Sarasota is the proper place to go should you’re seeking to benefit from the gentle white sands and turquoise waters of Siesta Key, however what else is there to do apart from changing into a seaside bum? While the seaside is beautiful to go to, you in all probability don’t need it to be the one factor you do — there have to be trails to hike, wildlife to see, retailers to go to, and extra!
Luckily for you, there may be extra to Sarasota than simply the seaside — the world is dwelling to a various variety of out of doors actions you should try in between seaside visits (we’ll suggest the proper one for that)! The subsequent time you go to Sarasota, try this lineup of the very best issues to do.
The Best Things to Do & See in Sarasota
Kayak by means of the Mangroves
The Mangroves are a novel and very important habitat — they supply safety and meals for a variety of marine species and assist preserve the water clear by filtering it by means of their intricate root methods. If you like nature, this can be a must-do exercise.
There are a few locations inside simple attain of Sarasota the place you may kayak.
One of the most well-liked factors is off South Lido Key however be warned, reputation isn’t good for everybody. The elevated site visitors within the mangroves (and close by building) has triggered a lot of the wildlife to hightail out of there. So, it’s unlikely you will notice the range of wildlife you need, and you should have a number of kayak site visitors to navigate.
A greater possibility is to kayak off Emerson Point, positioned in Palmetto, simply 45 minutes north of Sarasota. This spot is a quiet little gem! Desoto Kayak Tours is without doubt one of the few corporations working from this level. They additionally preserve the teams small and don’t function each day to provide the wildlife a break. It’s an excellent tour to catch dolphins, manatees (should you’re fortunate!), and quite a lot of birds just like the Osprey and the Great Blue Heron. 
If you select Emerson Point, after the kayak tour, stick round Emerson Point and wander a number of of their trails; the very best one is Terra Ceia (it’s proper by the kayak launch). It’s solely two miles out and again and snakes subsequent to the mangrove and the shoreline. On a transparent day, you may see proper throughout the bay to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge connecting into St. Petersburg. After exploring Emerson Point, think about trying out the plant-based eating scene in Tampa or St. Petersburg. Both cities are close by and have numerous choices.
Visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
This 15-acre oasis (the downtown gardens are 15 acres, however there may be additionally a second backyard positioned at historic Spanish Point) is dwelling to numerous gardens and habitats, together with tropical, native Florida, and desert vegetation. The gardens are most well-known for having one of many world’s greatest collections of orchids and bromeliads! Aside from being a stunning spot to wander, additionally it is very family-friendly to have interaction youngsters of all ages with a number of play areas, together with an space with swinging bridges. If you’re occupied with studying extra in regards to the vegetation you encounter, think about grabbing an audio information to be taught extra as you wander.
Try to search out manatees (seasonal)
Seeing these mild giants swimming within the wild is such a unbelievable expertise. The greatest time of 12 months to catch a glimpse of those guys within the water is November by means of April as they arrive in nearer to the coast in quest of hotter waters (enjoyable truth, manatees want water that’s no colder than 68 levels Fahrenheit — they could appear like they’ve loads of fats to maintain them heat, it’s really not fats! Their measurement is partially as a result of measurement of their lungs)! There are a few spots near Sarasota to attempt to catch them, and one a bit farther away:
Kayaking off Emerson Point Preserve. Another good purpose to go kayaking! The bay is shallow, permitting for the expansion of seagrass — a favourite manatee meals! Desoto Tours shared that they often catch the manatees within the space from March – December.
Visiting the sanctuary at Tampa Electric. Just exterior of Tampa, the electrical energy station discharges heat, clear water into the bay, making a manatee haven. For years manatees have sought shelter from the chilly (and boats) within the discharge canal subsequent to the facility station. The waters surrounding the station are an official sanctuary for the manatees. There are a number of viewing platforms the place you may watch from above in hopes of seeing a manatee come out of the water!
Visiting Crystal River. The clear waters make this an optimum spot to see the ocean cows hanging out, however there’s a caveat. This space has turn into extremely standard; they even promote swimming experiences with the manatees. I disagree with that — though they appear to not thoughts a handful of individuals or some kayaks, tons of of individuals clogging up their waterway, splashing, and yelling appears to be a brand new type of air pollution for them. They don’t want that. If you go, attempt to catch them from above with out disrupting their dwelling, you’re a customer, in spite of everything.
It will be difficult to catch a glimpse of those mild giants as a result of, sadly, there are solely roughly 6,000 within the Florida waters — people and boats are their greatest predators.
Say hey to alligators at Myakka State Park
Have you ever seen an alligator within the wild? I hadn’t till I visited Myakka, certainly one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks. It is dwelling to over 40 miles of mountaineering trails, 500 – 1000 gators, numerous wild boar, and all kinds of enjoyable birds (Spoonbills, Egrets, Bald Eagles, Osprey, and extra!).
If you’re occupied with exploring the park on foot, there are many trails to discover. Don’t miss The William Boylston Nature Trail and cover stroll (close to the park entrance). The path is lower than a mile however features a self-guided interpretive stroll sharing details about the wildlife and ecology of the native surroundings. The cover stroll takes you up 74 ft above the palms to get a birds-eye view of the park — a neat solution to respect the environment. 
If you’d like extra of a guided tour, think about hopping on one of many each day boat excursions into Upper Myakka Lake. It’s a good way to see a lot of the park’s wildlife and be taught extra about its historical past. The excursions run at 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5 pm and final about an hour. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for teenagers; they have to be bought onsite.
Relax at Siesta Key or Lido Beach
For all you seaside lovers on the market, you may’t miss these two spots!
These two seashores are fan favorites — Siesta Key Beach has even been rated the most effective seashores within the US a number of instances! And, when you step on the extremely gentle white sands, you’ll perceive why. Even although it’s an extremely standard spot, the seaside itself is big, so there may be loads of room to unfold out, however that’s not the identical for parking. If you might want to park onsite, plan to reach by 10 am to nab a spot. Aside from taking a cat nap below an umbrella, beachgoers can benefit from the sand volleyball courts or seize a chew to eat or a daiquiri on the onsite snack shack. If you’re searching for extra snack, breakfast, or lunch choices, try Nutritious You, which is true by Siesta Key. They are the most effective spots for vegan and gluten-free eats in Sarasota.
Just north of Siesta Key Beach is one other glorious seaside spot that tends to be quieter, Lido Key Beach. It’s equally as lovely as Siesta Key! This is the proper spot to go together with household or should you simply wish to get away from a great deal of individuals. There aren’t any particular facilities right here, and the parking space is small; your greatest guess is to park on the road free of charge!
Shop until you drop!
Downtown Sarasota has an eclectic mixture of boutiques which are price trying out. For artwork buffs, don’t miss Gallery Row on Palm Avenue, which is dwelling to many lovely artwork galleries — yow will discover every little thing from watercolor work to sculptures. Aside from artwork, you’ll additionally discover vintage retailers, clothes boutiques, and a mixture of eating choices.
If you’re occupied with discovering nice offers, don’t miss The Ellenton Premium Outlets. You’ll discover every little thing — sun shades, attire, sneakers, and extra. The Outlets are positioned simply half-hour from downtown Sarasota.
About the visitor creator
Rebecca is the creator of the vegan journey weblog Veggies Abroad, which showcases mouthwatering lineups of vegan meals, action-packed journey guides, and every little thing else a vegan or veg-curious traveler wants!
Read Next: