Staying on Longboat Key, what's close to do/see with a 3yo?

We will be leaving the freezing Indiana weather for 2 weeks at the end of Feb, we are doing 1 wk in Orlando and 1 wk on Longboat Key. We picked it because we got a great deal and we are totally okay with just hanging out on the beach most of the time, it will be a welcome change from the negative temps here at home! What is in the area to do/see with a 3 yr old? We plan to go to Lowry Zoo one of the days, not sure about what else to do! Was also told about a planetarium, but they weren%26#39;t sure on the name, anyone know? Any ideas would be great!

Staying on Longboat Key, what's close to do/see with a 3yo?

Bishop planetarium and South Florida Museum is in downtown Bradenton, corner of 9th St West and Manatee Avenue (actually just north of there). Make sure you say hi to Snooty for me, he%26#39;s the resident manatee. Mote Aquarium and the Mote Boat are both winners. South towards Sarasota. Jungle Gardens is popular with the younger kids, mainly because of the playground. Personally, I don%26#39;t understand it, but my grandkids love it. They also have a neat parrot show, and you can get pictures of the kids with birds on their arms. There is a nature walk area at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island on the bay side that is kind of neat. If you get that far north, continue to the Rod and Reel pier for some fishing and a great lunch.

Staying on Longboat Key, what's close to do/see with a 3yo?

Thanks for your help!

In Sarasota, Jungle Gardens might work for a 3-year old but it%26#39;s definitely not my favorite either. One place your child should enjoy would be Mote Aquarium just as you cross over the bridge at the south end of Longboat. Then on the mainland there is the GWiz hands-on science museum; it%26#39;s oriented towards slightly older kids (and adults) but there are still plenty of things to touch and feel and hear and move, etc. that would be of interest.

Kris and cbc-

What is Mixon Fruit Farm like? Is it worth a visit with kids?

Jkelly

ps MorgansMommy- my 3yo loved Busch Gardens last year. There is a great kiddie ride area and she loved the shows and animals. I don%26#39;t think I would do both the zoo and Busch Gardens, though.

Sorry, can%26#39;t help you with Mixon%26#39;s; I%26#39;ve never been there. Other thoughts: maybe a trip down to Myakka State Park and a ride on the Gator Gal (boat) to see the alligators. Also, if you%26#39;re here before Feb. 22, you could go to Circus Sarasota (near the Stadium); after 2/22 they move to Ft. Myers. Also perhaps it might be fun to see the Lippizaner Stallions perform; check www.hlipizzans.com. Another option, though it would be quite a drive (45 miles east of Bradenton) would be Solomon%26#39;s Castle (with moat and galleon); see www.solomonscastle.org.

Mixon has grown a lot over the past few years. They have a great gift shop, and serve upscale sandwiches for lunch. Also, they have soft serve orange swirl cones, that are very popular. Their ';show'; is an open air trolley that goes back into the groves for a nature lesson, including some live animals. Have not been on the ride, but a friend said it was good for her 8 year old nature lover.

Thanks, Kris.

I think it will be perfect for my 7yo nature lover. We will check it out and report back.

Thanks again.

Jkelly

%26lt;%26lt;a ride on the Gator Gal (boat) to see the alligators%26gt;%26gt;

We were at Myakka and took the Gator Gal excursion two weeks ago. Children are free on the airboat. At least three (ages toddler - four; different families) were on our trip...and none of them happy about it.

The guide told us first thing that we weren%26#39;t likely to see many -- maybe not any except for Fred, who resides not far from the boat%26#39;s pier -- because it was too cold overall in winter (temperatures that day in high 70s). The kids onboard were at best restless and at worst in meltdown mode. It was mid-afternoon, so maybe they were simply worn out.

My own four are 21-31 now, but even though it%26#39;s been a while, I%26#39;m empathetic to parents trying to give their children a good time. As someone who worked as a children%26#39;s librarian for nearly 24 years, I also recognize the signs of a child who%26#39;s just not having fun.