Sarasota, Florida, is the place to find great food and great fun on a family vacation. From kayaking to big cats to circus history and, of course, the beach, there are plenty of things to do in Sarasota with kids. If you are looking to explore Florida beyond the Orlando theme parks, Sarasota is definitely a city to put on your list.

So Much Family Fun in Sarasota!

Florida offers so many opportunities for family fun – is Sarasota in your list? Sarasota County is located about 60 miles from Tampa, 35 miles from St. Petersburg, 25 miles from Bradenton and 20 miles from Venice.  We found out that this sweet little area of southwest Florida has so much more to offer than white sand beaches and salt water, though those are awesome too! After visiting Tampa for a few days, we headed south to experience the loveliness that is Sarasota, Florida.

When you are trying to figure out things to do in Sarasota, think first about the activity level of your family. Also remember that it is going to be hot. Super hot if you visit in summer. Plan outdoor activities that will take a lot of energy early in the morning or late at night. We spent the middle of the day in the water (either at the hotel pool or in the ocean). Also, don’t expect the ocean to really cool you off. When we visited in June, the water temperature was 87 degrees!

Disclosure: The writer was hosted on this trip by Visit Florida.

Family Friendly Restaurants in Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota has a ton of food options. You won’t go hungry!

First Watch

1395 Main Street
Sarasota
941-954-1395

We have loved this breakfast/brunch spot back home in Atlanta, so it was nice to visit a family favorite when visiting Sarasota. First Watch is a healthy-as-you-want-to-be type of restaurant. I love the omelets that can be individualized with just about anything!

Morton’s Gourmet Market

1924 S. Osprey Ave.
Sarasota
941-955-9856

Morton’s Gourmet Market in Sarasota is one of those places where you can just wander around and find such amazing things. We stopped there before heading to the beach and picked up super fresh fruit, the most delicious zucchini bread and chicken wings with a spicy, sweet sauce. They have absolutely everything you need here with tons of options for wine, cheese, sushi and pastries. There are a few tables outside the Market if you want to sit down and eat right there!

Cha Cha Coconuts

417 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota
941-388-3300

For a relaxed vibe, a family-friendly atmosphere and a kid-friendly menu, Cha Cha Coconuts is the place for you. They have so many delicious options for everyone. Our whole family loved this place. Frozen drinks and the beachy vibe come together to make you really feel like you’re on vacation. Want a more refined experience? Head next door to Columbia Restaurant. It looked like a swanky upgrade.

Joey D’s Chicago Style Eatery and Pizzeria

811 Kenny Dr.
Sarasota
941-378-8900

Luckily for us, this authentic Chicago restaurant was located just across the street from the Embassy Suites Hotel – Sarasota, a brand-new, hip hotel where we stayed. (This all-suite modern hotel with a roof top pool is fantastic for families.) We couldn’t resist testing it out! The Chicago-style deep dish pizza was everything I hoped it would be and the guy working there had the best South Side Chicago accent I have heard in a long time!

TravelingMom Tip: The pizzas are giant. You won’t need as much as you think!

Read More: 21 Ideas for a Fabulous Florida Family Vacation

Top Things To Do In Sarasota, Florida

1. Explore the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota

The Ringling is the State Art Museum of Florida, and home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. Its story begins nearly a century ago, with John Ringling, the circus impresario, and his beloved wife’s shared love for Sarasota, Italy, near Venice, and art.

The Ringling Estate is 66 acres, including the Ca’ d’Zan mansion, beautiful grounds and gardens, two Circus Museums, the Historic Asolo Theater and the Ringling Museum of Art.

2. Stroll through Downtown Sarasota

Shopping, people watching and sightseeing are three awesome things to do in downtown Sarasota when you want a break from the beach. I didn’t have much time to shop but I was impressed with the quaint feel and warm welcomes from the store owners. In St. Armands Circle, the shops were unique, offering very Florida-like pieces. I peeked into some shops, like Dana Tyler, and just wished I had the time to really explore it! While you’re shopping, you may want to stop at one of the many ice cream shops to pacify your kids!

