36 Best Stops Between Siesta Key and Longboat Key (2025)

3 lists

A tucked away swamp that has a great loop walking path. Highly recommend to come get your steps in and take in some fresh air!

What a gem! Beautiful park!!! Lots of amazing birds! Gravel path, but mostly level and well maintained.

Peaceful mile long walk with birds of many kinds. 🐦 🐦‍⬛

This is a great park for a quick walk. Turtles, birds and, sometimes, a bobcat! They could use some more benches around the water.

Great spot to take a 45 minute break during the day. Bird watchers will love it. 3/4 of it is walking and seeing the lake but there’s also a small trail and woods to explore on the back end near the parking lot. Note: maps won’t likely take you to the parking, which is at the corner of Avon and Gobron.

Took the family on a walk around, it's great for an afternoon or morning walk, the kids really enjoyed the shaded areas. There's a couple of stretches that aren't that cool but all in all the kids enjoyed it very much.

Long circular trail around the pond. Alligators right at the waters edge. Saw 35 species of birds and nesting great horned owls. Crushed small stone trail easy walking and flat. Small parking lot no restrooms.

This is a great little park with an easy 1 mile walk and lots of interesting things to see. There were Ibis, Snowy Egrets, Anhinga, ducks, snakes, turtles ... all visible in one walk around the pond! It's also dog-friendly, with waste disposal stations located on the path. This is worth visiting if you're in the area!

Great park for a short walk with the family.

Used to come here to walk the trail and picnic near the water; which in retrospect was foolish with the gators lol. Although we've never seen one here their presence is to always be assumed, and others have posted photos of sizable ones in this park location. From other reviews there is a lot of wildlife and birds, I've personally watched a heron/crane catch and devour massive fish, it was incredible to see actually. The more time spent here the more to see, like any nature spot 😊

Beautiful little Gem. Probably a one mile walk around the pond on walking trails. On a sunny day you will see Alligators sunning along with turtles. Many birds, don't forget your camera.

Nice walking area. No alligators seen or whistling ducks heard. We did see/hear a loon. Pond has few cleared areas to view the lack. Ample parking.

This is the most beautiful oasis of quiet serenity in the middle of Port Charlotte. The birds here are numerous including grebes, ibis, great herons, and osprey. Signs say watch for alligators. I was there for 2 hours and did not see or hear any. If you're a birder, this is your haven!!!

4.6

(369)

4.5

(107)

18235 Avon Ave, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, USA

21 lists

Such a cool sand bar. Perfect spot to park if you want coastal waters and Gulf views. Can get busy on weekends but that is part of the fun. Great sand, nice water, lots of sea life even dolphins and a manatee:)We used Florida Coastal Boat Rental and we were really happy with the pontoon.

Beautiful beach to find dozens of shark teeth and relax. We saw a manatee on the ocean side. We came by boat and just had the best time here. We saw a large parking lot also and I think there was a nice looking bathroom facility.

Beaches are amazing. Gulf coast sunsets are spectacular. Arrive early to get a spot. Once lot is full, you options are limited. Restrooms are available and there is a nice nature trail that allows you to access both the beach and Lemon Bay. Parking is only $3 per carload..

Beautiful beach with clear blue water. Lots of shark teeth all over the beach. When snorkeling we found tons of shells. Lots of paths to walk. Many areas of small beaches for fishing or sunning. We kayaked past Stump Beach and had a huge beach all to ourselves.

Amazing state park! We read the reviews online prior to going and saw it fills up quickly due to the limited parking space and that was true! We arrived an hour early and waited in line. The parking lot was full by 8:15 and the place opens at 8:00. The beach is a close walk to the parking lot, which is nice because the sand is extremely hot!! The water is a beautiful clear and most importantly, the sharks teeth was ashore in bunches here! There is a restroom, shower, and water bottle station on site as well. We will definitely come back!

Great sunset view! We went on a Monday evening and the beach wasn't too crowded. There was a beach access very close to the restroom house/parking lot, which was a pleasant surprised. Based on the map, I thought we would have to walk a bit of a distance to access the beach. The kids found shark teeth and played in the sand with a beautiful sunset in the background.

Very beautiful and peaceful place . You can walk 1.3 miles one way. You can see a lot of native trees and flowers. Also, you can fish , swim, hike, look for shells and sunbathe.But, very limited parking. We were waiting for parking spot at least 40mins.

Excellent beach with trails. As well as kayaking/paddleboarding on opposite side of the beach with plenty of areas to pull over to rest and relax with small little beaches during low tide. Lots of dolphins and the occasional manatee. Great boating area for water-skiing and tubing.

Great place to find shells and calmer waves. Huge area of shallow waters so its perfect for kids. Bring cash to pay for park entrance! Its cheap but can take you off guard!

I love paddleboarding here. There's a dock on the left which is perfect. The beach itself has many shark teeth to find. I don't like how the beach closes at a certain time but other than that it's nice

This is definitely a hidden gem. Nice beaches lined with plenty of sea shells. We even found a shark tooth here! The kids enjoyed our morning walk. Parking is first come first serve and limited so the beach is definitely not crowded. Our family enjoyed our morning walk here.

What an awesome way to spend a quiet and relaxing morning here at the stump pass beach.Very nice walk through the park area of the island then a healthy walk on the beach on the way back.Lots of amazing shells and shark teeth. The collection is forever growing every time we visit this amazing beach.🏖️ once you’re done with the awesome walk and the “complementary deep tissue lymphatic massage of your feet “ done by the tiny crushed shells, and the “hot stone massage” simply done by walking on the hot sand and the hot shells - you can head out to one of the awesome Tiki bars for a refreshing drink and a delicious lunch.Simply paradise.

Nice beach! Soft sand, lots of small shells and sharks teeth. Good kayak launch on the channel side!

Beat beach in the area. Get amazing views of both the gulf and Lemon Bay side. Water tends to be gorgeous here. Lots of dolphins, birds, and manatee in the summer to see. Also perfect place for shark tooth hunting and shelling. If the water is calm, venture out in the water a bit, and you'll find HUGE lightning whelk shells. Can't recommend enough.

Beautiful beach with lots of shells. Water was a little rough when we went and a lot of the shell were broken. Also the nature trail was closed, so we were unable to go all the way to the end.

Definitely worth the stop. Very clean and great paths all the way to the pass. The only problem is the parking, during the busy season its almost impossible to find a spot. I recommend riding your bike. Or ebike.

A beautiful state park/beach, the waters are crystal clear and the sand is soft. They have truly breathtaking walking trails. True to its name you'll see many a stump on this beach bleached by the Florida sun and hit by the waves countless times transforms them into something beautifulThe admittance is three dollars as it is a state park but they do have a boat launch for the intercoastal. Enjoy your time at this truly wonderful place.

A must-visit spot!! Gorgeous view, not a super crowded beach. Parking is slightly difficult, as you have to pay $3 on the honor system.... tons of shells on the beach!!! A great beach for spreading out and just relaxing without having a ton of other people near you.

As a lifetime Floridian, I can say that there are not too many beaches on the west coast of south florida that have walking trails on the beach. It’s a beautiful place to boat, beach, walk, explore.

Great place with nice private beach on the point at the inlet. Nice white sand, fun to watch boats come in and out!!! Not as many shells to collect along the point as there are in other areas.

Stump Pass Beach State Park is located in the southwest corner of Charlotte County. Take a quiet stroll along the 1.3-mile hiking trail that stretches to the southern end of the park and through the park’s five distinct natural communities. Along this trail you may see a variety of wildlife such as ospreys, Southern bald eagles, fiddler crabs and wading birds, plus plants such as prickly pear cactus, indigo berry, bay cedar and coontie.From the north end of Stump Pass Beach located near Englewood Beach to the southern tip by Stump Pass, this beach on the Gulf of Mexico is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, fishing and sunbathing. During the winter months, shelling and bird-watching are very popular.

One of my favorite beaches in all of Florida. Natural beauty and beautiful water. Great for long walks.

Stump Pass is my favorite beach in the Englewood area. The parking lot is small so if you don't get there early, you will have to wait to get in. There's a $3 honor system at an unmanned station after you park. You can enter the beach from the pay station or you can continue past the bath house. There you can go right into the beach or continue down a partially shaded path nearly to the end on the beach, to the pass. Many boats park on the Lemon Bay side on the peninsula. There are lots of shells and sharks teeth. Happy hunting! I almost forgot, there's a kayak launch on the left in the middle of the parking lot. Dogs are allowed on the Bayside but not on the beach.

Beautiful beach. Tons of shells and shark teeth. The beach was not busy when we went but it was a Monday about 11am. We found about 20-30 shark teeth in and hour or so. We just stopped at Walmart and got some cheap wire strainers from the kitchen area. There is a lot of shells on the beach and where the waves break. There was a little seaweed while we were there. There is a spigot by the restrooms to spray off feet and a shower behind the bathroom area.

4.8

(3311)

4.5

(1121)

900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA

4 lists

Good for snorkeling and found a lot of shark teeth and shells, but the shells hurt your feet and it gets deep as soon as you get in. There’s also a lot of seaweed and I got stung by something.

One of the best beaches around!! We frequently come here to watch the sunsets. There are nice bathrooms and rinsing stations if you feel like swimming.

Nice place to go on the beach. Parking isn’t expensive like at Sanibel. Showers and bathrooms clean and nice. Even locker rooms are available. For the kids volleyball and basketball fields are available.

Englewood Beach in Florida is everything you would want on a Gulf of Mexico beach. White sand, turquoise clear water, naturally beautiful! There are restrooms, ice cream shops, trinket shops, bike trails restaurants. Enough conveniences for a family, but still natural. Loved the beach, not crowded on a weekday, people visiting were friendly, calm atmosphere, very pleasant to soak up the fun and cool off in the Gulf of Mexico. Punta Gorda Florida was the home base, Englewood Beach was a half hour drive.

Beautiful! My family attended a wedding here.The sand was clean and the area well kept. Parking does cost money but there are restaurants right across the street and a few shoppes. Nice to walk around, get a bite, watch the sunsetSomeone on the beach was smoking marijuana upwind of us, which made the wedding a bit... interesting.

I think that Englewood Beach is amazing, ample parking and free if you are handicapped which is so nice for the county to do. There were NO lifeguards, but the beach is super calm and easily accessible for people with mobility issues like my mom. They has spray nozzels to get sand off.

Beautiful beach, close walk from parking lot to water, plenty of good restaurants, bars and small shops in walking distance. Pay to park with ParkMobile app. There are usually less crowds at this beach, compared to other nearby Florida beaches. There are lots of shells to find, and shark teeth are common here too! This is a great spot for all ages.

Best beach around!!! Englewood beach is always crowded so parking is difficult but that’s all! Beautiful white sand, nice water, awesome sunsets. Pretty much all you could ask for in a beach!

Nice beach that is not crowded, but you will need to pay for parking, via your phone and CC.Found some fossils, enjoyed watching the storms roll by, in front and behind us.Decent facilities, bathrooms were clean, but really need a little more light inside.I recommend this venue to all who are looking for a quiet beach to relax on.*Note* Traffic can be a rough, leave plenty of time before and after your visit.

Nice beach. Sand Is a bit more course than some of the other popular FLORIDA beaches.Sharks teeth wash down from Venice here. So a less crowded spot to look, not always quite as nice though.Pay to park. You need an app. Restrooms are a walk away. Not super close. They have a kiddy park before entering the beach area. It was closed when we went. Not sure why. No signs. Just yellow tape.Lots of seaweed. It was gone after a few days. Bad red tide. Also gone within a few days.Beware of jellies.

The Englewood Beach is amazing! Pro-Tip: Bring zip lock bags for your new sea shell collection! Bring home shells for your children’s classmates.You will need to download the Park Mobile app to pay for parking. You can add time but it’s cheaper to buy more hours upfront. $.55 transactions per charge. You can use Apple and Google Pay! Super convenient! Your spot number is on the ground of the parking stall.

With all the red tide problems & rain I've missed going to the beach. So I had to go...I heard RED TIDE was starting to clear up & I wanted to see for myself. The beach was pretty deserted, maybe 4-5 small groups of people were there. I didn't smell anything, which was good but I did have persistent coughing for awhile. I didn't see allot of dead fish, 3 to be exact but I stayed in one area so there may have been more further down the beach. The water was a bit green as pictures show but no one was in the water.I hoped to find shells but no such luck there, workers who combed the beach for dead fish must've collected shells too.So I satisfied my curiosity about red tide clearing up, I believe it is but its not quite ready for normal population. I'll give it a few more weeks & try again.

Love the people at beach. They are super friendly and very sociable of course Lady Leilani was the center of attention. She was so good. They were confused how she can be so good dog. I told them she is "HEARING" service animal assist me with the sounds. They all went aaahh thats why she is so good. Lol. Leilani loves the water. Alot of seashells thats for sure.

Nice beach… lots of shells…parking is not free but it is cheap; across the street there a a few restaurants with in and outdoor seating and a few beachwear stores; bathrooms were decent (we went in the morning); the sunset was amazing

Ordentlicher Strand, welcher recht sauber ist.(Translated by Google)Decent beach, which is quite clean.

Unfortunately the tide brought in loads of brown reddish sea grass to the shoreline. Apparently the city should clean it up by the weekend. Also, today the beach was jammed packed around 2ish. Sadly the beach sand was a bit sharp due to excess cut up shells. The sunlight of course was delightful. We totally appreciated the waves splashing sounds too.

Great quieter beach with great swimming and play space for family! The waves can be fun on windy days but not too dangerous.

Plentiful parking with a pretty beach. There are a lot of food options, too, with live music nearby that you can walk to.

4.7

(333)

4.5

(964)

Manasota Key, FL 34223, USA

I’ve heard in Heaven the streets are paved with Gold-at this beach the streets are paved with sharks teeth! You literally shower off standing on shark teeth. The beaches are pristine and the sand is like powdered sugar. Bring a kitchen strainer and prepare for a day of exploration of finding your own treasures. You won’t be disappointed. Check out my Podcast for more hard hitting truth.

Shark teeth central

Beautiful beach for fishing and looking for sharks teeth. Beach is very rocky. Nice restrooms and outdoor shower.

A great beach, family friendly with plenty of handicap parking as well as accessibility ramps to the beach and bathrooms. Rocks in some areas, good for shark tooth searching.

A pristine beach located off the beaten path with plenty of spots to claim a peaceful day. A long walk if your planning to come without a boat, There is a ferry that takes people back and fourth from the South Venice yacht club. Found lots of shark teeth and the sand was blazing hot. Make sure you have some adequate sun protection.

The BEST beach we have ever been to for shark tooth hunting. It was so beautiful and fun. Not crowded at all.

One of the lesser known beaches of the area, but if you know of shark teeth then you definitely know of Caspersen! This beach is so fun because it’s so unique- there are lots of rocks right along the shore like and a huge walkway across the sand, making for some great views! There are lots of shells to be found, not even just shark teeth but a large array of other conchs, scallops and really good ones! If you want to find teeth, though, I suggest you bring either a rake or some kind of straining/ scooping element because otherwise they are super difficult to find. You also need to find the right spot, so if you’re not finding any, keep on moving and don’t give up! Caspersen also has some bathrooms and rinse stations, but beware of parking because it can get tough- so great there EARLY or get there late- the in between may have you driving around quite a bit!

Great beach however erosion and hurricanes have really done a number on this beach. The dunes are now at ground level. Palm trees, sea grasses and debris litter the sand.

I think we gathered more than a thousand sharks teeth our first mini vacation there. It has become our go-to place to enjoy the beach, fishing and relaxation.

As a beach lover I would put this beach in the top 10 Beaches of my favorite beaches I have seen in the United States.Not that I am a avid beach traveler although my favorite beaches are in the Caribbean.Yesterday 03/13/2023 was one of the most perfect days with the weather, slight breeze and water I have ever had in all my visits to the beach.It was a perfect 80 degrees with no humidity and a small breeze blowing off from the ocean .As I sat in the water edge ~ looking for “ Shark Teeth” I was amazed at the “ turquoise water” that glistened with the sun rays, beaming down off of the water and bouncing up on my face.This would bring serenity to anyone’s soul ….The pictures I took are not edited and are taking with the simple feature of a iPhone 11~.

Nice beach. Originally very rocky then a little south and very sandy. LOTS of shells. Easy access. You have to go worth the trip. I bicycled there from legacy trail.

I went on Sunday morning and there were over 2 dozen people sifting through the beach looking for sharks teeth. They were spread out the whole length of the beach (over 2 miles ). The sand is fine and is not rocky except for shells in various amounts throughout. It isn't too busy and has plenty of space so you don't have to be on top of other people. Great place to take the kids or to relax without a lot of hassle around you. Free parking is great.

Found some sharktooth! Great place to relax.

This is a great place to go shark tooth hunting, as well as to lay out in the sun due to the black sands intensifying the heat. You would need to get here super early though, because the shark tooth hunters are often territorial, and parking can be a little hit or miss if you arrive after 8:00

4.6

(173)

4.5

(1865)

Florida 34223, USA

18 lists

Several people recommended this place to us while visiting. The view outside is beautiful and the staff are great. The food is good and there is a good variety of foods to choose from including healthier items. Their seating system was a little confusing we went from one hostess stand to another and we weren’t sure what we were doing. I do recommend sitting outside for the views of the beach and pier. They brought warm pumpkin bread while we waited for our food and we really enjoyed it. I ordered the black bean burger and hubby ordered the French dip. It was a nice day and we would visit again.

The seafood nachos were amazing, and were loaded with crab and shrimp. Good size for 3 to 4 people. The frozen drinks were refreshing. The atmosphere adds a lot of value. A great place to take in the sunset. There was live music, so it made for a nice and fun night out!.

Great atmosphere being right on the beach! You can choose either indoor or outdoor seating. This place can seat a ton of people. So even though there were a lot of people there, the wait to get seated was only 10 mins.The food is good with typical seafood options. The service was also really good. Quick visit to take drink order and food came out fast.But let's face it, the real reason to come here is to be right near the beach with great views of the water!

Typical pricey tourist trap, but worth it. The folks who run the t-shirt concession were great, super friendly , and Informative about the layout of the place and how to avoid some of the herding at the restaurant line. (Plus they can rent you a shark-tooth-finder-thingamajig for a few bucks and your ID) Great view from the beach, from the pier, and even some of the bar/restaurant seating. We went multiple times on a 4 day stay😊

Very popular beach side restaurant and bar with a great vibe. Be prepared to wait to find parking and for a table inside or out especially on weekends. The service is friendly and swift, the food was terrific as usual.. clam chowder, fried shrimp, salad, chicken fingers. A little expensive but worth it!

We have eaten a Sharky’s many times over the decades of living here unimpressed, decided to try again and glad we did! We ordered the Caribbean Conch Fritters, the were good. We also ordered the Cabo Calamari. The calamari was the best we’ve ever had and we order it everywhere. It was so tender, not chewy at all, juicy, HOT!, fresh, and a HUGE portion! It was piled so high I expected the ones under to be soggy. Nope, still so HOT they were steaming and CRUNCHY underneath! Recommend getting a side of the sauce to dip in. It is delicious. Definitely a generous app for four priced for two! Picture is of maybe half left and still piled on the plate! Service excellent. Can’t beat the view.

We went in to catch a quick dinner after the beach and fishing on the pier. The restaurant a clean and pretty busy considering it was a Tuesday at 530. We ordered the clam chowder, blackened grouper platter and fried shrimp basket. Unfortunately it was not my favorite meal. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. I did enjoy my husbands fried shrimp, the side quinoa salad can we just live and their bread basket. The clam chowder tasted too much like cream for my taste and I wasn't a fan of the blackened seasoning on the grouper.The staff was wonderful and the view was very nice too. I would go back but would probably try something else on the menu

Let’s be truthful here, you pay for the atmosphere and the views. The food is good but not great, but the sunset is amazing.As for what to eat, the fried shrimp are the best thing on the menu. They have a few grouper options as well, but I’ve never been a big fan of theirs. Sweet potato fries are decent but we like to dip ours in honey mustard and theirs is just weird. Their yellowish orange lighting at night also makes everything and everyone look odd.

PJ was the best server, we really enjoyed him!Came here on a whim after catching the sunset at the pier we were blown away by the food! We got the lobster & spinach artichoke dip and practically inhaled and fought over the last bite. It was so delicious. Then we got the Garlic butter shrimp pasta, and a rice bowl. Both were delicious and came out quickly as well. Good wine and specialty cocktails, we sat indoors. It was too hot and the indoor area was refreshing and clean l. I highly recommend and will be back on our next trip!Only suggestion is better signage for where the dining is. kept walking around the building because we couldn’t find the host stand.

For a place on the beach it has a very nice selection of interesting food. They also have the standard fare and is a little bit pricey but that's what you get on the beach. I had the shiraki chicken sandwich and left a little to be desired. You couldn't really taste the sauce. The price bowl with tofu was very good according to my daughter. And the linguine with shrimp on it was very delicious.

We had nice family dinner here.The day was a little too overcast for a bright sunset as we had hoped, but it was still extremely beautiful.Our server wasn’t particularly nice, not that he did anything specifically wrong, he just made us feel a little like our needs were a burden. I’m guessing he was just having a bad shift and we caught him at the wrong time.The only thing that I would have changed, would have been adding a seafood-less Alfredo option to the menu.My father in law wanted to order the Alfredo but it’s chicken and shrimp, when he asked if it could be made without the shrimp or if the shrimp could be placed on the side, we were told that wasn’t possible.After wanting Alfredo it’s pretty hard to pivot to a new dish, and it doesn’t seem like a huge task for the kitchen to offer one without shrimp, especially with so many shellfish allergies around.My husband ordered the lobster roll after asking the server if he recommended it, and was disappointed by it. It didn’t have much flavor and the lobster was super shredded instead of the usual larger chunks you would find in a traditional lobster roll. It did have half a claw in the mix though.😂The crab cake on my salad was less shredded than the lobster in his sandwich. So I do not recommend ordering that. Lol.My salad was absolutely delicious, I ordered the Boathouse Salad with a crab cake.Overall we did enjoy our time at the restaurant and would definitely return, we’d just need to navigate the menu better next time around.

My husband and I knew we wanted to visit Sharky's while visiting Venice! Definitely recommend! The food was yummy and the staff was awesome! Not to mention the view of the pier! Make sure you get there early though. It gets full very quick!

Hands down the best beach bar and restaurant I have ever been to. We stopped there after renting bikes from Kind Vibes Outfitters. We had shrimp nachos and really good locally made non-alcoholic beer. If I didn't live in Maine I would be there all the time!

Great location. Decent food and excellent service when we were there. It's a fun place to go. The beach and pier are beautiful. However, having said all that. During peak season, the place is almost always slammed with people. An hour or more wait for a table is not out of the question. Sometimes you get lucky and the wait is less, but don't count on that. Also, there is a ton of parking but it is never enough. If you have elderly members in your party, definitely consider valet parking. Definitely give it a chance, just expect a longish, beachy, sandy Florida day

First of all the waitress was amazing! The lobster stuffed flounder was really good! The Sriracha chicken sandwich was probably the best chicken sandwich I've ever had! It wasn't even super spicy and it had really great flavor! Hands down I recommend these two dishes and this restaurant in general! 10/10

Perfect! We were greeted by two friendly, efficient hostesses and waited 30 minutes for a table... which was reasonable to us. Our waitress was outstanding, cheerful...offered suggestions and let us take our time. We felt like valued patrons!!! (Looking forward to another visit, it was a chilly, windy February evening!)

Was it our first time in Venice, and we drove to try this restaurant at the beach.They have tables upstairs, but we decided to eat downstairs. We loved the food and atmosphere and this beach is beautiful.I ordered fish and chips, and I loved the fried calamari, one of the best.Fresh and delicious food

We decided to try the lunch menu and eat on the patio. We had bowls of Clam Chowder (best I have had) to start, and some signature drinks: Sam’s Watermelon Splash and Antoinette’s Cherry Lemonade, both were great! Our entrees were: Fish n Chips, Shrimp cocktail and Fried Shrimp. We were very impressed with everything!Other than some greedy birds, we had a great experience. The beach view was amazing.

Solid meal and amazing atmosphere. Had dinner outside. Nice breeze from the ocean and cool under the tent.Louisiana shrimp and nachos for an appetizer were on point. Main course was delicious and desert was fantastic. Took a walk on the pier after dinner. Very cool location and setup.

By far the best hand dipped Onion Rings in Florida. They are #1 on the top 10 list!!! I also had the Boom Boom Shrimp Wrap which was super delicious with lots of shrimp. The sauce was subtle and overall not too spicy. I love Sharky's, #1 in Florida for Rings. Jeff S North Port Florida.

We enjoyed our lunch by the water. Joel was very friendly and knowledgeable and offered great recommendations. Our appetizers of onion rings and stuffed mushrooms were yummy and fed five people. I expected my flounder to be more flavorful, but it was good.

I loved this restaurant 😍 I would go again without a doubt. Unfortunately, I don't live in the area but it's a nice place to visit when you are at Venice, FL.I visited this place with my friends for January 1st. We arrived around noon and it was not very crowded. It started to get crowded around 2 PM. Perhaps cuz people woke up late after the New Year's party? 🥳 🤷🏻‍♀️The food was very good 👍 I order an order of fish taco 🌮 with rice. The rice was a cold and sweet dish for my surprise, but I enjoyed it a lot since I like sweet flavors 😉The service was very friendly and the best of the place was the view of the beach 🏖️After our meal we walked on the pier which is just some steps away. It was a wonderful way to start 2024 😁 🥂

Loved this place for an outdoor dining experience with a view. Right on the beach! Reasonable prices with good food and delicious drinks. Beach was beautiful and loved walking the Venice pier, seeing wildlife and the all the people fishing was fun to watch. So worth the trip!!

My husband and I decided to eat here as it's located right on the beach. I was not impressed with the food at all, best thing about this place is the location. Nothing special, expensive for what it is and lacking flavor. I asked for an extra tartar sauce, put it on my fish and realized it was blue cheese. Our waitress did get me another meal, but by the time I got it my appetite was gone so it was a waste of money. We still left a 20% tip as accidents do happen, but we definitely would not eat here again.

Amazing restaurant, all of the staff we interacted with were friendly and approachable. Everyone seemed happy to be there. it was very busy upon arrival but there is plenty of first come first serve seating around the area. we ended up finding a cute spot with an awesome view of the water and sunset around the back. service was very quick and friendly. the food was outstanding! definitely will be back.

The food was amazing! Sorry about the color. They have yellow lights on the patio. The lobster stuffed Flounder was amazing and the Carnitas Taco were huge so much meat in them.We walked out onto the pier while waiting for our table and talked to some of the people fishing. Everyone was extremely friendly. What a great place!

Enjoyed lunch here while in the area visiting a friend and had a great meal.The wait wasn't terribly long and once we were seated, our spicy bloody Mary and Virgin colada were on point. The bread was a nice treat and a nice change from typical chips and salsa at other dining venues.I ordered the tofu rice bowl with grilled tofu. Very good portion. A little more seasoning on the tofu would really dress the dish well.Overall, everything was great. And honestly, how can you go wrong when you're on the coast! Beautiful day, great food and amazing views!

Casual beach shack type restaurant. We ate outside. There was plenty of seating and quick service. The restaurant is on the beach at the base of the pier. After eating we all walked down to the end of the pier. Plenty of parking and easy to get in and out.Food was good. I had the fresh blackened grouper sandwich. Another person in our group got the grouper wrap. The wrap had fried grouper and was less expensive but I actually thought it was better.They have a decent drink menu. It was nice that they had craft beers other than IPAs (I had a sour). Another person in our group had a rum runner and he loved it.

I actually like Sharky's better than Fins *gasp*. The pork nachos, bread pudding, snow crab legs were excellent. Enjoyed the view as well. They are under construction but that didn't stop the enjoyment. Definitely recommend as a have to visit place.

It’s a good place to watch sunset. It’s noisy here because of how busy this place gets, but you can enjoy live music. The food was really good. I was surprised the sea food was not over fried which is rare at restaurants like this.

My husband and I came down to the area from Ohio for two days. It was recommend by a local Facebook group to have dinner there. So I made reservations about 6 weeks in advance. It did not disappoint! We had the perfect seats on the patio closest to the sand. We were there about 7pm and had the most beautiful view as it was close to sunset. Our waiter was a super chill and helpful guy! Answers our questions easily and made recommendations for our questions. We both had the shark bait drink and it was delicious. For dinner hubby ordered the Captain platter I believe and he inhaled it! I ordered the brie and Apple flatbread since I filled up on bread, oops. It was amazing too! For dessert, I had to get the bread pudding as I had been eyeing that since I saw the menu when I made the reservations. It was absolutely delicious! Perfect flavor combos! It was a huge price too! The atmosphere was fantastic too, a live singer who sounded amazing, cool decor and over all the whole vibe was exactly what I had hoped for. We ended up coming back the next night without reservations (everything else was closed at 8pm in the area) and were seated immediately. We both tried the orange creamsickle frozen drink and wow! That hit me hard but I'm a lightweight these days. It was so good!!! Hubby had lobster stuffed flounder which he said was amazing and I had the rice bowel with chicken. Also so delicious! Again great service too! Overall, both experiences were amazing and we both highly recommend Sharkys on the pier! Patio side! I wish I had taken more pictures of the food and sharkys. Cannot wait to visit next year! 10/10 recommend!

My friends and I decided to visit Sharky's for a late lunch/early dinner and it was an absolutely delightful experience! We didn't have a reservation, but the wait was quite reasonable - we were seated within 30 minutes despite the place being quite busy.The menu selection was impressive and everything we ordered was delicious. We all shared calamari, onion rings, and a unique dish of shrimp on top of nachos, which was a hit amongst us. We also enjoyed the classic fish and chips and the ahi tuna, both of which were cooked to perfection.The service at Sharky's was commendable; our server was attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed without being intrusive. But what truly sets this place apart is its ambiance – the restaurant is located right on the beach near the pier, offering breathtaking views that enhanced our dining experience significantly.Overall, our visit to Sharky's was wonderful. I would definitely go again and highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food with a view. Whether you're a local or just passing through, Sharky's is a must-visit for an unforgettable meal by the gulf.

Great location, great beach access, and great service. The food I had was on par with a "beach bar & restaurant". I suspect their sister restaurant, "Fins", may have better quality, but I cannot confirm. It just looks a little more high end. By Sharky's checked all the boxes and the service was top notch. Quick, friendly, and very attentive.

Only had to wait 20 minutes to get a table.Loved eating lunch outside under the umbrella. Ordered a rice bowl with crab cake. Looked like a small serving but turned out to be enough lunch. I also enjoyed the piña colada which was a great addition to my meal. Service was friendly. A fun experience!

Went looking for fresh seafood and managed to catch a beautiful sunset all in the same visit. Staff super friendly, food tasty and very filling. Try the bread pudding while you are there, it is amazing!Highly recommend if you are in the area.

Food and service were excellent! We watched the sunset while we ate dinner. It was a perfect evening! One in our party is gluten free and she found delicious options on the menu. So glad we chose to dine here!

Large portions at a great price. I had their famous grouper wrap. It wasn't overly heavy. The other meal was crab cake sandwich with the quina salad. Wait time was about 20 minutes for a 2 pm lunch on a Saturday. Parking can be difficult to find with all the people visiting the beach and the pier.

First I’ll say we were on vacation and my daughter and her husband showed up to join us for dinner, 😎the service was very good and very polite (Jonathan) I wish I could say the same for the food and prices, food was bland and drinks were priced high, the food we had was 2 firecracker shrimp wraps, a blackened grouper sandwich and as usual I had the burger 👎, everyone said their food was average but the scenery was very nice.See for yourself

4.4

(12712)

4.0

(3149)

1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285, USA

11 lists

Awesome place to come hang out. There is a rental person on the beach that charges $50 for an umbrella and 2 chairs that you can keep until 5:30pm. They also offer 50% of each item after that. If your lucky you can get a shady spot under the pier to setup camp. The sand is HOT!! Just a heads up with small children. This is not quartz crystal like siesta key or lito. The sand here is spicy! The swimming is awesome and the sharks teeth and other rare finds are even better. There is small shop by sharksys that sells a few items otherwise checkout the bait shop on the pier. They have $1 icey pops and $1 soda and water which is dirt cheap compared in the shops.

A good spot for fishing and a beautiful beach. Parking can be busy and if you want to eat at the restaurant, reserve ahead of time.

Nice pier, fishing doesn't require a license. Saw a bunch of small fish being caught. Turquoise water and beach break. Found 5 shark teeth.

Großer und weitläufiger Strand direkt am Fishing Pier. Gratis Parkplätze, Duschen und Toiletten sind in ausreichender Anzahl vorhanden. Vom Pier aus kann man kleine Haie und Schildkröten sehen. Am Strand kann man Schirme und Liegen ausleihen oder man nutzt den Schatten unter dem Pier. Direkt am Pier gibt es das Sharky's Restaurant ($) und das Fin's ($$) wo man mit tollem Ausblick auf das Meer und den Pier essen kann.(Translated by Google)Large and spacious beach directly at the fishing pier. There are sufficient free parking spaces, showers and toilets. Small sharks and turtles can be seen from the pier. You can rent umbrellas and loungers on the beach or use the shade under the pier. Right on the pier there is Sharky's Restaurant ($) and Fin's ($$) where you can eat with a great view of the sea and the pier.

Beautiful beach and a great fishing pier. Nice spot to just relax and enjoy the ocean. Bait shop right on the pier. Restaurant, souvenir shop and bathrooms along the shore. Free parking. Get there early because this place gets busy. Keep an eye out for dolphins.

Absolutely 💯 beautiful! Great shelling beach. Sand dollars. Lovely view. Sharkey's is delicious! And watching the pier fishing was a blast! Lucky folks.

Venice Fishing Pier I think is a good pier for walking ..... my opinion as a fisherman I think is very high on the level of the of the sea ...I really enjoyed the beach in the sides instead where the gulf sea looks clean and the seabed has many changes of depth.the vegetation behind the beach is really lovely and the sand is coarse and slightly dark grain.to fish advice to avoid weekends or daytime hours because people’s bathing is constant

One of the most beautiful places in gulf of Florida. I love this pier especially the restaurant Fins. Gentleman, this is a perfect place to take the lady for a beautiful sunset. I highly recommend it to anyone ! I have yet to fish here but would love too

Fishing, beach, tiki bar and Sharkeys restaurant. The facilities with outdoor shower is very nice. Lots of parking.

Nice fishing pier. Not too busy. Several people were fishing while we there. Small stand on the end of the pier to buy bait, snacks, etc. From. Restaurants nearby, and the beach is nice here.

Great place to fish, boat watch, and look for shark’s teeth under the pier. You can see for a couple of miles up and down the coast. There’s a great little rental shop between Sharky’s and Finn’s for chairs, umbrellas, and shifters (needed for finding shark’s teeth) and anything else you might need for your beach day.

We visited the Venice Fishing Pier with some friends during a vacation in Florida. We didn’t do any fishing, but the experience was still amazing. We walked to the end of the 700-foot long pier and enjoyed the turquoise and blue water and the exansive views of the beach in both directions. If you're hungry before or after your visit, you can always stop in at Sharky's restaurant for a bite to eat, right at the foot of the pier. And, if you enjoy photography, the pier provides plenty of opportunity for amazing photos.

This is probably the most popular spot on the Gulf coast of Florda for mile in either direction. It has a huge, wonderful restaurant at the pier with ample parking, easy to drive to, wonderful sunsets, a pier with a structure that is perfect for under the pier photos. You can walk for mikes up and down the beach. Great sand, great food, great tunes, great vibe, great facilities. I've been coming to Florida for over 20 years and have seen both coast. This is pretty much my favourite.

Beautiful beach to hangout a great pier where many people were fishing I was lucky to see a beautiful fish that was caught. There is a restaurant on-site called Sharky's I didn't eat there unfortunately. Great spot to visit.

So my first time at Venice Beach fishing pier we came here looking for sharks teeth it was a little disappointing didn't find any sharks teeth it could have just been the day or the weather or the tide we went during low tide wasn't many people on the beach cuz it was so foggy the pier there were some people fishing on the pier to pierce nice looks like some restaurants around looks a little tourist trappy you know what I mean but it's something to do in Venice I guess but I found the street we had better luck yesterday over at Manasota Key Beach looks like a nice place to hang out so anyways if you're in Venice are you visiting the west coast city have nothing to do and it's a bright sunny day and you want to go hit the beach absolutely looks like there was a lot of fishermen here catching fish the restaurants were open so I didn't have a chance to try any restaurants or any food over there so it looks like a pretty safe place to stay and if you want to go and get some shells and get some sharks teeth you know I'll also post some pictures of a gentleman's selling jewelry outside nice guy

It's a nice pier for fishing and sunset. There is free parking and a restroom. It's a good place for families and kids.

Nice fishing pier, had cleaning stations for cleaning fish, and had trash cans. Overall clean and well maintained. I went during morning and at night. The peir is open 24/7 and you don't need a fishing license to fish here. During morning it was quite crowded, but at night there were only a few people. (I only have pictures from nighttime)

Nice long pier, perfect weird, old, overly tan, potentially homeless guys talking to every bird that they knew by name. Fishing pole rental was the most that I've ever had to spend to rent a pole (and it was garbage) frozen only shrimp that were also at a premium. The beach isn't the nice white cool quartz sand like most on the gulf, it was hot as he🏒🏒. The restaurant wasn't open,and it was part of my plan for the day😮‍💨. Would I go back, yup. Something about the place felt right.

Venice Fishing pier is an awesome fishing pier. You won't believe the size if hammerheads that have been caught here. If you are a Florida fisherman and haven't been here, you are missing out. These waters off Venice are ancient shark breeding grounds. That's why Venice is so well known for finding shark teeth on the beach. Divers often find megalodon teeth here as well. Even if you don't fish, this is something to see. You can have lunch at Sharkey's and take a stroll out on the pier.

Good place to fish, observe & learn from experienced fishermen, take in the beautiful natural scenery and bring out of town guests.

Free! Amazing views and you can sift for shark teeth! Restaurants at the base of the pier.

BeautifulPlenty of parking if you get there early. Neat sops & restaurants.

Beautiful spot to visit any time of day & year! The views out over the water are perfect for a nice stroll and especially at sunset time! It's also a great place to take photos above or below the Pier for a one of a kind backdrop! Another favorite place I like to take clients to capture family, engagement & senior shots!

Pier is cool...there's a pet area on the beach just south of the pier. Looks like a lot people were looking for and finding sharks teeth. A few nice shells too...

The pier was nice and fishing pole rental was reasonable. Fishing was not so good the day we were there.

4.7

(1264)

4.5

(1080)

1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285, USA

1 list

4.5

(1351)

Venice, FL 34285, USA

Great experience - it is free and very nice. Fun for the whole Family.

For my birthday, this year, I opted for a day of walking trails instead of going out drinking....and I'm sure glad I did. I really enjoyed myself as it was quiet and very relaxing to listen to the wildlife. (Such a nice change from the daily sounds of the city.) While we didn't get to see an abundance of critters like most do, it was still a great day and worth a trip if you are in the area.

I travel to different areas to Stay and do bike trails. Even if Myakka State Park is not big it had lots of things to see on the way. The main attraction would be the towers. Is call Canopy walk if you want to find the 70 feet towers, great views and very well made.. I challange myself and is definitely a good spot. 👍 15 miles bike trail. The only dissatisfaction for me was that the Cafe is a small trailer near the building.. That would of been nice to seat and look out the windows to the lakes. They do have a gift shop. I got my fridge magnet for my memories. Bathroom were everywhere.... camping, kayak, bike rentals, bring your own and pay a fee. Oh! Is $6,00 per vehicle.

The Myakka Canopy Walkway is easily the best thing to do at Myakka River State Park! It’s a short walk from the parking area through a pretty Florida forest, and the walkway itself is pretty high above the trees! Don’t worry - it’s quite a sturdy structure, and it’s entirely worth walking across the bridge. Not too often do you get a higher view of Florida scenery, so when you get a chance, take it! There are some other great attractions at Myakka River State Park too, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to do everything - not just the canopy walkway! It’s a hidden gem in South Florida!

Great state park, I found a video of the canopy walkway on tiktok and had to go! Make sure to get gas & water before because we we figured there would be a gas station nearby after we exited the expressway but there wasn't. They have 1 hr long boat tours, but it was raining when we went so it was canceled. But we were able to see multiple alligators from the balcony of the gift shop.

Myakka never disappoints. We have camped here, but we came for a day trip, since we had to cancel our camping trip. I love the canopy trail, but there is so much to see in the way of birds and other wildlife. The boats weren't going out due to the high wind and chop, but plenty of people were enjoying the perfect sunny weather.

This visit met and surpassed our expectations. We only had time to enjoy part of a nearby trail which took us over a field of wild flowers (on a walkway to avoid local snake residents) but it was a beautiful walk. Check out the canopy walkway first and foremost, it is a very cool experience and if you want to climb the approximately seven story (?) observation tower attached, bring quarters for the telescope. 10/10 would recommend, incredible view!Leashed pets are welcome on the trail, not on the canopy walkway or tower however. Also expect to carry your poop bags a long way as we did not run into any trash receptacles along the trail, only at the entrance near the parking lot.

Excellent place to become familiar with the canopy niche. Plenty of aerophytes, birds and insects. Look closely for other plants and animals as well. In the distance you can see wetlands, prairies and the dense hammocks of South Florida. The nature trail leads you through the hammock at ground level. So keep your eyes and ears open for the animals.

Unfortunately still recovering from hurricane. Walkway is 25-30 feet in the air, but only about 40 yards long. Tower is another 30 feet up and probably has cool view of tree canopy. Seeing alligators on the river banks was the highlight for sure.

The whole park is lovely, but the canopy walk way is super fun. We visited during the week and had the place to ourselves. It's a lot of flights of stairs and if you have even a mild fear of heights, like myself, I recommend going when it is less crowded. You feel the movements of other people when you are on the tower so if that bothers you, again head out when is less busy. The top of the tower is quite small, only a few can be up there at a time, but that view is breathtaking.

It's beautiful at Myakka State Park. Every area of the park is a different experience. The observation tower and bird walk are very relaxing. As you walk over, the preserve. And observe the birds in their natural habitat.The deer are my favorite. Especially at dusk, in the summer. That's when they come out as the Sun is setting. Mama Doe takes the kids out for dinner. In May, at Myakka State Park, the coreopis bloom. The river and The Preserves light up with color. Every year, they come back a little different color . This year, the bloom wasn't as beautiful as usual . Because of the severe drought here in Florida.Myakka State Park is beautiful at any time of the year. Especially after the drought. As the foliage dries out, it creates so much color and contrast in the forest and along the waterways. Of the Myakka River It's worth a ride from any part of the state. I am fortunate to be centrally located and surrounded by so many beautiful places, such as the Myakka State Park. SafeTravels 🏞And also great Campground🏕

Love this park! Friendly rangers and gate staff! It's HUGE! The observation deck is a must do. Warning - SO MANY STAIRS. Also the walkway is super narrow. Lots of wildlife. Concessions and boat tours. Bathrooms!

This state park is always beautiful to visit. Nice volunteers. And they have geocaching! If you don't know what it is google it. You won't be disappointed!

Beautiful land and surroundings that feel like you are thousands of miles from civilization. This is what Florida used to be. See this amazing place and all of it's magical creatures. Time and nature are preserved here. Respect it and the creatures that call this place their home.Truly wonderful for your heart and soul.

Nice place to relax, bike friendly, the main road is about 7 miles one way, plenty of restroom, the canopy walk has an excellent 360 degree view, the top is at iver 70 feet above ground.

Very nice park, lots of wildlife. The most alligators I've seen of the several times I've been to Florida. Boats were not running because of the drought and the lakes and ponds were very low. The canopy walkway was disappointing because I thought it was higher up and longer but still an interesting thing, mostly fun for kids, but the tower was pretty tall and you could see for a long distance.

It was underwhelming. I feel like I built this up in my mind so that's on me but it was a fun little walk up and a nice view from the top. Too hot to do in the summer though lol but there wasn't a crowd so that was nice. It was only $5 to get into the park, usually $6, so a cheap day out. Saw an alligator in the river. The food truck looked overpriced and not very appealing so we didn't try it, some people were eating on the picnic tables around in the shade. The gift shop was extremely overpriced, $35 for a short sleeve women's top is a bit much for me but the designs were cute. Overall it was a fun day.

Very neat and beautiful area! Climbing up the tower was a lot of work, being out of shape but well worth it. The canopy walk was fun too!

Great trails and beautiful scenery. 75+ ft tower provides an excellent view of the entire state park.

Great State Park. We mainly went for the canopy walk, but we’re pleasantly surprised by the amount of gator activity we saw. There’s hiking, camping, birdwatching, a small learning center and store. Definitely worth checking out.

The park has trails of varying lengths, plenty of parking at each trail head. The trails are not marked, but the park rangers have decent maps that help. The canopy walk is about 100 feet in length and you must climb up 75 feet on wooden steps. The structure is well maintained and feels very safe. There are some wasps/bees on the structure (not aggressive if you don't bother them).

What a neat place this was! I’m so glad we ventured out here. The canopy walk was so neat! The observation tower was kind of creepy as I’m not a fan of heights and some of the stairs look a bit questionable but the view is amazing!!

The trails are well marked. It's a nice peaceful walk. The canopy is an experience! The wooden bridge takes you over to the canopy and then up steps to about 80 feet. It's a great view from the top! One of the few places I go every time I'm in Florida. Love it!

We thought this walk way canopy was a large portion of the park but I was about 100 feet long or so. But it is up high and beautiful. It was a fun little stop for our family. Lots of trails to hike on. We did see a few alligators.

It is a beautiful place and gives you a work out if you are used to flat FL trails. There is are Towers connected by a suspension bridge. There is a beautiful view from the top. The boat ride was closed because we went on a holiday but I intend to go back. The food they offer is very pricey. There is also a gift shop. My service dog was welcome.

4.7

(669)

4.5

(504)

Sarasota, FL 34241, USA

Amazing way to spend Mother's Day...any day really! Enjoyed the narrated boat tour...galloping gators, feral hogs, and fauna galore...something for everyone!

beautiful place for enjoy the nature and the real Florida landscape and animals!

Great for kids! Airboat tour with gators, birds, wild pigs in sight. Tram ride with excellent description of flora, fauna, and history. Great restaurant and gift shop. Camping facilities look nice and we'll kept. Many opportunities for walks and bicycle rides.

Excellent camp ground for youth scout camping and to the looks of it great for family camping. Gas stations within 15 min drive for ice and other things along with a Walmart about 20 minutes away. Great roads for bike rides and also plenty of good views with alot of alligator sitings. Make the 1 hr trip to peace river if you can and dig for some fossils when the water is low!

Wonderful campground with plenty of space.

