Sarasota - Manatee

Nature Adventures

This page lists nature parks, botanical gardens, environmental centers, and other places where kids can study and enjoy nature in the Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida area.
Kids Sarasota and Bradenton: Nature Adventures - Fun 4 Sarasota Kids
Listings
Bay Park, The

The Bay is a new, signature, public park along Sarasota Bay. Designed to be “one park for all,” The ...

655 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Fl, 34236
Bayfront Park- Longboat Key

AMENITIES: Basketball Birding Canoe/Kayak Launch Dog Park Dog-Friendly (leash required) Fishin ...

4052 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Sarasota, FL, 34228
Bayonne

This 11.2-acre preserve was purchased in 2002. The Bayonne parcel provides important cultural resour ...

8050 Springfield Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34231
Bird Key Park

This park is a popular location to fish, bike, enjoy the sunset, launch a canoe or kayak or walk you ...

200 John Ringling Causewasy, Sarasota, FL, 24236
Blind Pass Beach Park

Blind Pass, also known as Middle Beach, offers Gulf-to-bay access, almost 3,000 feet of beach fronta ...

6725 Manasota Key Rd, Manasota Key, FL, 34223
Celery Fields

The location of the site and the large number of diverse bird species make the Celery Fields an idea ...

6893 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, FL
Centennial Park

Three double-lane boat ramps, picnic tables, leashed pets are allowed, perfect for canoe and kayak l ...

1059 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34236
Circus Hammock

The preserve’s walking trails will lead you under a canopy of oaks, red maple, hackberry, and Americ ...

4572 17th St., Sarasota, FL
Conservatory Park

Conservatory Park is a 55 acre site with a focus on outdoor and nature-based recreation. Manatee Cou ...

8027 Conservatory Drive, Sarasota, FL, 34243
Crowley Museum and Nature Center

Crowley Museum and Nature Center is a 190-acre farmstead established in 1878. Site includes rare Flo ...

16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240
Culverhouse Nature Park

This 82-acre park is located in the residential community of Palmer Ranch. This peaceful nature park ...

7301 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL
De Soto National Memorial Junior Ranger

De Soto National Memorial, 5 miles (8 km) west of Bradenton, Florida, commemorates the 1539 landing ...

8300 Desoto Memorial Highway, Bradenton, FL, 34209
Dr. Martin Luther King Park

Dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The park has 3 small shelters with picnic tables and grills. ...

2523 Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota, FL
Emerson Point Preserve

Emerson Point Preserve is situated on the West end of Snead island on the North shore of the Manatee ...

5801 17th Street West, Palmetto, FL, 34221
Fort Hamer Park

Fort Hamer Park in Parrish offers the following amenities: Boat Ramp Dock Pavilion Picnic Tables ...

1605 Ft. Hamer Road, Parrish, FL, 34219
Fredd "Glossie" Atkins Park

This park is named after Fredd “Glossie” Atkins, the first African-American City Commissioner and fi ...

2431 Washington Ct., Sarasota, FL, 34234
Fruitville Park

This 23-acre neighborhood park features numerous athletic and outdoor recreational opportunities suc ...

Playground Features
5151 Richardson Road, Sarasota, FL, 34232
Galvin Park

Neighborhood park on Siesta Key. Great for sitting and enjoying nature.

3435 Higel Ave, Sarasota, FL
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park

This antebellum mansion was home to Major Robert Gamble and headquarters of an extensive sugar plant ...

3708 Patten Avenue, Ellenton, FL, 34222
Geocaching

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equ ...

Heron's Nest Nature Park

This is a tranquil natural park set on 110 acres. Two lakes, Heron and Summerfield, are 12 and 27 ac ...

Playground Features
6399 Tupelo Trail, Bradenton, FL, 34202
Hidden Lake Park

Hidden Lake Park is a nice nature park with lake, picnic tables, and walking trail.

12th Street between 17th and 20th Avenue, Palmetto, FL, 34221
Jigg's Landing Preserve

Jiggs Landing Preserve is a freshwater reservoir fed by the Braden River. Jiggs is a boating and fis ...

6106 63rd Street East, Bradenton, FL, 34203
Ken Thompson Park

Ken Thompson Park is a waterfront park providing many recreational opportunities, including boardwal ...

