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2 weeks in Florida - what should we do?!

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 😊

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.
    • li>Stay slightly inland (10 minutes from the beach) for much cheaper lodging.
  • 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.

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