3. Enjoy The Beach at Lido Key

400 Benjamin Franklin Dr.
Sarasota

Lido Key Beach is nestled between Longboat Key to the north and Siesta Key Beach to the south. It boasts three beaches: North Lido, Lido Beach, and South Lido. Although a public beach, North Lido is more secluded, with 3,000 feet of sugary white sand. There is also a nature trail to wander in relative privacy. You might even see a dolphin or manatee out in the ocean! South Lido Beach Park mingles four significant bodies of water: The Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Brushy Bayou. If you get tired of the fantastic beach, there are two nature trails, a self-guided canoe trail, a multi-purpose field, and a volleyball court.

4. Visit Historic Spanish Point

337 North Tamiami Trail
Osprey

Historic Spanish Point is Sarasota’s premier archaeological site and history museum. It features prehistoric mounds, a pioneer homestead, nature trails, boat tours and Bertha Palmer’s gardens. Need a little education while visiting the Sarasota area? This spot has it!

5. Learn More at Mote Marine Laboratory

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota

The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is one of those attractions that is as entertaining as it is educational! See sharks, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. We visited the Florida Aquarium in Tampa two days earlier so we didn’t visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium but I am putting it on my list for next time!

6. Hit The Trails at Oscar Scherer State Park

1843 South Tamiami Trail
Osprey

Located between Sarasota and Venice, Oscar Scherer State Park welcomes more than 250,000 visitors each year. They come to see the bald eagles that nest there in the winter and for fishing, biking, swimming, kayaking, hiking or camping in the summer. This park offers 15 miles of trails, where you can experience the beauty of nature without really leaving the city. Want another option? Visit the Myakka River State Park, one of the largest parks in the state of Florida.

7. Go Birding at Sarasota Audubon Society at the Celery Fields

6893 Palmer Boulevard
Sarasota

Want to get into birding? Why not? Sarasota Audubon Society offers this wetlands site on the Great Florida Birding Trail. They have an observation mound, trails and ponds. What birds will you be able to see?

8. See What’s In Bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

900 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota

337 North Tamiami Trail
Osprey

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is another outdoor attraction that works for the whole family. We saw a super cool Dali exhibit. There are two main campuses for these gardens located in Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point. The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden at the Downtown Sarasota bayfront campus is especially fun for families. This magical play space features an elevated garden that makes kids feel like they are traveling through the treetops.

9. Take A Kayak Tour With Kayaking SRQ

Lido Key and Siesta Key

Kayaking is great exercise and a wonderful way to get off the beach but still stay in the water. Exploring the Mangrove Tunnels in Sarasota can be relaxing and fun. This activity is great for nature, animal, and photography lovers. Kayaking SRQ assures visitors that anyone from age 2 to 102 can participate. They say there are NO alligators or crocodiles  in the Mangrove Tunnels, but you may get lucky and see manatees and dolphins

10. Get Adventurous at TreeUmph! Adventure Course

21805 E. State Road 70
Bradenton

If you are looking for a thrill and have kids who are up for a bit of an adventure, TreeUmph! Adventure Course is for you. We visited in June and two of our kids took off, finishing the first three courses in about two hours. Our younger two were a little more intimidated and stayed on the younger child course, but everyone felt like they accomplished something big by the time we left.

It’s the only elevated adventure course in southwest Florida. This is not an easy course, but for kids 7 and older (and adults under 275 pounds) it offers exciting obstacles set in some really beautiful native Florida scenery.  I suggest that one parent needs to stay with kids under 12 to help them through the course.

11. Go Wild At Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary

7101 Palmer Boulevard
Sarasota

Let your inner Tiger King out at Big Cat Habitat! Check out the exotic animals. Visit the petting zoo. You can even take advantage of the Big Cat or bear feeding programs! Go ahead and go a little wild. (Just so you know, this sanctuary is NOT affiliated with Carole Baskin or the Tiger King.)

Whatever you decide to do in Sarasota, make sure to plan for enough time in this darling city. We wish we could have done more and plan to go back.