The campsite was huge and well cleared with plenty of flat spots for tents; the water out of the spigot was delicious and clean and didn't have that standard Florida sulfur taste; the state park staff was extremely accommodating and helpful; and the site was secluded from other campers. Overall, a fantastic experience!

Its better just putting anything modern away and imagine it being 90 years ago. Get the real feel for the real Florida

4.9

(32)

4.5

(3423)

13209 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA

1 list

Visited Sarasota National Cemetery. Very moving experience. Came to visit a family member who served us in WWII.Absolutely beautiful grounds. There are 295 acres, which will serve veterans for the next the next 50 years. They are working on a large pavilion in the center, called Patriot Plaza. When I stopped at the visitor center, a lovely lady came right up to me and help me identify where my family member was and how to get there. She gave a detailed map and made sure I understood it.

A beautiful veterans cemetery off the beaten path a little in the Sarasota area. An absolutely gorgeous layout and beautiful landscape for a cemetery. One of the most impressive veteran cemeteries aside from Arlington National Cemetery that I have ever seen.

The cemetery is beautiful and it was an honor to bury my parents there. The communications are lacking however. I was originally told it would take about seven days for plaque for the niche on columbarium. Then told up to sixty days. I was told I would be notified by email when it was done. Never received one. Had to drive there to see it. I called and asked about it. The woman had no idea and told me someone would call me back. That was a week ago. No call.

The grounds are immaculate and well kept. We will be coming here every year for my father’s birthday. He served in Vietnam and has one of the most beautiful burials in the wall, right under the giant flag.

Beautifully curated memorial to the men and women who have served our country, along with the sacrifices made by their families. This places reminds you of how precious democracy is.

Beautifully maintained grounds. We interred my Mom and Dad here together, and the staff were wonderfully helpful. My Dad served during the Korean War.

The price for your freedom....those willing to serve.Placing a coin on headstones of a service member is a show of respect as well as letting the deceased service member's family know someone was there.The denomination of the coins each have a distinct and significant meaning.295 acres along State Road 72, Sarasota County.

Interred my best friend's wife in one of the beautiful columbaria there. Breathtaking grounds and a fitting resting place for our brave patriots.

I had the honor to be apart of placing flags on the graves for Veterans Day. It was a wonderful experience. The grounds were kept Immaculate. There were people set up with tables and books around the grounds so that you could find your family or loved one easily I looked up several people that I knew and was very easy for me to find them once I knew where to go.

The Sarasota National Cemetery is a truly serene and sacred place, serving as a final resting ground for our nation's heroes. Stepping onto the grounds, you are immediately enveloped by a profound sense of peace and tranquility. The cemetery's beautifully landscaped surroundings create a serene and comforting atmosphere, paying tribute to those who have served our country with honor and bravery.The attention to detail in maintaining the grounds is commendable. Lush green lawns, meticulously trimmed shrubs, and vibrant flowers create a picturesque setting. As you walk along the paths, you can't help but appreciate the care and dedication put into ensuring that every corner of the cemetery reflects the utmost respect for the fallen.The atmosphere at the Sarasota National Cemetery is one of reverence and gratitude. The rows upon rows of white marble headstones, standing tall and uniform, serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our military personnel. The sight is both humbling and awe-inspiring, leaving you with a deep appreciation for those who have served and protected our nation.One of the most striking aspects of the cemetery is the sense of unity and solidarity it evokes. People from all walks of life, from different generations and backgrounds, gather here to pay their respects and honor the memory of our fallen heroes. It's a place that fosters a deep sense of community, bringing together individuals who share a common appreciation for the sacrifices made by our military.The Sarasota National Cemetery is not just a final resting place; it's a place for reflection, contemplation, and remembrance. The quiet and peaceful environment allows visitors to find solace and comfort amidst their thoughts and memories. It's a space where one can escape the chaos of daily life and find a moment of stillness and reflection.The cemetery also serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing legacy of those who have served. The presence of memorials, flags, and other symbols of patriotism further enhance the experience, instilling a sense of pride and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military personnel and their families.The Sarasota National Cemetery is not only a place to honor and remember; it's a place to learn and gain a deeper understanding of our nation's history and the sacrifices made for our freedom. The cemetery provides resources and information to help visitors learn more about the individuals laid to rest and the significance of their service.In conclusion, the Sarasota National Cemetery is a hallowed and peaceful place, where the memory of our fallen heroes is honored with the utmost respect. It offers solace, reflection, and an opportunity to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by our military. A visit to this sacred ground is a moving experience that reminds us of the true cost of freedom and the debt we owe to those who have served.

A beautiful cemetery for this who have served in the military. The grounds are immaculate and such a peaceful place to visit.

Exceptional staff and well maintained landscape. Very fitting for the last resting place of our veterans.

This National Cemetery has the most amazing volunteers. I have had problems with local florists not confirming delivery to my brothers grave site. Florists will not provide photo of arrangement and have delivered to the wrong plot on occasion. The cemetery is filled with kind volunteers who have sent me photo confirmation of delivery. My brother is buried in Florida and I’m in RI so there is no other way to know whether flowers made it to his site. I’m so grateful for the cemetery volunteers, their compassion, and willingness to help families of the deceased. Such a blessing 🙏

This is a beautiful well kept Cemetery. My grandmothers headstone was not up yet and she still had a reef for Christmas with her marker. It melted my heart all the wonderful people that brought and took their time to decorate the headstones for Christmas. I went to take her marker some flowers, it was a lovely surprise. I know they hold this event but I didn't expect it because her headstone was not up yet. I would suggest anyone in the area to go around and look at all the displays and the many beautiful ways the National Cemetery honors those who have served. Especially around Christmas time it is amazing to see how much love is put in by the local community gives to our loved ones that have passed on.

Beautiful cemetery with exceptional upkeep. It shows great respect to those who've served this country. It's peaceful and serene. The views are breathtaking! The growth speaks for itself.✌🏼

Free to roam. Beautiful place.We will both be resting there one day.

4.9

(196)

5.0

(469)

9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241, USA

1 list

We went on a Sunday to pick strawberries and it wasn’t too crowded. It was so much fun and all we had to pay for were the strawberries we picked by hand. We also shopped a little and bought some fresh produce. The petting zoo is like $12 per person but all the animals were so cute. So fun and wholesome :)

Quaint farm and farmers market for many family activities. We went for the sunflowers and wild flowers, as they are currently in season, but you can also pick many types of fruits and vegetables when in season. There is no fee to get in just for what you pick. Pricing is very reasonable and you can also skip the picking and purchase direct from their market. All the produce looked fresh and healthy.We didn't explore it but the pettting zoo looked fun. We sampled their ice cream, which was delicious. Signage is a bit confusing at first since they share an entrance with a camping area.When this place has events I bet it's a good time, looking forward to going back for picking other veggies in the future.

Today (6/1/24) was my first time visiting. I fell absolutely in love! I picked me some beautiful sunflowers and got myself a souvenir! My little family and I enjoyed ourselves! 🌻🤎

Definitely a fun place. My son loved the train ride and petting zoo. Nice big playground, shaded seating with plenty of parking. Wonderful veggies and fruits locally grown available for purchase .....and I am so obsessed with the sunflowers 🌻.

We just happen to see a billboard on the interstate and thought that picking flowers would be a fun thing to celebrate Mother's Day. We had no idea what an attraction this place is! Petting zoo, mini city, picking flowers, vegetables, farm tours and so many other things to do here! This place is truly a hidden gem and a great place to bring the family that has something for everyone to do!

This farm is AMAZING. Their events are so fun! Their products are awesome, especially the delicious tomatoes. The prices are very reasonable. And the owners and workers are SO kind and helpful! Simply the best! Thank you, and keep doing what you’re doing :) :) FIVE STARS - WISH I COULD GIVE 6!!!!

I was in town visiting family and went to the Hunsaders farm over the week with our 2year old. It’s a super cute set up with neat ideas.I have a farm myself so i know the struggles but was very alarmed by what I saw. We were there for about 3 hours. We saw one employee the entire time and it was a teenage boy. He was filling the animals feed bins. Other than that there was no supervision in the petting zoo area whatsoever.We encountered two injured animals with wounds uncared for, none of the animals had clean water, most were full of algae they were so dirty. The cows, donkeys, sheep didn’t have any grass in their pins. The sheep are so matted and uncared for it was heart breaking. The chickens had about 4 days worth of uncollected eggs in their pin.During our visit we ended up having goats hoping their fence and no one around. My husband ended up putting the goats back in their pin. But, during our three hours not a single employee was around or watching the animals or watching us for that matter.I asked the Fresh market ladies about the zoo and they said they didn’t know anything about it other than to ring people up who wants to go through. I asked the KOA desk as well and she said to go to the fresh market.

Came with family and rented a cabin. Had a great time. Well definitely come back. One suggestion since it was so hot to have something to do with water. Weather it be a splash pad. Lazy river. Sprinklers l o l. Just something to do to cool off. But other than that amazing animals were great people that work they were awesome. And the cabins and the grounds were great.

They have a nice field of wildflowers, of the variety you see growing around, and sunflowers, and if you want to walk in the field you pay $2. And if you want to take a cup of flowers, pick your own, fill the cup as best you can, they charge you $8 extra.But I gather they must be hurting for money these days, as they are having a mandatory festival this weekend. The festival is far away from their flower fields, on the other side of their property. They have brought in many vendors, who have surely paid money to have their table do they can offer wares for sale. And the Farm is charging you $15 to enter their festival, so you can walk around and perhaps buy some things. I only wanted to pick flowers, like any other weekend, so I went to the parking near the flowers, far away from the festival, but this weekend they won't let you in to pick flowers unless you pay the $15 for their festival, and then the normal $2 more for the flower field and then $8 more if you want to pick flowers.I let them know I only want flowers, the basic service they offer every weekend, but they insisted I pay for their festival as well, If I want to do what I can do any other weekend for much less.$25 just for a handful of wildflowers is pretty crazy.I hope they make the money they're seeking, but it left a bad taste in my mouth & I don't think I'll be back.Update: I left a review explaining my experience today and relating what I was told by the people working there, at the ticket booth next to the flower field, that I would need to pay $15 and then $2 and then $8, in order to pick flowers. Hunsader farms has replied, accusing me of spreading false information. That is gaslighting.While there today I met other people who were similarly disappointed that to pick flowers was today $15 more expensive than any other weekend, and who also walked away, like me. ... Because they were told the same thing I was told. Perhaps Hunsader farms should talk with the people who were running their ticket booth, before accusing people who came as willing customers to their farm off the beaten path, to enjoy the day and pick flowers. ...

The pumpkin festival has grown so much since we were there 5 years ago, there was so much more to do. The whole family had a great time!

We had a great time at the Farm today. We have been here before and had a blast. Today was no different! There is so much to do from the petting area, feed the animals, games for the kids, pedal bikes that are like a race car on a track, a new kids town area with cement walking area. There is a long hayride, monster truck show, a crazy metal ball with a stunt team, and so much more!!! Highly recommend this as an all day family fun fall festival!!

Hunsader Farms in Florida is an absolute gem! This charming agricultural haven offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The vast pumpkin patches, vibrant sunflower fields, and family-friendly activities make it a perfect destination for all ages. The friendly staff, mouthwatering homemade treats, and a real sense of community make every visit special. Whether you're picking pumpkins, enjoying a hayride, or simply savoring a slice of their famous pie, Hunsader Farms embodies the essence of wholesome family fun. It's a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a slice of authentic Florida farm life.

This is definitely one of the best places I’ve been to around here. The vegetables are so fresh and it is amazing that you can go pick your own vegetables here. Also picking flowers was an amazing date idea and a great place for photos. The service here was great and the prices are great as well. I highly recommend this place it’s worth visiting.

Little realistic perspective. Love this place and will keep coming back. Do realize the money that is or can be involved. For a family of 4 it’s $50 just to get through the gate ($15 per human over 10 and $5 parking) Food is always pricey but lack of available water for kiddos on hot days was a tough one. Then paying for everything you do once in side, with cash and keeping up with that cash and the kids for every 5 minutes around the corner can be a little daunting. Means for 3-5 hours you may need to bring another $100-200 or more to pay $10 for a pony ride or $5 for this and $20 for that ride, plus food cost of course are high, then souvenirs etc etc. This is not a knock on people making a living. Just realize if you participate in many of the offered activities it will cost you, this is not just a pumpkin patch (the pumpkins are actually very reasonable). It’s more like a county fair meets, art sale, meets performance art. It is really neat. It is not really inexpensive.

Im not from Florida and this might be one of the most fun things I’ve done here! Beautiful property with all kinds of pretty flowers. I alsoStopped by the market for some food and there were so many locals purchasing goods - that’s how you know it’s good!

Awesome family place to enjoy a few hours or the whole day. My family and I have been here for several festivals over the years, and it's crazy crowded. My daughter just had her daughters 2nd birthday party here, and it was a blast. Unfortunately, it was probably the coldest day of 2023, but everyone still enjoyed themselves. The kids ranging from 11 to 1 all loved the large petting zoo. Along with the section of little buildings to explore. There were close to a dozen buildings. They were big enough for adults to walk into as well as children. My youngest grandson loved the fact that the firehouse had a pole he could actually slide down. The farm also provided a choice to include pony rides and train rides for your party preferences. The kids loved the ponies, but we didn't take advantage of the train ride. My Granddaughters father is over 6' tall and doesn't fit in the train well, so they opted out. My kids have ridden the 2 different trains they have and loved them as well. We were allowed to bring in our own food and drinks for the birthday party, which was nice. We ended up ordering pizza on site . The pizzas were on the small side and not the greatest but not bad enough to remove a star for. They also have an awesome produce stand and homemade jams, pickled beats, salad dressings, and more. We really enjoyed our day and can't too go back once somebody turns the heat back on in Florida.

4.3

(991)

4.0

(149)

5500 Co Rd 675, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA

+46 other lists

This is now one of my favorite beaches in the US! Such a quiet and chill beach! It’s clean, family friendly but also we didn’t feel like we were over run with children. The water was warm and beautiful. The sand was powdery soft and not grainy like most beaches. The waves were pretty calm for the most part. They have free parking and nice accommodations with shops and a lot to do. I really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to return. Definitely check them out! Worth the trip to have such a relaxing day on the water!

The Gulf coast of the US are home to some of the best beaches in the country and this beach is right there at the top . The sand is soft, white and sugary. The Emerald colored water is very clear. A must visit beach for sure.

Beautiful beach w beautiful sand and view. A lot of people walking the beach, that was nice. Clean and Clear water. Love that they have a concession stand w breakfast in the menu. I had a bagel breakfast sandwich, it hit the spot and they tables you can sit and eat at. They have a small nice souvenir shop.

Super soft, powdery sand. Water is nice temperature and pretty clear. Many little fish swimming around. Didn’t see any crabs, hermit crabs, jellyfish, etc. pretty sure we saw a manatee pop up not too far from the shoreline. The main part of the beach has lifeguards on duty. That area can become very congested. We went way further down and it was so relaxing. Beautiful views. Watched sunset but the views were limited due to clouds that night. Attempted to watch sunrise but it was difficult due the the building on that side. Definitely softer send than turtle beach. Would recommend turtle beach if you’re looking for shells. Siesta Key beach did have some shells, but did not find as many large ones.Tons of local shops and great restaurants nearby! Check out my other reviews for food recommendations!

Great beach, sand feels so soft and it doesn’t get hot. Water was clear and just warm enough. No issues finding parking but we arrived after 2pm. We stayed to watch the sunset and it did not disappoint.

It is the most beautiful beach that I have ever seen. Perfect white sand is so thin and delicate. Stays cool even in the high heat. Just Perfect.

Coming from the East coast beaches, Siesta Key was a refreshing change from the heavy, pounding waves at Cocoa beach, Melbourne beach, Sebastian Inlet and Vero Beaches. The waves at Siesta Beach are relaxing and hardly any current to worry about taking you away. Waist to chest deep clear cool water make it nice to cool off after laying in the sun. Of all the beaches I have been to in Florida, this is my favorite. I will be visiting again.

I have been going to Siesta Key Beach for years! It is, in my opinion, the best beach in the United states. The quartz sand is baby powder soft and bright white! The waters are crystal clear and have the most beautiful aqua blue color due to the quartz sand reflecting under the water. It is so beautiful, it's like being on a Caribbean island. Siesta Key is the only Beach I will go to in the United states. No other Beach compares.

Linda and I drove down from Longboat Key to Siesta Key Beach to see for ourself the famous white sand. It was unbelievably soft to walk on and regardless of how hot the day became, you could still walk on the white quartz sand without burning your feet. We had an awesome time with plenty of free parking, restroom and outdoor showers and the water was just great! If we had more time, would definitely consider spending another day at the #1 beach in the USA!

One of the most amazing beaches of the world. The smoothest and most white sand I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend to have your sunglasses with you because the white sand is reflecting the sun so much. And if you want to enjoy the water, don’t forget an umbrella or a pavilion to have some shadow. I highly recommend going to the beach on weekdays because on weekends it’s very full. And if you can manage it enjoy the beach in the early morning when you can look at the sea and the sun rises to your left, this is an awesome start into the day and you won’t be alone.

Nearly 80 degrees today. Water tempt was in 60s, possibly 70s. Food. Folks. Fun. Families. Vendors. Clean restrooms. Volleyball. Swim. Shop. Competitive parking. Patience. Follow the arrows. Avoid ignoring the DO NOT ENTER signs in the parking lot. Be kind and avoid stealing parking spaces from other patrons. Be nice.

From the moment you set foot on the beach, you are greeted by a sense of tranquility and beauty that is unmatched. The water is clear and inviting, ideal for swimming or simply soaking up the sun. With its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, it's no wonder why Siesta Beach is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the US.

Beautiful beach. Nice amenities… breathtaking sunsets. So much soft sand it seems magical.

This beach was beautiful! It may have been super busy but the sand and water was amazing. The sand was super white, soft, and it wasn't hot when you walked on it. My fiance and I had a great time relaxing at this beach and playing in the waves. We also saw dolphins!

4.8

(25024)

4.5

(8648)

Sarasota, FL 34242, USA

+86 other lists

Beautiful & peaceful. Easily accessible. Has a great kids area! We were there at the end of April when had a Tiffany collection display; lamps & vases were so neat to see.There were large artist creations, like Tiffany, through out the garden. We spent 5 hrs enjoying this great place! The water view was incredible.Volunteers were friendly & helpful!

Very nice botanical garden, definitely worth a visit. They have some epiphytes I have not seen in other botanical gardens. You can spend about 3 hours there and see everything in depth. They have free parking and it is 26 bucks a person. There are good ocean views and good walking trails. The mansion houses a mask exhibit and when I went they were auctioning the masks. The workers are very ready to answer questions and look like they are enjoying themselves.

Beautiful, clean, and staff was sweet. Unfortunately we hit it during they're swapping themes time so a couple buildings were closed. It still took us about an hour plus to walk all the paths and see all the things. The shop was beautiful and had many things to offer. Definitely give yourself time if you just want a nice relaxing stroll. I have never been to a place with such a huge "ouch garden" the cactus plants were so beautiful. Wish we could grow half of the beautiful plants they have here back home. Loved it all!

Beautiful gardens of all different types with beautiful trails right on the Sarasota Bay. Had multiple bathrooms with easy access and all different places to explore. Cute little gift shop full of nice souvenirs Only trouble was parking as they are doing construction and the parking lot was fenced off and rock. My first time going and it was great! Beautiful!

What a delightful place to visit, brought my mom with me and when I asked if teachers got a discount,the person working the counter was eager and happy to tell us that teachers are free. They had free valet parking due to construction in their typical parking area, I had a little snack and a drink at the café. Although it was 93° out the breeze from off the water and the shaded areas provide much comfort from the heat. I was a little disappointed to find the greenhouse was closed, even though I had looked on the website I did not know this in advance. But I enjoyed it so much I’ll definitely make the two hour trip to visit again.

Fun day at the gardens with the family. Lots of really fun things to see if you like plants! Kids might have a bit of a tough time here but they still had a good time and enjoyed the koi fish pond. The butterfly gardens were also neat to see. Definitely recommend an afternoon here.

Absolutely beautiful. There are so many plants to explore. Tiffany exhibit was educational and beautiful. Property is huge so wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. On the water, so the breeze is appreciated. Different places to sit and take a moment to soak it all it. You can purchase food and drinks on the property in the adorable house cafe. Seating inside if you need to cool off and plenty outside. A very peaceful relaxing time ❣️

The garden is nice but quite a bit of mosquitoes and bugs. My arms and legs got bitten even with spread on.Most of the volunteers were very nice and friendly.The Garden's cafe Michael's was a surprise with excellent sandwiches and choices.

Attending Matt and Maggie Dorn's wedding at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota was an unforgettable experience. The venue, a picturesque garden overlooking tranquil waters, was breathtaking, especially as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The atmosphere was magical, almost surreal, and Annemarie and I were spellbound by the beauty of it all.The ceremony itself was intimate and heartfelt, with every detail meticulously planned. Matt and Maggie, surrounded by the love of their family and friends, exchanged vows against the backdrop of the setting sun, making the moment even more special. The air was filled with emotions, joy, and laughter, creating an ambiance of pure happiness.As the evening progressed, the celebration moved into a beautifully decorated area, where tables were adorned with elegant centerpieces and soft, ambient lighting. The dinner was a culinary delight, each dish more exquisite than the last, complementing the upscale yet intimate theme of the wedding.The music was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, setting the tone for a night of dancing and merriment. Annemarie and I shared dances under the starlit sky, the melodies creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. We chatted with old friends and made new ones, reveling in the joyous occasion.The entire night was unlike anything we had ever experienced. The combination of the stunning setting, the delicious food, the wonderful music, and the great company made it a truly epic celebration. It was a night to remember, not just for Matt and Maggie, but for every guest who had the privilege of being a part of their special day.

It was a beautiful place. Me and my girlfriend loved it. Amazing flowers incredible things we saw. Didn’t see it all we will be back to finish the walk . Love it ❤️

We visited here on a Monday afternoon at the end of July and spent a little more than an hour exploring. Definitely felt the FL summer heat and would love to come back in the spring when it's a bit cooler. Absolutely loved everything about the experience - very nice gift shop, clean restrooms, friendly staff, an interesting (and air conditioned!) art exhibit, and the grounds were gorgeous. So much to look at. Highly recommend.

Such a beautiful place to enjoy the beautiful plants and flowers of FL! You can walk out and get a wonderful view of Sarasota Bay as well. Don’t miss it if your visiting.

Wonderful, lush garden that’s surrounded with exotic plants, the ocean, and kind people. The Shelby Gardens is a great place to visit if you’re from out of town, want to spend a day with the kids and family, or just enjoy plants itself. The facility is clean and well managed. When you come into the gardens, you’ll have your car valeted and returned at the end. We just happened to come the day after their newest exhibit opened which included these colorful Costa Rican masks. Plenty of areas to sit and enjoy the landscape. Definitely check it out!

Very nice. We were there during Tiffany Exhibit which was great. Not sure if special large stained glass decor throughout park was there because of Tiffany or they are standard displays, but loved them. Great that it sits along the bay. Orchid section was wonderful. I highly recommend it mostly for adults, not small children though there is a small kids section.

Beautiful gardens. There is an awesome area for kids to play. They have concerts for members and an amazing greenhouse. I love how they always have a revolving collection of artwork that they incorporate into the gardens.

Nice quiet stroll through beautiful gardens. Make sure you take your camera or have your phone ready - lots to capture.Kids area has lots to climb on and nooks for them to explore.Cafe has cold drinks and food.Brst way to spend the day.

