Family-friendly places abound...

Sarasota, Fla. - Where can you find a cockatoo named Frosty riding a miniature unicycle across a high wire? Where can you actually enter a prehistoric Indian shell mound? What about seeing the "Human Cannonball Machine" used in the 1940s by the Zacchini circus family? It's all In Sarasota! As Florida's Cultural Coast, this community is known for it's sophisticated arts scene, but smart visitors know the action for families can be found at the diverse array of attractions for kids of all ages. Following is a round up of things to do and places to go.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of Florida's oldest attractions and the area's only zoological park, with lush, tropical grounds and winding brick pathways. Waiting just around every curve of the walkway is another interesting exotic plant or tree and sometimes even a new animal exhibit to discover. Don't miss the Bird of Prey Show with their own in-house falconer or the Shell Museum, located right next to the snack bar. A wide variety of animals call Jungle Gardens home including flamingos, peacocks, monkeys, alligators, and even a giant Aldabra tortoise named Roscoe!  For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

It's easy to see why Historic Spanish Point has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years. This scenic 30-acre peninsula overlooks Little Sarasota Bay, and the native plants and wildlife only enhance the natural setting. It was this timeless beauty and nature's bounty in the bay waters that attracted native settlers thousands of years ago. Historic Spanish Point has the most well preserved Indian village site in Florida and it's the only place in the nation where you can actually enter a prehistoric shell mound. Spanish Point offers a glimpse of pioneer life with restored turn-of-the-century buildings such as Mary's Chapel, the Guptill House and the Citrus Packing House.

In 1910 the property was purchased as the winter estate of Mrs. Potter Palmer, widow of Chicago magnate Potter Palmer. Mrs. Palmer left an indelible mark on both the property and our community. Be sure to stroll along her jungle walk and find the unique shell fountain at the end of the aqua duct. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

Mote Aquarium is not your "run of the mill" aquarium. This working marine laboratory mixes the right amount of learning and fun through informative exhibits portraying underwater life in grass flats, rivers and artificial reefs. The touch tank is a popular way to get up-close-and personal with a variety of marine life including conchs, starfish and urchins; while three working laboratories give visitors insight into the world of Mote's scientific studies. 'The latest attraction to be added at Mote is "Sea Cinema," a unique theatre experience combining surround sound, a big screen and 3D objects in an impressive 12-minute movie presentation about life as a hungry shark.

The Marine Mammal Centre teaches visitors about fish hatcheries and the importance of stocking and monitoring different fish species. You'll find sea turtles at the Mammal Centre along with Mate's resident manatees Hugh and Buffett. Mote is the only facility to have installed an underwater microphone to record the sounds of the manatees. You can easily hear them munching away on the romaine lettuce that peppers the top of the tank and if you're lucky you may even hear them vocalize with high-pitched "chirping" noises. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

Right next to Mote Marine Aquarium you'll find many feathered friends at the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is home to more than 39 avian species due to injuries that prohibit them from surviving in the wild. Dale Shields is the remarkable man behind the scenes who had dedicated his life to "tending the hurt and feeding the hungry" bird populations. During a visit you'll see egrets, terns, crows, ducks, geese, herons, gulls, ibises and other waterfowl. The Sanctuary is also home to birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, owls, ospreys and kestrals. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

One name will always surface during a discussion of the history of Sarasota - circus magnate John Ringling. His profound influence transformed this sleepy fishing village to an arts capital in the 1920s, and this influence continues today with the John & Mable Ringling Museum Complex. 

The magnificent architecture of the Museum of Art complements the artwork collected by circus magnate John Ringling. 

Most impressive are the giant works by Flemish master Peter Paul Reubens. A recent installation and re-hanging of the galleries is a fresh approach to showcasing art work - object art is skillfully blended with wall pieces to help tell a story of time and place. Also on the grounds is the Museum of the Circus - a "snapshot" of circus history. Additionally, John Ringling's home on the bay, Ca d'Zan is undergoing extensive renovations and should re-open early in 2002. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

The Circus is an important part of Sarasota's legacy and a renewed spirit of the Circus has come alive with Circus Sarasota - a one-ring European-style circus performing in the winter months. The show offers non-stop entertainment with unique acts including the Russian Cossack Riders and Dolly Jacobs' elegant and captivating Roman rings and aerial act. Circus Sarasota performs from February to March under the big top. For information call (941) 355-9335.

Myakka State Park offers many ways to get in touch with nature from canoeing, bicycling, camping, fishing, hiking, or even airboating on upper Myakka Lake. Florida's largest state park offers daily airboat tours on the world's largest airboat, the Gator Gal. In conjunction with Selby Botanical Gardens, Myakka State Park recently opened a Canopy Walkway - the first of its kind in North America. The walkway is 80 ft. long and 1 00 ft. in the air, just perfect for observing the delicate ecosystems that thrive high above us in the trees. For information call (941) 365-0100.

If heaven is a garden - then Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is nine acres of heaven and the perfect place to take in the wonders and beauty of nature. Selby's walking paths guide you through a hibiscus garden, wildflower garden, a banyan grove, a tropical fruit garden and much more.

Dazzling colors and unique shapes delight every visitor to Selby's prized display house tropical display house has with lovingly cared for orchids, ferns, bromeliads and heliconias. The tropical display house has more types of epiphytes than any other exhibit or display in the nation. What are epiphytes? Well, you'll have to visit Selby and find out for yourself. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions.

Sarasota can now include Asian Art in its repertoire of cultural offerings. Just this year, the Museum of Asian Art opened its doors to the public in downtown Sarasota. Visitors are welcomed to this new attraction at no charge, Oust a reminder - you will have to show your ID), to explore the world of ancient Asia. Set within a vault, 2,000 years of history are represented in the current exhibition of artifacts from China, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and Burma, including the famous "Yangtze River Collection" of Chinese jades. For more information, call Ellen VanDernoot at (941) 954-7117.

G. WIZ, the Gulf Coast Wonder & Imagination Zone offers children and families a place to explore, discover and learn. Interactive exhibits, play areas and classrooms make up this 33,000 square-foot facility. G.Wiz also offers programs for school groups, educational outreach programs, summer day camp and much more. For Contact Information and Ticket Prices go to Florida Family Attractions

For Kid Friendly Accommodations in Florida go to Florida Hotels and Resorts