Sarasota, Florida is a beautiful destination with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. We are so blessed to have family in the area, making each trip extra special. During our most recent visit, the western part of the Sunshine State experienced a cold spell. Booooo!
Sure, laying out on the sandy beaches and jetskiing on the intercoastal waters are nice, but Sarasota is so much more than that salt life. I have had the pleasure of exploring three fantastic places: Myakka River State Park, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric.
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is a must-see for nature enthusiasts. The Myakka River is Floridaโs first state-designated wild and scenic river, flowing through unspoiled wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands that make up the Myakka River State Park.
Open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year, this massive park offers multiple hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities. There are even airboat and tram tours of the wetlands! The highlight of the park is the canopy walk, taking you up into the trees for a bird’s eye view of the park. Unfortunately, due to the extensive damage during Hurricane Ian, the canopy walk and many trails were deemed dangerous and temporarily closed off to the public.
Sounds like a bummer, right? Wrong! We still had a fabulous time at Myakka River State Park. The park also offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, which is exactly what we did. We managed to see somewhere between 10-20 alligators, key deer, and a variety of bird species. For us Yankees, the 60-something-degree temps made for perfect hiking conditions!
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is another great place to visit, especially for families with children. Closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, the gardens are open daily 10:00 AM โ 4:00 PM. This 10-acre botanical garden features exotic animals like parrots, flamingos, and, of course, alligators! There are also a variety of tropical plants, including one of my favorites, Bird of Paradise.
The gardens host daily bird shows and alligator feedings which are a hit with visitors of all ages. There are gumball-type machines all throughout the grounds for feeding animals. We all hand-fed the free roaming flamingoes. It was absolutely wild, no pun intended! They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. Well, here’s three documenting my very own flamingo feeding experience:
Manatee Viewing Center
I saved our best adventure for last. The Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric is a must-see for anyone interested in marine life. We spent the better half of our Sunday exploring the center. We couldn’t believe Tampa Electric offers free parking and admission to all who visit. The whole experience blew us all away, far exceeding any expectations we initially had.
The Manatee Viewing Center offers visitors the opportunity to see manatees up close in their natural habitat. We easily saw between 50-100 manatees while we were there! It was incredible. From the littlest calves to the largest of cows, you’ll find herds gathered in the warm, shallow waters. There’s plenty of boardwalk railing to accommodate the crowds. I truly cannot recommend this FREE excursion enough.
But wait, there’s more! The center also has a museum and educational exhibits that provide information about these gentle giants and their conservation. You can walk up a wooden observation tower and get a birdseye view of the surrounding land. It’s also a great vantage point for seeing birds in flight, too! In the 5-10 minutes we spent up there, we saw storks, pelicans, egrets, and more. One thing we did forget was a pair of binoculars (rookie move, I know). If you visit, definitely bring a pair.
Visiting Sarasota
My visits to Sarasota, Florida have always been unforgettable experiences. With its beautiful parks, gardens, and wildlife viewing opportunities, there is something for every nature-loving person to enjoy. I highly recommend visiting these three places if you ever have the chance to visit Sarasota.
ACTIONABLE STEPS: Book a trip to the western side of the Sunshine State! For our next Sarasota visit, what activities do you suggest? I’m always looking for new places to create memories with the fam jam!
