2 weeks in Florida - what should we do?!

Question

Hello!

We fly to Miami in April & our plan was originally to do 1 week in the Bahamas and 1 week staying Sarasota way but we under estimated how expensive the ferry to the Bahamas is so now reconsidering!

We’re a family of 4 (2 kids 7&9) and I would love some ideas for must do trips / places to visit or stay in Florida. The kids love animals / beaches / water parks. We’ve been to the keys before and loved it but keen for new ideas - that aren’t super expensive (if that’s even possible!)

Thanks all 😊

Answer

Planning two weeks in Florida with kids who love animals, beaches, and water fun gives you a lot of fantastic — and affordable — options without needing to hop to the Bahamas. April is a great month for warm weather, lower humidity, and generally pleasant seas, so you’ll have plenty of choices.

Below is a balanced plan with destination ideas, themed suggestions, and sample itineraries that fit a family-friendly, budget-conscious trip.

First, here are some great destination ideas across Florida that would suit your interests:

Sarasota / Siesta Key area – Beautiful beaches, turtles, aquariums, laid-back vibe, great for kids.
Clearwater / St. Pete – Aquarium, pristine beaches, pirate cruises, great value food and family entertainment.
Orlando (for a few days) – Water parks, animal encounters, fun beyond the big theme parks.
Fort Myers / Sanibel (post-hurricane recovery, but gorgeous nature areas returning) – Shelling, wildlife refuges, kayaking.
Space Coast (Cocoa Beach + Kennedy Space Center) – Beaches + NASA + great for curious kids.
Everglades + Airboat country – Close to Miami, exciting wildlife day trips.

Here are some “must-do” experiences based on what your kids enjoy:

Animal Encounters:
- Mote Marine Laboratory (Sarasota)
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Kennedy Space Center + Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
- Everglades airboat tour near Homestead or Weston
- Manatee Park (Fort Myers, free or low cost)
Beaches:
- Siesta Key Beach – softest sand and shallow waters for kids
- Fort De Soto Park (St. Pete) – incredible for shelling and calm waters
- Cocoa Beach – wide beaches and gentle Atlantic waves
Water Fun:
- Aquatica (Orlando) – best family-friendly water park value
- Splash Harbour Water Park (Indian Rocks Beach) – affordable and close to beaches
- Kayaking through mangroves (Sarasota or Naples)

Now, here are two sample itineraries depending on what style of vacation you prefer:

Option 1: Gulf Coast Family Adventure (Relaxed + Animal Encounters)
- Days 1–5: Sarasota / Siesta Key — Mote Marine, turtle talks, kayaking, beach days.
- Days 6–9: Clearwater / St. Pete — Clearwater Aquarium, dolphin trip, Fort De Soto, mini golf, pirate cruise.
- Days 10–13: Fort Myers / Sanibel area — Wildlife refuge, shell beaches, manatee park, easy biking trails.
Option 2: Beaches + Orlando (High energy but lots for kids)
- Days 1–4: Cocoa Beach — Kennedy Space Center, beach time, surf lessons.
- Days 5–9: Orlando — Spend 1–2 days at a water park + 1 day at Animal Kingdom or SeaWorld if desired.
- Days 10–13: Siesta Key — Relax on the beach, kayak with dolphins, enjoy nightly drum circle.

If you're budget-sensitive, here are ways to keep costs down:

Pick 1 major park in Orlando instead of several — Animal Kingdom or Aquatica are great kid choices.
Use county beaches (free parking in many areas) instead of resort beaches.
Choose wildlife refuges and state parks (very low cost) for animal viewing.
Eat at casual seafood spots — beach towns have many reasonably priced local gems.

Final Thoughts:

With two weeks, you can create an amazing itinerary that blends beach relaxation, wildlife adventures, and kid-friendly activities without breaking the bank. The Gulf Coast (Sarasota / Clearwater / Fort Myers) is especially suited for families, and mixing in a few Orlando or Space Coast days makes the trip even more well-rounded.

2 weeks in Florida - what should we do?!

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