Tyler’s guidebook to Sarasota & Bradenton
Sightseeing
You can feed and interact with flamingos and other animals.
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdYou can feed and interact with flamingos and other animals.
Siesta Beach
Go at low tide and you can swim out to the sand bar where you are sure to find many sand dollars hidden beneath the sand!
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrGo at low tide and you can swim out to the sand bar where you are sure to find many sand dollars hidden beneath the sand!
Take a stroll down the streets of St. Armands Circle and enjoy an open-air, European-inspired, outdoor dining and shopping experience and see why this place is said to be the Jewel of Sarasota. Visionary John Ringling designed the unique layout of this circle, drawing inspiration from the circus wheel spokes. Being an avid collector of the arts, John Ringling was sure to include sculptures! You will see many sculptures throughout the circle with about 1/3rd of them having belonged to Ringling himself.
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirTake a stroll down the streets of St. Armands Circle and enjoy an open-air, European-inspired, outdoor dining and shopping experience and see why this place is said to be the Jewel of Sarasota. Visionary John Ringling designed the unique layout of this circle, drawing inspiration from the circus wheel spokes. Being an avid collector of the arts, John Ringling was sure to include sculptures! You will see many sculptures throughout the circle with about 1/3rd of them having belonged to Ringling himself.
See wild alligators and go on boat tours. Upon entering the park, follow the road until you get to a bridge. There will be parking spaces before and after the bridge but from the bridge you will see many alligators basking in the sun or gliding through the water!
You can enjoy hiking here as well as a 100 ft canopy walk through the trees up to a 74 ft high observation tower.
16 locals recommend
Myakka Canopy Walkway and Observation Tower
See wild alligators and go on boat tours. Upon entering the park, follow the road until you get to a bridge. There will be parking spaces before and after the bridge but from the bridge you will see many alligators basking in the sun or gliding through the water!
You can enjoy hiking here as well as a 100 ft canopy walk through the trees up to a 74 ft high observation tower.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyAwesome aquarium!
Looking for a place to watch the sun rise by the water even out here on the west coast of Florida? Check out South Lido Beach! Take a morning walk along the beach or simply relax on the benches while watching the sun come up! We often see manatees and dolphins swimming by and have found some of the best shells in our collection at South Lido.
Go after a good storm and you are sure to find many treasures washed up on shore like large conch shells, mermaids purse (shark egg casing), whelk shell egg casings, sand dollars and so much more!
25 locals recommend
South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf
Benjamin Franklin DriveLooking for a place to watch the sun rise by the water even out here on the west coast of Florida? Check out South Lido Beach! Take a morning walk along the beach or simply relax on the benches while watching the sun come up! We often see manatees and dolphins swimming by and have found some of the best shells in our collection at South Lido.
Go after a good storm and you are sure to find many treasures washed up on shore like large conch shells, mermaids purse (shark egg casing), whelk shell egg casings, sand dollars and so much more!
Want to explore mini sea life or watch the sun set? Go at low tide and try dip netting in the sea bed. Grab a net and a clear bucket (for viewing purposes) and head to Emerson Point where you will discover abundant sea life including shrimp, baby horseshoe crabs, dwarf sea horses, snails, hermit crabs, fish and so much more! Just make sure the tide is low and don't forget to catch and release! - If you want to do this, once you enter the Preserve, take your first left, follow the road around to the parking lot where the pavilion is located. Once you park, simply head toward the water, if the tide is out, the water will be low enough that you can walk right up to the sea grass and step into a new world!
If a gorgeous sunset is what you want to see, head out to the Point where you can sit and take in the natural beauty with a view of the Skyway Bridge. - Once you enter the Preserve, follow the main road until you arrive at a small parking lot located at the other end of the Preserve. We have always enjoyed watching the sun set here! It is a small lot but never crowded and you have a view unobstructed by noise, lights and buildings! Gates to the preserve close at sunset, however as long as you leave right after sunset and don't linger long, you shouldn't have issues!
