Have you ever heard the saying, “I live where people vacation”? That describes my upbringing…to an extent. I grew up in Manatee County, Florida – 1/3 urban, 1/3 rural, and 1/3 beach life. Nestled between St. Pete and Sarasota, we had immediate access to white sands, warm winds, and crystal blue waters every weekend. Our preferred beach of choice was always Coquina Beach located on Anna Maria Island. When I think of home, the beach is one of my first thoughts. I’ve been to beaches around the world, and I have to admit, Coquina could give any of them a run for their money, especially when it comes to family friendliness, affordability, and actual swimmable (is that a word? LOL) waters.
There Is More To Florida Than Mickey Mouse and Miami
Orlando and Miami are great Florida destinations, and everyone should go at least once, right? Sure, but don’t forget that Florida is a pretty big state, and there are so many great places to explore. Our family favorite area is the South West region, From St. Pete down the coast to Lido Beach in Sarasota – that entire stretch of Gulf coast line provides some of the most amazing beaches in the Country. In addition to beautiful shoreline, there is so much for the family to enjoy if you go inland just a bit. For convenience to the expansive area, we always stay in Bradenton, which is smack in the middle of all the good Florida vibes.
Six Cool Family Friendly Activities In And Around Bradenton, Florida
- Beach Bumming – Let’s just go ahead and get the obvious out of the way. What’s a visit to the Florida Coast without a day, or several, at the beach. Our favorites are St. Pete beach in St. Petersburg, Coquina Beach in Bradenton, and Lido Beach in Sarasota. You literally cannot go wrong with either choice. St. Pete Beach is lively, but not overrun. The views are amazingly spectacular and there are several beach activities like kayaking and boat tours for the whole family to enjoy. Lido Beach is one of the cleanest beaches I’ve ever been to. The sand is amazing for toe time (especially baby toes…ask me how I know). Lido is also on the quieter side, so it’s a better choice if lively isn’t your vibe. Lastly, Coquina is my childhood beach and still one of my first stops every time I go back home to visit. Once you get past the parking lot with the land mine of annoying Australian pine tree seedlings, just beyond the expansive tree line is an oasis of pure beauty. Coquina is the perfect beach for families. There are a ton of dive style restaurants and beach shops along the strip. Coquina is a quintessential beach town, opting out of the big resort developments unlike some of the other nearby beaches.
- The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (Bradenton) – Growing up in Bradenton, we went to the Planetarium (as referred to by the locals) every year to see Snooty the Manatee and learn about outer space and the latest NASA updates. Snooty was the big hit, though. Over the years, the museum has grown into something even more cool than when I was a kid. Now it’s not just about the Manatees, but also cool interactive dinosaur exhibit and the updated Planetarium, which is now a fully immersive LED dome. You can easily spend a few hours here combining fun with learning.
- Robinson Nature Preserve (Bradenton) – If your kids like outdoor adventure, you have to add Robinson’s to your list of things to do. My family and I love the endless hiking trails and kayaking. One of my nature-obsessed daughters loves to spot different species and educate all of us on wildlife facts. It’s truly a good, laid back quality time experience.
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Sarasota) – This is the perfect outing to connect beach play with marine life for your kids. There are hands on touch pools and several learning opportunities that make this a must-add to any Bradenton area itinerary with the family.
- Skyway Fishing Pier (St. Petersburg) – If you’re not familiar with the History of the Skyway Bridge, you can read about it here. Years after a tragedy, what remains is now used as a pier and offers amazing fishing opportunities for the whole family. What’s better than catching dinner while having a great time? It’s important to note that if you have smaller kids, you may want to bring along some additional activities to keep them occupied while waiting for their fish to bite.
- LECOM Park (Bradenton) – Formerly known as McKechnie Field, LECOM is the spring training home to the Pittsburg Pirates. If your visit corresponds with the season, be sure to check out a game. Almost all of the players will stick around for pictures and autographs afterward, too. At least they did pre-covid. Either way, it’s a fun atmosphere even if you’re not the typical baseball fans.
Overall, there is so much fun for big families in and around Bradenton, Florida that it would be a mistake to overlook it when you’re considering a Florida vacation. As a big family, we’ve often found that the path less traveled is the path most preferred.
Happy Travels!
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