Wonderful garden. The Orchids were fabulous. We took our time and strolled through everything and it took about 2.5 hours. Worth every penny.

This place is a must see! If you like orchids you especially need to come see their orchid exhibit. They have an outdoor botanical garden that is beautifully maintained and raised wooden paths that give you a sense of adventure. The view of the ocean is particularly stunning and I’m sure must be wonderful at sunset (although we were there at midday). They have left the natural mangroves along most of the sea’s edge so it’s a great place to see that type of habitat as well. I was particularly fascinated be some of the really old mangrove trees with their roots so big that I didn’t think that still existed except maybe in the Everglades or abandoned islands. There is a cafeteria, and a visitor center which is all being replaced with a huge building across the street which is also part of the compound (probably the new visitor complex). I can’t wait to come back as my wife bought us a membership.

An Amazing place to spend the whole day. Beautiful. Like a whole different world. Educational. Amazing orchids. Plants from many contents. I have 250 I wish I could share. They also have a flower shop. Should be on your bucket list good.

This place was gorgeous. So peaceful and beautiful. I'm always surprised at what we have in our backyards here in FL.Great place to spend the morning. Go early while it's still cool out. However, there are plenty of shady spots and benches.The butterfly garden, the dock, the views - all wonderful. Also, the price is reasonable.

My husband and I visited this beautiful spot over the weekend. So much to see and enjoy. The grounds were spotless. Air conditioned restrooms. Nice little cafe for lunch. The green tea was delicious and refreshing on a hot day.

This place is beautiful, I highly recommend going first thing in the morning when they open, there is less crowd, better parking (it’s free anyway) and you can beat the heat a little bit. It took about 2.5-3 hours to gm through everything, the trees and flowers are really pretty. Make sure you bring water and stay hydrated.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was the dream venue for our March 2024 all-outdoors wedding. It made for a day straight out of fairy tales. With flowers in full bloom, guests were in awe by the beauty and the magical environment it created. The food was fantastic. We are also members and love supporting the Garden’s initiatives. Best experience ever and simply cannot wait to return to enjoy these beautiful gardens over and over.

A beautiful afternoon at the botanical gardens. Be prepared to walk thru all the gardens and special exhibits overlooking the beautiful beaches and surrounding areas of beautiful plants and trees and landscapes. It was an awesome afternoon of casually strolling the magnificent grounds and witnessing mother nature in her finest. Kudos to the expansion project, which seems to be complete. Such a beautiful peaceful date with mother nature.

What an oasis! To think all of this beauty, diversity, art and natural tranquility is minutes from downtown Sarasota is staggering. The parking is incredibly convenient. The volunteers were beyond helpful. And our visit was free because we’re members of another Florida garden — Bok Tower in Lake Wales. Such a gem.

Selby Gardens is a fantastic botanical jewel. En extremely interesting venue that has options for every nature lover. Winding paths with banyon and other trees overhead, colorful flowering plants, exhibits, a tropical greenhouse, fantastic vistas and so much more. There's a children's play area (more like a huge tree house city) that is elevated and has interactive exhibits that frankly, adults can enjoy as well. Selby Gardens also has several restaurants to dine in. The Orchid is very good, but know that it's expensive and may not be your best option for your dollar. If you're Sarasota and looking for a location to spend a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon at, check this place out.

This place is magnificent. My mom and I had a nice walk through this beautiful garden. It amazes me that someone like Marie Selby so selflessly donated this place so we can all enjoy it. This piece of haven is located by the bay and offers amazing views of the bay and Sarasota. Having a place where everyone has access to instead of multimillion-dollar homes or condos is priceless.

The new and extended Gardens are just wonderful! The added space really has made such a difference, and the new restaurant is marvellous. Light, airy, welcoming and friendly, the food is sublime. Can't wait to go again!

Spent a lovely afternoon roaming around the gardens. Extensive tropical garden indoors with water trickling over the stone walls.Waterfront along the estuary with views of Sarasota have extensive mangroves.They close at 430. Allow a couple of hours.There's a restaurant in one of the buildings. The mansion has a small tour inside.It's 26 dollars for adults, admission.It's definitely a great way to spend a day

Really enjoyed this garden. It was beautiful! Wonderful display of orchids and all sorts of beautiful flora. Very well put together, the kids section is super interactive and my niece and nephew loved it! We got to explore nearly every part except for the education center/museum which I'll have to check out next time. They also had a great little bonsai display and I enjoyed the cactus garden too. They had a beautiful Christmas display up and whole array of lights that must look amazing at night. Really enjoyed it!

I was thrilled to return to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens long absence of 10 years. This place held a special significance for me and my husband as it was where he proposed to me. We were filled with excitement as we embarked on this journey down memory lane.To our delight, we discovered that the garden had undergone significant transformations and welcomed several remarkable additions to its property. The abundance of beautiful plants and trees was a sight to behold. The meticulous care and attention to detail were evident in every corner of the garden.One particular highlight was the introduction of stunning boardwalks that enhanced the overall experience. These pathways offered a sense of tranquility and serenity, providing visitors with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings. It was a truly rejuvenating experience to wander along these paths, basking in the natural beauty that surrounded us.The exceptional staff at Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens further enhanced our experience. Their friendliness and warmth made us feel truly welcome, and their dedication to maintaining the garden was evident. We appreciated their efforts in ensuring that every visitor had a memorable and enjoyable time.I highly recommend a visit to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens. Whether you are seeking a romantic afternoon or simply desire a moment of quiet contemplation amidst nature, this garden will exceed your expectations. Its remarkable transformations and stunning additions make it a sanctuary worth exploring.

I came here for a fun day trip and absolutely loved my time here. The Selby Botanical Gardens are beautiful! The minute we walked in we were welcomed by so many kind staff members. The place is beautifully maintained. All the landscaping was beautiful. Teachers get in for free! They have a covered parking garage too which is really nice. This is the perfect place to visit on a day trip or to be outdoors with friends/family. I’d love to come back and see if they have seasonal exhibits for the holidays.

A gorgeous place to enjoy the local flora! Everything about the visit was very enjoyable. The parking garage has finished being constructed, the meal in the Green Orchid was fantastic tasting, artistically presented with plants from their gardens, and they have rotating temporary exhibits, currently for Yayoi Kusama. The whole visit was a great value overall, especially for members and their guests. It's a must see for nature lovers. Be prepared with sunscreen and hats!

We haven’t been in almost 10 years and was pleasantly surprised. We enjoyed walking around the gardens and the interactive exhibits. Impressed with the number of volunteers and many are so friendly and willing to share their knowledge.Nice, parking garage (free)

Exceptionally curated grounds for all of the senses! My favorite thing to see and learn was the honor they paid to the African American groundskeepers and gardeners that made the historical contributions to its lovely style and maintenance. Teachers get in free!!! There's a lovely playground for the children. 5 stars in every category. The Cafe had great, fresh food. Bring your camera, sketch pad, kids, parents, date, and stay a while!

Very beautiful botanical garden! Well maintained and clean. Lots of stunning plants. Stopped by the Selby House Café for a quick lunch. Had the Grilled Chicken Melt, and it was really good! Staff was very kind. Gift shop was cute and had a lot of different items!

Parking was a little confusing. It wasn't evident to me that the ramp was for the garden. It is. They don't allow outside food which was a shame because we packed a picnic lunch that we had to enjoy on a bench right outside the park instead of in the magnificent gardens. Even if you buy tickets online you still have to stop at the main entrance to get your sticker.

First time going to night in Bloom at the gardens. We did buy advanced tickets and included the parking which was super helpful. Really enjoyed the experience in the atmosphere. The lights, the music, and the garden itself was all beautiful. Lots of different areas to walk through and enjoy, they had games to play for the young ones. It was nice that they had the ability to buy cocktails in food while you walk through the garden. Highly recommend as a family Christmas activity.

Absolutely spectacular! Right in the heart of downtown Sarasota, the Selby gardens is a lovely asset to the city. Beautiful gardens and unmatched views of the bay. I can visit again and again and it’s different every time. We went for the holiday light event this year and i was blown away! It will absolutely be a yearly visit to see the lights from now on! I do recommend buying tickets ahead of time as they sell out, especially right around Christmas. Great for families, people of all ages and interests!

This place is absolutely breathtaking. We couldn’t be more impressed the the amount and variety of plants, flowers and trees. The air plants are amazing. We can’t wait to go back for the holiday lights!

This is one of my favorite places I’ve been so far! Tons of amazing plants and lots of different examples of species of various ecosystems in Florida. You can tell this is an established place as everything is so grown in you can likely see new things in multiple trips. Can’t wait to go back! Just wish they had some plants for sale instead of typical gift shop fare.

4.7

(5441)

4.5

(3347)

1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

4.5

(5822)

Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

+68 other lists

Awesome marine lab and aquarium. Both in and outdoor display are well organized. Kids loved the petting places where they could touch the sting rays, sharks, starfish, sea cucumbers etcManatees are such a huge attraction.The volunteers and staff are very helpful.The tickets can be expensive but you get 50% off if you have a zoo membership somewhere.You can also get discounts for your boat tours with your mote tickets if you want to do the tour next or later.No food allowed inside but water is welcome. There are places for your to get your water refilled. And a cafeteria in case you get hungry.Expect a couple hours to go over everything. Lot of walking involved for sure.But come have fun with your kids.

Visited on a holiday weekend was not too crazy busy and was able to see all the exhibits.Staff was super friendly and welcomed us with a smile.All the animals looked happy and well cared for. The otters were playing and being goofy water puppies. 🤣🤣Would recommend for couples or families with kiddos.

This is a nice aquarium. We got there early so parking wasn't an issue. We also ordered online so we didn't have to go through the ticket line. All we had to do was show the door attendant our phone or proof of purchase.Walkong through the exhibits was easy and straightforward. It would be hard to get lost in this place. They had a virtual tour where you sit in this egg shaped seat and put on virtual goggles. The seat would move as you explored the ocean. It was 6 dollars a person. They also, had many stations for touching marine life for free. Sting rays, a Dogfish, and even little sharks. It was very cool. We also sifted for shark's teeth. I think it was 10 bucks a bag. It was a bag of sand you sifted in running water. You get a handful of teeth and you get to keep the bag they came in.Mote also has gators, river otters, manatees, and live sea turtles. Those are in a different building so be prepared to walk about a quarter mile to get there. We had a baby so we just drove to the other parking lot closer to that building because it was hot outside.Overall the experience was great. Our family highly recommends making to Mote if you're in Sarasota. It's worth trip. Takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to see everything. Have fun!

Before our trip, we heard such great things about the Mote Aquarium. Our visit lived up to the hype and more. On the surface, the aquarium doesn’t seem like much but it’s packed with interesting displays! Some of our favorites included the sharks, eels, river otters, turtles, and alligators. On top of those, there is plenty more to experience. The staff is more than friendly and were always there to lend a hand, give advice, or teach us a mini lesson. We spent about 2-3 hours going through both buildings. Overall, a great trip and experience and a place I think everyone should, especially with kids.

Extremely interesting and educational. Loads of opportunities to interact with the sea life. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits between several buildings.It may be slightly expensive for some. However, what they do with your money is priceless and well worth donating a few extra dollars towards. Especially their research programs. Mote is a global marine science institution, leading more than 27 diverse, programs. Again, well worth the investment. My favorite area was the jellyfish reproduction lab.Great for families and kids. Don’t forget your water if you go in the summertime, especially for the kids, as you need to walk outside to get to other buildings and their exhibits. ENJOY!

This is a very cool place to visit if you have a fear of open water but still want to experience creatures of the sea. The on-site restaurant is a little pricy for being concession stand food, but it is good. One thing that may be an important detail is that the gift shops close early. I love this place and will be back again.

Decided to visit the aquarium and we were not disappointed. Once you walk in and round the corner, it shows you all the different tanks of fish they have.They also had small pools meant for gently handling the different species.That took us and hour.But wait, there's another building!Manatee, otters, turtles and more.The whole experience took roughly 2 hours and it was fun!Highly recommend to all ages.

I thought I had been to just about all aquariums and seen it all. Boy was I wrong when I went to this aquarium. Very very educational. A wealth of information regarding sea life and opportunities to see them up close as they may be in recovery or a permanent residents due to injuries matters. I probably could have stayed there from the time they open till they closed. I highly recommend this place for anyone, whether you're single dating married or on a family vacation. Definitely stop by this place!

Very nice and fun place to walk around. I’m happy that they are trying to keep this place clean. At this place, you can learn about many marine life and see the laboratory.You can touch some of the sea creatures and the staff explains about the creatures. One thing is the manatees place was little dirty Water and couldn’t see them well. Other than that, it was very well managed.Also they have place to sit and eat and souvenir shop

Not sure if it was because I had low expectations for this place, but I was very impressed with this aquarium. The layout flows nicely, with no bottlenecks. Both indoor and outdoor areas are fun and well designed. The food area is well placed, and has a nice menu. Walking to the second building could be an issue during rainy days, though. But once you're there you'll be treated to cool turtle and manatee exhibits. Overall a fun time if you have a couple of hours to burn.

Nice aquarium with two different buildings to check out. Great for kids and adults. They have a kit you can buy for $11 that your kids can sift for shark teeth, fossils, and possibly a Megladon tooth. Was a good time all around. Would recommend stopping by and checking his place out!

I have visited Mote Marine on several occasions, and each time, I feel there is something new that I missed from previous visits. I could stand in front of the octopus tank for hours, watching this fascinating creature who seems to have a personality of his own. The jellyfish are mesmerizing, and the otters are a laughable bunch who want to entertain as they frolic, slide and wobble about. There is plenty to see, and don't miss the rays touch tank or the shark exhibit. We even thought our burgers at the on-site diner were as good as any we've had elsewhere and far better than any of our local fast food joints. If you're looking for summer entertainment for the kids, Mote will never disappoint!

My kids love ocean creatures and this was the perfect place to visit with toddlers. There was a lot to see and touch, which kept them engaged. At first we had trouble parking, until we saw the sign for additional parking. The additional parking turned out to be a great location because we started in the marine mammal center, which was less crowded.Also zoo and aquarium food can be hit or miss, but the Deep Sea Cafe was amazing. The onion rings were the best I've had in a very long time.

Absolutely awesome aquarium and one of my favorite I've ever been to. I'm not from the coast t, so I can't claim to be authoritative on how great it is, but man I loved it. I could have petted a loggerhead turtle!Price was a bit much, but I thought it was a good value. They have discounts if you gave a zoo membership at other locations too, so that helped.They also had a nice aviary to see as well.

OMG, this aquarium is awesome! Staffs and volunteers are very kind, and we loved watching sharks and one big cute manatee! 😍 It is truly worth visiting here if you live in Florida! Don't forget to touch baby sharks, too!

I think the price ($26 per adult) is reasonable for what you experience. The grounds are spread out and you must traverse from one exhibit another. The exhibits are bright and interactive - perfect for young kids. There are several hands- in areas where the kids can grab horseshoe crabs, starfish, etc. There is lots of parking. The bird area is very nice with a red tail Hawk, vultures and owls. There are 2 gift shops and diner like restaurant.

Throughly enjoyed a mid week visit, quite busy at times, plenty to see. Great exhibits of the different species of fish, sharks, manatees, otters. All well cared for in clean appropriate surroundings x

Free experience and love that they are doing some good. Kids watched the pelican feeding which was fun and also free. Something nice to do for an hour or so if you're killing a little time between beach hopping.

This is a fantastic Aquarium! We drive 3 hours to come and visit, and it was well worth the drive. I loved the variety of species. All critters looked well cared for, and everything was clean. I didn't know there were dwarf Cuttlefish, and they may have been my favorite. They changed colors and did the moving stripes patterns, too. We were lucky enough to be watching them at feeding time. That was fun! Shifting for shark teeth was great fun, too. There are 2 touch tanks. In one, you get to touch a shark! How cool is that! The staff and volunteers were very friendly and talkative. All seemed happy to be working or volunteering there. Loved seeing the preserved Giant Squid. Sharks, eels, Axolotis, large variety of fish, birds, otters, Alligator, Manatee, Loggerhead Turtles, Octopus, snake, ..... that's just some of what you will see. They have a 50's Diner that is a great place to eat. $12.95 gets you a cheeseburger and fries. It's a big, juicy burger. I would go to a restaurant that served that burger if it wasn't inside the aquarium. Diner had friendly staff and was clean. I can't say enough good things about Mote Marine. Very family friendly, and we will be back!

We have been to this aquarium three times already and we love it everytime. It's nothing grand compared to larger aquariums but it's great for a small family trip if wanting to go to an aquarium. Everything looks clean and the animals look like they're well taken care of. Employees are very nice and helpful. I highly recommend coming here!

Second timer, but it's been a while. Pretty stellar spot -- was pretty spread out and they now have two buildings that you can walk between. Definitely thought that was a cool new addition.Had several exhibits that I felt you could sit and enjoy for a while, including the river otters that were quite amusing.Different activities for all ages, including a virtual reality experience, several touch tanks, opportunities to feed some birds, and a gem mining experience to name a few.They have a restaurant on site with basic items and have both inside and outdoor seating areas. There is also a very large area for events and/or kiddos to get the wiggles out.Highly recommend.

Do not miss!!! My favorite aquarium ever. Lovely staff well taken care of animals and equipment. I got to pet 6 different kinds of fish. They have Sharks, jellies, otters, manatee. And tons more Even a bird sanctuary! Really cute gift shop.

Such an amazing adventure and experience! So much closer up encounters and education. And a lot of focus on keeping young ones entertained. This might be one of my favorite aquariums!

I thought there was incredible variety of sea life and a wonderful mix of interactive and educational displays. The music in some of the aquarium rooms really set the stage for an inspiring experience. I loved witnessing how kind and knowledgeable the staff was towards our group. I absolutely loved sharing this experience across the generations of folks we had in our pod. That being said, I wish I could’ve received a little more information about the fossil display!!!Would most definitely return!!!

This was a great little side trip to take a break from the sun. There was a large variety of sea life and the volunteers were very friendly and informative. I especially love the sea turtles! My only disappointment was there was only one Manatee.

This was an amazing aquarium!!!! This place was packed with all kinds of things to see. When you thought you were done, there was another building and then an entire bird area. I could have stayed and watched the Cuddlefish forever because they are absolutely bizarre creatures. We got to watch them clean and scrub the turtles' backs, and saw the biggest manatee named "Buffett" I have ever seen.

I was in the area just for a weekend and wanted to do something for fun but at the same time where I can learn something new.Amazing place to learn more about the marine ecosystem. 🐟🐠🐡🦈I loved the whole experience and definitely recommend it for all ages. We need to take care of our marine environment for the sake of future generations.

Mote is an absolute blessing. Their animals are so well taken care of and you can tell this is a place built on love and dedication to sea life. I always feel joyous and fulfilled coming here, and it never gets old. There’s also a bird section which is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside! There’s also a park on the beach a short walk away with boardwalks through mangroves which is always a must.

Took a day trip out to the aquarium and was very surprised about the variety of animals! Large enough to spend at least an hour or two there but still have plenty of the day left! Just as a heads up if there is no parking in the main lot go to the boat slip parking and park there, save the hassle of driving around hoping for a close spot!

This is a fantastic place to visit if you are visiting the area. Took my kids for a little relief from the sun. They had a blast. Went first thing in the morning it wasn't crazy busy. It did get really busy while we were leaving. Spent about 2 hours here. My only word of caution is the manatee and turtles are in a separate building about a 5 min walk so if you park in the first lot and you have someone who can't walk long distances in the heat jump back in the car and drive to the other lot closer to that building.

Very educational for all ages, All types of sealife but bring your walking shoes after you finish 1st section you will walk outside to the Birds area(fun to talk to the parrots) then onto the otter section across the way. Yes you can take a break between exhibits & you can drive/walk to the otter building then show tix to get in. Walk at your pace. We spent 3 to 4 hours really looking at all the exhibits & animals. Clean environment for all all animals. ❤️ Lots of parking areas including ♿️ & elevators when needed. Keep up the great work, FUN day in Florida.

We had opportunity to visit this awesome aquarium this time while on our Anniversary at the Siesta Key resort. It was only a short 20 min drive from the Key to get their and was well worth the trip. We bought our tickets in advance on line so no waiting in line at the gate. (I highly recommend buying your tickets on line and also strongly suggest getting there at least 15-30 min before your ticket scheduled time slot). This is a great family friendly environment great for any age but I would also suggest that the kids be at least 5 yrs old to really enjoy it. Children under 2 yrs of age are free to get in. Considering that all the proceeds go to the aquarium up keep and the rehabilitation of injured sea creatures it is all very well woth the modest price of $30 or so a person for adults. I would Pay that easily anyday to see the Cool sea critters they have in here. They have one exhibit where you can actually reach your hand into a pool and physically touch Sea Rays 🌊 and Guitar Fish. (*I warn you though, The Guitar Fish is a attention hog and a ham, Lol!) I could go on for sometime about all the cool stuff but since a picture is worth a thousand words please see my pics or better yet go there in person. Unless you hate aquariums you will not be disappointed.

I have been upwards of four times and loved it each visit! Wide variety of wildlife, information, and interactive activities. I spoke to a few volunteers, who were all super knowledgeable and sweet- one had been volunteering there for 15 years! There was also a section on the history of the research center and aquarium that was fascinating. It was very crowded, as I went on a holiday, but that did not affect my experience. Points off for the cost (I understand that aquarium upkeep takes funding) and the fact that there were countless additional activities that cost extra. Would definitely go again, but it would be much more frequent with a reduced cost/student discount!

This is an older, small aquarium and marine biology research facility founded in the 1950’s. You’ll see sharks and jellyfish and a touch pool. Pose by the massive jaws of the Megalodon Shark. There is a snack bar and gift shop. Take the time to read the signage by the displays — they are very informative. This is a great place to bring the kids!Mote is building a huge modern aquarium just off of I-75 that’s scheduled to open next year.

My friend and I had an absolute blast at Mote! It was really fun seeing all the sea creatures… The staff members at the exhibits were very informative and friendly.

I’m surprised the ratings are so high here. Nice volunteers, nice hands on exhibits for kids, but we had 3 adults for $87, and I’ve seen better exhibits in the Midwest. One reviewer said he felt sorry for the animals, and I concur. It’s a bit pricy for the experience. I was happy to see that there are plans for a remodel/expansion.

First time here absolutely loved the experience beats sitting around on a Sunday waiting for workday to come upThe staff was extremely knowledgeable and made the experience here very pleasurableI’d recommend this place to anyone looking for somewhere nice to go see some interesting aquatic speciesI reside in north port which is boring as hell!Sarasota hosts some of the most interesting places to visit and shops yes it’s about an hour away but can’t buy timeSo I recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

We went on a Sunday and it was not that crowded. This place was clean and well staffed with knowledgeable people to ask questions of. They had way more marine life there to enjoy than I expected. They even had some interactive displays for the kids to play with including 3D headsets.They are building a new bigger and fancier Aquarium, opening some time in 2026. This one is well worth a visit in the meantime. We will be back.

This was my third visit to this aquarium, each time taking visiting family members. We had two kids under 10 in our party. I was disappointed in the pricing for kids at $21. Nevertheless, the aquarium is cool, with a manatee, sharks, rays, and huge turtles. Some of the exhibits (like the Ray tank) are interactive. There are many volunteers who are helpful in describing things and were quite informative. Overall, it was a good place and cool experience. I'm sure I'll be back.

Nice aquarium with lots to see. Not too busy when I went, though sound can be overwhelming at times. There's also a walk between buildings as there are two sections. Overall nice aquarium.