66 locals recommend
Emerson Point Preserve
5801 17th St WWant to explore mini sea life or watch the sun set? Go at low tide and try dip netting in the sea bed. Grab a net and a clear bucket (for viewing purposes) and head to Emerson Point where you will discover abundant sea life including shrimp, baby horseshoe crabs, dwarf sea horses, snails, hermit crabs, fish and so much more! Just make sure the tide is low and don't forget to catch and release! - If you want to do this, once you enter the Preserve, take your first left, follow the road around to the parking lot where the pavilion is located. Once you park, simply head toward the water, if the tide is out, the water will be low enough that you can walk right up to the sea grass and step into a new world!
If a gorgeous sunset is what you want to see, head out to the Point where you can sit and take in the natural beauty with a view of the Skyway Bridge. - Once you enter the Preserve, follow the main road until you arrive at a small parking lot located at the other end of the Preserve. We have always enjoyed watching the sun set here! It is a small lot but never crowded and you have a view unobstructed by noise, lights and buildings! Gates to the preserve close at sunset, however as long as you leave right after sunset and don't linger long, you shouldn't have issues!
Want to find a shark's tooth??!! Look no further! Casperson beach is not only gorgeous but is also known for finding shark teeth. Just be sure to get there early as parking is slim! Every time we go we return with a hand full of shark teeth! You will find the best just past the rocks - be sure to bring a scoop and tray so you have what you need to sort through and look for them!
138 locals recommend
Caspersen Beach
Harbor DrWant to find a shark's tooth??!! Look no further! Casperson beach is not only gorgeous but is also known for finding shark teeth. Just be sure to get there early as parking is slim! Every time we go we return with a hand full of shark teeth! You will find the best just past the rocks - be sure to bring a scoop and tray so you have what you need to sort through and look for them!
Explore the rich history of Sarasota with a trip to the Ringling Museum. Take a stroll through the art museum and rose garden, explore the history of the circus via the circus museum, take a tour of the 36,000 sq ft Ca d'zan winter home of John and Mable Ringling. Pack a lunch or grab a bite to eat from the food truck on site and eat down by the water where you might be entertained by dolphins who want to show off!
Our favorite part is the Circus Museum complete with a mini movie theatre showing a preview of the circus from days past, hands on activities, and individual displays with information and videos showing how circus performers performed some of the most difficult acts. Enjoy a walk through of a mini circus and town display and see why this truly was the greatest show on Earth!
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdExplore the rich history of Sarasota with a trip to the Ringling Museum. Take a stroll through the art museum and rose garden, explore the history of the circus via the circus museum, take a tour of the 36,000 sq ft Ca d'zan winter home of John and Mable Ringling. Pack a lunch or grab a bite to eat from the food truck on site and eat down by the water where you might be entertained by dolphins who want to show off!
Our favorite part is the Circus Museum complete with a mini movie theatre showing a preview of the circus from days past, hands on activities, and individual displays with information and videos showing how circus performers performed some of the most difficult acts. Enjoy a walk through of a mini circus and town display and see why this truly was the greatest show on Earth!
This park boasts of manatees! There's not much else to this park but if seeing a manatee in the wild is on your list of things to do, look no further. There are often dozens of manatees swimming around here especially in the winter when they move in land to the warmer waters to escape the cold, chilly waters of the Gulf.
10 locals recommend
Portosueno Park
1206 Alcazar DrThis park boasts of manatees! There's not much else to this park but if seeing a manatee in the wild is on your list of things to do, look no further. There are often dozens of manatees swimming around here especially in the winter when they move in land to the warmer waters to escape the cold, chilly waters of the Gulf.
Have dinner at Oak and Stone in Bradenton - enjoy roof top seating and afterwards take a stroll along this beautiful riverwalk with much to see along the walk including a park and splash pad for the kiddos!
87 locals recommend
Riverwalk
452 3rd Ave WHave dinner at Oak and Stone in Bradenton - enjoy roof top seating and afterwards take a stroll along this beautiful riverwalk with much to see along the walk including a park and splash pad for the kiddos!
Experience a breathtaking, beautiful stroll through Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point Bayfront Campus, situated on 30 acres of natural beauty along the Little Sarasota Bay. Experience the beauty, the peace and tranquility that these gardens have to offer! Kids will love the butterfly garden and the hands-on orange packing display at the Webb Packing House where they can visualize the orange packing process from gathering to washing to sorting and finally packaging!
There is a food vendor and seating area on the grounds so you can enjoy a bay front view during your meal!
Don't forget you bug spray and sunscreen! If you visit during the summer, bring an umbrella for those frequent afternoon showers.
