Botanical Garden
Recommended
Bayfront Gardens at The Ringling
Sarasota
Landscaped bayfront grounds with banyans, sculpture, Mable's rose garden and views across Sarasota Bay.
Botanical Garden
Recommended
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Downtown Campus
Downtown Sarasota
A world-renowned bayfront botanical garden specializing in epiphytes, orchids and immersive garden exhibitions.
Historic Garden & Museum
Recommended
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Historic Spanish Point
Osprey / Nokomis
A 30-acre waterfront campus combining native nature, archaeological history, pioneer heritage and gardens.
State Park
Recommended
Myakka River State Park
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
Trail
Recommended
The Legacy Trail
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
Waterfront Park
Anna Maria Bayfront Park
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
Waterfront Park
Bayfront Park and Marina Jack Trail
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
Nearby Destination
Bok Tower Gardens
Day Trips
National Historic Landmark garden and singing tower destination in Central Florida.
Nature Preserve
Celery Fields
East Sarasota
A renowned birding and walking destination with wetlands and one of Sarasota's rare elevated viewpoints.
Beach
Coquina Beach
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
Nearby Destination
Egmont Key State Park
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
Nearby Destination
Fort De Soto Park
Day Trips
Large Pinellas County island park with beaches, historic Fort De Soto, paddling, paved trails, camping, fishing and a designated dog beach.
Nature Preserve
Joan M. Durante Park
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
Beach
Lido Beach
Lido Key
Popular Gulf beach close to St. Armands Circle with swimming, sand and sunset views.
sarasotafl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/121
Beach
Manatee Public Beach
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
Regional Park & Sports Venue
Nathan Benderson Park
University Town Center
A 600-acre community and international rowing park with a 3.5-mile loop and major sporting events.
State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park
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
Park
Payne Park
Downtown Sarasota
Downtown park with playgrounds, walking paths, a skate park and recreation facilities.
sarasotafl.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/164
Nature Preserve
Robinson Preserve
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
Children's Garden
Sarasota Children's Garden
Sarasota
A whimsical outdoor garden designed for imaginative children's play with themed paths, structures and creative spaces.
Beach
Siesta Beach
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
Waterfront Park
Ted Sperling Park at South Lido 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
Waterfront Park
The Bay Park
Downtown Sarasota
A free, inclusive waterfront park with trails, gardens, playgrounds, paddling access and hundreds of annual programs.
Beach
Turtle Beach
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
Beach
Venice Beach
Venice
Certified Blue Wave Beach close to Historic Downtown Venice, popular for Gulf swimming, sunsets and shark-tooth hunting.
Quick Point Nature Preserve
Longboat Key
Restored mangrove and wetland preserve at the southeast end of Longboat Key with lagoons, birdlife and Sarasota Bay views.
Hours, prices, and details change. Call ahead to confirm before you go. Know a place we should add? Use the form below.