1700 Ken Thompson Parkway, Lido Key, FL
Lake Manatee State Park Geo-seeking

Lake Manatee State Park is located 15 miles east of Bradenton, Florida on State Road 64. It extends ...

20007 State Road 64 East, Bradenton, FL, 34212
Letterboxing

Letterboxing is an intriguing pastime combining artistic ability with delightful "treasure-hunts" in ...

Little Five Points Park

Fountain and historic marker. Also known as the Burns Court Herald Square. Dedicated to Owen Burns b ...

600 S. Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL
Lukewood Park

Lukewood Park is a great place for a nature walk.

US.. 41 and U.S. 301, Sarasota, FL
Manasota Beach Park

Manasota Beach is located at the west end of Manasota Beach Road, between the Gulf and the Intracoas ...

8570 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key, FL, 34233
Manatee Palms Park

Manatee Palms Park is a small park that has a few benches and picnic tables.

6510 1st Avenue East, Bradenton, FL, 34208
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Nestled inside the former home of Sarasota donors William and Marie Selby, Marie Selby Botanical Gar ...

900 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL, 34236
McClellan Park

McClellan Park is a small passive park.

McClellan Parkway, Sarasota, FL
Moody Branch Preserve

Moody Branch, a 960 acre site, was purchased by Manatee County in 2004 in a cooperative effort with ...

13805 Taylor Grade Rd, Duette, FL, 34219
Myakka River State Park

In a scene reminiscent of what early Native Americans and Spanish explorers witnessed, arching palm ...

13208 State Road 72 (Clark Road), Sarasota, FL, 34241
Mystic Mines

Mystic Mines is the area’s ONLY Gemstone Mining Adventure! Become a prospector as you mine for cryst ...

1017 12th Avenue W, Bradenton, FL, 34205
Nathan Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park is a unique 600-acre park which provides the public access to a 400-acre lake. ...

5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235
Neal Preserve

Neal Preserve’s 120 acres include both coastal habitats, such as mangrove forests and salt terns, as ...

12301 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL, 34209
Nora Patterson Bay Island Park

​Nora Patterson Bay Island Park is a small park regularly used for recreational fishing, scenic view ...

946 Siesta Drive, Siesta Key, FL
Old Miakka Preserve

his 132-acre preserve, purchased in 2006 through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Prog ...

251 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL, 34240
Oscar Scherer State Park

A hidden nature preserve for imperilled species, surrounded by busy urban areas. Features: Natur ...

1843 South Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL, 34229
Osprey Junction Trailhead

Osprey Junction Trailhead is a dog-friendly park. Dogs must be leashed at all times (maximum 6-foot- ...

939 E. Bay St, Osprey, FL
Palma Sola Botanical Park

Stroll through our 10-acre oasis, featuring lush tropical plants, rare fruit trees, 3 tranquil lakes ...

Playground Features
9800 17th Avenue NW, Bradenton, FL, 34209
Palmetto Estuary Park

Palmetto Estuary Park is a 20-acre site located on the Manatee River. This award winning park is a s ...

US 41 and 7th St. West, Palmetto, FL, 34221
Paul Thorpe Park

Formally known as Pineapple Park. This park was recently dedicated and named in honor of “Mr. Downto ...

135 S. Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL
Perico Preserve

The restoration of Perico Preserve is a story of transformation. The land has undergone significant ...

11700 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton, FL, 34209
Phillippi Estate Park

Along the shores of Phillippi Creek lies Sarasota County’s Phillippi Estate Park – 60 scenic acres o ...

5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34231
Pinecraft Park

Birding Boat Ramps for Motorized Vessels Canoe/Kayak Launch Fishing Picnicking Playground Rest ...

1420 Gilbert Ave., Sarasota, FL, 34239
Red Bug Slough Preserve Trails

This 72-acre preserve was purchased in 2000 and 2001 through the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Pro ...

5200 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL, 34231
Riverview Pointe Preserve

Riverview Pointe Preserve is an 11-acre site located in northwest Bradenton, Florida. The site is ad ...

8250 Desoto Memorial Hwy, Bradenton, FL, 34209
Robinson Preserve

Robinson Preserve is located in northwest Bradenton, with entrances at the West end of 9th Ave NW an ...

1704 99th Street Northwest, Bradenton, FL, 34209