the guts to give him to grandparents yet. lol So...I'll ask my GFs on where to go. I know Sanibel Island rocks but that is a decent ride south of here (couple of hrs is my guess) so probably not an option.

This might be an idea also that I just thought of. I did this back in middle school and thought it was super cool. -- Many visitors take the 105-minute boat trip onto Sarasota Bay, conducted by Sarasota Bay Explorers (941/388-4200. www.sarasotabayexplorers.com). The crew brings marine life on board in a net, explains what it is, and throws it back to swim away. You are almost guaranteed to see bottlenose dolphins. Reservations are required for the excursion.

Bishop Planetarium in Bradenton is fun and they can get up close to Snooty the manatee. (The South Florida Museum)

A fun excursion for just you and hubby is Rosa Fiorelli's Winery on St Rd 70 (E of I-75). I went several years ago and did a wine tasting, excellent! They have a lunch tour (and I think several others) if you are interested- Welcome to Rosa Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard

I just remembered that O'Learys used to rent jet skis if you would prefer to go out of there instead. I can't say for sure that they still do bc they did some remodeling since I was there previously but its worth a shot.

Geez give me some more time and I can load you down with things to do. Hope some of them work for you!

Thank you so much for your great info!! You should work for the Chamber of Commerce or something! Really, I can't thank you enough!

LOL! That's what happens when you grow up in an area and have a niece and nephew to run around and play with (5&12). Enjoy your stay with us!

O and I spoke with the GFs and one advocated taking the boat from Ft Meyers to Key West and another mentioned Siesta Key. I'm sure there are some nice hotels on Longboat Key as well.

I quote "How about Siesta Key? There used to be a little place down on the north end
that was kind of cute. Also, there is a hotel on the south end that was
owned by that rich, lady who was famous for being a b*tch...I can't think of
her name right now. Anyway, it's a vintage 1950's hotel that's literally
right on the sand."

I have vacationed there since I was a kid and have taken my girls back there. My suggestions are:

Mote Marine & the Pelican guy. They share a parking lot. The mote has coupons online.

Anna Maria Island, walk out on the pier, talk to the fisherman, look for sand dollars. Ther is a nice park there too. Take a picnic with you.

Holmes Beach, newly updated. Often sand volleyball tournys are going on. Fun to watch.

Coquina Beach, very nice, playground, lifeguard. There is also a resturante right on the beach just down from the actuall beach. Wonderful Fish.

Have you ever driven down to Venus Beach? Their are sharks teeth on the beach. Fun to find and not to difficult. Shopping downtown in Venus is fun too.

The Red Barn. An indoor/outdoor flea market.. I love that place.. Lots of fresh veggies and fruit.

The Holiday Inn on 41 has a comedy club and resturante, after the show you can stroll through the dock and check out the boats.

Shopping: Belle's Outlet.. great deals

Food: The Tomato something or other in Sarasota is good. And there is a steak place that is awsome.. I will get back to you with the name.. my brain isn't thinking..

Have a great time, Enjoy the sunshine.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

you gotta go to Sanibel!! on Captiva part there is a really good restaurant called The bubble room!! Its soo yiummy they have the best Twice baked potatoes!!

there is a chance its not there anymore since they had the hurricane there a few years ago!!
there are some great places to check out On Sanibel but Im going blank!! I have family that used to live on the island!!

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Kelly mom to 3 great girls

the boat from fort myers to KW is around $120ish per person, but that's for roundtrip....you can come back the same day if you want or you can chosse to stay a night or two in KW and take the boat back another day. It's only around 3 1/2's on the boat, but driving is like 10ish I heard. I adore Key West i grew up in West Palm Beach FL which is only 5ish hours from KW and we would go down there for vaca's a lot but I am sure some things have changed since I was little

I'm a corporate travel agent and imo I would not book a hotel thru expedia/hotels.com (I used to work there) do some research on their website and then call the hotel directly not their central reservation line but the actual long distance phone number to whatever hotel you like and tell them you see their rate on hotels.com/expedia/travelocity whatever they case may be and they may try to match or beat it. Reviews of vacations, hotels, resorts, vacation and travel packages - TripAdvisor is an awesome palce to read somewhat unbiased reviews, ex[edia/hotels.com owns it so the worst of the worst reviews won't be on their but you can get a general idea of what hotel is good in the area, and restaurants etc.

hth
Marianne