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November is a time to be thankful. Thankful for family, friends, good health – and perhaps this year for the beautiful sun, sand, and water of Siesta Key. Fall is a particularly pleasant time of year to visit: the weather is warm, and tourist crowds are low. There is plenty to do and see in the area, enough to keep everyone in the family occupied. This fall, here are a few things to do in Siesta Key that we are especially thankful for.
Crystal Classic
November 15 through 18, join some of the best sand sculpture builders in the world at the beloved annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Competition. Eight talented teams will be competing, giving visitors an opportunity to watch their genius at work. Sleeping giants, castles, Game of Thrones tributes – you’re sure to find an impressive array of sandcastle masterpieces on Siesta Key Beach.
For those who want to try their hand at sandcastle building, an amateur competition will be held on Saturday, November 16. Siesta Key Beach is the perfect place to try your hand because of the high-quality sand; the sand is 99 percent quartz, making it a fine, powdery sand that packs better than normal.
Costs to enter the amateur competition vary on level of competition. For regular admission to view the professional competition, adults pay $10 per day, seniors $8, and children ages 5-17 cost $5. Advanced tickets can be purchased online, as well as 4-day passes. Come and see the sand sculptures Friday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mote Marine Aquarium
The Mote Marine Aquarium is a local favorite and worth a day trip to nearby Sarasota. Since 1955, the center has been researching marine life to promote sustaining and protecting local ecosystems. One of the aquarium’s focuses is educating visitors through the Mote Marine laboratory exhibits, which provide a great combination of learning and fun. There is always plenty going on, so no matter how many times you visit, there’s always something new to discover!
The sheer number of exhibits and marine creatures in the aquarium will keep the whole family busy for hours. Check out the Shark Zone or visit alligators and crocodiles at The Teeth Beneath. You can also catch a glimpse of manatees, otters, and sea turtles by participating in mangrove tours with a knowledgeable guide to learn more about local ecosystems.
Mote Aquarium is about a 30-minute drive from our best Siesta Key beachfront rentals and is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota. You may visit between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Adults (13 and over) pay $24 for entrance tickets, children ages 3 to 12 pay $18, and children below 3 are free.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Coined as Sarasota’s “living museum,” the Marie Selby Botanical Garden is home to approximately 5,000 species of plants and is renowned worldwide as a hub for scientific research. Wander through garden after garden to explore the vast collection of bamboo, epiphytes, bromeliads, orchids, meat-eating pitcher plants, and more. Catch a glimpse of koi swimming through ponds and enjoy the splendid colors of the butterfly garden.
After viewing the gardens, stop by the garden shop for souvenirs or grab a bite to eat at The Selby House Café. The botanical garden is located at 900 S Botanical Palm Ave and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Siesta Key Vacation Rentals
There are plenty of Siesta Key activities and attractions to be thankful for this year, including the Siesta Key Drum Circle! Having a Siesta Key Thanksgiving is memorable and magical, and planning your vacation to the area is simple with a wide variety of condo rentals in Siesta Key, FL to choose from. If you, like many other vacationers, find yourself coming back again and again, consider looking at Siesta Key condos for sale. However long you intend to stay in Siesta Key, we know you’ll be thankful to have visited!