73 locals recommend
Historic Spanish Point
401 N Tamiami TrailExperience a breathtaking, beautiful stroll through Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point Bayfront Campus, situated on 30 acres of natural beauty along the Little Sarasota Bay. Experience the beauty, the peace and tranquility that these gardens have to offer! Kids will love the butterfly garden and the hands-on orange packing display at the Webb Packing House where they can visualize the orange packing process from gathering to washing to sorting and finally packaging!
There is a food vendor and seating area on the grounds so you can enjoy a bay front view during your meal!
Don't forget you bug spray and sunscreen! If you visit during the summer, bring an umbrella for those frequent afternoon showers.
Beautiful gardens located along the bay with benches overlooking the water. This is a gorgeous spot to relax and take in the natural beauty Sarasota has to offer. The Downtown Campus offers a unique playground experience for the kids with simple equipment mingled throughout lush scenery and walkways winding high and low through the large fig trees!
Be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray!
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StBeautiful gardens located along the bay with benches overlooking the water. This is a gorgeous spot to relax and take in the natural beauty Sarasota has to offer. The Downtown Campus offers a unique playground experience for the kids with simple equipment mingled throughout lush scenery and walkways winding high and low through the large fig trees!
Be sure to bring sunscreen and bug spray!
Also known as the circus park! Your kids are likely to want to stay here and play ALL day! With so many different dynamics to this playground, there is a little something for everyone! This may just be your kids FAVORITE part of Sarasota.
Payne Park Playground
Also known as the circus park! Your kids are likely to want to stay here and play ALL day! With so many different dynamics to this playground, there is a little something for everyone! This may just be your kids FAVORITE part of Sarasota.
Looking for a quiet, slow and peaceful end to your evening? Stop by Jiggs Landing for nightly LIVE music along Ward Lake with food and drinks available for purchase. The atmosphere here is so relaxed and serene. There is abundant wildlife here including alligators, birds, fish etc. Take a walk out on the pier or enjoy a sunset cruise.
If you have a boat, put it in the water at Jiggs Landing and take a ride along the Braden River all the way to Linger Lodge where you can enjoy an Old Florida Style bite to eat.
Jiggs Landing
6106 63rd St ELooking for a quiet, slow and peaceful end to your evening? Stop by Jiggs Landing for nightly LIVE music along Ward Lake with food and drinks available for purchase. The atmosphere here is so relaxed and serene. There is abundant wildlife here including alligators, birds, fish etc. Take a walk out on the pier or enjoy a sunset cruise.
If you have a boat, put it in the water at Jiggs Landing and take a ride along the Braden River all the way to Linger Lodge where you can enjoy an Old Florida Style bite to eat.
Looking to relax in the quiet of nature? Robinson Preserve has many walking paths throughout the preserve. We love to take the path back to a hidden beach and let the kids splash around before heading over to the 5- story observation tower overlooking the Tampa Bay with views of Anna Maria Island, Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto and even St. Petersburg and the Sunshine Skyway bridge.
Have kids? They will LOVE climbing and crawling through the Canopy Zone. This 2-story structure includes boardwalks, rope bridges, climbing nets and slides along with mounted binoculars to view the birds and wildlife along the preserve.
The NEST at Robinson Preserve
840 99th St NWLooking to relax in the quiet of nature? Robinson Preserve has many walking paths throughout the preserve. We love to take the path back to a hidden beach and let the kids splash around before heading over to the 5- story observation tower overlooking the Tampa Bay with views of Anna Maria Island, Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto and even St. Petersburg and the Sunshine Skyway bridge.
Have kids? They will LOVE climbing and crawling through the Canopy Zone. This 2-story structure includes boardwalks, rope bridges, climbing nets and slides along with mounted binoculars to view the birds and wildlife along the preserve.
Beautiful, gorgeous scenery with many little beach coves and a nice walking trail next to the water. This place has a lot of history on Hernando de Soto and his expedition. In the visitor center you can view armor and other artifacts as well as a movie on Hernando de Soto.
In the cooler months, they have re-enactments Thursday through Sunday. Park admission is free.
105 locals recommend
DeSoto National Memorial Park
8300 Desoto Memorial HwyBeautiful, gorgeous scenery with many little beach coves and a nice walking trail next to the water. This place has a lot of history on Hernando de Soto and his expedition. In the visitor center you can view armor and other artifacts as well as a movie on Hernando de Soto.
