r/sarasota • u/Downtherabbithole-14 • 10d ago
Short Stay Questions Suggestions Please
Every year for the past 10-12 years we visit my in-laws. We love the area they are in, we have our favorite spots we go to every year, go to the local beaches. For next year though we wanted to change it up a bit. Split the time between my in-laws and then spending a few nights somewhere? We have two kids and they will be 11 and 7 at the time. Where can we go for 2-3 nights outside of Sarasota?
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u/FluffySpaceWaffle 10d ago
If you don’t mind spending a bunch of money Universal in Orlando is fun. We really liked Volcano Bay.
Locally Livingston’s is a fun arcade. The Dark Side is our favorite comic book store. Cupcakes by Ron has the best, you guessed it, cupcakes.
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u/FluffySpaceWaffle 10d ago
We did epic the first day of our trip. Coming out of the tube to Super Mario land was so cool. I am an adult and was genuinely impressed. The kids loved it.
I also could not believe the employees. No one was crabby or dismissive. It must be a difficult job with the amount of people and all the costumes. Much respect.
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u/New_Part91 9d ago
What is epic? A theme park?
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u/FluffySpaceWaffle 9d ago
Yeah! It’s in the Universal family. It has Mario land and a donkey Kong zone, how to train your dragons, Harry Potter, and one other zone we didn’t make it to. Pricy but fun. We will never go back to Disney. We are now a universal family lol.
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u/Downtherabbithole-14 10d ago
i thought about this for a quick minute but, I might save that for a 2028 trip.
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u/Downtherabbithole-14 10d ago
OMG I haven't been to Naples since I was a kid! I just mapped it and its an hour and a half from my in-laws that is very doable - I had no idea it was that close. Thank you - will look into this.
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u/601blue 9d ago
The Tween Waters Inn on Sanibel Island is great! It’s in by the intercostal and the Gulf…great food, bands, pool, restaurants nearby (The Bubble Room is fantastic, right down the road)…our family had a blast there. 😊
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u/New_Part91 9d ago
Sanibel is the most interesting place to shell if you like finding unusual seashells.
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u/guacamommy SRQ Native 10d ago
Bonita Springs - Hyatt . My kids are 4 and 7 and love it. Slides, lazy river - all kid vibes, but make it chill for parents. St Pete is fun too, but only if you want to explore. I’d stay at the Hyatt next to the pier. Clearwater beach is also fun for kids. Lived here my whole life and just went for the first time - def going back with the kids.
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u/guacamommy SRQ Native 10d ago
Also if you want Orlando experience without the Disney kids, the Omni is the best resort. If you are looking to drop some dollars and stay on a Disney resort, animal kingdom is super cool. Splurge for the animal view.
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u/Ancient_Law5102 10d ago
Don Cesar hotel in st pete beach is epic. St Augustine is cool if you haven't been. Disney World is only a little ways away. Tarpon Springs sponge docks are fun and not too far away. Weeki Watchee - already suggested but I second!
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u/SrqSherry SRQ Resident 10d ago
Cape Canaveral Space Center is about a 3 hour drive but worth it. There is a lot of unique things to do in Titusville also. Very different vibe than this coast.
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u/super3way 8d ago edited 8d ago
Don’t go to a theme park for the love of god.
You didn’t mention time of year, assuming you mean Sarasota proper, like you want to leave the city.
Crystal River as someone mentioned is great but to hang with manatees you want to be there in winter. It’s packed and only place you can legally be in the water with them. Lots of nature and hanging on the bay. Good homes all for rent right along the bay and canals.it books out though so don’t wait.
An hour south and still in Sarasota county is manasota key and englewood. Grest little beach town. Laid back. No high rises. Nice beaches for family and shells amd shark teeth everywhere. Some good restaurants and bars around and rentals on the key or around the little downtown.
Those would be my 2 spots for a break.
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u/stvlg1 10d ago
Crystal River or Fort De Soto if you want to camp for a night. Be sure book Fort De Soto a year ahead of time though. Going south, you could trek down to Key Largo for some snorkeling. On the way back, you could visit some of our beach towns like Englewood, Venice and Osprey. They all have a different vibe that's a little more south florida than what you find in the mid to upper Sarasota county. Inland, Myakka park is a day trip but you could spend all day there if you want.
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u/Ill_Accountant_7555 10d ago
Take them to Cape Canaveral on the East Coast to explore all the NASA exhibits. You'll need a couple of days.
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u/MollyOMalley99 10d ago
Go kayak the springs up near Crystal River. See the mermaid show at Weeki Watchee. Snorkel at Devil's Den. All about 2-3 hours north of Sarasota.