4.7

(9216)

4.5

(4420)

1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

+89 other lists

Haven’t been here in many years since I was younger. New buildings, everything even nicer than I remember. Took the family for the day when the weather was nice, had a playground in the center in the park and the kiddo loved that. I loved the dioramas of the old circus setups. The grounds are as beautiful as ever and it was a great day to walk the grounds and see the many beautiful types of plants and flowers. As every time I’ve ever been always need more time, just means we will be back soon. There is so much to see, the grounds are worth the trip alone and then the museum for circus items and the art collection. You could easily fill several days or many trips to see it all.

A nice chance to walk around a Franco-Italian piazza from 100 years ago, managed and maintained very nicely. One ticket gets you into almost the entire grounds usually, and my little nephews (7 & 8) and I really enjoyed the Summer Circus Spectacular before making the most of our day. The show was excellent. It’s very intimate in a small theater, no three-ring circus. This is so much the better! The clowns draw you in and make you feel they’ve prepared the show for you alone. The woman from Ethiopia is an incredible juggler, and we also loved seeing the balancing act, acrobats from Ukraine on the double swings, and the acrobat on the long silk rope. We had cheesy macaroni and fish tacos respectively for lunch, but the museum and playground, and we walked through the mansion turned art museum. Fantastic day even in 100 degrees. A great place to talk a walk-and-talk!We bought tickets when we walked up, but we got there exactly at 10AM.

I am so happy we decided to go here. We had such a great time. For years I thought it was just a museum about the circus or clowns but it's so much more. Firstly, there is a museum about the history of the circus and it was honestly very interesting and I learned a lot I never knew about the circus. The miniatures were awesome. The gardens are huge and absolutely gorgeous. Definitely worth taking a walk around. There's a huge playground for the kids but I didn't visit it. The mansion was intricate and beautiful and definitely worth seeing. And after all that, there's still the museum you have to see. I think there are 31 galleries plus the Asian arts building and the courtyard. It was definitely an all day adventure for us. I had a great time. 🎪🤡

Absolutely beautiful place we visited it in the middle of December. Natural setting with beautiful art galleries and mansion which looks like piece of Europe. There are art gallery, botanical garden and the circus museum in one place. For extra cost you can see the first floor of Ringling’s mansion which I found very interesting. The Circus museum has miniature model of the circus from the beginning to the end. I really liked the Glass exhibition.

Gardens are amazing! Went late in the afternoon, so I didn't have time for a full visit. Will definitely be back to see the museum and mansion. Free admission to gardens and museum on Mondays.

This place is much bigger than it looks. It was clean, nice and cool. Lots of great art to look at and the circus to learn about. It will take a few hours to get through this property. Beautiful gardens and property.You are not allowed to take photos inside so I took a few outside.

Worth it!The garden and three museums are wonderful. The view for the Sarasota Bay is stunning. For the exhibition, I love the art museum section, lots of paintings and well maintained for the whole area.Parking is super easy, with plenty of space.Just make sure you are hydrated enough since Florida is always hot!

I lived in Sarasota for 5 years and I never went to this place. However after having move away I always come back every year to visit, and this year I made sure to visit to John and Mabel Ringling aren't museum. Just so you know, admission is free on Mondays so we decided to go on a Monday. Even though there were a lot of people there, the place is so massive that you never really feel crowded. I was able to leisurely view the entire grounds without feeling rushed or crowded. The inside of this place is just as beautiful as the outside. Be sure to hit up all of the wings of the museum. If you're facing the courtyard they are both to the right and left. The house is also gorgeous (Ca d' Zan), But we did not pay to actually tour it. Despite this you can still walk out on the back porch of the home and enjoy the beautiful views. Definitely would recommend!

The John and Mable Ringling Museum is an absolute gem! From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted with a sense of wonder and excitement. The stunning water views add a touch of magic to the whole experience, making it truly unforgettable. Walking through the museum, you can feel the passion and dedication that went into creating such a beautiful place. Every exhibit is thoughtfully curated, showcasing a rich tapestry of art and history that captivates the imagination. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for a delightful day out, this museum has something for everyone. It’s not just a museum; it’s a journey through creativity and inspiration. Highly recommended!

Loved the gardens and the employees art! Really enjoyed the new glass gallery. Overall, most paintings didn't appeal to me. They have too dark or violent themes for me. I personally like uplifting artwork! I found enough to enjoy to make it a nice visit. I'm glad, however, that I hadn't paid to view the art. The rest of the complex is awesome!

Wonderful collection of circus memories and modern art and other items collected by John and Mabel Ringling. Great incite into their lives as well as the lives of some of the performers in their circuses. The park is large, well kept and beautiful. Plan to spend an entire day here. We arrived as soon as they opened and stayed till close. Still didn't get to see everything tho, so the art museum is a two day trip if you want to experience all of it.

I’m glad to visit this museum during our stay in Sarasota. I learned a lot of interesting facts about cirques industry back in the beginning of 20 century. I couldn’t imagine how big was the scale of running cirques for just one day performance for public. Amazing!!The only sad fact is that the cirques king died completely broke having having such a huge and beautiful collection of art.

This place is awesome. There are multiple museums on the grounds, along with the mansion and beautiful gardens. You can easily spend a full day here in order to be able to see everything. The coffee shop above the gift shop has really good coffee.

We only went to the art museum ✨️ It was huge and wow, what a selection 👏. We are members of the Bishop and it has a reciprocal admission with The Ringling so it was free. We plan to go back to see the other buildings. There is a ton of cool things to see. Very well done and worth going to. Free parking, and they have a nice Cafe above the visitor center and gift shop. There are many ponds, gardens, and statues(art) outside as well. It is right on Sarasota Bay with beautiful views 😍

Beautiful gardens to walk through! atmosphere amazing ! art museum amazing painting specially the ones John Ringling requested! We where there 10am to 430pm make sure to wear comfortable shoes!

Very beautiful place. It really is like being temporarily transported to Europe. The gardens are nice but the best part for me was the art gallery. Incredible paintings with some descriptions on their origin. Some paintings are so large they take up a whole wall.Wonderful place to visit!There was a moderate amount of people there on the day we went, though the area is so big it almost feels like you’re the only person there

Wonderful art museum and grounds, as well as a circus museum and opulent house in which they lived. This is a full day’s visit. We went on Monday, when the art museum is free, but still paid for the circus museum. Great collection of renaissance art, some Asian art and more recent stuff. Circus museum is a novelty but very interesting to learn the culture. Staff is friendly everywhere.

There are tons of reviews about this place online. What else I can mention? If you are in the area, absolute must to visit. Easy to navigate and find it. Parking is super convenient and plenty of spaces on the property. No reason to buy tickets in advance. Lines are short and staff is very quick and professional. Price is $25 pp. Prepare to spend at least 2-3 hours there. Lots to see and a lot of stuff you can’t find anywhere. It’s a huge park and be prepared to walk a lot. They have very cool cafeteria/bar with choices of beer and snacks, which is very helpful to re-fuel after walking for hours.Good luck and happy travels!

We came to Sarasota Florida, especially to see the Ringling brothers museum and spend the day. We arrived for our 10:30 welcome house tour to see floors 1 & 2; then proceeded to Grill room for relaxing lunch; onto buildings one and two of the circus museum. We went to Mables for a coffee break upstairs above the gift shop and then finished with the art museum.We didn’t leave the property till 430. It was a wonderful day strolling inside and outside seeing architecture, statues, gardens, artwork and learning circus history.I left with a newfound respect and understanding for the circus, for the Ringings and for their efforts in using their resources for collecting art and donating their legacy to the state of Florida.Definitely worth our time.

Absolutely gorgeous place. Would go again any day. Be prepared to walk a lot so bring comfortable shoes. If it’s humid and hot you might not enjoy the gardens fully but the museum is incredible. Could spend the whole day there. The James Turrell exhibit is a must.

This is probably one of the most unique and creative museums I've ever been to. It focuses on the history of circuses, which you don't often think about. The absolute scale and painstaking detail that went into the miniatures are crazy impressive and aesthetic. Theres also some pretty fun interactive elements to the museum as well.The shore is also within walking distance of this museum, and it's absolutely gorgeous.

Such a great place to visit. Art museum has a lot of old paintings mostly with Biblical references. The inner garden is tranquil and beautiful. They always have different exhibitions that show the artworks from world around. If you like the history of circus the museum will definitely your place. But the most lovely place for me is a house of Ringlings. Castle… Nest.. I don’t know how to name it. It’s amazing. Till today. If you are nearby, you have to visit it. Read the history of John Ringling before to visit this place.

Absolutely 😍 loved the Ringling Museum. This was an experience for the entire family (including my 19 year old son who Never hangs out). We had a blast, from the miniature circus recreation to the galleries to the garden to the Grill. It's just wonderful. You could visit this place two to three times and discover something new each time.

I didn't think I would like this place but...Wow! The miniature model of a working circus (at least 1500 square ft), and the incredible detail, was worth the price of admission alone. Very interesting place with beautiful gardens/grounds to walk around and relax. Nice little restaurant overlooking a pond that has pretty good food too.

This place is a MUST VISIT if you come to Sarasota. The circus exhibitions, history, and details have exceeded my expectations. Ca'D'Zan Palace was breathtaking. The architecture, details, furnishings, and location were stunning.This will give you a different perspective on the life of the circus.

The Ringling museum was very interesting. The House "Ca' d'zan was really cool. The museum had a ton of painting and other art.We wanted to do the 40 minute tour with the upstairs of the house, but it was sold out. The house is right on the water. It was $35 for the museums and the first floor of the house self tour. I guess you can buy them online if you want to do a tour.

What a fabulous experience! Easy and plentiful parking! There used to be so much to see. Very short wait for ticket purchase. On Monday, the art gallery is free and the outdoor gardens are spectacular, with nature mixed with art and sculpture. There used to be something to entice your eyes from every view. Great art, interesting mix of cloth art, sculpture and paintings.

Went to Ringling for the first time, I was very impressed with the entire complex. There are so many different ways to spend your time, from the art museum, circus museums, gardens and walking through the Mansion. I thought it was very unexpected to have such a nice restaurant at that location. The Ringling Grill room overlooks the pond and has a fabulous menu to choose from. Sitting on the terrace with a cocktail and a delicious lunch is the perfect way to spend a leisurely afternoon. What is so unique is that you could spend a few hours or an entire day at this location, it is all dependent on your whims.

The kids (ages 2 to 12) and I enjoyed the circus museum. They enjoyed the interactive portions and the miniatures the most. The adults and the 12 year old liked the art museum.There is an outdoor playground with picnic tables and a water feature. This was a nice place to take a break and let the kids play.

So I accidentally chose to come on a day when 500+ school age kids and families were here for free backpacks. However, very very few actually ventured inside to the galleries. I had an Amazing visit. The temporary exhibits were so inspiring!!

100% worth the visit! The entire place is gorgeous and massive so it doesn’t feel crowded. We went on a Monday when entrance to the art museum and the gardens are free. The art museum is wonderful-my partner and I like vastly different styles of art, but this museum had both the styles we love. The view of the water and the gardens was beyond beautiful, just walking around and spotting the turtles and watching for dolphins was amazing. I would suggest spending about 5 hours here if you want to see and do everything. We will definitely be returning to do the circus museum and the house tour at some point.

Wonderful first visit! Miniature circus display was amazing!!! Actual circus museum less so... Beautiful house tour with audio. Take a guided tour for upper floor access. Excellent fine art museum, special exhibits and sculpture garden. Bistro was very good as well. So much to see!

I thoroughly enjoy taking day trips to the museum. The restaurant is a true delight, with an incredible chef who never fails to impress. The bar offers a wide variety of options to choose from. And I always find great joy in exploring the stunning art and landscaping on display.

This place has something for everyone - the circus museums have tons of cool exhibits and information. The art museum is incredible. There are gardens, water views, a playground, and more! We spent 3.5 hours here and didn't get to see everything - this can be an all-day activity and you can absolutely get your money's worth. Highly recommended!

Mondays are "free museum day" to enter the art galleries. Huge tapestry size paintings and nice collection of art. The Center of the U-shaped museum has a large outdoor courtyard with statues, greenery, and shaded walking areas on the building's inner edges. Restoration efforts have preserved the original charm of this building and surrounding gardens. Many sights to see on the Ringling estate in addition to the art. Visitor's entrance to the museum grounds includes a gift shop and sit-down restaurant.

This museum was excellent. So unexpected & interesting. Beautifully presented. Lovely gardens. Grille restaurant had delicious food. The miniature circus room was fantastic !I was never a follower of circus information, but this was fascinating !After 3 hours of circus & house tour there wasn't enough time for the art museum. You can easily spend 3-5 hours & not see everything.2pm on a Thursday was perfect. Not too many people.A definite must location to explore.

4.8

(7923)

4.5

(7441)

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA

28 lists

Opulent Gilded Age Mediterranean Revival mansion built for a famous circus mogul. It is self-guided and includes an audio tour accessible via QR code. Only the 1st floor and outside are accessible but it is still impressive and there are photos of the other levels at the end. The estate overlooks the Sarasota Bay and the terrace has steps that lead down close to the water - a nice place to take a break and relax. If you’re into architecture, you may find it interesting to see the eclectic array of styles that influenced this house.

I have been to italy and this home is of beautiful italian design. Loved the house and grounds. Beautiful tile patio. Want to come back when more roses are blooming. Check out the roof and the outside walk way to the top bedroom

The weather was perfect! 86 and the constant breeze was great. There are golf carts that can drive you to the house if you don't want to walk. The grounds are beautiful. We went on Monday when the gallery and grounds were free to see.

The walk through of this place is absolutely stunning. It makes me think of a more tropical Great Gatsby, from looks and time period! The staff is also very knowledgeable on the specific rooms and decor that inhabit it. You can also sit out on the patio and look out at the ocean (reaching toward a green light if you wish) I will definitely be coming back here, it’s too stunning not to!

The home is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and well preserved. Stunning views from the bay and stained glass windows. Truly an awesome experience touring through this. However, the staff at the entrance could use some polishing skills. They come off as rude and unwelcoming. I walked in with my backpack and instead of politely asking me to carry it by the handle. They were very rude to be and even raised their voices. Their tone of voice was condescending and not polite at all. Will definitely not be returning due to those older female employees. They need to be retrained they seem to be out of touch with reality.

Stunningly beautiful a must see every room marble crystal intricately decorated from the hand painted ceiling to the inlaid marble walls and floors Loads of History

We’ve been here once before years ago. I feel like it just keeps getting better. Highly recommend the long tour so you can get the true experience of the entire mansion and how John and Mable Ringling lived. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. Buy tickets ahead of time so you can pick the time of your tour and make sure you save time for the museum! If you’re a circus lover then you simply can’t miss anything or any part of this experience. The gift shop is nice and the workers there are also super friendly and helpful. Can’t say enough amazing things abt this whole experience

Absolutely gorgeous. They offer audio tours you can get through a qr code inside the house. You do have to buy a dual ticket to see the home. It is breath taking and completely worth any extra cost. Will come again.

April 2023Very nice beautiful place. The only first floor open to view. To visit all floors you need to buy tour, which own schedule.The Ca' d'Zan looks amazing outside and inside. It's worth to visit. Next to it there are benches, where you can seat and enjoy Sarasota Bay view. You need to pay $10 addition at the entrance of the park if you would like to view it inside.

monday is partly free. we are the on road trip and it's a good place to stop by. take one to two hour to tour the museum and take a look around outside of Ca' d'Zan. impressive pink print and nice sea view.

Visited Thursday after 5pm. ($15 ticket). we did the museum and the gardens . They had an event where you can buy drinks and hear a live band. The sunset from that place is amazing, I think you can have beautiful pictures from that place and have a nice walk around green areas. The place is beautiful.

gorgeous venetian style mansion that was the home of john ringling. we did not purchase tickets to tour the interior, but the the exterior was absolutely stunning. right on the waterfront with ornate details on every inch of the home.

On Mondays, gardens are free, plus outside mansion. The rose garden is beautiful, plus over 200 types of trees!We packed a picnic, no issues. Lots of places for picnic.I did read that museum of art is free Mondays as well, but I'm not sure. Expansive art. Before going to Ringling, look up history, very interesting.

Amazing views indoors and outside on the bay side of the building. This historic building has been well maintained and is glamorous! The yards around Ca' d'Zan are filled with lush trees and shaded paths for walking, or you can catch a free golf cart ride from the visitor center to the residence and back. Self guided tour of first floor, or longer guided tours with additional areas to see in the house. If you love architecture, this (the largest home in Sarasota) is a must see!

Amazing how much more extravagant our ancestors lived and yet we are here with out modern technology but couldn’t even begin to create such a magnificent space as the fine gentlemen that built this place for the most opulent of the showmen

The house has been impressively restored. The Tap Room is impressive. The entire estate is breathtaking. The views are spectacular from the terrace looking out to the bay. We took the guided tour the upstairs bedrooms are spectacular.

There are not enough words to describe the beauty of this place!! A trip back to the Great Gatsby era: with furnishings that were meant to astound d you, and each room a roof of excess! The surroundings are beyond compare! The peaceful waters of the Sarasota Bay, and pathways filled with greenery, sculptures and an art deco pool. This place was meant to amaze their friends and be a showplace of money and grandeur. It was like walking back through time.

Love this place, so beautiful and the views are breathtaking. Nice for a walk or just to sit down and enjoy the area. A water view and a park make this place my number one in the area. There are two options to see the inside but you need to pay extra for it. The place offers a military discount.

In a league of its own for historic homes. Only similar properties I have experienced were those built by guilded age robber barons in NY tri-state area. Ringling museum itself is also In league of its own for non major city museums and collections and artifacts reflect that.

We were on a short timeline, so don't think that is a deterrent.We started at the "summer home" and worked our way back. The architecture of the building is eclectic inside and out.We've been in other historic homes: Biltmore Estate (NC) and Hearst Castle (CA), so the elaborate (dare I say gaudy) interior is not surprising or necessarily unique.The most beautiful part of this home is the back veranda. Right on the water and stunning!After the home we went through the two museums. In our opinion, these are far more fascinating than the home.The history of circuses (in general) I fascinating and enlightening.The scale model of the circus "village" is unbelievable!!! These people were logistics geniuses.With more time, we would have spent more time in the museums and strolling the gardens.Go and enjoy!!

This place was absolutely beautiful. We were able to do a self walk through the mansion. There weren't many people since we got there about a couple of hours before it closed.

Amazing mansion, I highly recommend doing the whole tour and viewing all the museums. Expect to spend a full day from open to close to see it all. It's well worth the money!

Interesting home with fascinating history. Nice views of the water and the surrounding ground are beautiful. Worth the trip.

The beautiful historic Asolo Theater is magical. It boasts a cozy feel with a grandeur experience. The 4 tier theater has a bird's eye view from every angle. Such a treat.

We had a guide who passionately talked about the life of the Ringling family. The castle is enormous! I'm thankful for our guide who answered our questions and showed us around.

There is a 1st floor walk thru tour or there is a full 70 minute tour of all 3 floors. We will come back and to the 70 min 3 floor tour after seeing and listening to the history of the 1st floor.

4.8

(2929)

4.5

(2199)

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA

It was a great experience! We really enjoyed our visit here. Kids had lots of fun and the train ride was just a memorable experience. We highly recommend visiting this place for anyone who’s looking to have some family fun time together. Kids or adults I’m sure everyone will have an amazing time. And for the very competitive admission fee you’ll be hard-pressed not to visit this museum. I was genuinely shocked seeing their relatively low prices. It’s amazing how in this day and age such fees still exist. We probably spent more money on gas to come here than we did for our 4 tickets (our little one who’s under 3 years of age had a free entry). I’m sure we’ll be back here again very soon. 😊

On a whim, we decided we wanted to do something different on a Saturday. I found this place on Google. I came opened minded not sure what to expect other than a train ride. Well, after visiting, I can say this is a really neat place! One of the most memorable things for me, was how friendly the volunteer staff was. They were so kind and helpful. It was hard to believe they were doing this unpaid. Everyone was so professional. The train ride was enjoyable. I did enjoy the model train a lot. I would absolutely recommend.

Nice day to experience a train ride....We want to share a BIG shout out and thank you to the museum and the manatee county library for partnering together and offering a free kid train ride ticket.- I just had to pay for mine.(must be checked out at library, may be a waiting list, as we were #6 in line, and for kids under 11yrs of age....)Contact library for more info, must be a Manatee county resident, although you can check your local libraries and see what they offer!Our day was Very educational and the train experience is ran by many friendly volunteers.....fun for kids and adults.

That was great! It was the end of July. We got a train ride on the Parrish-Willow line. I hoped that we would be allowed to see the trains and other interesting exhibits at the station where our train arrived. However, unfortunately this did not happen. I would like more!

This was a very fun and affordable family trip. It is a privately operated by private donations and volunteers. We really enjoyed all of the vintage train exhibits. There were several interactive exhibits and the volunteers are very friendly and helpful. They have a train ride that you can ride as many times as you would like. They hold events for both Christmas and Halloween and it is family friendly.Follow us for more great reviews ™

Journeyed to Parrish to visit the museum for a train ride. Parking was easy. The ride entertaining. Open air and air conditioned cars provided comfort options. Super nice staff and very organized. Halfway point was an old sawmill town site in Willow where the museum railroads maintenance shops are located. Lots of good photo points.

We were a couple of minutes late but they waited for us as we rushed from the car to get on. The enclosed cars are a little too rocky for my liking, so we sat in the open car. The "train graveyard" would have been better if you could go in the old trains, but I'm sure there were safety reasons as to why we couldn't.

It was beautiful weather for the train ride today. A great, relaxing adventure through old natural Florida. Loved being on the open air car for this journey. The trip took us past some farms growing produce and a solar farm near an old power plant. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.

If you are a fan of railroads and trains, this is a very good place to go. First of all, they are in the process to grow and make improvements, but that doesn't mean you can't have a really good time. The train ride to Willow and back for us was great, but, once there we only had about 20 minutes to walk around, which I think is to short for the amount of people around. Other than that, a very good day and experience.

The Polar Express train ride is a fun evening for littles or special needs individuals. We took our special needs friend and he loved seeing Santa. All in all it was a fun evening. Free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. They had a couple of fun little rides for the kids. A “snow” (bubbles) machine that was a hit with the kids, food vendors, fire pits, Santa, and an area to sit at tables and eat or listen to singing.The negatives for us were the strong smell of the train fuel on the way over. And then when you get to the “North Pole” you are stuck there for 2.5 hours whether you want to be or not. If I could change anything I would have a train running at the half way point for whoever didn’t want to stay the whole time. It was late and we were done and ready to go long before the train came back for everyone. You kind of feel stuck.Overall great job to the staff! Everyone was very friendly.

This wonderful place is taken care by a solid and passionate group of volunteers that gives their time and energy in this project. Taking care of history, tradition and customers as well. They were super kind, eager to help and welcoming. This was like staying with a family that you didn't know to have. Best experience in Florida. Best regards from Italy.

Nice little trip good way to spend a lazy day. Not much scenery mainly overgrown brush. The museum on both ends are interesting. Going out the train travels at about 10 mph some rocking in the AC coach. On the way back we got up to a blistering 16mph Now the train was rocking: very difficult to walk most of the people moved to the open air cab it was much smoother.Was it fun yes. It’s a trainDefinitely worth the moneyJust know what to expect

We had a great time, special thanks to Mr Bobby who gave us a great mini tour. We drove up not realizing that they were closed. Thankfully our trip was a nice one thanks to Mr Bobby talking some time out of his busy schedules to guide us and show us the trains and tell us brief history on each car.Really awesome experience! Thanks again!!