In the cooler months, they have re-enactments Thursday through Sunday. Park admission is free.
This is a newly built park which has the perfect blend of playground and beach area all wrapped into one! The trees down by the beach are also perfect for kids who love to climb! They have various activities throughout the week including dance night on Wednesdays and outdoor movies. There is a cafe area where you can enjoy lunch or a large spacious grass area perfect for a picnic lunch as well as outdoor games like corn hole.
They also have numerous family friendly activities throughout the week. Check out there website for their calendar of events!
The Bay Sarasota
655 N Tamiami TrailThis is a newly built park which has the perfect blend of playground and beach area all wrapped into one! The trees down by the beach are also perfect for kids who love to climb! They have various activities throughout the week including dance night on Wednesdays and outdoor movies. There is a cafe area where you can enjoy lunch or a large spacious grass area perfect for a picnic lunch as well as outdoor games like corn hole.
They also have numerous family friendly activities throughout the week. Check out there website for their calendar of events!
Great hands on play for children. The museum offers free admission the first Tuesday of every month, just pay for parking!
224 locals recommend
Glazer Children's Museum
110 W Gasparilla PlazaGreat hands on play for children. The museum offers free admission the first Tuesday of every month, just pay for parking!
Located right behind Mote Aquarium - you can enjoy watching the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Sunday's at 2pm from February 4th - May 5th for the 2024 spring season. Arrive early, seating is limited with mostly standing room. Park in the Mote Aquarium parking lot and head towards the back of Mote towards the water.
6 locals recommend
Sarasota Ski A Rees
1602 Ken Thompson PkwyLocated right behind Mote Aquarium - you can enjoy watching the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Sunday's at 2pm from February 4th - May 5th for the 2024 spring season. Arrive early, seating is limited with mostly standing room. Park in the Mote Aquarium parking lot and head towards the back of Mote towards the water.
Want to get out and hike? Want to see a hundred alligators in the wild? Grab your water bottle, sunscreen and hat and take about a 2.2 mile hike to the deep hole at Myakka River State Park (4.4 mile round trip). Tip: arrive when the park opens. You will need a permit to hike back to the deep hole and the park gives out a very limited amount of permits and they are usually out within the first hour, sometimes the first 15 min!
Deep Hole, Florida 34241, USA
Want to get out and hike? Want to see a hundred alligators in the wild? Grab your water bottle, sunscreen and hat and take about a 2.2 mile hike to the deep hole at Myakka River State Park (4.4 mile round trip). Tip: arrive when the park opens. You will need a permit to hike back to the deep hole and the park gives out a very limited amount of permits and they are usually out within the first hour, sometimes the first 15 min!
Take the free open air trolley from Downtown Sarasota out to Lido Beach with many stops in between. It's a fun event the whole family will love. There is public parking available on the second floor of the Whole Foods parking garage in Downtown Sarasota. Download "The BayRunner Sarasota" app to view a list of the stops and for real time locations of where the trolley's are.
Downtown Sarasota
Take the free open air trolley from Downtown Sarasota out to Lido Beach with many stops in between. It's a fun event the whole family will love. There is public parking available on the second floor of the Whole Foods parking garage in Downtown Sarasota. Download "The BayRunner Sarasota" app to view a list of the stops and for real time locations of where the trolley's are.
Food scene
The coconut shrimp are amazing!
And, if you visit here Sunday through Thursday, kids eat for a penny per inch of their height! So if your child is 32inches, they eat for 32 cents! Bonus - at the land side Anna Maria Oyster Bar, they also have a great book library where kids can choose any book of their choice to bring along home and give them something to do while they wait for their food!
69 locals recommend
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
200 Bridge StThe coconut shrimp are amazing!
And, if you visit here Sunday through Thursday, kids eat for a penny per inch of their height! So if your child is 32inches, they eat for 32 cents! Bonus - at the land side Anna Maria Oyster Bar, they also have a great book library where kids can choose any book of their choice to bring along home and give them something to do while they wait for their food!
The Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson PkwyGreat water front dining at a reasonable cost.
