Sanibel Island is known for shelling and is one of the best places in the world to shell. There are a great deal of things to do on Sanibel Island when traveling with a family. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Learn how your comment data is processed. While the view is great on any of the two islands' west-facing beaches, watching the sun dip below the horizon while cruising on the water somehow makes the experience even more breathtaking. ): I did not realize until we visited Sanibel and next door Captiva Islands that each of these islands is distinctively different. Don't miss theJ.N. This article was originally published on Oct. 14, 2014, The Cutest Grandpa Ever Took Peppa Pigs Family On Vacation With Him, United Airlines Launches A Free Family Seating Program That Actually Makes Sense. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! Its the only way to get a seat at the race table! There are a lot of super kid-friendly restaurants on the island but there are some that specifically ask you not to bring tots online, so check ahead of time! The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. We definitely suggest sharing plates, since each dinner portion is huge and comes with a sticky bun, garlic bread and a side salad. The museum features over 30 permanent exhibits on shells of Sanibel and Captiva Island, as well as those from around the world. This is a great thing to do in Jekyll Island with kids. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Kids have their own hands-on learning room, and staff members conduct daily beach walks. Find Places To Stay In Sanibel Island, Florida. It's such a fun way to have even more fun at the beach with kids. Love Boat Ice Cream is at 1700 Periwinkle Way in the Plaza with the big Jerrys grocery store. The homes are amazing to look at, the water even better. Edison & Ford Winter Estates. These encounters trump a trip to Disneyworld any day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It's a far cry from Disney, BUT I think this type of vacation can be just as lovely for kids of all ages. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! Tip for Canadians Tim Hortons coffee is served at Joeys Custard! There is something for everyone on the menu and the servings are enormous. Your little ones are really brave for embracing boas and alligators. The Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens takes visitors on a colorful journey through idyllic tropical gardens. See these marine mammals leaping and frolicking in the waters of Pine Island Sound. Corrie P./CROW - Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc. At the Crow Clinic Animal Rehab, kids can interact with animal ambassadors for a remarkable learning experience. We ate breakfast in the room. Things To Do In Sanibel Island's Lighthouse Beach The Best Gift: Making Memories At South Seas Island Resort Beaches in Guatemala: Dramatic And Beautiful Volcanic Black Sand A Family Weekend In Florida's Space Coast With Holiday Inn The Best Things to do in Fort Myers Beach for Families Things To Do With Kids In The Upper And Middle Florida Keys Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. Make sure to pack mesh shell bagsfor each member of the family to carry along the beaches. This year before we left we talked to them about the different types of shells they could find and even got them a shelling Sand Dipper Jr and sea shell collecting bag. Along the way, a naturalist will point out local sights and landmarks while answering questions about wildlife and island history. Fully Equipped with an upgraded kitchen featuring stainless steel, Sunzero Wolf appliances, and quartz countertops. Florida always holds a special place in my heart and the more I explore, the more I love it too. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! I'd venture to say that if you look for it you can find as much adventure on this little island as a lot of other tourist destinations. We also had dinner there and the kids were super happy with their chicken fingers. CROWs Visitor Education Center features a collection of interactive exhibits and videos, while the guided Wildlife Walk through the hospital allows you to observe veterinarians treating sick and injured wildlife. We visited the museum that belongs to the area first. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids gluten-free is made easier with simple recipes & kids cooking ideas. There is so much to explore right outside your hotel, both on the beach and in the water. Trust me. Definitely worth the drive! 9. What's a beach trip without ice cream? It is located in Lee County and the easiest way to get there from Toronto is to fly to Fort Myers, rent a car and go. We got these super easy-to-use kid-friendly Octopus Kites and they have been great. TripHobo Things to do with Family & kids in Sanibel; timesoftheislands.com Top 16 Spots To Take The Kids Around Sanibel & Captiva Islands | Times of the Islands Magazine; Family Destinations Guide 17 Best Things to Do in Sanibel Island, FL (for 2022) iTripVacations 6 Sanibel Island Beaches Where Stress Melts Away and Kids Can . Kids Activities. Parenting lesson learned? A trip to Sanibel Island with kids is perfect if you are a family who wants to send some quality time together in a laid back, relaxed atmosphere. By: Jodi/Updated on: February 15, 2023/3 Comments. Your email address will not be published. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Stop by Flan World Corp for a life-changing coconut flan, Aux Dlices Bakery for authentic French pastries, and the Doughnut Station for the fluffiest doughnuts. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. It sets over the ocean where you can watch from a huge stretch of public beach. You might want to bring water shoes or sandalsfor walking on the beach. Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. 8. Just look at these birds we found. Their learning lab is a great place for children to engage in hands-on play with displays, games, a tank with indigenous mollusks, and continuously-playing children's videos. They also offer a kids program (if you feel like a little adult time needs to be a part of your vacation!). I would also be remiss to not mention Red Tide. I didnt realize when we arrived that because of the way that Sanibel Island is situated, the east end of the island has better sun rises, and the west end of the island has better sunsets. 3. If you plan on dining out, get your hands on the. Things to Do in Sanibel with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Map Traveler favorites All things to do 1 place sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 2022 1. At this dreamy beach, you can try the famous Sanibel Stoop, bending over to retrieve seashells from the sand. There arent really any great public transportation on Sanibel Island, so unless you are planning to take an Uber to and from the airport (expensive given the distance) you will need a car to get around. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Because of this, the island is home to a ton of locally-owned boutiques where you can buy bathing suits, sun hats or souvenirs to take home. It's a great and inexpensive activity for the family that doesn't involve having everyone sit at a table for an entire meal. Here you'll find healthy vegetarian and pescatarian recipes, health & wellness tips, healthy travel guides, plus behind the scenes fun from my life as a twin Mom. Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation with a family. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. So if there aren't traditional kids attractions what ARE the things to do with kids in Sanibel Island? The beaches are lined with more shells than you could ever collect. Ha I would not have done it at their age. Definitely can do an adult only trip there too! 4. I've always wanted to visit Sanibel Island. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Captiva Cruises offers three kinds of sunset cruise: the Sunset Serenade with live music and cocktails, the Wildlife Sunset cruise with views of birds and dolphins and the Sunset Sail on a 40-foot catamaran. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. Shell Harbor Though Shell Harbor might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and Sanibel Moorings Botanical Gardens. However, the island is spread out depending on where you stay. Just wondering. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Sign up for simple dinner ideas, easy step by step instructions, and fun recipes for kids. Book family tours. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Once we left the beach area, we stopped coughing. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. It is located in Lee County and the easiest way to get there from Toronto is to fly to Fort Myers, rent a car and go. Once I heard of it, I wanted to know what there was to do on Sanibel Island with kids. Since little ones don't just sit around having a few kites to fly is a great way to pass the day. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Yolo Board Adventures Sanibel offers two-hour guided eco-tours for both adults and children 12 and older. Looks like a really fun place. My boys had never had REAL ice cream before so we splurged and let them have some. Cayo Costa State Park. With over 25 miles of paved, carless trails, Sanibel Island is a wonderful place for families to explore on two wheels. Where else but the seashell capital of the world would you find the national shell museum? If budget were a consideration, I would happily advocate for cheaper accommodation (even if it was away from the beach) on Sanibel before staying at a moderate resort on the beach in Fort Myers. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). If your kids are particularly sensitive to teasing, maybe wait until they go to bed and come back for the adults-only late night race, which has even raunchier jokes. Here are the activities they have for kids! As always, opinions and fun times are always mine and those of my kids. I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. The kids waited long enough for the picture to be taken and then wanted to run back to see if we could see a snake again that had crossed our path. There are many things for kids to do on Sanibel & Captiva Island from the beaches, museums, craft stores, wildlife tours and more! After a low tide or storm are best along with the months of January, February, and March. After 9:00 p.m on Sanibel, itsturtle time. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. Find unlimited travel inspiration on ourblogsandour social media channelsFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest, The 10 Best Beaches Near Orlando, Florida15 Unbeatable Florida Family Vacations with KidsThe 4 Best Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in OrlandoThe 15 Best Long Weekend Getaways In The USThe Ultimate North America Travel Guide10 Best Day Trips From Naples, FloridaThe Ultimate Guide For a Pet-Friendly Holiday in FloridaThe Best Time To Visit Orlando, Florida7 Amazing Water Parks In Orlando, Florida8 Best Hotels Near SeaWorld Orlando, Florida9 Best Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe 5 Best Hotels Near Downtown Orlando, FloridaThe 8 Best Hotels Near Orlando AirportThe 9 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels In Orlando, FloridaThe Best Hotels Near Disney World Orlando. This place claims to be Floridas most outrageous and award-winning restaurant. Maybe it was back in 1980 when there werent Houlihans and Fridays in every roadside town. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. of the many flavours of cake, which a Bubble Scout server displays on a silver platter. As the kids are flying down the waterslides enjoy a nice slow ride in the lazy river. I am so glad that I chose to stay on Sanibel proper for our trip to Sanibel Island with kids, because it would have been a whole different trip if we hadnt been right here. Copyright 2023, Create Kids Club. We booked the guide out of Fort Meyers. Photo: Theresa Baldwin, Courtesy of the "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Road trips to Florida were the best part of my childhood. Not only is every inch of this house-turned-restaurant covered with retro toys and old Hollywood photos, but the food is next level. This is a review for fun things to do near Landfield Ave, Monticello, NY 12701: "Amazing place: gorgeous view, extremely pleasant people and lots of fun. The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. #1 in Sanibel Island Address: 1700 Bowman's Beach Rd. The time lost in driving, the tolls and just the increased level of relaxation that staying on the island gave us were completely worth the extra money. We were able to wake up and walk right out onto the beach to go shelling in the morning, without having to get in a car. By foot or bike would be my preference, but you can also drive, or take a 90-minute tram tour with Tarpon Bay Explorers. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Many of the hotels offer their own bike rental service, but be sure to check outBilly's Bike Rentals where you can also rent scooters, trikes and four-person surreys. Both were phenomenal. Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. Friday, March 3. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. Anyone who has visited Sanibel Island will tell you the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is tops on a Sanibel Island things-to-do list. Here you can learn all sorts of stuff about the animals and nature. Do you want amazing sunsets or sunrises? We saw these cottages at the far end of Sanibel Island whilst viewing one of the most spectacular sunsets that we have ever seen. Summers in Florida are HOT. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Learn how your comment data is processed. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. In the courtyard are large enclosures with a variety of different parrots. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. They might even meet a new friend or two. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. And shells of all different textures, shapes, and sizes show up on the shores here. I looked carefully at the hotels and resorts just across the bay in nearby Fort Myers. Less restaurants and shopping. Florida is traditionally a state that screams family travel. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. Sanibel Island takes shelling very seriously! Your email address will not be published. Nature comes in a spectacular variety in the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) is great for learning about Southwest Floridas native and migratory wildlife. Any suggestions on the beat and least expensive fishing guide? The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). In fact, almost half of the entire island is dedicated to the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which you can drive, bike or walk through to spot some of the region's many different creatures among the estuaries. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Eat at RC Otters. Joe is a great teacher, and storyteller. Plan a stop for dinner or a drink outside at theMucky Duck. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Visiting this locale is a feel-good endeavor, too, as your admission fee goes towards the care of approximately 3,500 injured and orphaned animals each year. Don't worry too much about the being out in sun while you're riding as most of the trails are shaded by the islands dense plant life (although it's probably still a good idea to put on some SPF and a hat). Consider renting a tandem bike for those younger kids who may end up tired from long bike rides. That and snowbirds who retire there, my late paternal grandparents being them! Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center 907 Visitor Centers By mrsmarinara great information givien with a really generous spirit 4. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. One of the most famous is the Wildlife and Education Boardwalk, which provides excellent views of freshwater areas inhabited by alligators and nesting birds. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy.

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