Things to do in Siesta Key with Kids - Siesta Key is a long barrier island off the coast of Florida. It is a top-tier, tourist focused barrier island in Florida famous for its white-sand beach, calm environment and clear water.
This place is best for swimmers, sunbathers, sandcastle builders, and people who just want to relax with their family. Here people can take part in activities like floating in calm water, paddle boarding, taking long beach walks and watching beautiful sunsets.
The lifestyle here revolves around the sun, the tide, and sunset. Days are spent outdoors; evenings are for dining, live music, and watching the legendary sunset.
Siesta Key is also ranked among the best beaches in the U.S. The demographic here is a vibrant mix of multi-generational locals, young professionals and tourists of all ages.
It's best for tourists who want their entire vacation to revolve around a world-class, easy-access beach with all the comforts and conveniences nearby. Here in this post I have listed some of the best things to do in Siesta Key Florida.
Things to do in Siesta Key with Kids, Florida
You can visit the Turtle Beach
It is located at the southern end of Siesta Key. The sand here is softer as compared to other beaches. It is quieter, more natural, and has a different vibe.
The beach is popular among locals, shell seekers, families and people looking for a peaceful day. It is also a great place for bird lovers and kids.
You will also find picnic areas around the beach. There are also restrooms, showers and playground for kids.
You can visit the Crescent Beach
It is one of the three main public beach areas on Siesta Key. This beach is the central beach on Siesta Key, located between 'Turtle Beach' and 'Siesta Public Beach'.
This beach is popular among families, couples and locals who want beautiful sand with less crowd. Its stunning, powdery white quartz sand attracts many visitors towards it.
Here the 'Point of Rocks' is the top attraction. This is a must-see natural limestone and coral rock formation at the southern end of Crescent Beach (where it meets Turtle Beach).
If you are looking for unique things to do in Siesta Key for couples around a beach are, then you can prefer this place.
You can visit Siesta Public Beach
It is considered as the main attraction of Siesta Key. Here the 'Siesta Key Drum Circle' is a family friendly gathering place. Every weekend, drummers, dancers, performers and spectators gather here to enjoy the sunset view.
This drum circle started originally in the 90s when a few locals began playing drums on the beach at sunset. It is not a commercial show, but a community powered celebration of life, music and natural beauty of this place.
'The Pavilion' is a central hub here offering showers, restrooms, shops, playground, picnic area, sports area and rentals (umbrellas, chairs, wheelchairs, kayaks, etc.).
You can rent a Bike at Ride & Paddle
'Ride & Paddle' is a local family owned rental company where you can rent bike, cycle, scooter, paddle boards, kayaks, and other stuffs.
You can go for biking to Siesta Key Marina, The Hub Baja Grill, Turtle Beach, Point of Rocks, Siesta Key Village and Midnight Pass Road.
You can also go for kayaking to Little Sarasota Bay Mangroves, Phillippi Creek and The Intracoastal Waterway.
If you are interested in biking and other related things to do in Siesta Key with Kids, then you can rent a bike here and explore Siesta Key.
You can visit Siesta Key Marina
It is a popular waterfront hub. Here you will find powerboats, jet skis, pontoons and fishing charters to explore the intracoastal and local bays.
The marina is also a home to several popular restaurants with scenic water views. A few boutique shops are also here selling gifts, beachwear, boating supplies and other items.
From here you can also go for a short boat trip to the Siesta Key Beach and Crescent Beach.
You can visit Siesta Key Village
Located at the northern end of Siesta Key, this place is popular for twinkling lights at night, palm trees, open air-restaurants and a constant buzz of people enjoying themselves.
Siesta Key Village is famous for its stunning sand beaches. The atmosphere here is a mix of beach-town charm with modern amenities.
Here you will find restaurants and cafes like Blase Cafe (trendy with a deck), The Cottage, Siesta Key Oyster, and The Hub Baja Grill (for drinks and music).
There are also many shopping stores, beachwear shops, art galleries and souvenir stores. Overall this place is a go-to spot for dining, drinking, shopping and entertainment.
You can visit the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
It's a world class marine research, education and conservation institution located here. It has a main campus featuring the aquariums, touch tanks and many research labs.
The 'Mote Aquaculture Research Park' is a 200-acre facility focused on sustainable fish farming and marine life restoration.
Here you will find a 'Shark Zone', a 135,000-gallon habitat with sharks, rays and sea turtles. Kids are going to learn through direct interaction and observation.
They can touch sea urchins, sea stars, horseshoe carbs and other invertebrates under volunteers' guidance. This place is to learn about marine life and understand the critical work being done here to protect our oceans.
If you are visiting Siesta Key with your family, then must include these things to do in Siesta Key with family in your bucket list.
You can visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
It is not just an art gallery but a massive world-class cultural complex. This museum is the legacy of John Ringling (of the Ringling Bros. Circus) and his wife Mable.
It is a 66-acre estate featuring gardens, multiple museums and a historic mansion. It has an impressive collection of old master paintings and other arts.
For kids, there is a Circus Museum featuring historic circus wagons, costumes and a massive miniature.
You can visit Blind Pass Lagoon
If you are interested in kayak or paddleboard activities then you can visit this place. The water over the sandbar is clear and shallow. You can see small fish, hermit crabs, and live shells.
The are is also a fantastic place for nature and birds lover. Here you can spot pelicans, osprey, egrets, herons, roseate spoonbills, and shorebirds like sanderlings and plovers.
The location offers stunning scenes for sunrise and sunset photography. It's also great for wildlife and landscape shots. This place is for active relaxation.
Water shoes are highly recommended. The shells can be sharp, and the rocks on the jetty are slippery.
You can visit the Siesta Farmers Market
It is more than just a farmers' market; it's a vibrant community of gathering and a major weekend attraction for both tourists and locals. The market has a relaxed and festive vibe.
Live music and oak-shaded streets make the market more beautiful. Here you will get tropical fruits, organic vegetables and herbs. Visitors come here for breakfast and lunch.
Here you will also get unique gifts and souvenirs like jewelry, paintings, pottery and other products.
You can visit Myakka River State Park
The park is a sprawling ecosystem of wetlands, prairies, pinelands and hammocks. The park is spread over more than 35,000 acres with waterways and trails.
You can get the breathtaking panoramic view of the park from the 'Myakka Canopy Walkway', which is a 85 feet long walkway.
The park is also famous for its abundant and easily visible American alligator population. This park is also a premier destination for birdwatchers.
Different species of birds can be watched here like roseate spoonbills, limpkins, wood storks, sandhill cranes, snail kites, raptors, waders and songbirds.
Paddling the Myakka river would be another great activity here. You can also do activities like hiking, camping, boating, kayaking, fishing and wildlife photography. Don’t miss any of these activities; these are the coolest things to do in Siesta Key with kids.
You can visit St. Armands Circle
It is a massive outdoor shopping place with more than 100+ shops, cafes, boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Here you will find shops for items like jewelry, home decor, art galleries and food. This place is also a foodie destination - from fine dining and fresh seafood with waterfront views.
It's a place to stroll, watch locals and tourists, enjoy live music performed in the circle park and attend weekend or seasonal events.