A family getaway to Siesta Key promises the vacation of a lifetime, from the best Siesta Key ocean view condo rentals to a long list of family things to do nearby.
Spending the day on the beaches, paddleboarding, fishing, going on a dolphin tour, or visiting all types of marine animals at the Florida Aquarium are all perfect things to do in Siesta Key. Still, there are many other activities that are enjoyable for everyone. One of these activities is spending a couple of hours on a mini-golf course! This is always the perfect low-key, competitive, and engaging activity that the whole family will love.
The Siesta Key area has four mini-golf spots, each with its own distinct personalities and challenges. From pirate themes to live alligators, to an on-site ice cream shop, each location offers a unique experience.
If you’re looking for a fun, yet budget-friendly night out with the kids, then these mini-golf destinations are sure to fit the bill and give your family things to do near Siesta Key.
Smugglers Cove
Mini golf… with alligators?
Don’t worry; you won’t be in danger of hitting your ball into alligator-infested waters! With two different locations, each Smugglers Cove mini-golf course has an educational American Alligator exhibit, where you can see 20-30 alligators and learn more about these often misunderstood creatures. You also have the opportunity to feed them food pellets—no, not by hand—but using a cane fishing pole.
The 18-hole mini-golf course contains obstacles that are equally as exciting, with caves, waterfalls, wooden bridges, ponds, a water wheel, and even a pirate ship! The course is challenging and well-maintained. Remember to stop at the Gift Shop and get a souvenir of your visit!
Maybe dead men tell no tales, but you’ll have plenty to talk about once you’ve visited this pirate-themed mini golf course.
Smugglers Cove has two convenient locations when you’re staying in Siesta Key; one is six miles north, located at 3815 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, and the other is just thirty minutes north of Sarasota, located at 2000 Cortez Road West in Bradenton.
Smugglers Cove, voted Best Mini Golf in Florida, is open 365 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours are modified on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Evie’s
The 18-hole, par-40 waterfall mini-golf course at Evie’s is an adequate challenge for the entire family, no matter your skill level.
Set against the backdrop of an old Western town, with wooden facades decorated as a saloon, bank, and more—this wonderfully landscaped course continues the theme with holes displaying a totem pole, a wooden old-timey jail, and Western scenes where kids can pose for photos, wagon wheels, cacti, and a buffalo statue.
Plan to spend the whole day at Evie’s because once your mini-golf round is over, there’s still plenty more to do! Enjoy a full arcade decked out with billiards, air hockey tables, fifteen arcade games, a 60-station driving range, a putting green, wiffle ball, an ice cream shop, a tavern & grill for lunch or dinner, and even a car wash. The ice cream shop offers 32 flavors of delicious ice cream, including shakes, floats, and sundaes. Enjoy your scoop or two (or three) with their house-made waffle cones and bowls.
From Sunday through Thursday, the last mini-golf round starts at 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Evie’s opens at 8 a.m. every day of the week.
You can find Evie’s at 4735 Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota.
The Fish Hole
There’s twice as much fun at The Fish Hole Miniature Golf, with two 18-hole mini-golf courses. You’ll appreciate the beautifully lush landscaping and well-cared-for greens—no crazy obstacles here! It’s just a fun course with lots of water, all filled with lots of fish. You can even pick up some fish food to feed the koi in their pond.
The nautically-themed course is decorated with fishing nets and a working water wheel, as well as statues of turtles, alligators, and other sea animals. The tropical scenery is even better when you play a round after the sun sets and the lights come on. Get hooked on what was voted the Best Mini-Golf in Manatee-Sarasota County in 2023!
The Fish Hole has two convenient locations close to Siesta Key, with two 18-hole courses at each one. You can find one on the historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island and the other at 10725 Rodeo Drive in Bradenton (Lakewood Ranch).
Pop Stroke
Eat. Putt. Drink. That’s the tagline for Pop Stroke in Sarasota, a new course in the area that was established in 2022. This location also has two 18-hole mini golf courses that are truly miniaturized versions of actual golf courses, complete with fairways and bunkers just as you’d encounter where the big boys play. It’s all designed by Tiger Woods in partnership with golf company TaylorMade.
Whether you’ve played on an actual golf course or never touched a golf club in your life, these putt-only courses are friendly to all ages and skill levels. Here’s a plus: after the last hole, you can keep your ball as a commemorative gift! One unique feature of Pop Stroke is their mobile app, which allows you to order beer, wine, or cocktails and have them delivered right on the green!
After the game, you can celebrate your win—or just continue the fun with your family—with ice cream and milkshakes at the on-site, full-service restaurant. There’s even an outdoor dining deck that overlooks all of the beautiful courses! Pop Stroke also has other outdoor lawn games, a playground, a rooftop bar, an outdoor sports bar, and a Jumbotron. Playing on a hot day? Don’t worry; there are multiple misting devices placed throughout the course. This place is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that your whole family will love.
Pop Stroke is at 195 University Town Center Drive. They’re open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Plan Your Next Visit!
These courses are conveniently located near many Siesta Key vacation rentals, so if you’re looking for a day of fun that’s not far from your stay, book a rental with Crystal Sands.
Stay With Crystal Sands
There are many reasons why a rental from Crystal Sands will compliment an amazing vacation in Siesta Key, FL. Our wide range of rental options include beachfront and ocean view condos, one- to four-bedroom rentals that include a full kitchen, king- and queen-sized beds, flat-screen TVs, and terraces and screened lanai for the perfect morning cup of coffee or end-of-day cocktail.
You’ll be just a few steps from the white-sand beaches and alluring blue waters with your private beach access, and just minutes from the marina offering jet ski or boat rentals, and only a short drive to fabulous restaurants, shops, ice cream parlors, and other top attractions. We even offer rentals with access to heated pools, covered parking, private washers and dryers, as well as, beach towels, chairs, and beach toys—all courtesy of us here at Crystal Sands.
We are proud to offer the most luxurious Siesta Key vacation rentals you’ll find in the area. Book with us today to make your dreams of a Siesta Key vacation come true!
