Ever been to Captiva or Sanibel? 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. Also, the water tended to be murky on Sanibel. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. If youre lucky, youll also be able to spot friendly dolphins frolicking around the water. Recommended Read: The 10 Most Beautiful Islands in Florida. The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Paddle throughmangrove swamps and winding waterways, and then keep your kayak for free for the remainder of the day. This was my daughters favorite part of the trip! Here are a few things to think about when narrowing down the best Sanibel Island family resorts for your vacation. This was a "giant clapper" in our world for the week. 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! All ages. 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. Your whole family will enjoy spending hours exploring all the creatures they find! Address: 1 Wildlife Dr, Sanibel, FL 33957. We stayed at the Sanibel Inn and absolutely LOVED it. Registered dietitian & mom behind Create Kids Club an online kitchen where feeding kids is made easier with simple gluten-free recipes & kids cooking ideas. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Each day the view was completely different and it made a wonderful activity with the entire family. It's a unique, quirky, and unusual place that is full of old Florida charm. There is also a tower about halfway through the drive with fun telescopes. Be sure also to visit the family-friendly Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, the only one in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. This wildlife refuge is a great place to check out the local flora and fauna. These are excellent suggestions! Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. Winters the weather can be hit or miss, and the months between December-February are busier with snowbirds escaping winter. 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 got these super easy-to-use kid-friendly Octopus Kites and they have been great. While visiting Chateaux Sur Mer, you might make a stop by sights like Sanibel Island Southern Beach and Bowman's Beach. From beautiful beaches for shelling to countless water activities for kids, Sanibel Island is a great place to vacation for families. Sanibel Island is best experienced by bike. Compare native and invasive species of reptiles; hang out with a red-tailed hawk; play hide and seek with a bashful opossum. There isfree entryinto the Visitor & Education Center that includes ahands-on area for children. 2. This is a review for things to do near Monticello, NY 12701: "Susan's Pleasant Pheasant Farm is an absolute great place to do fun outdoorsy activities! Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green . We ate THE best burgers at the poolside bar at the Sanibel Island Inn, and we ate out once or twice for dinner. Its amazing! Next time we go, I might choose a simpler place, or an Airbnb with a kitchen where we can cook, because the resort was lovely, but Sanibel has some really great things that we want to get out and see! Because of its distance from the airport, there are no public transportation methods to get here. Besides relaxing and playing on the beaches, there are kid-friendly restaurants, museums, and historical sites to enjoy with your family. That night in bed? Located off Sanibel-Captiva Road, Bowmans Beach has several miles of secluded white sand and gentle waters ideal for a refreshing swim. We are Shanna and Aaron + kiddos. A quick drive from Fort Myers, Florida will take you to a tropical island getaway with so much family-friendly fun to explore. These cottages are on the western end of the island, so you are guaranteed some beautiful sunsets right from your front porch! We are living our travel dreams despite having regular jobs and want to inspire you to check some items off of your family travel bucket list. Unfortunately for me, there are no craft breweries on the island. Travel and World Peace: How Traveling the World has Changed My Perspective. And Lord knows youll need an hour of relaxation being away with your family. Just make sure not to keep any live ones! Convinced to travel to Sanibel Island and check out the cool things to do in there? I definitely want to go back and explore and this sounds like an amazing place to do just that. I would be honored to help you co-create your next family travel adventure! )If this sound like a trip to Sanibel Island with kids is in your future, here are my best tips for planning the perfect escape! 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. ), and The Best Things to Eat & Drink on Sanibel. Kids love being responsible for shutting curtains and blinds to help protect the turtles! Do some research and pick a guide that suits your family. "It's the stupidest thing you've ever seen!" Not so much. We belive strongly that travel benefits kids in SO MANY ways. In addition to an amazing pool and poolside bar, our provided kayaks, paddleboards, bikes to borrow and a naturalist led beach walk. If you are staying at a resort and arent planning on straying too far from your quarters, you might be able to get by without a car (especially if your resort has bikes that you can use, which many Sanibel Island family resorts do). Mound House. 2022 5. It was my first time, hopefully not the last. Almost every restaurant in the area boasts its own version of Key Lime pie, but if you have kidsor a big sweet toothyou HAVE to make a stopfor a slice of cake at the Bubble Roomlocated on Captiva island (which is accessible from Sanibel by car). Ding Darling is known as one of the best places to visit for birding. Kids can find out more about the shells and mollusks they found on the beach and see a collection of aquariums with over 50 species of marine life. Its located right on the beach in the premier spot for shelling. Required fields are marked *. Definitely worth a half-day trip adventure. Your Sanibel Island vacation rental lets you enjoy 15 miles of pristine beaches, 22 miles of bike paths, and zero traffic lights. Florida sunsets are truly like none other in existence. Just make sure there is nothing living inside of the shell. Kids Activities. Dont miss out on mobile-only deals and one-of-a-kind offers. Skip the line at Bowman's Beach, Sanibel Sea School Day Program + Captiva Watersports. Bristol is a stunning five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath fully furnished home with a private pool. Our next stop was rumoured to be the place to see the manatee. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. Just make sure not to disturb their nests! Make sure to also stop by the idyllic Blind Pass Beach on both Sanibel & Captiva Islands. Bonus tip if you come down here, make sure to include a stop at Sanibels Best Homemade Ice Cream. You will not find chain restaurants, high rises, or traffic lights here. Made to order, this is one of thebest restaurants on Sanibel Islandfor kids and adults. 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. Times Square and the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier. 5. I personally would not have felt sage cycling after sunset, so driving was a better evening option for us. It's such a fun way to have even more fun at the beach with kids. This is one of the best things to do on Sanibel with kids. Dairy-Free (All recipes on CKC are gluten-free). 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. 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! The beach here was beautiful white sand, and the water was a bright shade of beautiful blue. Captiva Island is a wonderful day trip from Sanibel Island. They also offer a kids program (if you feel like a little adult time needs to be a part of your vacation!). We've taken the twins twice and both times they loved running out on the boardwalk and spotting animals. We are beach people and love to spend lots of time at the beach on our trips! 1.Rent A Convertable There's no better way to explore this tropical location with the roof down and the wind in your face. Not by chance, it became the worlds most famous place for shelling. Collect shells along the beach Sanibel is known as the Shelling Capital of the World, and it's not hard to see why. On a regular day, the a.m. low tide will be better than the p.m. because if youre the first one out in the morning, youll be able to find the shells that have freshly washed ashore.Tip: My family has always gone to Sanibel Island in June and the beaches have always been filled with shells. Sanibel Island takes shelling very seriously! Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops,and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. Both were phenomenal. Sanibel Island is an island on the west of the Florida panhandle. With about 22 miles of paved bike trails, it's super easy to get anywhere on the island. The best times for shelling were at low tide and early in the morning (even better if these coincide). KathrynAnywhere is a participant in the Booking.com affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees upon guests booking reservations at the accommodations listed. Sanibel is the larger and (slightly) more commercial of the two islands, while Captiva is more remote and private. The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is on the east end of the island and has a lovely fishing pier, nature trail, and beaches with great shelling. Head to the Crows Nest on Crab Racing Night and see as they say. If you have kids and have been considering a Florida vacation you'd be crazy to not visit Fort Myers & Sanibel Island. Less restaurants and shopping. Captiva And Sanibel Islands are just over an hour from Ft. Myers and relatively easy to get to, but feel like a tropical paradise. Get Dessert at The Bubble Room. Worth-visiting institutions include the Village Sanibel Historical Museum, which preserves nine historic buildings that tell the islands story. When they are ready, they follow the moonlight and head back to the Gulf of Mexico. Come over and. There are bike lanes literally EVERYWHERE. Read More: The Best Hawaii Resorts for Families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Map of kid-friendly places. Join Little Learners for a Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop. Its perfectly legal and encouraged to head down to the beach with a bucket and scoop up as many beauties as you can. Eating out in Sanibel with kids? Bricks 4 Kidz - Piscataway. 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. However, the island is spread out depending on where you stay. We didnt eat out that much while we were here. There is a Publix right before paying the toll to cross the Sanibel Island Causeway. You should get an annual pass to the wildlife refuge. Sanibel Island in Florida offers a breathtaking reprieve for families who want to get away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life. Stuff your face at Island Cow. Our days were spent playing in the water, riding bikes around the island and collecting shells (SO MAY SHELLS! 2. Cabbage Key. But heed the warning signs, as the bridge makes for swift ocean currents and the water around it is not advisable for swimming. There are several places for bike rentals on Sanibel Island, and 25 miles of trails to enjoy. Heres a guide to the top 9 things to do in Sanibel. 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. Here is a story about patience. I am a travel agent and family travel expert who is PASSIONATE about planning amazing adventures for families. There are several ways to explore the refuge. What a great way to vacation around Sanibel! The shelling is the best and the kids love climbing all over the driftwood and making their way through the forest. There are few places on the East Coast of the United States where you can revel in a western sunset. The island's east-west orientation situates it perfectly to catch over 250 types of shells out of the Gulf of Mexico tides. 