FIrst timers coming to AMI

Hey guys! Reading this forum has gotten me sooo excited about coming to AMI. We arrive on the second week of May and are staying on the beach off of White St. I believe. Anyway, I have a 9 yr old and a 5 yr old, most of the time I%26#39;m sure they will be playing on the beach and in the water, but in case of boredom for them, (Lord knows a weeks worth of laying on the beach sounds like heaven to me) is there anything around there to do for them?

Also, on our way home we are planning on either stopping for the day at either Busch Gardens or Sea World. We%26#39;ve never been to either, so does anyone have an opinion on which one is more fun? Thanks!!

FIrst timers coming to AMI

Palmettos - Welcome to the Forum, we are glad to have you and know you will love the island. I dont have children but I have friends that do and I can tell you that the island is very family friendly and will welcome the little ones. Here are couple of suggestions:

Rod %26amp; Reel Pier - You can rent poles (cheap) and get bait and let them do a little pier fishing. They will probably also see dolphins from there. They have a little bar with a few bar stools that you could have a cold one and a crab cake and watch them. The restaurant that is upstairs is a local favorite as well.

Joe%26#39;s Eats and Sweets - It is a great ice cream shop on the island and you can have a scoop and sit out on the deck.

Bridgewalk - At the circle on Gulf Drive, cute little street with a couple of stores to shop for gifts and t-shirts. Another great pier is at the end of the street to walk out on.

Manatee Public Beach - There is a neat playground there for kids and at the Cafe on sundays, they have all you can eat pancakes, it%26#39;s a blast...lots of kids running around.

Cortez Fishing Village - Take a short drive over the Cortez Bridge to the fishing village and you can see crabbers and fishermen with lots of boats. Have a fish sandwich at the picnic tables at Annies or Starfish. You can pick up fresh fish to take back to your rental there too.

That should keep them busy!

Just a hint, if you are picking up supplies at the Publix on the island, go to the seafood market and get some shrimp, ask them to go ahead and steam them in Old Bay or garilic or both, they will do it for free. They also have a great deli that makes Boars Head Sanwiches and a good bakery too.

Since you will have been on the water and seen a lot of fish, my vote would go for Busch Gardens, lots of cool animals and of course roller coasters! They have a new attraction there too, havent been yet but will soon.

Have Fun!

FIrst timers coming to AMI

Thank you so much, RustyKat! Sounds perfect!

Don%26#39;t forget riding the trolley to the North end for ice cream.

The DeSoto National Memorial is off Manatee Ave just over the bridge in Bradenton. They have some activities, a small village setting and museum.

Also, if you want a day to get away, a drive down to the Mote Marine Aquarium is fun for young kids. It%26#39;s at the very South end of Longboat Key.

Mote will be about 30-40 minutes from where you are staying, but it is definitely worth the trip. It is terrific for kids (and adults). Another 8-10 minutes beyond, on the Sarasota mainland, is G-Wiz; that%26#39;s a hand%26#39;s on science museum that kids love.

Oh Wow! Thanks everyone soooo much! Only 3 1/2 more weeks to go!!! YAY!!

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