We were lucky enough to do a cab ride today!! What a cool experience. Andrew was the Engineer, he was extremely knowledgeable and very focused on the job at hand. It was a joy to experience this with someone who is a true rail fan. Thank you for the wonderful experience Andrew. We would recommend this experience to anyone.

Great family ride to support a great cause! These volunteers work super hard to restore this vintage equipment and keep the history alive! Take a ride and support this great operation!

Having been on the Miami Polar Express last year, we had no idea what we were walking into with Parrish's experience. Now, I want to express that this is just our experience and does not take away from anyone else's opinion of this place.With that being said, we will not be back. We did it, don't need to do it again.The ticket says to be there 45 min prior. You most def. do not need to be there that early. I mean do not wait until the last min. but 45 min early is a stretch. You are walking on rocks and dirt so that was uncomfortable and then you wait outside in the grass/dirt for the train. Need I mind you, it's cold outside (again, had no idea we would be waiting outside.)The train is very old, smells like old wet wood and is in need of some upgrading. The fuel smell there and back gave me such a migraine that I felt like I was going to vomit. The restrooms were out of service. They tried decorating the train but it was very underwhelming. They do provide snacks and drinks on the train. Which I thought was odd because in the "gift shop" prior to boarding you can buy snacks/drinks there and there is a sign on the door that says "no food/drinks allowed on the train."When we arrived at the "North Pole" it was decorated very well for Christmas. It was almost like a mini fair ground. Again, with the dirt everywhere by the end of the night my 9 year old's feet were black because he wore crocs. There is a hay ride, very underwhelming, just riding by trees. There is a centipede ride for the little kids. There were 3 small, very small, bounce houses. My 9 y.o was not allowed on them. It was for the very small children. There are activities, smores, fire pit, fair food to buy (didn't know we needed to bring $$), Santa and a foam party.The kids were absolutely soaked from the foam, we had no clue they were doing this so we did not bring an extra change of clothes.Once you are dropped off you are stuck there for over 2+ hours until the train returns. It is very cute there but not enough to do for 2+ hours.As an adult, I did not care for the smoke smell either from the fire pit or people smoking themselves, children fighting/screaming/crying everywhere, walking on dirt the entire time, and being stuck with no way to leave.The Miami experience is cleaner, cheaper and classier by far!!

So we did this for my son's 4th birthday because he loves trains I live in orlando so it was alittle drive to get there and we didn't know what to expect but we pulled up and to note it was a regular weekend there wasn't an event going on like the train robbery or the thomas the tank event they have so when you pull up you pick up your tickets and in that office is a gift shop and a thomas the train set in the back for the kids to play with and in the train car on the other side is a huge model train you can interact with tosee it run and it also has buttons to make the town come alive I wouldn't recommend getting there super early because there is not much to keep you entertained until your trip thirty minutes as they suggest is enough but we did have a picnic while we waited when the train came we boarded there is an outside car and an inside car the inside car has a snack store if you get thirsty and hungry everyone was very nice and knowledgeable about everything they helped celebrate my son and another guys birthday and even gave him a gift which I really appreciated the ride was really cool and when you get to the end of the line you can get off and explore alitte before you head back All and all we enjoyed it the price was good for the experience you get I hope they get more funding to expand we will be back for thomas the train day when they have it

We went to the Polar Express and I went with 4 kids 13, 9, 6 and 18 months. We had so much fun!!! There was so much to do for all the ages! The 18 month old had a blast on the jump houses and even enjoyed making Reindeer food. The Grinch came out and I think that was the highlight for the 6 year old as he is obsessed. The Grinch interacted with him on several occasions and made him feel like he was the only one around. The Grinch was awesome. The Santa was fantastic!! He spent so much time with our group they kept opening the door thinking he was done. I even think he made the 9 year old believe again. Santa was so good!! Please keep that Santa!! Overall we will be back and look forward to next year!! Thank you so much for putting on a fantastic event and can’t wait for the next one!!

Great day celebrating my sons birthday! The volunteer staff members were amazing, friendly and knowledgable. They shared a lot of information about the history of the trains. Would recommend at least one visit here. Will be back for the events they told us about! It was nice to ride the open rail cars on a beautiful day.

Fun trip. Dedicated volunteers. Reasonable price. I'm grateful to these people that are preserving our history. I've read quite a few of the one-star views. I just don't understand the people complaining about the view. It is rural southwest Florida, what do you expect to see? Snow-capped majestic peaks with dandelion-dotted green valleys? Also, the people complaining that it took them 2-3 hours to get there. What does the length of your trip have to do with the quality of the Florida Railroad Museum?

This is a nice place to visit for anyone. I paid to operate the locomotive. It was a definite bucket list check off. The staff are mostly volunteers and are very personable. The track is about 6 miles, and they offer both ac and open view cars. They have restrooms on board for passenger convenience

We attended the day out with Thomas event and had a fantastic time. Nice property and cool place for kids to look at train memorabilia

It was a cool rainy afternoon, so we decided to check out the museum. The train ride was nice and relaxing, looking out the window. The little museum was nicely done. We had the chance to talk with the conductor, and he was telling us about all the special events they do. Sounds like a lot of fun.

4.5

(1607)

4.0

(177)

12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL 34219, USA

9 lists

A very nice place to visit for some good deals for just about anything you can think of. The food court is well below average but there are many stand alone restaurants nearby. Grounds all well kept and parking is better than most outlets in florida.

We shopped here while on vacation. I didn't initially like layout of the outlet mall but it was not as bad as I thought. The food court could use a upgrade but we were able to find a few good sales.

Many options for shopping. Huge parking lot. Not big discounts right now on all brands. Food court is not good, better to avoid. Worth to visit if you are looking to buy premium brands.

We go here to black Friday shop every year. This year will be our last. The "deals" at these outlets aren't deals at all. And the whole place is dirty. All garbage cans overflowing, bathrooms were disgusting. They don't make an attempt anymore to clean anything. Sad.

This is more of a WARNING than a review. The boba tea stand GREEN TEA SPOT at the ellenton outlets 🚫🧋🚫 sells disgusting tea!!! The pictures that are on display do not reflect what they give you. They show a lot of fruit in the drinks but what I got tasted like dirty water with low quality boba, and Nora single piece of fruit in it!!! 🤮 😠 😡The Asian woman told me with a big smile on her face that "people don't like the fruit"They don't have a Website and not even show on Google maps! So there's no way to leave a review for them. I forgot to take a pic of my drink sorry 😔 but you can test them for yourself.

Excellent! You can find the major stores with good prices and variety.

Nice outlet mall to walk around and find good deals

We expended a lot of time here. We arrived when they opened, and we left around 3 pm.In some brands, you can find good deals like Gap, Columbia, and Sweet Victorian.The best prices were in Wrangler and Lee; I bought three pairs of jeans for $7.99 each.

Very pleasant place to shop. Clean. Lots of options. I didn’t get a chance to visit the food court as it was close to closing time, but the men’s bathroom was very clean. I would go again.

My fellow Canadians!! Please take note in this sincere review! I have been shopping here for over 10 years! Of late; the prices are the same if not HIGHER than any regular shopping experience in Florida! Especially in the Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Store. (Keeping in mind the 35%+ exchange rate). Have fun, but be mindful and careful of this so called “outlet mall”.

This outlet mall has a lot of different options for shopping. The stores are well maintained. Every store I visited I had a good experience with the staff members in each location. They have restrooms in a few locations and are well maintained. There is a food court, but it has limited restaurants. The prices and deals in the stores are worth the drive. Parking can be difficult on the weekends, but it does flow well with people in and out.

Went down there with my wife. She shopped around a little bit. We were in and out of there and no time. She had a great time. Found everything she needed in a couple of the stores. Prices are good. Usually the place is pretty crowded though. You can spend an hour in the Bose store sitting in there sample room. Very tourist oriented.

Tons of good deals and a store for EVERYONE! I can’t leave without going into aerie and pacsun. Cute clothes and definitely affordable. also auntie Ann’s and Starbucks are musts 😊

Love this place!!! To start it has great stores, the prices and deals are great, the design of the place is beautiful, open and modern, plenty of space to seat and rest, food court, huge parking all around the stores. It’s definitely worth the driving!!!

Been going for years, seems less is more for higher cost. Manatee statues are gone. Bathroom smelt like raw sewage the day we were there.

Énorme complexe de magasins outlets. Grand choix de marques, offres très intéressantes. Le parking est bien surveillé.(Translated by Google)Huge complex of outlet stores. Large selection of brands, very interesting offers. The parking lot is well monitored.

They had some good stores, but overall, I felt the selection was definitely catered to an older audience. However, if you like the stores they have listed, I'm sure you'll enjoy the large selection they do have. There is plenty of parking, but if it is a lot of walking around, weaving through the stores.

Decent factory outlets. Traffic is just a bit of a pain right now with all the construction going on at the I-75 interchange and on/off ramps. This is all going on as of 2/17/2024 and has been going on for a while. Still may be at least a year before completion so just something to note in your trip there.

I recently visited the outlet mall in Englewood, Florida, and it exceeded my expectations! The variety of stores and brands offered a fantastic shopping experience. The layout was easy to navigate, and the staff was friendly and helpful. I found great deals on quality products, making it a perfect destination for savvy shoppers. The cleanliness and well-maintained facilities added to the overall positive atmosphere. I'll definitely be returning for more enjoyable shopping trips!

Had a great time wished we had more time to spend here. Great sales! Aerie the entire store was less than $20! Nike was having great sales. Converse had 40% off anything marked down.

I only live six miles away from the mall.Nice shopping area also has a atHome store a TJmaxx & Bealls. All in the same parking lot so it's very convenient. Along with the chipotle's gas station and starbucks! Right off Interstate 75. Friendly Area. Quite a few restaurants! Hotel. Woodys on Manatee River has good food, music!

Nice spacious shopping mall with great deals on clothing items. It’s spread across multiple directions and has shaded walkways . There are restrooms in each wing of mall.Only thing we noticed is the food court not many food options and the shops sometimes close early. There are eating places within 0.5 miles. We enjoyed the Hershey icecream 🍦 shop it has a lot variety of ice cream .

Disclaimer: I visited the outlets 2 days after a hurricane.The outlets felt lifeless. No one was really there and half the stores were closed. The few stores I walked into had very poor customer service and showed no interest of being there.I'd be hard pressed to justify another visit to these outlets.

Not worth a visit. Dated, lack of stores and selection. One and done. Total waste of time. Better off going to UTC or Tampa Premium Outlets. Ellenton needs to take the “premium” out of its name. This is not premium in no way shape or form.

On 3/29 ordered the new lavender-matcha drink. The cashier rang me up for the wrong drink. The wrong drink was made after 10 minutes of ignoring my order while 5 other customers were getting their order after me. The drink was incorrect, they had to fix it and the young man that was making my drink was super slow, there was no customer service experience. He definitely didn’t want to be there. It took 18 minutes to get my drink. The worse service I’ve ever gotten at Starbucks…. The manager needs to do better on training her employees.

Ein schönes Outlet mit vielen bekannten Marken. Adidas, Puma, Nike, Asics, oder Sketchers. Um nur einmal ein paar Sport Marken zu nennen.Viele Parkplätze sind vorhanden.Es gibt einen Food Court, bei dem würde ich allerdings einen Stern abziehen.Es ist eher eine große ungemütliche Halle.Keine bekannten Restaurants drinnen sondern kleine Unternehmen. Diese öffnen alle etwas zeitlich versetzt. Wir waren kurz vor 12 Uhr dort, da waren 2-3 noch geschlossen. Diese öffneten während wir gegessen haben.Ansonsten ist das Outlet sehr schön angelegt. An jedem Gang sind wenn Wegweiser zu den Geschäften in diesem Gang. Auf Google Maps ist ein Lageplan einsehbar, ist gibt diesen auch auf Papier vor Ort.Waren jetzt schon öfters hier und sind immer fündig geworden.(Translated by Google)A nice outlet with many well-known brands. Adidas, Puma, Nike, Asics, or Sketchers. Just to name a few sports brands.Lots of parking spaces are available.There is a food court, but I would deduct a star from that.It's more of a big, uncomfortable hall.No well-known restaurants inside but small businesses. These all open at a slightly different time. We were there shortly before 12 p.m. and 2-3 were still closed. These opened while we were eating.Otherwise the outlet is very nicely laid out. On each aisle there are signs pointing to the shops in that aisle. A map can be viewed on Google Maps and is also available on paper on site.Have been here several times and have always found something.

So many stores to see!I bet they will have more than what you were looking for

4.4

(10139)

4.0

(895)

5461 Factory Shops Blvd, Ellenton, FL 34222, USA

19 lists

Very clean! Good food and drinks! See lots of bigger fish and manatees here. Had a guy singing when we went this time. Not much sun so bring sunscreen. Has more parking than the Rod and Reel, but does fill quickly. Get there by 930 or so if you want to park.

This is not a restaurant, it is order at the window and then eat at tables outside or walk along the pier. You have to walk across a pier from the main road to get there and then there is ocean view and people fishing. There is next to no parking where the pier starts, so either you get lucky or will have to park on the road somewhere further and walk.The quality of the food is decent, same as what you would probably get at most of the restaurants, (priced that way too) and the service is pretty quick. Beer and wine here too, reasonable priced about $5. Fried coconut shrimp was very good, grouper bites average.Would recommend if you want food quick without waiting too long and to walk around or sit outside, but not if you want an actual restaurant or be served.

Seriously, a fish sandwich on the pier, What’s not to love?!!! Great views, delicious Food & drink selection, calm atmosphere- you have to visit this iconic place. Spotted pelicans, sand pipers and a MANATEE! Time on Anna Maria just isn’t complete without grouper on the pier.

At first, I was skeptical because there is just a fast food order station and no restaurant and limited beer/wine options. However, if you are looking for SIMPLE, the live music on Saturday, the fried shrimp and fries were some of the best I’ve ever had! Seriously, the breading on the shrimp was a little peppery and super yummy. Plus, the view is amazing! And the fisher people fishing for shark - YES SHARK - are fun entertainment 😁

Coconut Shrimp was on point! Fresh and hot. Their chicken chicken fingers were tasty. Hush Puppies were Amazing!!!Everything was served hot and fresh. Dropping sauces were delicious too!!!Forgot to take pictures of the food!!!

City Pier Grill and Bait is located in the back. Nice relaxing location, quiet and peaceful. Terrific spot to watch dolphins and other wildlife.Not to be confused with Rod and Reel Pier that is an actual restaurant where you can sit down.

One of the highlights of our trip. Amazing pier walk to the restaurant (we saw a fever of stingrays on our second visit and several up close pelican experiences). Grouper bites were delicious and they have the most amazing Hibiscus Iced Tea. Cashier on 4/18 was so nice and friendly (cashier on return visit [blonde female] was sitting down and acted like I was bothering her with my order). Servers were extremely friendly. There was a local artist playing guitar and singing that just sealed the deal on making an AMAZING atmosphere.

Loved fishing here. The guy that sold bait was great he helped us free the stingrays we caught.

Ok, we came here on December 26, 2022. My wife and I desperately wanted fish and chips by the water, but for whatever reason, Anna Maria Island doesn't do fish and chips at any of their restaurants. Anyway, we wander around and find ourselves at the pier and at this restaurant. We decided that we would eat there because they had some fish and it'll be nice on the pier. We both order the grouper sandwich, pictured below, and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was light, crispy, and wonderfully flavorful. We don't really see the need to put this beautiful piece of grouper in a sandwich though. Throw it in on its own with some fries and slaw. That is really all you need. The reason it's 4 stars instead of 5 is due to price. The sandwich was great, but not worth the 32$ price tag. In total we spent 65$ on two items. Food was great, atmosphere is great, service was great, but definitely overpriced.

Awesome place to hang out with family and friends, great music, drinks and food.The atmosphere there is incredible definitely if you visit Anna María Island this is a place that you must go !!

Food was good. Staff was friendly, atmosphere even better. Dolphin shows while you enjoy your food. An amazing place to relax and enjoy your day.

This was the perfect spot to chill out and enjoy a bite to eat. You feel as if you are on private Island . Because of the location and the open structure of the venue. They also had karaoke. It was a great experience.

We did not eat here. We went to go fishing. It cost about 5 dollars per pole 🎣 plus bait and tax. 5 people cost ~35 dollars. We fished for an hour and caught 7 small fish but none of us are serious anglers.

Delicious shrimp tacos with a pineapple slaw! Beautiful location for a bite. I also had a great glass of wine too.

Can’t get any fresher!Grouper bits, are outstanding!Ace pineapple hard cider!!

Great place spent about a 1/2 a day here. Beautiful views water was fantastic!

Live band, usually 4-7. Fun little Mote Marine outpost (aquarium). Decent grill food and beers. Great views of the Bay and Tampa.

Love the live music here at sunset. This is really very cool guys! Thank you! The view from the pier and on the pier is sometimes simply impossible to describe in words - the beauty is unreal! The burger was also pretty good!

Fantastic, long pier that extends out into the bay. Free place to go fishing. Sufficient free parking is available. There is also a free marine science center at the end of the pier which is great for younger kids. We did not eat there but the food and drinks looked good.

This place is very nice clean and cozy. You get to meet nice people and the band that plays the music is so cool I’ve returned more than once on my vacation in Florida. it is a must go to

Took a walk out there after a while with my sister and we did not regret it. The view was remarkable! Me and my sister split the grouper bites yesterday and they were delicious! The cashier (the pregnant one) was super informative and helped us decide on those! We had a good encounter with the kitchen as well and they were all super friendly and looked as if they enjoyed doing their job lol.

There's probably other things to talk about, but lets just cut right to it. The bathrooms are quite simply the cleanest nicest pier bathrooms in the history of pier bathrooms. Yes. The clams were delicious. Yes there's a little conservatory museumy thing. Yes,the views are amazing. But honestly you can only sit out here for hours when the bathrooms are nice.Also? There is beer.

Great experience, the food is amazing 👏 will come back soon ! Also, the view is breathtaking

Visiting AMI? Be sure to visit the Pier. Stroll out to enjoy a snack, beverage and sunset while watching the fishing action--or wet a line yourself. The water taxi provides an interesting new option. Bet you'll want to come back!

Amazing place for snack and drinks!! Pelican and dolphin around, sangria is awesome, great service!!Live music on pier !!

4.5

(1131)

4.5

(458)

100 N Bay Blvd, Anna Maria, FL 34216, USA

16 lists

My favorite spot in FL. In the north corner of Annamaria Island, Bean Point Beach is a beautiful beach with private house for rent, fishing area, pier, restaurants and much more to do. I love the water colors from light blue to green and the breathtaking sunsets. A magical place.

Amazing beach. Northern point of AMI, lets you easily walk from Gulf side waves around the point to Bay side calm. Water is clear and beautiful shades of blue and green. Swam with both dolphins and manatee. Found starfish, conch shells, live scallops, and sand dollars. This place has jaded the Jersey shore for me with clear water, cool, white sand beaches, warm water, and uncrowned beaches.

Breathtaking hidden little piece of natural Florida. Not as crowded as the main beach on the island and has a great view of the Skyway Bridge in the distance. Water is very calm and perfect for a nice beach day away from tourists! Be VERY careful with street parking here as you will get a $50 parking ticket if your tires touch the pavement.

Most beautiful beach I’ve seen in my life. So peaceful and tranquil. Manatees swim by right up by the shore. Sunset brings tears to your eyes….

Bean point is such a gorgeous beach! The sands are almost pure white and the water is so clear. We saw tons of dolphins too! We went early morning to look for shells and sand dollars and didn’t find anything so that was a little disappointing BUT I know a lot of people do find stuff there so I am sure I’ll have better luck next time

Bean point is Anna Maria Islands most hidden gem! Very hard to find parking but we'll worth it. If you go to the northern most point of the beach you can literally see where the gulf waters meet the bay, as well as the sunshine skyway bridge in the distance. Use Google maps to locate bean point. Good luck and enjoy!

What a gorgeous beach on the north tip of Anna Marie Island. There aren’t many access points and parking, but we found a spot on the street a block away and it was a nice walk out to a powdery sand beach with turquoise water and the occasional family of dolphins. The water is warm, calm, and it’s a very peaceful setting to enjoy an afternoon in the sun.

Sunsets are an event in this area.Parking can be tricky, but make sure to park between sings and be considerate with homeowners and pedestrians.The area is very clean, and theres various points of entry.

Water was so clear it was almost transparent, love that you can see the bay (and the skyway) on the other side.

It was a bit of a trek for me since I took the trolley which took 40 minutes than walked up North Shore for another 16 minutes. You’ll see the signs for the beach access. I suggest renting a car, golf cart, or scooter to conserve energy. Parking is an issue also marked by signs pointing if u can park there. It was a beautiful spot. I trekked up to the northern tip. There’s no amenities here like bathrooms or getting something to drink etc. Glad I visited it though.

Absolutely beautiful beach and water ( be careful of current and riptide).LOTS of various shells to search for. Parking can be difficult to find so go early.

If you don't stop here while on the island, you will regret it!!! Sugar white sand, shells, sunsets, the marine life. Beautiful 😍

I absolutely loved this beach!! Gorgeous water, friendly faces and not over crowded what so ever. We had a blast snorkeling and saw many crabs, bigger fish by the skools and sea shells. The parking is a bit harder to find but it's manageable. We will come back until we can't!! Lol gorgeous!!!!

Beautiful. The sand was like powder- the sunset was amazing.This far down the island you just park on the side streets- after Coquina Beach there was no public parking that I noticed- I could have missed it, though.Make sure to watch that you are on a street with a sign stating parking is allowed.Bring your wagon if you’re carrying much- but it was worth it.

One of the best beaches I have ever been to. Family and I spent the whole day there; we enjoyed every minute. We saw like 6 dolphins, sand dollars and shells were everywhere. Totally worth the trip.

It is a beautiful beach. It was a bit populated when we were there, but it really didn’t take away from the phenomenal scenes. Incredible sunsets. Love this beach. It is a bit tricky to find, but that’s part of its charm. One of my favorites.

Anna Maria Island's northern tip is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by tourists. The beach is gorgeous, with powdery white sand and turquoise blue water. There are often families of dolphins swimming nearby. The water is warm and calm, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun.There are a few things to keep in mind, however. First, there are few access points and parking is limited. Second, there are no bathrooms close by. Third, the west side of the island has nice waves, but if you walk over to the east side there are almost no waves. This makes the east side perfect for smaller kids.Overall, Anna Maria Island's northern tip is a great place to relax and enjoy the beach. Just be sure to plan accordingly and bring everything you need with you.

Prettiest beach that I’ve ever been to.

This location you have to check out. Now it takes a bit of walking because you can't park right there but it is well worth it. You can actually get away from people out here because it is not as busy as other location on the island. The beach is very wide here and can be hot in summer so wear something on your feet. It is far away from things so bring food and drink with you. great place to surf fish also.

This beach is more like a residential beach and trying to find public parking is impossible. Due to how it’s inside a neighborhood if you park anywhere expect the allowed areas you’ll get fined. Along the intersection of North Shore Rd and Fern Rd are two signs that say “parking is permitted between these two signs” you can park there for free but the one catch is your tires cannot touch the pavement or you’ll pay a 40 dollar fine. Right in front of this allowed area is beach access, and there are not public amenities such as restrooms. The beach is gorgeous with striking white sand, a mellow surf, and emerald green water!

Fantastic place to watch the sunset. Yet it can be extremely hard to find parking. Weekends are very crowded at sunset. If you're looking for a romantic, secluded beach, this is not it. Found it interesting that some were swimming in the water whileonly a few yards down the beach. You had others fishing for sharks. 🦈

This is the best beach in Anna maria Island in the Tampa area, And a beautiful sunset

We’ve been coming to Bean point Beach me and my family for the last nine years. This is our home away from home.

I mean, how could you give this place less than five stars?! Gorgeous. Breath taking. Perfection.

4.8

(1479)

4.5

(989)

793 N Shore Dr, Anna Maria, FL 34216, USA

+32 other lists

Shout out to the lady who said there was another boardwalk, or I would have completely missed my chance to see the manatees. Great place, very friendly staff. Observator, stingray center, food, manatees, trails. What could you not like about this place.

Lovely place. Great for the kids. Nice nature trails, boardwalks, and observation tower. Come in the winter to see the manatees but there is plenty of other wildlife to see year round. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

This place is amazing, and free!! Parking filled up fast, but they have an overflow parking lot. There were at least thirty manatees in the area when we came, and it’s still pretty warm right now. The observation tower was worth the walk, lots of schools of fish to see and watch them jump. The learning area is geared towards smaller children but was still interesting. Cute gift shop. We didn’t eat onsite, but they did have a place for food and the prices seemed very reasonable.

During my visit to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, FL, I was truly impressed by the exceptional level of maintenance and care evident throughout the facility. The staff's extensive knowledge of marine life, particularly their expertise on manatees, greatly enriched my visit. Furthermore, I was delighted to see the commitment to sustainable energy, with a notable emphasis on solar and wind power. The fact that the majority of the facility operates on solar energy is a commendable feat, reflecting a dedication to environmental responsibility.The day of my visit was particularly memorable as I had the opportunity to witness a remarkable number of manatees, as well as encountering some sharks and tarpon. This diverse marine life added an extra layer of fascination to the experience. Overall, the Manatee Viewing Center left a lasting impression on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Florida's marine ecosystems.

This place is huge. Lots of walking. Unfortunately we came the day a.big storm was coming in and a few days before the viewing area closes for the summer.The water was very muddy. Still got to see a couple sharks and tarpons. We could tell where the manatees were. Still we enjoyed the area. The butterfly area was very nice. We will comeback this winter

Yesterday was the second time that I got to experience and enjoy the Manatee Viewing center. The first time in February I got to see tons of manatees because they were kind of wintering there. Yesterday in April 2020 we took the time to walk the many nature trails there and go to the 50 foot high look-out observation tower! It was beautiful and worth the walk. I would suggest though taking a trail map if there is one because there are multiple trails and things to see. Well worth the trip! Highly recommend seeing this. Especially in the winter months, but really anytime. The educational center was really nice and great for children also the butterfly garden and other exhibits there as well!

We went on a very warm day so we saw 3 manatee and many fish. Touch tank open but educational center closed. Arrive early due to parking

The Manatee viewing center is a great place to visit. Many things are outstanding here and the fact in the day and age is it's free, yes I said free. Colder days are better to visit as your chances of seeing manatees increases greatly. We did see 7 when we went on a 80 degree day though. Find a park representative and ask them about the park all of them are more than happy to educate anyone willing to lessen. They also have a tank with several stingrays in them that anybody can touch. I would visit this place again when we are in Florida and I would recommend others to do so.

Well kept center that brings you closer to nature. Great walking areas and tons of wildlife. The touch pool for the rays was amazing. Wish the center was opened all the time instead of seasonally.

This place was amazing. I'm so glad that they give back to the community like they do as it is free. There is a gift shop, two peirs to walk out onto. They had a petting area for sting rays. They had several beautifully landscaped gardens. These are all just extra perks as far as I'm concerned. The manatees were so very cool!!!

What an awesome experience for people of all ages, and at no cost!!! Everything is set up perfectly. The gift shop was amazing and prices were great! Employees/volunteers were phenomenal. We definitely will be back. Visit on a cooler day to increase your chances of seeing more manatees. Also, consider adopting a manatee to help save these gentle giants!!

A fun, unique, and free experience! It was cool to see the manatees, but also the variety of fish and birds, as well as the occasional shark! There was a neat educational area in the basement with stingrays. We visited in the middle of March so there weren't as many manatees visible, but it was still a great experience.

A must visit in the area! Beautiful and one of a kind experience. Manatees and Sting Ray up close for photos and experiencing. Great bird watching and plant life viewing also. The staff were amazing and very knowledgeable about the animals and plants. The parking lot was crowded but easy to find. Handicap accessible throughout the center. We did not visit the gift shop due to the very long line to enter. Restrooms are available on site. Highly recommend for guests of all ages and interests!

Love free adventures! Entry is free and plenty of parking is free. The manatee viewing is always a thrill. Touch tanks are fun as well. You can walk out to a tower or walk the decking along the water. Restrooms are clean. There is a small gift shop and a snack area. I would check their live cam to be sure the manatees are there before you head over. We've seen them in Jan, Feb and March. Excellent place for kids!

We had an amazing experience at the Manatee Viewing Center! Be prepared to do a lot of walking as there are many beautiful walking trails. We pretty much walked the entire property (about 5 miles). There is a shuttle on site if needed. I recommend getting there at opening as the place tends to get crowded and the parking area closest to the entrance fills up fast (there is over flow parking in the back). Definitely put on your walking shoes as the roads are paved with seashells throughout the trails. Maybe even pack some snack if you have toddlers/infants and definitely stay hydrated! Sunscreen is a good idea too.This is a well maintained property with lots to offer. The viewing pier gets a bit crowded but luckily manatees gather on all sides so everyone has a chance to see them. There is also a fishing pier as you get further into the property. We also visited the Aquarium where they have rescued turtles. There is also an education building that offers lots of FREE brochures/booklets on wildlife and sea life as well as interactive things for the kiddos while in there!Staff at the gift shop was very helpful and friendly. Restrooms are kept clean and stocked. You have the option to donate and support via CHECK only. I wish this was something I knew ahead of time but I will definitely be ready on the next visit. And get this, the Manatee Viewing Center is FREE to the public!! Overall, I think this is a great place to check out and we will definitely be visiting again at the end of the year.

Went here on December 26, 2022. This is a Nature Preserve where manatees in Tampa Bay are attracted to the warm waters of industrial canals. There was a wait time for cars to park at the Manatee Viewing Center, but we got patient and decided to wait. It was a busy day, but was still enjoyable. This experience is free!All the boardwalks and gravel paths are clean and maintained, but bathroom cleanliness can be improved. All the staff were volunteers and were very friendly. During our experience, we saw hundreds of manatees! It was a delight to see these manatees huddle together in a man made habitat. There are various signs educating people about the behavior of manatees and clean energy on the walking trails to the Observation Tower and Overflow Parking. Overall, is definitely worth the wait. Is great to see an organization that sincerely cares about our local wildlife and not looking for our money!

The Manatee Viewing Center was wonderful! I definitely didn't expect to see so many manatees but boy was I wrong. We saw black-tipped sharks, Atlantic Tarpon, Redfin Needlefish, and stingrays! What a wonderful and free experience available to the public! The gift shop has so many cute and affordable keepsakes or gifts to choose from. There is a stingray pool where you can watch and touch the rays as they swim by. So much fun! We can't wait to return!

Super nice place. They have a few trails to walk, a viewing tower, manatee viewing, a stingray pool, and a gift shop. The trails went to places that talked about solar energy and other sustainable energy sources. They had some interactive activities at the stops. They had a little pool with stingrays you could touch where the volunteers were really kind. The manatee viewing spot was perfect. There were so many! Overall great experience considering all the activities were free!

Love this place. A nice bit of walking, since we had to park in the overflow parking lot. Thankfully they have a trolley service which we took after getting our steps in🤣. Plenty of manatee huddle up trying to keep warm. The souvenir shop is small, but we managed to get the perfect pin we were looking for. The turtle hospital was worth the trolley ride. Totally recommend going, it's very educational. It's totally free to get in.

So fun, clean, and it's FREE!!! This place is great! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. First time touching a sting ray! The walkways are large, everything was clean (even the bathrooms). While the manatee weren't close, you can definitely see them there. It's amazing the entire facility is free. It needs to be on your bucket list!

I absolutely love visiting here, its my 3rd time and I never tire of seeing these beautiful creatures. Parking was easy... and if there is not space in the main parking lot, there is remote parking with a shuttle, free. I always enjoy walking on the boardwalks and there is plenty of railing space to get a good view in. The signs are helpful to identify the birds and fish. The gift shop is very reasonable priced.

I have to rate this place 5 stars not least because it’s totally free! It’s a fabulous way to see these gorgeous creatures and enjoy watching all their cute habits. Plus there are so many other exhibits and fun things for adults and kids to watch and take part in. The little cafe has good food and drink options at really reasonable prices. It was well worth the trip and we will most likely go again when we have friends and family in town. We went over the weekend and did not have to wait even though it was popular. We did not have to buy tickets in advance.

The best free experience! Very clean, no crowds, educational, love watching manatees enjoying the warmer waters! Fun and playful stingrays! Beautiful boardwalk. Definitely will be returning to learn about the birds, gardens, and check out the gift shop.Wheelchair accessible. They have Wheelchairs as well. Very friendly staff. We felt very welcome.

This is a really nice facility and fits nicely into the surrounding environment. There is no guarantee that you will see any manatees, although we did see several, and they were impressive. There is plenty of parking and includes many for handicapped as well. For those with electric vehicles, there are charging stations available. There is no cost for parking or to enter the facility, which is fantastic.If you found this review helpful, please tap the thumbs up. Thanks!

Best time to go is during colder weather months as Manatees hang out here due to the warm water. Mostly gone by March. But they do have an interactive ray tank and you can take a free tram to the turtle conservation center any time and both are wonderful.

Great facility! It's free and free parking. There is a gift shop, you can also get food and drinks there. They have a touch tank with stingrays. We got to see so many manatees and sharks. If you park in the overflow lot the walk to the area is not bad it's pretty. They do have a golf cart shuttle. I will go here again.

Great place to see lots of manatees! There are viewing platforms above the water, so visitors can look down into the water to see the adorable manatees. They gather near the power plant to take advantage of the warmer water in the winter months. There are hundreds of them swimming about! There is a cute gift shop ( an employee told me some of the proceeds go to support manatees) , snack bar, restrooms & an area to see & interact with stingrays.

Einen Stopp wert!Es hat genügend Parkplätze und ab dem Eingang bekommt man viele Informationen zu den Manatees und anderen Tieren, die hier leben. Es ist gut ausgebaut. Man kann auf diversen Stegen hinaus ins Wasser laufen und von oben das Wasser beobachten. Wir haben mehrere Haie, grosse Fische und ein Manatee gesehen. Sehr toll gemacht.Der Eintritt ist kostenlos. Wir waren hier für ca. 1 Stunde.(Translated by Google)Worth a stop!There is enough parking space and from the entrance you can get a lot of information about the manatees and other animals that live here. It is well developed. You can walk out into the water on various footbridges and watch the water from above. We saw several sharks, large fish and a manatee. Very well done.Entry is free. We were here for about 1 hour.

4.7

(8771)

4.5

(2994)

6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, USA

3 lists

Very nice. Small picnic area with a few tables. Beach area but not allowed in the water at all !

Beautiful area with super soft sand! My husband and I loved the tower and the views, the kids loved building in the sand.Swimming is not allowed because the power plant creates strong currents that can be very dangerous. There were several families swimming in the water regardless.The walking paths are beautiful and enjoyable. It's a nice escape.

Beautiful place to visit! No swimming available but plenty of walking trails, beach, and a look out tower that was handicap accessible and perfect for seeing the skyline and ocean. Dog friendly and many well behaved, leashed pups were enjoying their time also. Plenty of parking was available and they have smaller shelters with picnic tables for public use. Benches are also available all over for public use. Restrooms are available but similar to port a potty's so they serve their purpose but not clean. Easy to find location and definitely a great place to visit for all ages and walks of life.

Nice small beach and nature preserve area. We enjoyed standing at the top of the tower and looking out over the water. We went on Sunday afternoon, and the place was packed. There is a good amount of parking but it was totally full. Lots of people on the beach and walking their dogs around the trail areas. Family and dog friendly.

This Nature Preserve is at the northern tip of this waterfront community, facing Tampa Bay with St. Pete to the west and Tampa to the north. The sunset view is wonderful.No swimming no wading signs are visibly posted but beach goers go into the water anyway. The areas are well protected and the water is clear. It's hard to stay away.

Do not come here thinking you're getting in the water because you are not.. The scenery is beautiful and the water only about ankle deep for about as far as you could see.. We were told there is a strong undertow,, I can't imagine why anybody would go out that far,, anyway.. Another fine example of being as free as they'll let us be.. Consider this just a heads up.. If you're going there to go in the water it will not happen.. You want somewhere to walk and hang out see some beautiful scenery it's the perfect place.. It's just weird to me to be told you can't go in the water at the beach..🤷

Very nice and well kept area. Parking can be an issue around sunset. There is no charge to get in or park. There is no swimming allowed, but there is a small beach.The tower allows for some beautiful sunset photos.

Tucked away gem. Views are beautiful. No swimming but there are walking paths, covered gazebos, and benches for sitting and taking in the beauty that Mother Nature provided.

Always a nice quiet place to go that is never crowded. It's not big, but it's a beautiful place to visit. There's no swimming or wading allowed and for good reasons (water quality and currents) the staff on hand are happy to explain. There's a tower you can go up and look out from and a short trail that takes you to another beach you can walk along if the tide is right.

Great little park! Great observation tower in the middle with ramps in place of stairs! A clean bathroom building. Several picnic pavilions along an open grassy field. Three sandy beach areas connected with a network of sand single track trails. All around a hidden little gem in the Apollo Beach area!

I love seeing both skylines from one spot, St Pete and Tampa. I love walking on the trails, along the water. It kind of makes you feel like a kid exploring!

Cool little place. Small trail down to the water, you can sit but no swimmingThis is not a beach to swim at. Incredible views from atop the tower. Limited parking. The park is in a residential neighborhood. Usually clean, not littered like other parks. Some covered seating areas.

So much has changed in the area since I visited last. Very nice. Lots of families enjoying their surroundings.

Mad respect to the grounds keeper individually picking up confetti from a recent gender reveal on the beach, the beach itself did not allow for swimming because of high current tides. TheThe raise platform provided excellent viewing opportunities. Just try not to stare at the power plant.

I absolutely love this place! I just celebrated my birthday and I love to go there to relax & unwind from the world for a bit rejuvenate myself. Recommend this place to all, it’s also a dog friendly park

Very nice done nature preserve. Scenic and clean and the citizens obviously like to hang out there. Only 4 stars because it sadly closes long before sunset and the ranger does not let you in there anymore.

What a beautiful quiet area just waiting for be explored. My son enjoyed watching all of the different crabs. Perfect place to relax and unwind.

Beautiful views! Dog friendly. Nice walk. Easy access. Gorgeous area! Loved it! I can see why it was one of my late sisters favorite places to visit.

It’s a beautiful white sandy beach. No swimming allowed. The water is clear. However, there is some manatee bodily fluids on the water and shore. Fishing is allowed. There’s a viewing tower, a picnic area and a trail.• Cost: Free• Parking on-site• Wheelchair accessible on the tower and picnic area

This would be a lovely place to sit and relax or read. I visited on a very windy and not-so-warm day but I will be visiting on a nice day for sure. It's an option that is nearby and can provide pretty views.

I spoke with Mackenzie and Samantha from the staff caring for the manta rays and they were exceptionally knowledgeable and were willing to share their knowledge.I asked questions and they went out of their way to give examples and pulled models and displays to fully explain my questions. I'm sure that after answering the same questions multiple times a day, it must be exasperating. But, they did it with a smile. I highly recommend them both as it made my visit much more enjoyable and informative.Now, the site itself is clean well maintained and is a excellent family friendly facility.I do recommend this exhibit.

Beautiful scenery and not crowded, BUT they do not allow swimming or wading. You can see both downtown Tampa and St. Pete from the beach...pics below (the clearer pic is Tampa).

Wasn't very busy. The nature trail was closed, but still a nice beach stroll and view from the observation tower. You are not allowed in the water here.

Very pretty area. Climbing up the tower gives one a beautiful view of the sunset. It is more like a fishing/sunning area because you can't swim or wade in the water. I'm not sure why, but it's the rules.

4.4

(4197)

4.0

(101)

6760 Surfside Blvd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, USA

+15 other lists

This is the most spectacular and the tallest Bridge I have ever seen. To enjoy this view you need to take an exit to either North or South Fishing Pier for a 8$ access permit for 1 hour.You can enjoy fishing too at this pier, might get lucky with a great catch 😉

We went night fishing and we caught a good amount of cat fish. It wasn't too windy and it was actually nice out side. Also I caught my 1st fish in 25 years!

This stunning bridge offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, making it a must-see destination for anyone visiting the area.In addition to the incredible views, there are fishing piers on both the north and south ends of the bridge, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.BE CAREFUL WITH LIGHTING😱😱

First time going to Tampa/St. Petersburg -- and I insisted in going on this bridge. This bridge is an engineering marvel! I love the design, the imagery and it is really beautiful. I am definitely coming back in April! :-)

Great view from the fishing dock, it is located after you cross the bridge to your right coming from the North. You a small fee to enter for pictures etc. Recommended , you can park out of the fishing dock and enjoy the view, have snacks etc. They have restrooms at the fishing dock .

Lights up in different colored lights at night. It’s very pretty and a cool bridge to take pics. Better to see it from the ground than driving over it. Night times the best

Boating under this massive bridge is a surreal experience. Over 50' deep water around the channel!

Love driving over the Skyway Bridge!Awesome views!Fishing piers belowSometimes windsurfing taking placeHave also cruised underneath this bridgeRead about the History of the BridgeInteresting!

It is a gorgeous place. If you are visiting Sarasota or Tampa, you have to go see this bridge. It is an amazing experience. I totally recommend it.

Sweet kitesurfing sport on the opposite side of the rest area. Do bring your kiting boots though, it’s rocky and there are plenty of sea urchins. Beautiful sport and great community make up for it!

The new Skyway Bridge is an engineering marvel! 🌉 It's a major upgrade from the old one, and here's why it's better in every way:1. **Strength**: The new bridge is built like a tank! 💪 With advanced materials and construction techniques, it can handle heavier loads and is more resistant to wear and tear.2. **Height**: It reaches new heights, quite literally! 🌟 The increased height not only allows for larger vessels to pass underneath but also provides an even more stunning panoramic view for travelers.3. **Durability**: It's built to withstand the test of time. The improved design and materials ensure a longer lifespan, reducing maintenance and repair costs.4. **Safety**: Modern safety standards were a top priority in the new design. It's equipped with state-of-the-art safety features and technology, giving travelers peace of mind.5. **Efficiency**: The new Skyway Bridge is all about efficiency. It reduces traffic congestion, thanks to wider lanes and improved traffic management systems.Overall, it's a shining example of how innovation and engineering can create a bridge that's stronger, higher, and better built in every sense. 🌆🛣️ #NewSkywayBridge #EngineeringMarvel #UpgradedTravel

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an iconic cable-stayed bridge located in the state of Florida, USA. Here are key features of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge:Location: Spanning Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge connects St. Petersburg in Pinellas County with Terra Ceia in Manatee County, providing a vital transportation link in the region.Design and Architecture: The bridge is a cable-stayed design, characterized by its towering support towers and cables that fan out to support the roadway. The aesthetic design has made it a distinctive landmark.Original and Current Bridges: The current Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the second iteration, as the original bridge partially collapsed in 1980 due to a collision with a cargo ship during a storm. The new bridge was completed in 1987.Length and Height: The bridge spans approximately 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers) and reaches a height of 430 feet (131 meters) above the water, allowing for the passage of large vessels beneath.Travel Route: Serving as a crucial part of Interstate 275, the bridge facilitates travel between the cities of St. Petersburg and Sarasota, as well as providing a scenic route for motorists.Scenic Views: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge offers breathtaking panoramic views of Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas, making it a popular route for both locals and tourists.Fishing Piers: The bridge is flanked by fishing piers on both sides, providing opportunities for recreational fishing and enjoying the natural beauty of the bay.Suicide Prevention Measures: Recognizing its height and location, the bridge incorporates suicide prevention measures, including crisis hotline phones and fencing to deter such incidents.Hurricane Evacuation Route: The bridge serves as a designated hurricane evacuation route, allowing residents to quickly move inland during severe weather events.Recognition and Awards: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge has received recognition for its engineering and design excellence, contributing to its status as a notable landmark in Florida.The Sunshine Skyway Bridge stands as both an engineering marvel and a scenic attraction, playing a vital role in regional transportation and offering a visually striking connection across Tampa Bay.

Amazing times. Clean facilities and Amazing employees tending and maintaining the locations. Some of the best night fishing I have ever had. Your bridge pass includes saltwater fishing licenses while present. The Fish And Game Agents were nice and informative, when you have questions about unknown fish and size limits. They were so helpful with keeping me out of trouble. LOL!

Beautiful bridge! Tolls are only a few dollars and people are frequently paying it forward! Traffic is busy at rush hour but the view is always amazing. Boating underneath is easy to navigate and views are equally impressive! Dont miss this one;)

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in Florida, and for good reason. This stunning bridge offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, making it a must-see destination for anyone visiting the area.Paying the toll to cross the bridge is well worth it, as the views are simply spectacular. The best time to drive across is at sunset, when the sky turns shades of pink, orange, and purple, creating a truly magical experience. You'll feel as if you're driving into a painting!In addition to the incredible views, there are fishing piers on both the north and south ends of the bridge, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. For those who just want to relax and take in the scenery, there are rest areas at both ends of the bridge with nice facilities.One of the coolest things about the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the lighting at night. The bridge is illuminated with colorful lights that change throughout the night, creating a beautiful and mesmerizing display.If you're lucky, you may even spot some pelicans using the draft from the cars driving by to glide up alongside the bridge and then dive down into the water to catch a fish. It's a truly amazing sight to see!

I love everything about fishing on the skyway bridge. Sleep overnight on the bridge, bathrooms and bait shop.

4.7

(1461)

4.5

(3717)

7508-7534 Sunshine Skyway Ln S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA

+38 other lists

Pay to park booths everywhere. Many beach access spots. Dog friendly beach, and dog park. Free facilities for restrooms, plus a few concession snack bars.The east point has a great view of the bridge, with some shallows kite surfers use. Usually more quiet here. No shade.The pier is currently under construction so don't anticipate walking it, however you can see it from the dog beach/restroom area.South point has "a lot" of parking 😄 a concession stand and connects to north point. These are the beaches for clear water, sun, and sand. Expect the usual beach hike as you lug gear. Enjoy and leave only 👣.

We love coming here camping with our dogs. So peaceful and beautiful. The campground price is reasonable and campsites are nice. You are surrounded by amazing views. We kayak, go to the beach, and watch amazing sunsets.

Stunning white sand beaches. Tons of parking. Clean. Snacks available. Beautiful views. Perfect place to swim, kayak, paddle board, nature watch, collect shells, fish, relax. One of my favorite beaches to date.

Of all the Florida beaches and parks I have been to, this is my favorite. I love walking across the water at the north end to get to the beach. Sometimes it is calf height, other times not even there. I love the wild untamed nature surrounding the beach. Crystal clear water, sand dollars and other shells, and a lot less crowded than many beaches.