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. Bring a bottle of wine and let the kids get their feet wet. And while you won't find theme parks or children's museums to keep your kids entertained, instead, give them the opportunity to spot dolphins, hold small sea creatures, and kayak through the mangroves. 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. First lit in 1884, the area around the lighthouse is open to public, but the lighthouse itself is not. Located at 2100 Island Inn Road, I was able to try a couple of beers brewed in the Fort Myers area. They offer a wide variety of accommodations choices as well as a beautiful kid friendly pool with a water slide. Watch the sunset on the beach. Here you'll find shell-strewn beaches, a laid-back vibe, terrific restaurants and shops, and an incredibly diverse wildlife sampling. The french fries are really good. Billys Bike: 1509 Periwinkle Way (239) 472-3620, Finnimores Bike & Beach Shop: 2353 Periwinkle Wa (239) 472-5577. Everyone on the island gets to help protect sea turtles. My three-year-olds have been flying them for over a year. Not a single person I spoke to in the area seems to be concerned about Red Tide and carried on with business as usual. Don't forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. It is located nearby Blind Pass Bridge, which connects the two islands. So get the whole family involved, even if they're too young to pedal. When travelling with my kids, I have to know where the good ice cream places are! Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. The island acts like a big scoop and because of the way that the ocean currents flow, the shells just wash up on the beach. 10. So will you. They have a great kids menu, too, and are really patient with annoying children. Heres something I wouldnt have done as a kid Hold boas, king snakes, pythons, alligators But our day guide Rhett? Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids. Find out when low tide is and hit the beach before anyone else can snatch up all the good stuff. We got to one area and a couple said they had heard one there and were waiting. Address: 3883 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel. Tip: Check with your hotel or condo because some units come with bikes. I had the Key Lime Ice Cream and my daughter had something called Unicorn poop. Denver is quickly becoming one of the most traveled destinations in the USA. The Best Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids, Top Things to Do on Sanibel Island with Kids. 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. Sanibel Island isworld-renownedfor its abundance of seashells. Hello, my name is Shanna, and I am a detail obsessed travel addict on a mission to make planning your own family trips fun and easy! See alligators, raccoons, otters, and hundreds of different kinds ofbirds in this 6,300-acre wilderness. Dr. Seuss-a-Bration at Once Upon a Treetop Plainview. Here's how to make the right first impression. It sets over the ocean where you can watch from a huge stretch of public beach. We stopped a few other places along the way to see birds and a gator. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge! Toddlers, kids, and teens will all want to partake in this activity. Exploring Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, The 9 Best Fort Myers Beach, Florida Hotels of 2023, 12 Best Things to Do in Fort Myers, Florida, 12 Fabulous Family Beach Vacations in the Southeast, 14 Top Things to Do in Vero Beach, Florida, The 6 Best Key West Snorkeling Tours of 2023, The 9 Best Florida Family Resortsof 2023, Top 17 Things to Do in Tampa Bay, Florida, 20 Top Things to Do With Kids in Miami, Florida, 10 Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Florida, The 26 Best Things to Do in Long Beach, California. Having a car made getting to Fort Myers quick and easy as well. Too badwill have to make another trip . 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. Friday, March 3. The two ice cream places we tried on Sanibel Island are Joeys Custard and Love Boat Ice Cream. As a visitor, that attitude is somewhat concerning to me and in the future, Id like to see some efforts in place and real discussion about red tide and the time of year when its low and high, and how to prevent it from happening. If you can't tell an angel wing from a glassy bubble, a visit to the Bailey-MatthewsNational Shell Museum will set you straight. There are shells all year long. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. 8. 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!. My boys have spent hours in pools next to our rentals and I'm sure yours will too. Pick a beach, any beach, and head on over after dinner. Since 1884, the Sanibel Lighthouse (or Sanibel Island Light), has stood on Point Ybel at the eastern tip ofSanibel Island, markingthe entrance to San Carlos Bay. Summer Waves Water Park is a thrilling experience with plenty of waterslides the whole family can enjoy. Another note, Sunburned Willie, the host of the crab race, can be a bit crass. Dont forget the camera some of my best shots have come at this time. The island is a special place for any type of trip, but there is a unique charm in taking kids there because it allows them to appreciate nature a bit more than more developed beach cities. Island Inn Sanibel Island Review | Kathryn Anywhere, Winter Hiking Tips for Hikers of All Levels, Craigleith Ski Club Snowmaking How The Magic Happens, Quebecs Eastern Townships Plan The Perfect Long Weekend. I wasnt sure there was much else to see and do in Florida. Dont leave the park without checking out the Sanibel Island Lighthouse. Afamily vacation to Florida is usually synonymous with Disney, but it doesn't have to be. 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