Ever want to sit on a double decker bus? Well, here in Sarasota, Florida you can do just that at the Java Dawg Coffee Bus located on Cattleman Dr. A double decker bus was shipped over from London and made into a unique little coffee shop. Order your drinks from the bottom and climb the spiral staircase to the top where you can enjoy coffee and conversation!
Java Dawg Coffee
Ever want to sit on a double decker bus? Well, here in Sarasota, Florida you can do just that at the Java Dawg Coffee Bus located on Cattleman Dr. A double decker bus was shipped over from London and made into a unique little coffee shop. Order your drinks from the bottom and climb the spiral staircase to the top where you can enjoy coffee and conversation!
Lucky Pelican
6239 Lake Osprey DrYummy seafood!
Brick's Smoked Meats
1528 State StOak and Stone downtown Bradenton
1201 14th St WRooftop dining overlooking the Manatee River!
Looking to experience that Old Florida feel? Step back in time at the Linger Lodge and enjoy specialities like Florida grouper, alligator, frog legs, smoked meats and seafood and so much more! Linger Lodge is situated right along the Braden River so if you want even more of an adventure, take a boat down the river and dock at the Lodge. There is a boat ramp at Jiggs Landing and it takes approximately 30 minutes from Jiggs down the river until you reach Linger Lodge.
Check out their website for weekly events including Trivia on Thursdays, Live Jazz and Live Music on Sundays
9 locals recommend
Linger Lodge Restaurant & Bar
7205 85th St Ct ELooking to experience that Old Florida feel? Step back in time at the Linger Lodge and enjoy specialities like Florida grouper, alligator, frog legs, smoked meats and seafood and so much more! Linger Lodge is situated right along the Braden River so if you want even more of an adventure, take a boat down the river and dock at the Lodge. There is a boat ramp at Jiggs Landing and it takes approximately 30 minutes from Jiggs down the river until you reach Linger Lodge.
Check out their website for weekly events including Trivia on Thursdays, Live Jazz and Live Music on Sundays
relax and unwind - enjoy good food, friendly staff and daily live music. Its just a little piece of paradise
171 locals recommend
Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill
5 Bayfront Drrelax and unwind - enjoy good food, friendly staff and daily live music. Its just a little piece of paradise
Enjoy water front dining or experience a lunch or sunset dinner cruise!
257 locals recommend
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaEnjoy water front dining or experience a lunch or sunset dinner cruise!
Local family owned business with great friendly service and great prices. Open for breakfast and lunch and located right around the corner from our home. Easy and convenient breakfast!
Katies Cafe
Local family owned business with great friendly service and great prices. Open for breakfast and lunch and located right around the corner from our home. Easy and convenient breakfast!
Dig in! A local family owned business offering a unique, southern seafood boil, dining experience.
The Saucy Crawfish
Dig in! A local family owned business offering a unique, southern seafood boil, dining experience.
Tampa Shrimp Docks offers seafood to the public directly from the ship! Since 1912 the Versaggi family has been shrimping. They freeze their catch and sell to the public. We loved the unique experience this offers to buy seafood right from the ship! They offer 2lb and 5lb shrimp bags and have lobster, shrimp, scallops etc.
Open Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.
Tampa Shrimp Docks
Tampa Shrimp Docks offers seafood to the public directly from the ship! Since 1912 the Versaggi family has been shrimping. They freeze their catch and sell to the public. We loved the unique experience this offers to buy seafood right from the ship! They offer 2lb and 5lb shrimp bags and have lobster, shrimp, scallops etc.
Open Monday - Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm.
Authentic Mexican food. Good food and they often have live music. Happy hour 12-5 daily and all day Sunday.
14 locals recommend
Wicked Cantina Sarasota
1603 N Tamiami TrailAuthentic Mexican food. Good food and they often have live music. Happy hour 12-5 daily and all day Sunday.
Hungry for tacos? Check out Fuzzy's Taco Shop. A local spot with great variety and great prices.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
2515 University PkwyHungry for tacos? Check out Fuzzy's Taco Shop. A local spot with great variety and great prices.
Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe
4000 Gulf DrGreat spot to eat and watch the sun go down.
Shopping
Red Barn Flea Market
1707 1st StBest grocery store around. Fresh produce and lots of local products.
69 locals recommend
Detwiler's Farm Market
6000 Palmer BlvdBest grocery store around. Fresh produce and lots of local products.