Florida’s sun-soaked coastline is home to one of the best beaches in the USA. You can look forward to white sand beaches, vibrant turquoise waters, and a laid-back beach town on your visit to Siesta Key. Spend your entire vacation lounging on the stunning beaches or explore other things to do in Siesta Key.
Our Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals provide a home base for visiting this beach destination. With locations steps away from the beach and a short trolley away from top attractions, you’ll create endless memories during your stay.
Here are our favorite things to do!
1. Visit the white sand beaches
Comb through any list of the best beaches in the US, and you’ll undoubtedly see Siesta Key ranking high. It’s a hidden gem beach destination that more travelers are discovering—and the beaches won’t disappoint!
Siesta Key is famous for its white sand, which is thought to be made from eroded quartz from the Appalachian Mountains and gives it a soft-to-the-touch feel. Sink your toes in the warm sand while beachcombing the popular beaches on the island and enjoy views of pure turquoise waters. Here are the must-visit beaches:
- Siesta Key Beach – the most popular
- Crescent Beach – tranquil alternative away from busy tourist crowds
- Turtle Beach – a low-key, natural beach known for its sea turtles
Can’t find parking? Check out other public beach access points where you might have more luck.
2. Try Siesta Key watersports
Peel away from our top-rated beaches and into the Gulf of Mexico to enjoy a host of watersports. Check the colored flags waving daily at the lifeguard booth on Siesta Key Beach to confirm that water conditions are perfect for a day out on the water. Green means go for water fun!
Siesta Key Watersports offers rentals and boat tours. Watch your feet dangle hundreds of feet above the turquoise water while parasailing with a friend. Rev up your motor with jet ski tours to open waters with no speed limits. Take dolphin tours to hot spots near the coast to spot dolphins and manatees.
3. Go snorkeling at Point of Rocks
Walk to the southern end of Crescent Bay, and you’ll run into a pile of large rocks. Peek below the water’s surface and these seemingly ordinary rocks reveal the marvel of the underwater world.
The Gulf of Mexico is swimming with marine life near this top snorkeling spot in Siesta Key. Visitors love it because of the shallow waters extending from the shore, where they can see flounder, snapper, mackerel, and many other fish species.
Rent snorkeling gear or sign up for a local snorkeling tour for a guided experience.
4. Take a boat tour
Boat tours are always a popular thing to do in Siesta Key. The island offers several tours tailored to the experience you wish to have on the water. Find full-day, half-day, and private tours to customize your water adventure.
Set sail on a boat tour of the Midnight Pass to party on naturally formed sand bars floating in the gulf. Enjoy the alluring golden hour on a sunset cruise, viewing the Sarasota Skyline. Embark on an offshore fishing charter to reel in a big catch. Private charters are great for exploring nearby keys or planning a private lunch on a sand bar.
Be sure to book local tours and activities through our dedicated link after reserving one of our Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals for special rates offered to our guests.
5. Take advantage of shopping and dining in Siesta Key Village
If you’re not hanging out at the beach, you’ll probably find yourself wandering Siesta Key Village. Between shopping and dining, you can easily spend a few hours. The village is very walkable. We recommend taking the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley to the Siesta Village stop in front of Morton’s Market to begin exploring the area on foot.
Gear up for the beach at popular shops like the Beach Bazaar of Sarasota and Swim City for swim trunks, flip flops, beach towels, accessories, and toys. Find your island-chic style at locally-owned clothing boutiques. Also, browse local souvenir shops for that perfect “Siesta Key” t-shirt.
Feeling hungry after a day at the beach? Shuck raw oysters at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB). Revel in the charming “Old Florida” vibe inside the Old Salty Dog. Dig into seafood dishes at Gilligan’s Island Bar, one of the largest tiki bars in Florida. Indulge in happy hour cocktails on the airy second-level patio of the Daiquiri Deck.
6. Explore coastal mangrove tunnels
Feel the slow sway of your kayak while paddling beneath a tunnel of mangrove trees. These coastal mangrove forests are one of the unique features of the Florida coast, which is why it’s one of the top things to do in Siesta Key. Explore these otherworldly landscapes on mangrove kayak tours that immerse you in the beauty of these enchanting trees.
Kayaking is only part of the fun—the true wonder of these unique tours is exploring beneath the tree canopies. Paddle slowly as you stare up at the oddly formed trees with roots and limbs reaching out into the water. Heads up, you may have to duck down!
The best spots for mangrove kayak tours are:
- Sarasota Bay
- Longboat Key
- Anna Marie Island
- Lido Key
Also, try it with paddleboarding!
7. Explore the nightlife
After our world-famous sunsets, Siesta Key evolves from a sleepy beach town into a vibrant nightlife hub. You can feel the energy from partygoers patrolling the sidewalks en route to one of the nightclubs or beach bars.
