Discover Sarasota’s Outdoors:
Natural Beauty in the Heart of Florida
Sarasota, Florida has tons for you to do outdoors! We have preserves, parks, botanical gardens, fishing spots, trails, rivers, beaches, and so much more! The subtropical climate offers humid & cool times throughout the year for your outdoor expedition, but just make sure you bring sunscreen for those sweltering summers! Whether it’s just you or your family, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of fun things to experience in Sarasota County.
Today we’re going to show you 5 places you must see in Sarasota!
Sarasota Jungle Gardens– Family Fun for Everyone!
3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234
Sarasota Jungle Gardens has brought fur & fun to locals and tourists for nearly 100 years! Founded in 1939, SJG is home to over 200 animals such as lemurs, parrots, macaws, lizards, alligators, deer, flamingos, and more! You can see a lovely waterfall, feed a giant tortoise, attend a parrot show, and have an “Old-Florida” experience. It doesn’t stop at fauna though, as they’ve imported tropical plants & flowers from different regions that coexist seamlessly with the native species that encompass Southwest Florida.
- Their main goal is to “educate and inspire (the) community through interactive experiences with animals and nature supported by unmatched customer service”.
- Red maples, the largest Norfolk Island pine in Florida, Peruvian Apple Cactuses, Banana Trees, and more can be found scattered throughout the gardens! You can also take a laidback trail to witness even more beautiful plant life!
- Watch various animal shows where zookeepers educate you on the wonders of Florida’s animal kingdom! Don’t forget to attend the hand feeding of Florida’s crown jewel: the American flamingo!
Experience one of FL’s oldest attractions & enjoy the great outdoors at Sarasota Jungle Garden!
Myakka River State Park – One of Florida’s Oldest Parks!
Sarasota, FL 34241
This lovely park holds the title as Florida’s first & only state-designated wild and scenic river, and Myakka River State Park doesn’t hold back with how much you can do here! Bike, hike, kayak, ride a horse, fish, or camp at this must-see state park. You can even grab a bite at the Pink Gator Cafe, wander across the 25 ft suspended Canopy Walkway for an exciting experience or witness the spectacular view of the park from a 74 ft tall tower!
- Bike or hike to your heart’s content over 38 miles on the Myakka Trail! The shady trees provide some cover during the hotter months, and there’s plenty of backroads for you to create your own timely trip around the loop.
- Those that enjoy taking a more hands-on approach can bring or rent a kayak to paddle across 14 miles of the river. Be sure to check the water levels & wear the proper gear before embarking on this adventure!
- Take a boat tour around the Upper Myakka Lake to see all the critters & creatures, and don’t stress if you miss a tour! Why? They run from 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, and 5PM!
Dip your toes into the most unique park in Southwest FL, and see more info here!
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – History & Beauty Combined
1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens offers an experience like no other in Sarasota. Since 1973, they’ve dedicated their time towards furthering studies in horticulture & providing a cultural landmark for visitors & locals to enjoy. The Downtown Sarasota location is our focus today since we believe it offers the most bang-for-your-buck. We’ll highlight just a few of the things you can get up to at MSBG:
- The Tropical Conservatory offers a rainforest feel with all its various flora. It changes based on blooming seasons, so be sure to return at different times of the year for something new!
- Banyan Grove hosts a selection of towering trees planted by the founders Marie & William Selby way back in 1939! Make sure to get a picture & be respectful of these classic specimens!
- The Museum of Botany & the Arts offers the viewer a chance to step away from wonderous plants to witness exhibits from talented artists; they’ve even shown works by Paul Gaugin & Andy Warhol!
Flourish at the marvelous Marie Selby Botanical Gardens & get more info here!
Check for more information here »
Celery Fields – A Bird Watcher’s Paradise
6799 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Celery Fields is a serene plot of land located off Palmer Blvd that provides a perfect view of Sarasota’s wildlife. It is unique in that it is publicly owned by Sarasota County and is the region’s primary storm water collection zone. 400 acres, 246 species of birds, and plenty of space to walk mark Celery Fields as an ideal destination to relax after a busy day. Out of everything listed on this list, we wanted to offer a spot that is set apart from the potential hustle & bustle found throughout Sarasota.
If you’d like a more detailed look at the history behind this spot, check it out here!
Lido Beach – The Calmer Alternative to Siesta Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Lido Beach offers a more calming environment than the busy beaches of Miami, Clearwater, Daytona, and Naples. You could go to Siesta Beach, which is only 30 minutes away, but then you would miss out on a less visited local favorite! So why should you end your day at Lido Beach? We’ll tell you why:
- Lido Beach’s distance from St. Armands makes it a comfortable spot to transition from sand & shells to shops & snacks. You can play at the nearby arcade, grab some seafood at Crab & Fin, spruce up at Les Ciseaux’s day spa, or sweeten your afternoon with Big Olaf’s ice cream!
- Take the lovely Sarasota Bay Runner Trolley to quickly get to downtown Florida. It’ll drop you off at a variety of locations such as Palm Ave, Lemon Ave, 1900 Main St, and more! It will also get you to St. Armands if you don’t want to walk the distance.
- Take a guided kayaking tour to enjoy the waters in an entirely different way. Research carefully which tours to go on and make sure to wear the proper safety gear!
- Enjoy the convenience of public restrooms, showers, and even a nearby pool if the ocean is too much for your young ones.
Swim through the calming waves at Lido Beach and check out more info here!
Sarasota, FL: Nature Destinations Galore
Sarasota’s more than just a place to kick back & relax; it’s home to tens of thousands of hardworking residents that pour their hearts into creating the best experiences one can find in Florida. When you explore the nature in Sarasota, you get first-hand experience into the efforts of the dedicated preservationists, horticulturists, birdwatchers, rangers, and countless others.
We know you love getting outside as much as we do, so we’re glad to showcase some of the best outdoor activities in Sarasota. Our city offers experiences that other cities can’t match!
These unique destinations within Sarasota County display just a snippet of what Sarasota offers. We hope you expand your horizons and seek out more to do in our lovely city.
Manasota Movers: Making Moves Fun Since 2009!
No matter where you move, Manasota Movers is there to help you in all kinds of ways! We take the stress away & handle all the heavy lifting so you can start planning your Sarasota outdoor adventure as quickly as possible. We can pack, move, and even provide helpful tips about where you should go next in Sarasota as we showcased today!
Get started on your moving journey here »
…and enjoy your time in the city of Sarasota, FL!
— Written by Xander Cantrell, January 5, 2026
NO AI SOFTWARE WAS UTILIZED IN THE CREATION OF THIS BLOG POST
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