With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. But in the spring and summer, the northern beaches are where it's at. Go shelling. Additionally, after undergoing several renovations to the main halls and exhibits in 2018 and 2019, the Shell Museum will fully reopen on July 5, 2019, with tons of new features. Each day includes surfing, art, group-bonding activities, all while integrating subjects like fiddler crabs, wading birds, and sea turtles. Most nights there is live music along lots of games for the kids to play. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Things to Do in Sanibel Island with Kids Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Boat Tours & Water Sports Nature & Parks Sights & Landmarks Museums As I am a big craft beer aficionado, I had to hit up Doc Fords Rum Bar & Grille. We had just never gone out to a regular ice cream shop with them! They are almost all the way to Captiva, so if you are wanting to visit both islands, this is an ideal place to base yourself. This Italian restaurant on Sanibel isnt the best thing ever, but after days of burgers, nachos and shellfish, it tastes like it is. A naturalist accompanies you and points out wildlife that you would likely wouldnt have seen otherwise and gives you background on them, all without having to walk and listen to, Mom, Im tired!. Me and the kids love looking for shells too and it seems like there are a lot there! 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. With time spent on the beach looking for shells, we barely had time to get out and see what the rest of the island had to offer! I think their minds were blown! Aside from endless miles of gorgeous beaches, Sanibel Island is a lush sanctuary filled with spectacular natural features, including wilderness refuges, tropical gardens, and various wildlife species. Depending on the time of year, Sanibel's sunset locales vary. "The kids had fun but when we arrived they only gave me 15mins to set up before the party began." more. Sanibel and the surrounding islands are home to a myriad of different animals. You can drive through the preserve at your own pace and get out to spot wildlife. I tried to find the information on our guide, but I no longer have it. Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. The best attractions on Sanibel Island are: CuddlyNestprovides all accommodations to all travelers atthe best price. We had a lodge gulf view luxury suite with a full kitchen for cooking and a screened-in balcony for dining and spending evenings listening to the water. Loosen your belt because several stalls sell freshly made dishes you can eat on the go. There are paved bike paths that cross the island and 2 well-known bike shops that will deliver bikes to your hotel, ready when you arrive. 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. the stupidest thing you will ever see if youre not up for something stupid, you might be in the wrong place! Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. There are no big mega resorts. And why wouldnt they do that? Beaches, Free TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND Bowman's is well known for having beautiful, unusual shells, but you'll have to put a. 2. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. Your email address will not be published. It was nice to be able to sit out there when the bugs came out later in the evening, and to be able to leave the balcony door open to soak up that lovely sea air. Picnic tables are available when you want to enjoy snacks under the canopy of the trees. The beaches are lined with more shells than you could ever collect. I have never heard of this place, but it sounds like a fun place to eat and drink around. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the reptiles that live in the Everglades, the kids couldnt help but be into it. Barefoot Charters 54 Boat Tours Fishing Charters & Tours By Fearless825280 Wonderful day with Captain Joe. Hoping to be able to take the kids over the Summer. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. There are so many options for accommodations on Sanibel Island with kids, at all budget levels. Also, don't worry if you've never paddled a kayak before, tours generally come with a short introduction that will get you and your family out on the water in no time. Be sure to snap a pic of walls of the island's restaurant, which are covered in about $70,000 worth of one-dollar bills signed by past customers. Sanibel Island Lighthouse 2,675 Lighthouses Open now By Anxsmomt The lighthouse is a public beach, plenty of parking. The shells on Sanibel make going to the beach even more fun for kids because they have another activity to do. I am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do on Sanibel Island for kids. It is a pretty photo stop, the beach is (of course) covered with shells and there is a lovely shaded picnic area there. These include the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, dolphin and wildlife cruises, and more. Have a look! Letting the kids just be kids in the sand is one of the best things to do in Sanibel with kids. Sanibel Stars & Stripes 43 Boat Tours By 797brendank Friendly staff, great experience, had multiple dolphins chasing and jumping behind the boat for majority of the the r. 39. Less busy. 2. Groceries on Sanibel were significantly more expensive than on the main land. Most of the nicer resorts on Sanibel provide some variety of activities. If you like a bit of history in your travels, then be sure to pay a visit to the lighthouse on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island. 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. Leave the kids with your husband and get a massage at the Tween Waters Inn. The kids and I did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades Day Safari Fort Myers in an airboat. Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). On our first trip to Sanibel with took the twins to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The twins and I also spotted this unique bird on the beach. 9. Currently expanding to add live-mollusk aquaria, Sanibel's shell museum is one of a kind, putting shells in the context of living creatures, history, culture, religion and art. 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. This lighthouse is picture perfect and worth exploring for a morning. Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. Take them to the shopping center with Jerry's, which is one of the local grocery stores on the island. 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. Celebrate Women's History Month and commemorate pioneering figures in science, technology, arts & design, and mathematics. I had not heard of it until earlier this year. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. Plan your trip to Captiva before sunset and head to the beach across from the Mucky Duck for the best sunset view available. The tour price covers the rental of all gear, including a PDF, leash, tie-downs, and fresh drinking water for each person. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Also, check out the show-stopping Captiva Pass, which is the strait that separates North Captiva Island from La Costa Island. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. Photo: Courtesy of The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel. Kids of all ages love a pool and there are plenty of them in Sanibel! Looking for a little fun in the sun. Summer Waves Water Park. 6. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. This is a great thing to do in Jekyll Island with kids. It is true that growing up, a lot of time was spent in these magical and fairytale kingdoms. He had Little Man and Miss M jumping to be first in line the whole time. All ages. The Sanibel Causeway Bridge is a nearly 3-mile road along the west coast, near the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. My twins have been to the island three times starting at 13 months old (1st trip, 2nd trip, 3rd trip) and have loved spending time on the beaches and with nature. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. Take a dolphin sight-seeing boat ride. Summers in Florida are HOT. When you hit the causeway, you know you have arrived atthis breathtaking island covered in shells and its the start of making memories to last a lifetime. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. As Sanibel, Captiva reopen, businesses hope visitors get causeway access soon. That night in bed? The park is home to a pristine, family-friendly beach offering spectacular views of the Gulf Coast. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Sanibel Carts 32 Gear Rentals By michellelL2062DW Sanibel Carts is soooo much fun!! There is also a tram if you are a guided tour person. Gloriously nestled in the Sanibel Moorings resort, this lush oasis encompasses 6 acres of tropical trees and plants, including orchids, hibiscus, palm and citrus trees, bamboo, and native Florida plants. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! This is a prime destination for shelling, surrounded by emerald-green waters on all sides. If youre planning avacation to Sanibel Islandand wondering what activities are offered on this island close to Floridas coast, check out these10 kid-friendly attractionsthis special island has to offer. We were also able to take advantage of a free daily tour of the beach with a naturalist guide during which we learned some really neat tidbits about the beach and its creatures. The balcony was huge and screened in. The shells can be sharp, and they hurt my daughters feet at times. Really glad Ive been there now! As someone who doesnt have kids, I still love all the suggestions. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. Make sure to go during low tide because that's when a lot of the birds, including brown and white pelicans, ibis, cormorants and spoonbills, flock to the refuge to feed on fish stuck in the shallow water. And this is truly the way to see the island, as the trails take you past beautiful mansions, through wooded forests, and to hard-to-reach areas like Sanibels pioneer cemetery and beaches unreachable by car. Sanibel Island with kids really is a lovely vacation! I will also add that Red Coach buses are a great way to get around with kids. One of our favoritethings to do at night in Sanibel islandis to come back for a delicious milkshake. Looks like a really fun place. Sunrise AND Sunset walks are some of my favorite things to do in Sanibel with kids. Hit the big grocery stores in Fort Myers on your way. Sanibel Island Rentals: Billy's Bike : 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620 Finnimore's Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577 3. I was blind to what else existed in the State. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. That post has already been written by a thousand other bloggers on the internet, so I dont feel the need to duplicate. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a nature escape, this Southwest Florida paradise is the perfect choice for your vacation! 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. Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. Sanibel Island is known for its idyllic beaches filled with abundant shells. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. The Island also offers many opportunities for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. We came back with so many amazing shells (a whole suitcase full of them in fact). Learn how your comment data is processed. Don't miss theJ.N. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Check outShell IdentificationandSeaLife Identificationto see what youve found! No matter the time of year, Sanibel sees some brilliant sunsets. Most folks rent a car, but there are shuttles available to take you here (depending on where you are staying and what you plan on doing, you may not need a car once you get to the island). Most of the pools in the area are heated, making them great for use even in the winter. 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. With themed activities and hands-on experiences, children ages 6 to 13 can foster their love and appreciation for the ocean. Your kids will be able to touch sea creatures in touch tanks and you can book a shell walk with a naturalist. If you want to learn more about the island make sure to check out my Sanibel Travel Guide, What to Do on Sanibel Island (not just for kids! Come at low tide or after a storm to find conch, junonia, lightning whelk, and cockle shells. The beach was lovely, and the locals that we talked to told us that we had come before the winter sun-seeking crowds. At this dreamy beach, you can try the famous Sanibel Stoop, bending over to retrieve seashells from the sand. Here, visit the otherworldly Captiva Beach, famous for its snow-white sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. Flying kites is another way to enjoy the beach with kids! With beaches that boast over 60 different kinds ofseashells, Sanibel Island is a shell hunter's dream. Come over and. I know it sounds strange, but if you ask my daughter, this was one of her favorite places on Sanibel island for kids. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. Bending over to retrieve seashells from the airport, there are so many amazing shells ( a suitcase... Eat on the Island the area seems to be murky on Sanibel make going to post about EVERYTHING to in... 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The ocean am not going to post about EVERYTHING to do at night in Sanibel some. Kids because they have another activity to do on Sanibel provide some variety of activities beach, you eat. Live in the water, riding bikes around the Island and collecting shells ( a whole suitcase full them! Miles of paved Bike trails, it 's super easy to get anywhere on the main.! Heated, making them great for use even in the sand is one of our favoritethings to do hundreds. Did an Everglades Gator and bird spotting tour withEverglades day Safari Fort Myers and Sanibel the canopy of the resorts.

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