Let the live music and party crowds lead you toward these top Siesta Key bars:
Read more about the local Siesta Key nightlife.
If you’re looking for a nightlife scene that’s more upbeat and modern, Downtown Sarasota’s lively nightlife is just a 15-20 minute Uber ride away.
8. Learn at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Island life relies on the water for sustainability. Siesta Key is a hub for ocean conservation efforts and local marine science research. Learn more about the local marine life inside the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. It’s educational and fun for all ages to see what’s truly lurking beneath the beautiful gulf.
This ship-inspired building is home to an aquarium featuring several habitats dedicated to marine life found in the area where you can stand next to massive tanks and watch sharks, sting rays, sea turtles, seahorses, jellyfish, otters, and more swimming in a recreated ecosystem.
Inside you can explore working labs to peer over the shoulders of marine biologists and scientists who are hard at work making new discoveries in the local waterways. Get your hands dirty sifting sand inside Fossil Creek to find authentic fossilized shark teeth you can take home as souvenirs!
9. Discover the history of ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’
Snowbird travel to Florida attracted two of the world’s most famous siblings to escape the colder north. The Ringling Brothers established their winter getaway in Sarasota in the early 1900s, and their former estate has become one of Sarasota County’s top landmarks. Tourists are invited to discover the essence of “The Greatest Show On Earth.”
The estate grounds are home to the Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, Bayfront Gardens, and more. Learn how the Ringling Brothers solidified themselves as the ring leaders of the circus industry. Vintage posters take you back in time to the golden era of circus entertainment. Browse the museum’s 21 original galleries exhibiting works by an Old Master, Renaissance masterpieces, and period furniture.
Admission to the estate is free every Monday! Regular admission is still required for the Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan Mansion.
10. Dance in the Siesta Key drum circle
Let the sound of rhythmic drums guide your footsteps across Siesta Key Beach into the Siesta Key drum circle. This Sunday tradition happens at sunset when locals and visitors come together to celebrate the setting sun.
Immerse yourself in Siesta Key’s ‘boho’ spirit. Move to the beat of bongo drums and tambourines. Watch flag twirlers moving gracefully through the soft sand. Admire the unique outfits decked out with neon lights. When it gets dark enough, the fire spinners light up the night sky.
Come to participate in the free-spirit fun or join the circle as a spectator to watch the sunset celebration.
11. Shop at the Siesta Key Farmers Market
Plan a quick stop at the Beach Bazaar Parking Lot on Sunday morning for the Siesta Key Farmers Market. This weekly open-air market brings local food producers, farmers, artisans, and small-business owners together to promote their creations to the public. Come to shop, mingle, and support local businesses.
Come early to get the best stuff because vendors close after selling out. Be the first to get your hands on the best-quality produce from local farmers to prepare a home-cooked meal at your Siesta Key Vacation Rental. Purchase large-scale Siesta Key landscapes from local landscape photographers. See works by talented artists who are creating works from locally sourced natural materials. You may even get lucky to snag a free giveaway!
Stick around for live music performed by local musicians.
12. Try the many outdoor activities at Myakka River State Park
Less than an hour’s drive from our Siesta Key vacation rentals lies one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks. Visiting Myakka River State Park is one of the top things to do near Siesta Key to explore a biodiverse region of Southern Florida.
Myakka River State Park expands to 37,000 acres with waterways and nearly 40 miles of trails. Enjoy panoramic views from the canopy tower found on the William S Boylston Nature Trail or encounter gators at the end of the Deep Hole Trail. Stroll the Canopy Walk overlooking the prairie landscape dotted with vibrant wildflowers. Take the scenic 7-mile drive route passing Upper Myakka Lake. Go boating and canoeing on the Myakka River.
13. Shop, dine, and relax at St. Armands Circle
You’ll see plenty of beach fashion around the island of Siesta Key. Upgrade your fashion sense at St. Armands Circle. This massive outdoor shopping complex features 100+ shops and restaurants.
Don’t get dizzy! This unique shopping destination is fittingly designed in a circle with shops around the perimeter. It’s a tourist hotspot for finding retail clothing boutiques, jewelry shops, and specialty stores for the perfect souvenirs. Dine at restaurants with diverse menus of fresh seafood, European and Latin cuisines, and delicious ice cream.
Check the events calendar for popular annual events like the St. Armands Circle Art Festival and Ferraris on the Circle.
Where to Stay in Siesta Key
Siesta Key is the exotic vacation destination you’ve been looking for. It feels like a world away from the bustling Sarasota—although it’s just a short drive away.
Our Siesta Key Dreams Vacation Rentals put you in the heart of Siesta Key with access to the beach, shopping, dining, and more. From luxury chalets to ocean-view condos, book an accommodation today to fit your beach lifestyle!