Lovin' Life in Siesta Key!

About 10 years ago I read an article in the newspaper about the beach at Siesta Key on the Gulf side of Florida. The article described powdery white sand, blue water, and a fun vibe in the little town, Siesta Village.  My family decided to give it a whirl, and after a week, we decided it was best beach vacation we’d ever had in the United States.

On rougher surf days, kids will have enough wave
action to use boogie boards and play in the water.

Fast forward to 2015 and another trip to Siesta Key. I was reminded about why the beach on this barrier island has been named the “#1 beach in America.” The Caribbean- white sand, made from pure white quartz, is soft and cool beneath the toes. It’s a pleasure to walk on, a pleasure to look at, and awfully for fun building sand castles.

The surf here is typically calm, and the warm summertime water is like soaking in a bath. Waves don’t crash like they do over on the Atlantic side, but on rough days the kiddos have enough water action to keep them busy.

The wide swath of public beach sits central to the island and is the only lifeguard-managed portion of beach. The public beach offers amenities, such as food, restrooms, a surf shop, and handicap accessibility. The parking lot fills quickly during the busy season, so day trippers need an early start to grab a good spot.

Siesta Village is the hub of all activity on Siesta Key. Visitors will find a plethora of restaurants and shops nestled here. The Daiquiri Deck and Gilligan’s are two delicious restaurants to visit. Also, save room for dessert at Big Olaf’s ice cream. Handmade and hand scooped, it’s worth more than one visit. Shops in the village offer everything from the typical tourist trinkets to swimwear to high-end clothing. Parking is an issue in the village, so smart visitors just walk from their lodgings, when possible. Otherwise, any of the free shuttles can transport folks to the village for a simple tip to the driver.

The excellent Siesta Dunes condo complex is an ideal place to
stay on Siesta Key.

The majority of lodging on Siesta Key is rentable condos or houses. A few hotels dot the island, but they are independently owned; no chain hotels here. Our condo of choice sits nestled in the Siesta Dunes complex facing the ocean and with its own private section of beach, but there are certainly many to choose from all along the island. www.siestadunes.com

When a trip to the Caribbean is too far away, do the next best thing. Stick your toes in the white sand at Siesta Key, America’s #1 beach.

Restaurants I recommend...
Captain Curt's Oyster Bar: http://www.captaincurts.com/ 
The Daiquiri Deck: http://www.daiquiridecksiestakey.com/ 
Gilligan's Island Bar: http://gilligansislandbar.com/ (On our most recent trip, this was our best meal of the week!)
Phillippi Creek: http://www.creekseafood.com/
The Hub Baja Grill: http://www.thehubsiestakey.com/
The Old Salty Dog: http://www.theoldsaltydog.com/SiestaKey/ 
Big Olaf's Ice Cream: http://www.bigolafsiestakey.com/ 

Also Consider...
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB): http://www.skob.com/
Walt's Fish Market and Restaurant: http://www.waltsfishmarketrestaurant.com/ 
Lobster Pot: http://www.sarasotalobsterpot.com/

This baby sea turtle washed up on our beach. Don't worry, he was on his way to safety via the local sheriff! 

Never a dull moment eating at Phillippi Creek Seafood!

LEGOLAND Florida is a LEGO Fan's Dream Come True!

The main entrance

LEGO. Approximately 19 billion LEGO elements are produced every year. Over 400 billion LEGO bricks have been sold since 1958. That’s 62 bricks for every person on Earth. Considering these facts it’s no wonder that a place like LEGOLAND Florida is a huge draw for LEGO fans, both young and old.

LEGOLAND Florida is the newest LEGO theme park to hit the United States. With the only other U.S. LEGOLAND park being in California, the Florida park is a great asset to Midwestern travelers who’d like to have the ultimate LEGO experience. Located In Winter Haven, Florida, LEGOLAND Florida is a just an hour’s drive from Orlando or Tampa which means that a day at LEGOLAND Florida can easily be included in a vacation that’s based out of either of those cities.

LEGOLAND Florida sits on the site of the old Cypress Gardens Park, and it still includes some of the past features of that park. The beautiful botanical gardens are still intact, as well as the waterski show. The water-skiers now include the famous LEGO minifigures zooming around on water skis alongside other performers doing the traditional tricks and flips.

Rides are mild but still fun!

But what about the LEGOs? Indeed, this is the place for the ultimate LEGO fan. The park is designed for kids ages 2-12, but for true fans of the LEGO, there will be something for all ages. The park’s areas are designed to focus on some of the more popular LEGO sets, including LEGO City, LEGO Technic, and LEGO Kingdoms, just to name a few. All the rides and theming for each area revolve around the LEGO sets.

The rides at LEGOLAND Florida are mostly mild. Height requirements on the majority of the rides are 48 inches or less. This park doesn’t focus on big heart-stopping thrills. The draw here is how cleverly LEGO has been incorporated into every ride in the park. Theming is king here, and LEGOLAND Florida has mastered that aspect.

Even caped crusaders are made from LEGO's at LEGOLAND.

No LEGOLAND Florida visit would be complete without a stop in the Imagination Zone. Here kids can spend hours building LEGO cars and racing them on a track. There are endless possibilities for building and testing kids’ own creations. Builders are issued a set of wheels at the door which must be returned at the exit, but beyond that requirement, thousands of LEGO pieces wait to be turned into the next racecar. This is a spot where the creative juices can flow.

Kids and parents alike will marvel at the LEGO creations throughout the park. At every turn there is a new LEGO figure that boggles the mind. In Miniland USA, visitors can view seven themed scenes that mirror their actual counterparts from around the United States. Have cameras ready when viewing places such as New York City, Washington DC, and Las Vegas all created out of those famous LEGO bricks.

The newest section of LEGOLAND Florida is the water park, which just opened in summer 2012. This is a great way to beat the Florida heat. The park features a wave pool, lazy river, multiple slides, and a splash element. Again, the LEGO rules the theming here, and it’s definitely a unique water park.

You never know which characters will get
the LEGO treatment.

What would a visit to LEGOLAND Florida be without a little shopping? LEGO fans will salivate at the number of different LEGO sets and pieces that can be purchased at LEGOLAND Florida. The various stores around the park provide all the sets, plus many other LEGO themed souvenirs. LEGO sets can be expensive, but the selection at the park is unmatched.

LEGOLAND Florida is a family-friendly park that will delight LEGO fans young and old. A one-day visit is usually sufficient for most visitors, although season passes are available for those who want to be frequent visitors.  Start planning your LEGOLAND Florida trip at their website, http://florida.legoland.com/ , and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled LEGO kind of day at LEGOLAND Florida.