Sarasota frequently tops national “Best Places to Retire” lists, and that also means that it’s an ideal destination for grandkids catching up on family time. With lots of green space, parks and beaches galore, and great year-round weather, there’s plenty for families to do.

Where to Stay

A short-term vacation rental like an Airbnb or VRBO with a pool is ideal, so you can have more control over your location, like being close to family and having access to a full kitchen for food prep. A private home also means the kids won’t disturb hotel guests when they run around and splash about in the water. (One note: Cities and counties have varied regulations for the minimum length of stays required for bookings, so pay attention to those rules.)

Day One

Put on bathing suits under your clothes and head to downtown Sarasota to the family-friendly Toasted Mango Cafe, where the mango butter is a dream on homemade biscuits or waffles. For something savory, go for the build-your-own breakfast burrito. If there’s a line (it’s a local fave), don’t worry—you’ll find other options in the Rosemary District. Station 400 (inside a repurposed train station) and Blvd Cafe are equally delicious and within walking distance.

Once everyone is fed and happy, head over to the newly minted The Bay and watch your kids climb the giant ibis-themed play structures. Just a few feet away are chairs and steps that offer a front row to Sarasota Bay, where little ones can spot crabs among the rocks in the shallows. Click here for a full calendar of free activities, like live music and family movie nights.

Next, take a short drive south to Marina Jack and Bayfront Park, where you’ll find a newly updated splash pad and a pirate-themed playground. Surrounded by lots of green space and ancient banyans and oaks, the tree climbing is superb and the grounds are surrounded by water perfect for a shell skipping contest. When you’re ready for lunch, head back to the Rosemary District to Mandeville Beer Garden for a casual indoor-outdoor atmosphere with games. There’s a traditional kids’ menu; for adults, we suggest the black grouper sandwich. An adventurous beer list with local brews is also a must-try.

Afterward, zig-zag through the Gillespie Park neighborhood and head to 10-acre Gillespie Park. After climbing to the top of the cable-wired web tower on the playground, let the kids check out the ducks and other birds that live by the pond. There are also free tennis and basketball courts if you’re inclined to bring sports gear.

Next, drive the short distance to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to check out the lushest live museum in the state. Kids can explore the Rainforest Garden’s huts, paths and waterfall, and the Kids’ Corner has a scavenger hunt and opportunities to play dress up, make a craft or learn about bugs or color. Footpaths that stop at koi ponds and massive banyan trees make you feel like you’re in a real-life fairy tale.

For dinner, consider the casual Southern eatery Fork & Hen. Try the fried chicken and waffles, which are perfect for sharing with the kids, or the mac ‘n’ cheese for a sure win.

Day Two

Sarasota and Manatee counties are blanketed with beautiful white-sand beaches, so there are lots to choose from. But with kids in tow, the best beach for families is Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key, just over the Ringling Causeway that connects it to downtown Sarasota. Pack a picnic and get ready for a morning in nature: There’s great beach access, a canoe launch, picnic tables and a playground, plus all-important public restrooms. (You’re traveling with little ones, after all.)

Next, head to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. With everything from sea anemones to the bones and bodies of giant sea creatures, this marine science hotspot delivers. There are touch pools with stingrays, aquariums with octopuses and jellyfish, and you’ll also see river otters, manatees and sea turtles.

Then hit the water for real with a kayak through Lido Key’s narrow, enchanting mangrove tunnels. There’s even a nearby sandbar where you can park your kayaks in shallow water and explore. The tunnels bring you up close to lots of fish and wading birds, and you’ll catch glimpses of Bird Key, downtown Sarasota and maybe a dolphin, too. If you’d like to learn more, opt for a guided tour, but a handy map that comes with the rental should suffice, too. Don’t forget the life jackets!

For dinner on St. Armands Circle, check out Shore. It’s a little more upscale, but it still comes through with a solid kids’ menu. Adults should go for the fresh local snapper. Back on the mainland, enjoy an ice cream nightcap at Rise Up Cafe, a coffee and sweets shop that hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to give them work experience and develop job skills. A sweet end to a sweet weekend.

Insider Tip

If rain is in the forecast, check out Selby Public Library in downtown Sarasota. The youth section is stocked with toys, computers and games, and the entrance is framed by a 12-foot-tall tropical fish aquarium. Free scheduled events are also offered. Not downtown? Other libraries have similar kid-centric amenities.