Location: Sarasota
Top Things to do in Sarasota
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in Sarasota, Florida (FL)
What kind of beachgoer are you? Chances are, you’ll find something in the Sarasota area that appeals to you. Soft sand, fishing piers, shells—you can find it around here. Just don’t go looking for a nude beach—that’s the one thing they don’t have.
Restaurants in Sarasota
1. Ted Sperling Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
This park provide unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy natural Florida beaches. They are contiguous sections of a 100-acre property that interacts with four bodies of water; the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou. Because of their convergence, currents run swift in some areas of the shoreline.
Reviewed By SharonP875 - New York City, United States
We did a three hour self guided kayaking among the mangrove channels. Saw a dolphin, many birds, clams and crabs. Very nice day, relaxing and quiet in nature
2. The Cat Depot
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By 413julietm - Saint Paul, United States
Cat Depot is an amazing experience. The environment is incredible, the cats are housed in secure but open and airy pods, with the little "catios" where the cats can go sit outside and enjoy the Florida tropic climate. The staff consider every adoption on a personal basis and I send the best of all wishes to everyone who has been engaged at Cat Depot and who will be in the future. Thank you for the little kitty heaven you provide.
3. Lido Key Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By joewens3 - Jacksonville, United States
Great park area, nice restrooms and beautiful beach! We didn’t go swimming, but enjoyed the beach to walk and find shells. It was windy, but beautiful and a must see!
4. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,219 reviews
Bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history.
Reviewed By PatH840 - Asheboro, United States
We spent a delightful morning in the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens during a recent visit to Sarasota. Our stroll through the garden began with a fascinating display of epiphytes, which we learned are plants that grow on other plants without harming them. Some favorite epiphytes were the orchids and bromeliads. The fern garden was a place of tranquility, filled with quite an extensive variety of ferns. The koi pond was very popular with visitors. We really enjoyed watching these fascinating fish in their lovely surroundings. During our stroll we discovered absolutely gorgeous views of Sarasota Bay, requiring time to take in the perfect blue sky, shimmering water and the colorful boats - what a treat! Our favorite part was the native butterfly garden. We saw many colorful butterflies, including numerous Monarch butterflies. We learned that these local Monarchs remain all year long and do not participate in the well-known Monarch migration. Who could blame them for remaining in this fantastic place? We loved our visit to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Sarasota area.
5. Myakka River State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,342 reviews
One of the original Civilian Conservation Corps parks.
Reviewed By SeaSab - Grand Rapids, United States
We had a very pleasant day exploring Myakka State Park. We started at the bridge looking for alligators and birds. Be sure to bring your binoculars! A short way down the road is the trail to the Canopy walk. Climb the steps to reach a 76 foot observation platform where you view the tree tops and Myakka River basin. Our next stop was the gift shop. They have lots of interesting souvenirs for you to spend your money on. There is also a snack bar with food and drinks. Once we had shopped and used the restrooms, we ventured over to the weir looking for more alligators and birds. Our favorite siting was the roseate spoonbill! Our last stop was the bird walk where we saw birds, a wild boar, and more birds, incuding an eagle perched in the flatlands next to the river! The park is beautiful and a great spot for birdwatching. Also available are a boat cruise and a tram ride tour which we did not do.
6. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,257 reviews
Located at the Mote Marine Laboratory, this is home to a 135,000 gallon outdoor shark tank and many other marine species.
Reviewed By AtypicalTraverlers - Durham, United States
We went with our 8 and 11 yr olds on a quiet Friday and were very impressed . Lots of content for the pre-tween crowd. Highlights were the boat tour, preserved Giant squid (!), baby shark touch tank and (like many of the otter reviewers) the otters. I loved that the exhibits were very focused on the local ecosystem - not a grab bag of random cool aquatic creatures like some other aquariums we'd visited. Its a legit research lab and it was great seeing real science in action. We added the boat tour which was well worth it - our guide (Martha I think?) was a working biologist with great knowledge and light-hearted funny presentation . Saw some manatees, blue herons, dwarf sea horse (awww), pufferfish, sea squirts. All around fascinating and worthwhile. The volunteers/staff stood out to me as well. We came away learning additional cool facts and details from quite a few of the staff.
7. South Lido Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By carlosy361 - Knoxville, United States
The beach at South Lido Park is amazing! At that southern tip, a sandbar forms a shallow pool (about 3 feet deep) where young children can play safely and adults can chill out. At the sandbar you will find all kinds of amazing shells for your collection. Amazing spot for the whole family.
8. Safe Harbor Siesta Key
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Safe Harbor Marina has been serving Sarasota boaters and fishermen since 1961. For more than a half century our marina has been a staple in the Sarasota boating community and a prime spot for boaters and fisherman on siesta key. When you drive over the south bridge to Siesta Key the first thing you notice is Siesta Key Marina. We offer 243 dry storage racks, a full service ship store, onsite boat service, boat rentals, bait, fuel, fishing tackle and more. We are Sarasota’s only full service marina.
Reviewed By kimbica
We had a great time!! The pontoon boat was great had no problems at all. The workers there were top notch! everyone was friendly and helpful!! Thanks to there help with a beautiful scenic route they gave us we went to a sand bar and swam for hours! AND did I mention and tons of dolphins we say that swam near our boat. Thank you SKM for making our day so fun!!! can't wait till next year.
9. Save Our Seabirds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
Bird rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Birds that are not releasable are given permanent homes in our Wild Bird Learning Center, where you can see 150 birds of about 60 different species up close and personal every day. Family Friendly Pricing of $12 for adults, $8 for children age 4 to 12. Half price if you show us your same day Mote ticket. Educational tours available upon prior request. (Former site of Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary)
Reviewed By Greenjay9 - McAllen, United States
This is next to the Mote aquarium and provided a wonderful experience for visitors while giving permanently injured or disabled birds a safe haven as birdie ambassadors. The cages were clean and birds seemed well cared for. Ask for the paper that tells each bird’s story when you check in at the front. It helped us understand why they each were there and also showcased the great work this place does in caring for so many birds that have been harmed by their interactions with humans (ie gun shot wound, golf ball injuries, hit by car, fishing line or trash entanglements etc). I can’t wait until they get a gift shop, I would have gotten all my souvenirs there to further help them care for the birds.
10. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,377 reviews
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Our mission is to provide a safe, loving and permanent home for exotic and domestic animals in need, and to educate our guests on the importance of species preservation to ensure the survival of these magnificent animals for future generations. We are firmly committed to keeping alive the Human-Animal connection in our world and in our community. Our goal is to create habitats that mimic native environments and are complete with a staff that can provide daily behavioral, sensory, and manipulative enrichment which is the basis for a happy healthy animal in human care. As we grow and open our habitat to more rescues we will provide the same excellent care while educating the public. We are wheelchair accessible and have limited wheelchairs on-site available for guest use.
Reviewed By PeterV54301 - North Fort Myers, United States
What a great afternoon with the kids enjoying the Lions and tigers the Bears the monkeys the petting zoo area with the goats along withthe snakes and the birds with a really nice show in the air-conditioned space. Perfect timing. We even saw a wedding. Best of luck to them. Hope you enjoy it too
