Thrifty Travel Fun: Sarasota, FL

Winter have the family shivering? The west coast of Florida is a great escape from cold weather, and also from the crowds that fill more popular spring break destinations. Sarasota's average temperatures in February and March hover around the mid-70's, and on top of miles of beaches, there's plenty more to keep the whole family busy. 

Photo by rickpilot_2000 / flickr

1. "Let's go fly a kite"...on Siesta Beach! Join local families taking advantage of the playful Gulf Breezes; bring your own kites for the kids, or simply take in all the brightly colored kites dipping and soaring across that blue Florida sky. (Tip: try to arrive early - the parking lot holds 800 cars, but usually fills up by noon.)

2. Who's ready to see an alligator?! Spend a day exploring Oscar Scherer State Park; with fifteen miles of trails, it's the perfect place to do some hiking and see Florida wildlife. Feeling more adventurous? Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and can be taken out on South Creek, a blackwater creek that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. There's plenty of space for picnicking, and campsites are also available. Just watch out for those gators!

3. Sure, we want to spend as much time as possible out in the elements, absorbing local culture; but just in case the little ones get a bit too much sun, or you encounter a very rainy evening, Parkway 8 Cinema is a great escape. The best part? You can take the whole family for the amount you'd usually pay for one ticket. Bring on the air conditioning and popcorn!

Affordable accommodations: Best Western Midtown, a cozy, elegant hotel that's only a few miles away from Siesta Key Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida.