World class beaches, quiet nature preserves and miles of trails. This is the outdoor side of the Sarasota area.
Anna Maria Island
Scenic north-island waterfront park with views of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key and the Sunshine Skyway, plus shaded picnic areas and a pavilion.
941-742-5923 · mymanatee.org/connect/locations/location-details/anna-maria-bayfront-park
Sarasota
Landscaped bayfront grounds with banyans, sculpture, Mable's rose garden and views across Sarasota Bay.
Downtown Sarasota
A downtown waterfront park and walking area with bay views, public art, playgrounds and marina activity.
letsplaysarasota.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/52/4754
Day Trips
National Historic Landmark garden and singing tower destination in Central Florida.
East Sarasota
A renowned birding and walking destination with wetlands and one of Sarasota's rare elevated viewpoints.
Anna Maria Island
Popular south Anna Maria Island beach with wide Gulf frontage, sunsets, picnic facilities and recreational amenities.
941-748-4501 · mymanatee.org/connect/locations/location-details/coquina-beach
Day Trips
Boat-access-only island state park at the mouth of Tampa Bay with secluded beaches, wildlife refuge habitat, an 1858 lighthouse and Fort Dade ruins.
727-241-6106 · floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/egmont-key-state-park
Day Trips
Large Pinellas County island park with beaches, historic Fort De Soto, paddling, paved trails, camping, fishing and a designated dog beach.
Longboat Key
Thirty-two-acre Longboat Key nature park protecting wetlands, mangroves and coastal hammock habitat along Sarasota Bay.
longboatkey.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Joan-M-Durante-Park-3
Lido Key
Popular Gulf beach close to St. Armands Circle with swimming, sand and sunset views.
sarasotafl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/121
Anna Maria Island
Popular Holmes Beach public beach with year-round lifeguards, concessions, playground, volleyball, accessible beach features and trolley access.
941-742-5923 · mymanatee.org/connect/locations/location-details/manatee-public-beach
Downtown Sarasota
A world-renowned bayfront botanical garden specializing in epiphytes, orchids and immersive garden exhibitions.
Osprey / Nokomis
A 30-acre waterfront campus combining native nature, archaeological history, pioneer heritage and gardens.
East Sarasota
One of Florida's oldest and largest state parks, known for wetlands, wildlife, trails, boat tours and expansive natural scenery.
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park
University Town Center
A 600-acre community and international rowing park with a 3.5-mile loop and major sporting events.
Osprey / Nokomis
A state park with hiking and biking trails, paddling, camping and protected Florida scrub habitat.
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/oscar-scherer-state-park
Downtown Sarasota
Downtown park with playgrounds, walking paths, a skate park and recreation facilities.
sarasotafl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/164
Longboat Key
Restored mangrove and wetland preserve at the southeast end of Longboat Key with lagoons, birdlife and Sarasota Bay views.
Bradenton
A major coastal preserve with mangrove waterways, paved and natural trails, wildlife habitat and an observation tower.
mymanatee.org/departments/natural_resources/preserves/robinson_preserve
Sarasota
A whimsical outdoor garden designed for imaginative children's play with themed paths, structures and creative spaces.
Siesta Key
Internationally recognized public beach known for broad shoreline and cool quartz sand.
scgov.net/government/parks-recreation-and-natural-resources/find-a-park/beaches/siesta-beach
Lido Key
Natural waterfront park at the south end of Lido Key with beach access, picnic facilities, playground, canoe launch and wildlife viewing.
941-861-5000 · visitsarasota.com/beaches-parks/ted-sperling-park-south-lido-beach
Downtown Sarasota
A free, inclusive waterfront park with trails, gardens, playgrounds, paddling access and hundreds of annual programs.
Sarasota
Regional paved trail connecting Sarasota communities for biking, walking and running.
scgov.net/government/parks-recreation-and-natural-resources/find-a-park/trails/the-legacy-trail
Siesta Key
A quieter south Siesta Key beach with boat access, picnic areas and nearby camping.
scgov.net/government/parks-recreation-and-natural-resources/find-a-park/beaches/turtle-beach
Venice
Certified Blue Wave Beach close to Historic Downtown Venice, popular for Gulf swimming, sunsets and shark-tooth hunting.
Hours, prices, and details change. Call ahead to confirm before you go. Know a place we should add? Use the form below.
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