For a truly inspirational family vacation, it can be hard to narrow down a location. You want somewhere you can relax while still having plenty of activities to choose from. Those activities should be enjoyable and exciting for both the kids and the adults in your group. That perfect balance is achieved in gorgeous Sarasota, Florida!
There is a vast assortment of things to do in Sarasota that your entire family is sure to enjoy.
Mote Aquarium Sarasota
Let your kids’ fun and education collide, with a trip to the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium! It’s just moments away from our most popular Sarasota vacation rentals and provides a truly memorable experience for everyone who visits.
Extensive Marine Life Exhibits
The Mote Marine Aquarium has fascinating marine life exhibits for you and your family to enjoy. You don’t have to head down to the beach to get up close and personal with some of the ocean’s most beautiful creatures! Here, you can see everything from sharks and manatees to sea turtles, stingrays, and more.
If you want to know more about some of the marine animals that call Florida home, don’t miss the “Florida Watershed” exhibit, which features North American river otters, roseate spoonbills, alligators, and more! You can also check out the “Florida’s Bay Habitats” exhibit to see seahorses, coastal mangrove trees, pigfish, trunkfish, and more. Other popular exhibits include “Creatures from the Coastal Oceans,” “From the Rivers to the Seas,” and “Megalodon Jaw & Fossil Creek.” Of course, if you have any questions about what you’re seeing, you can ask any of the staff members for a quick lesson!
While these exhibits have multiple animals, there are also exhibits that focus on specific creatures. Otters, manatees, sharks, and sea turtles each have their own dedicated exhibits where you can really get face-to-face with these incredible animals.
Sarasota Kid Activities and Family Fun
The Mote Aquarium in Sarasota is dedicated to your education and fun, and these efforts aren’t just aimed at your children. The family programs held at Mote are an awesome way to get your entire crew involved and learn about nature while you’re at it! These family programs are always changing throughout the year, so you can return to the aquarium again and again and learn something new every single time.
For instance, one of the most popular family programs held recently was the Dip Netting in the Bay program. During this event, families were invited to use dip nets in the Bay and learn about the plants and animals living within the nearshore seagrass beds. Another great program was the Seashore SEAfari adventure, which included a tour of the mangrove boardwalk and a seashore scavenger hunt!
Programs are typically held once or twice per month and do require pre-registration and an additional fee that is not covered by your admission to the aquarium. The good news, though, is that this fee is quite reasonable, usually around $15 per person for non-members. To learn more about what programs are happening in the near future, just check out the aquarium’s website.
Comprehensive Education Programs
The Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium is committed to education as well as fun. The Mote Aquarium has comprehensive education programs to bring their research and knowledge to the public. Mote Aquarium has a passion for conservation and helping the incredible animals who call this area home, and their education programs can help you learn how you can play your part in protecting their environment. Your kids can get even more involved with their awesome day camps as well!
Even when you’re at home, you can benefit from the incredible education programs held by Mote. The aquarium holds some truly impressive online education programs to bring the wonders of the sea right into your home! Both individuals and families can participate, making these programs perfect to add to a homeschool curriculum or for a fun and educational bonding activity. Many of these programs involve typical lessons as well as fun crafts or activities that you can complete at home.
Mote Aquarium also holds Sea Trek interactive lessons that offer science game shows, green screen effects, and even live animals! Programs can center around sharks, fish, sea turtles, manatees, or coral reefs.
In addition to the programs, Mote also offers digital downloads and resources for you and your family to benefit from. Your smaller kids will love the coloring pages, while older teens and adults can enjoy the Coral Bleaching Identification Guide and the Sea Turtle Nesting Season Tip Card!
Elevate Your Sarasota Vacation
Elevate your travel experience with Vunique Vacations. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your Sarasota vacation exceeds expectations. Unlike traditional hotels, a stay in one of our Sarasota vacation homes offers you a retreat in your own private oasis, ensuring the utmost comfort and privacy for you and your loved ones. Not only is the experience unparalleled, but with Vunique you’ll discover traveling on your terms. From flexible arrival days, flexible cancellations, and new shorter stays available, to the endless in-home amenities like game rooms, beach equipment, bikes, and more the most difficult decision to make is how quickly you can book. Discover the unmatched value of a Vunique Vacation firsthand by booking your stay today!
Immersive Experiences
A Sarasota vacation wouldn’t be complete without truly immersing yourself in the wildlife and nature around you. It’s a good thing, then, that Mote Aquarium offers some awesome immersive experiences for you to check out!
Choose Your Adventure
If you want to have a more private experience at Mote, head out of your Sarasota pet-friendly rental and choose your own adventure at the aquarium! The Choose Your Adventure option at Mote allows you to embark on a private tour with just your family and a Mote staff member. You can see how the biologists prepare for the day, learn more about your favorite sea creatures, get up close and personal with sea turtles, and more. Pre-registration is required for these programs, which require a minimum group of 2 people and a maximum group of 6.
Kayaking with Mote
Want to get outside and learn about the great outdoors? Go kayaking with Mote! You can head out on a Morning Paddle to start your day with some breathtaking nature, or you can book a Full Moon Paddle to see the waters truly come to life at night. Your guide will make sure you’re completely comfortable on your kayak before you head out, and you’ll get to learn about all the beautiful sights you see along the way. These excursions are typically held two to three times per month, and you can contact Mote for more specifics.
Things to do in Sarasota
During your time in one of our Sarasota rentals with a pool, we highly recommend that you pay a visit to the Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium. This destination is not only educational, but it’s also an incredibly fun experience that you and your family won’t soon forget. After you’re done enjoying the Mote Aquarium and all the other fun Sarasota kid activities, you can rest assured you have a comfortable rental waiting to welcome you home.
Sarasota Luxury Rentals
Vunique Vacations is proud to be a trusted resource for Sarasota luxury vacation rentals. Our rental properties offer sophisticated amenities, breathtaking views, and unparalleled customer service. You’ll experience features like your very own backyard oasis, cameras and noise monitoring systems for your safety, fully stocked kitchens, and so much more. On top of all that, you’ll have our expert team of vacation specialists ready to address any questions. Contact us today to start booking your stay in one of our Sarasota luxury rentals for groups!