Love coming here with my family. The beach is beautiful. We always come for the dog beach. I love how calm and shallow the water is (depending on the weather. We’ve been when it was super windy and wavey but still enjoyed). I love that my dogs can run around freely. People and other dogs are usually friendly. We like to go to the dog park after to rinse off. Sometimes you can find some wildlife- I’ve found a starfish, raccoons, and a pufferfish.

We went there to spend time with my sisters. This is their favorite beach in Florida. It is beautiful and you can see through the water. The shells are amazing and the sea creatures are also cute, we found snails and hermit crabs(we put the back of course), definitely fun for all ages!

Love this beach. They have two fishing piers, plus you can shore fish. A few swimming beaches. A campground. Picnic area. Gift shops. Snack bar. A dog park. An old fort you can explore. Hiking trails, and bike paths. There's a $5. parking fee when you enter. A great place to enjoy with the family.

This is a beautiful park, which offers so much, something for everyone! We visited for a single day, just for a few hours, and clearly didn't experience everything. But what we did see and do was fantastic! For dog lovers: there is a nice beach for our four legged friends to run free and play on. There are also a couple enclosed play areas for dogs, one for bigger dogs and one for smaller dogs. There are several beaches for sun bathing and swimming, and they are great! For history lovers: check out the hisoric old fort, loaded with old mortars and cannons, very cool! There are also remains of an old quarantine station for immigrants arriving in the United States. There is an old observation tower standing not far away from the fort. Plenty of restrooms to be found here, as well as snack bars and a couple gift shops selling most things beachgoers might require. There's a couple piers, although one is presently closed for repairs. There are miles of paved and unpaved trails for walking, running, and biking. The grounds are well maintained and the area plain looks nice! The beaches are a sea shell hunter's dream, we found many beautiful examples and even an intact sand dollar! Will definitely return to see all the other amazing things this gem of a park offers! Highest recommendation!

I’ve always loved this park but it’s my first time camping here. We were in spot 169 and it’s so big and clean. Spacious. A pull through spot close to the bathrooms. Trees vines and flowers make some privacy makes you feel like your in the jungle. The camp store has a variety of items and pretty good prices. Fair bike rental prices and there is scoop ice cream and they sell bait too. We played on the playground, clean fun and safe. A lovely camp ground for sure.

I enjoyed this area. I was there on a weekday in Oct. There were not a lot of people there. The people at the beach were having a good time. The fishing off the pier seemed good. I even saw a dolphin. It was interesting to read about the fort.

We visited North Beach. Beautiful beach with white sands and not overcrowded at all! There was an area of knee deep water that we had to cross through to get to the beach, which made it a little more challenging when carrying beach equipment and small children. Otherwise north beach was perfect for our family to spend a little time in the sand and shoreline!

If you're going for the beach, it's great. Beach is beautiful. If you're going for the fort or trails, avoid the summer months. It's extremely hot with little shade. Facilities are nice. Fort has been kept in pretty good condition but more information would have been nice. Felt safe and clean overall.

Beautiful state park with amenities. We packed a lunch and sat at picnic tables in the shade. Charcoal grills are available, as well as a snack shack nearby. Enjoyed the beach day, and hope to visit again soon.

Such a beautiful place to visit and explore. It's not ideal for swimming, but the dog beach and fishing area are lovely. The fort is spooky and and especially good place for history lovers to visit. You'll see all kinds of sea birds and if you're lucky, you may see manatees, dolphins, sharks, and other sea creatures.

What a great place to spend the evening. The dog beach is absolutely amazing nothing but Pups running wild and free. I will mention the rules are a bit intense if you plan to stay the night at the campground itself. Quiet time is around 10:00 and when I say quiet time I mean not even music is allowed to be played. Overall highly recommend a great place to go check out and take your pup.

Fort De Soto Park is a great place to spend the day. Beach is clean and good place to swim. has couple of kids play areas. there is an old fort as well. there is a parking fee and you have to pay toll in two places to enter this place. total is around $6 per vehicle.

We always enjoy parks, the beach and history, so this was a triple-hit. Wide walking paths, fishing pier, lots of beaches and the old fort made for a great day at the park.

Lots to do in this park and it's great that this little natural oasis is close to St Pete. We usually come for the dog beach but there is plenty of sand for humans, an old fort to explore, biking, kayaking in the mangroves (or to Shell Key), fishing piers, biking, camping, and a ferry to Egmont Key, which is a must.

Sandy walking trails parallel to the beach makes Fort De Soto Park a perfect place for visitors to be in awe of the views with taking in the beauty of bird watching or admiring the many different seashore treasures you’ll notice along the water. I was visiting friends who have dogs and we took them here with us and they also enjoyed the walking paths. I saw tropical bright green parrots here and was so surprised. In warmer months this would be a great place for a nice picnic or a beach day without crowds of people. Bathrooms are onsite next to the parking lot.

This is an incredible park run by Pinellas County. Some campsites are right on the water and all of them are very close to the water. There are miles of beaches and you can find secluded portions or be right next to others, however you like your beach experience. The sand is very fine and feels great under your feet. Bring your bikes! There are paved bike paths throughout the park and with a little adventurous spirit, you can find trails leading to the water and secluded areas as well. There is an old Fort here with historical significance that you can explore and learn about as well. Oh, and there is a huge pier for fishing too. We really enjoyed our time here and will be back!

BEAUTIFUL PLACE. Bring plenty of insect repellent if camping. The north beach is beautiful. You can find many different shells.

One of the most favorite places in Tampa Bay Area! Pristine nature, bunches of birds and sea animals. We saw manatees, sea turtles, great blue herons, etc. The beaches are well-maintained. We collected some litter left by negligent tourists. People, please, keep our nature clean!

Beautiful beach! A small walk in the white sand. It rained for a short time but we stayed and waited for it to pass. We also drove a little further down to walk out on the pier. Water was nice and we enjoyed our day!**You will need to download the parking app to pay. It's just over $5 to park and totally worth it!

Great place to bike, hike, kayak, swim, fish, camp or just relax. Fishing pier is amazing. Watch people catch everything from bait fish to sharks. See lots of dolphins and a few Manatee.

Lovely beach ⛱️. We took our german shepherd and we had so much fun! We all enjoyed the water. All the other owners were respectful. We had a couple of dogs running around unsupervised, but nothing major. Great place for the whole family, including the pups 🐶

We've been visiting Fort De Soto Park for over 20 years, and it’s become a special place for us. This is the largest park in the Pinellas County, with more than 7 miles of beachfront, multiple picnic shelters, trails, a historic military fort, and a campground. The beaches are a favorite—perfect for swimming and surfing! The park also has beautiful walking and biking trails. A great destination to relax and connect with nature!

Great place to spend a day with the family without breaking the wallet. Bring a cooler and a bit of charcoal, grill at a picnic area, explore the fort, fish off the pier, enjoy the beach and RELAX. Not a crowded area. Room to breathe and not have to constantly worry about keeping an eagle eye on the kids.

Beautiful beach! Wasn't too packed when going, spent a good amount of time swimming and hanging around, found a sweet spot for sand dollars & collected quite a few. If ever back in the area, I would definitely visit again.

Great place, nice sites. Pretty clean. Bathrooms are not that great need some renovation and mosquito control. The camp store on-site is actually pretty great. Stocked with almost anything you need. Saw one raccoon but the mosquitoes were a challenge. Overall, great place. Biggest benefit for me was a separate area for people with pets. So we can walk around and not worry about stepping on dog poop..or smelling it. Not everyone cleans up.

As a provider of RV rentals, we've had the pleasure of setting up our RVs in some amazing locations, but Fort De Soto State Park truly stands out as one of the most beautiful places we've ever taken our RVs for rental.From the crystal-clear waters to the scenic trails, this park offers an unforgettable experience. Whether you're kayaking, biking, or simply relaxing on the pristine beaches, Fort De Soto has something for everyone.It's the perfect spot for an RV getaway, with all the amenities you need to enjoy the great outdoors in comfort. If you're looking for a picturesque and peaceful place to stay, we highly recommend Fort De Soto—it's a true gem!

Amazing part of history that everyone can enjoy every day. I am looking forward to camping with my travel trailer and exp more. This is a place you can spend many day and find more each day. Definitely a family getaway and alone time place.

Best beach I've ever been to. Hubbard marina had a water taxi to take you to Shell Key, that was awesome! Cheap parking fee of $5. Would go again for sure.

Great place to relax on the water. Everyone has pets. Clean bathrooms. Bring a 6 pack of your favorite non alcohol beer and your bluetooth portable speaker.

It was hot and no shade on the beach. Lots of wildlife seen from the pier. Good paths for walking. $5 all day parking was great. Good shower and toilet facilities but ice-cream choice was limited and expensive.

Great place to visit and be on the beach to relax. The Fort, once a strategic defense site, now only sign of strength remains. Some picture angles may overmagnify what remains. The North Beach, however, is a MUST visit location. In one word, INCREDIBLE!!! Fort De Soto is a beautiful place, and I strongly recommend it. Great for a family gathering or picnicking.

Beautiful place, highly underrated (keep it that way, don't let everyone discover this gem;)) The North beach is beautiful, not even crowded. And there is also a long fishing pier. And fishing is very good. There are millions of small fish, so I suggest not using a live bait or organic bait as it will be eaten by small fish in seconds. You'll have a better chance using lures, silver spoon etc. to catch good fish. Sand is beautiful, its like flour, literally. Lots of parking space, all day parking is 5 dollars. Beautiful terrain, beautiful water. Oh man, this place is really beautiful.

Fort De Soto is an amazing spot! Love the beaches and the historic fort is super cool. Perfect for a day trip or a quick kayak adventure. Definitely a must-see in Florida!” 😊

This is worth coming here and spending the day. For only a$5 parking fee you can come into the park. What used to be an old military base from the Spanish-American war and reopened in World War II now has become a National Park.They say it has one of the most beautiful beaches and they are one hundred percent correct period there is also a very long bicycle trail where you can rent bikes or bring your own.The beach is worth the stay, but the outside museum of the old bunkers is worth seeing and easy to get to with children. People with a handicap.They have a peer in which you can go fishing or just take a nice walk. This place is just amazing for people who like the outdoors.

One of most favorite places on earth. I love kayaking from the North Beach over to Shell Key Preserve. At the North end of the key is a pass. It's like being transported to paradise! I always 5ake the mangrove side of the key to the pass and come back on the gulf side so I can surf the little waves. So much fun!!!

Lot 68 was a wonderful home for 3 days. Enjoy the great outdoors and surround yourself with water around this island. Camp store available for convenience. Explore the Fort and go kayaking for an adventure you won't forget.

Beautiful place to gather with friends and family or even just to relax solo. My only complaint is the disgusting 🤮 bathrooms. There was no garbage cans or waste containers for sanitary napkins or products. This place should offer a baby changing table in every bathroom but it doesn’t which is very inconvenient for some families.

Fort De Soto Campground was one of our favorite campsites, and we loved the beach/fort. There is a snack shop, rental shop, and souvenir shop with plenty of restrooms and water fountains. Pinellas County is one of the most beautiful counties in Florida!

Love visiting here every time we are in Florida. The kayak centre is worth paying a visit it a lovely place to kayak with lots of fish and manatee to see

Family-friendly beach, which makes it our Favorite to visit. Our only complaint is we wish the visitors cleaned up after themselves. Always have to clean up trash, nasty cigarette butts, broken tents.. very sad 😔

The sand on the beach here is very nice and powdery. We went later in the day and visited the various parts of the Fort and then went to spend some time on the beach. There is alot of parking and several areas to relax. Would definitely go back again earlier in the day to enjoy the beach.

4.8

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4.5

(2898)

Florida, USA

48 lists

I visited when there was no temp exhibit, so at this time it was a one-gallery museum, which felt more than a little underwhelming. An impressive collection of Dali's work, to be sure, but hard to call it a *museum* when there is only one room of artwork.Just feels like a lot more could be done with this space to make it feel more whole. For example, the gift shop is nearly larger than the gallery. And for gods sake would it kill you guys to have more than one shirt with some cotton content? Almost every shirt in the store was 100% polyester, which is worse for our oceans than single-user water bottles. I do realize it's the "Dali museum" and not the "surrealist museum", but I do think bringing in the work of other surrealists to inform what was going on in the genre at the time would give more context to his work.The architecture of the building is lovely and the skylights positioned to illuminate the Masterworks (Dali's largest paintings) is a great use of the space. Bring some headphones because the audio tour app is valuable to get a deeper understanding of some of the pieces. I wish they had a recording for every piece, especially given that the whole museum is just one room.Be warned that parking is $10 extra, separate from your admission fees.I am glad I went, there were some works I was thrilled to see in person, but now that I've been, probably won't be back.

If you like Dali art, this place is amazing! Thursdays after 5 pm is half price, but I would recommend a membership. Parking is free for members! Plus, you could easily come back multiple times so it will pay for itself. Also take a few minutes at the drawing exhibit and draw like Dali!!

I went here over on a weekend. Parking was $10. The place has a great selection of Dali’s work and there are also voluntary docents at certain hours of the day that will help answer your questions regarding Dali’s works! The whole trip took less than 2 hours and it’s great to be able to see Dali’s life, art style changes, and some of his most notable works in one go. If you can download the museum’s app, be sure to do so as well because they used quite a few technologies to complement the viewing experience of some artworks.

We went at 5 so we had to speed through the whole place ! Really great art work on display. Wasn’t familiar with Dali’s work but now I’m a fan. We didn’t do the Dali Experience since it was a $15 add on. We spent $30 a pop for me and my wife. Cool museum though and prime location near everything in DT St Pete walking distance from the pier !

The museum itself was wonderful and a beautiful experience. The paintings are amazing. The outside garden was also beautiful. We did the Dalí Alive 360 which is well worth it!! The food was a bit expensive 😞 and pay for parking 10$ but glad there was parking . There were quite a-lot of people and loud in the museum so kinda had to rush then go back to read the ones we missed. Over all it was a great experience. Also, every worker we had contact with was so friendly!!

We had a great experience at the exhibits. We happened to go on Thursday evening which is a opportunity for a reduced entrance cost and we reserved the tickets online. By the way make sure to have a credit or debit card for everything they don't accept cash.If you are a Dali fan or not, maybe even just like art you would enjoy this museum.The tour we joined with Janice was really good. She knew the owner and friend of Salvador Dali and had lots of personal information to share.Her tour was very well done. So good in fact and we wished we could have asked her if we could tip her.There is lots of pieces to see in a one of a kind site. Great views and a artistic building itself.They have very modern features where it is possible to interact with the exhibit. My favorite was the AI exhibit where you can describe a dream and with your phone create a piece of art that you can had to take with you. This was amazing.There is a Cafe and a 3D exhibit on the grounds that looked interesting but we would like to go back for that.The gift shop has lots of offerings at many price levels.

This was my second visit; my first visit was before COVID and I feel things have changed a lot. When we went, there was a Picasso exhibit which was pretty cool since Dali was inspired by his work. Picasso was fascinating to see. Once we got over to the Dali side, I feel like a lot of the pieces that used to be shown have been pulled down and not replaced with new paintings. There were several things that I think should be addressed. First, the fact that you cannot bring large purses into the museum is bizarre to me. My friend brought her backpack and was let inside but then when we went to go upstairs the security dude said she couldn't take it upstairs. Just weird. Second, the theater movie wasn't working when we went in so we missed whatever that was supposed to be. We didn't stay to go around the grounds since it was pretty crowded and honestly we felt like we were being followed around. This sucks because I really enjoyed the art work by both Picasso and Dali. Third, I never received a custom painting that was done virtually even though I put in my phone number into the system - that was pretty disappointing when I got the text but only asked me to sign up for the newsletter :-/ Can't speak for the deli or gift shop since we just left as soon as we were done checking the artwork. Took us about 2 hrs to see it all.

Amazing museum, definitely need to see it while in St. Pete! The permanent collection of Dali's work is immaculate with some readily recognizable pieces, and others that you really have to look closely at to see all of the amazing detail placed into his work. The building itself is gorgeous, and outside there are Dali references sprinkled around, even as you're walking up the front steps. The rotating exhibit on the third floor was cool to see, and they had another Dali piece stashed away in there! You also absolutely have to walk through the garden outside, lots of fun photo opportunities! Lastly, don't forget to attach your wristband to the wish tree! You can do it yourself, or you can leave it in a box up front for museum staff to put on the tree for you (but it's more fun and personal to do it yourself).

One of the best small museums in the country. I often take family and friends when they visit and it’s always a highlight of their trip. Even those that aren’t necessarily “art lovers” enjoy the history of Salvadore Dali and especially the wonderful gift shop. Worth every penny! But plan ahead and make reservations as they do book up!

Great collection. Pricey admission, but look out for discounts for locals and various FB events. I particularly enjoyed seeing his earlier work and insights into his evolution as an artist. I'd like to return with more time for the full audio/app tour. Plan for 4-6 hours.

This is a bucket list museum for art lovers and I’m thrilled to say I saw it! There is a playful essence to the museum that is lovable. The views and architecture are gorgeous and the galleries are quick to walk through. It was quite crowded though on a Saturday around lunch time in August, this is the reason I took one star off. Ideally I would’ve liked to have time to see each piece however it was so crowded I could only glance at pieces and had to wait for crowds to disperse so I could take longer looks and read labels. I had pre purchased tickets so my party did not have to wait in the line that wrapped outside of the building. The gift shop was great too. Again, I highly recommend going to this museum. It is truly one of a kind and iconic for St Pete.

I always wanted to visit this museum as it houses the 2nd largest collection of Dali works— the largest collection being being in Spain— so, once I knew I’d be in the area, I decided to go. Luckily, it was a Thursday, so it was half-price after 5p. I was staying in the hotel just a block or so away, so I walked. I did purchase my ticket online in advance, and there was a short wait to get in. There is a little cafe, and I ate my evening meal there— it was good food, and there is a bar and a number of tables both inside and outside. It’s by the water so it’s a nice view, and the architecture is beautiful. Dali art, like all art, is subjective, and it’s not really my style. I find most of it too abstract for my tastes, though he does have a few paintings that are beautiful. But, as I said, I always wanted to visit this museum so it was a must-see for me. I joined a free museum tour, and it was very informative. No regrets!

Extraordinary experience. Was fully immersed in the works of art, the museum has an excellent combination of physical and digital art, with virtual reality and AR headset experiences. Would recommend the Dali Alive 360 experience! It’s inside the sphere outside the museum and is totally worth the 30-ish minutes of showtime. Is one of my favorite museums ever. A must-go!

The Dali is an amazing collection of his works. We went the weekend before the Grand Prix so it added a slight difficulty in finishing the museum. You do have a 10$ parking fee if you park in the Dali parking lot. The museum has a very strict bag rule, if it looks anything like a backpack, of any size ( small sling pack ) even if they could clearly see it is being used as a purse. You are required to wear a mask while inside the building. ( covid ) even with all that just seeing Dali's pieces was well worth it. You are able to take pictures, ONLY FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL USE.

The Dali Museum is a real masterpiece of art in itself. Perfectly placed for lunch or dinner after your visit. The collection is outstanding. The layout takes you through Dali's life and work. The lighting is just right. The staff is very helpful. There's an app you can connect to that gives you the history of each painting. I will go again the next time I'm near.

It is a wonderful place for both education and creativity. I enjoyed walking into the different galleries that were informative and visually beautiful. Make sure to check if the virtual experience is up and running. You won't want to miss it.

My husband and I visited the museum for our anniversary and loved the whole experience. It was the perfect amount of art with the exhibition included. We started off with a sangria in the garden area, the video in the theater, then upstairs to look at the art. Parking was easy also! Overall, a great experience.

Beautiful place to experience art. Highly recommended doing the 3D art show. It was definitely worth it. Gift shop and the staff were very nice.

I love this place. It is always organized when it comes to exhibits or special events. The staff do a great job with instruction, security, and answering your questions. The grounds are beautiful and a nice way to spend some time having a Cafe or snack after the exhibit. The gift shop is well stocked with books, shirts, magnets, post cards and other gifts. I will definitely visit again for future exhibits.

This was my first time visiting The Dali Museum, and I was very happy with my visit! There is a dedicated parking lot available for visitors, and they charge a small fee for it. Once you are inside the museum, there is much to see on Salvador Dali and other artists before and during his time! Dali’s paintings and other art along with paintings from many well known artists are displayed in the museum. After you pass the gift shop, there is an entrance to the museum, which is on multiple floors. A staircase will lead you to the upper levels, and elevators are also there. On the upper floor, there are some beautiful views of waters surrounding St. Petersburg, and it is an excellent place for taking pictures! Also, the Dali Alive 360 degree experience is not to be missed because it showcases his life from humble beginnings to his visits to the United States. In the gift shop, there are two large screens where Dali gives you his advice, and where you can also get your pictures taken with Dali! In summary, I highly recommend visiting the Dali Museum to everyone on your next trip to Tampa, Florida!

Fantastic all around! Dali 360 was 100%worth the extra admission- my 7 yr old loved it! Emotional experience getting up close to many of the paintings especially being an art student who studied them extensively... Dali's soul and legacy in a museum- Viewer can most certainly feel his embodiment!

Really enjoyed this museum. The outside is just as beautiful as inside. This was our first time, so we were caught off-guard by a staff member at the front door asking to look in my purse. After that, we were allowed to enter where we paid for tickets. The person at the counter never asked if we had coupons. It would have been nice to know we could use what we had. With that being said, the museum was just gorgeous, and we loved it. If you're an art lover, you'll enjoy this museum.

*World Traveler ReviewAmazing architecture, easy to find, interactive and informative w/ gift shop!Definitely recommend the guided tour… They shared unique information about the artist and the individual works that I didn’t know before. Be aware that guided tours only leave on a periodic basis. Call ahead to learn more.They also have audio tours available. QR codes are provided near the individual works of art to provide additional information as you tour the museum. Super smart!The grounds near the building are immaculately, clean, and easy to walk. The views are amazing and allow several photo opportunities!Plenty of parking and easy to access via wheelchair. Definitely recommend!

Amazing. We have committed as a family to every vacation to add culture. A museum, art gallery, historical site, anything o open our minds and hearts. We loved this as Dali fans already and the surrealist approach to life. He is amazing! What an amazing collection and St Pete’s is so lucky to have this!!

I really enjoyed this. I liked Dali's work prior to going here, but had never actually seen any of it in person. I have a whole new appreciation for it now. Also, friendly staff, very clean restrooms, and easy parking. There's a shop area where you can purchase all kinds of items (clothing, books, prints, posters, jewelry...a broad range of items) that are all reasonably priced. My son did some activity with a 3D headset that he thoroughly enjoyed. Theres also a Dream Tapestry where you input a description of your dream and AI will generate an artistic interpretation of it that's pretty cool. I would definitely recommend this if you're an art lover, and even if not, try it...you may become one. I would definitely go back here again, enjoyable for the whole family.

We had a fantastic long half day at the Dali. It exceeded our high expectations! Very extensive collection and highly experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic docents and guides. On top of that an excellent restaurant. We look forward to another visit. We recommend planning to stay at least 3 hours.

Pleasant museum. It's not all entirely about Salvador Dali, some of it is about the Surrealist Movement. About 30 at pieces that are very interesting. We couldn't find everything we wanted at the gift shop so it was suggested to us that we shop online for souvenirs.

Visited the exhibit Nature Reimagined at the Dali. It was a nice exhibit and a different contrast with Dalis most famous pieces. The garden is nice to walk through but if you want to see the dome , make sure to pay the additional $15.00 fee on addition to the standard ticket. The museum itself is not large and will take about an hour to get through but still worth it if you want to see his original pieces.

My first visit to the Dali Museum was incredible—it truly did not disappoint! The museum itself is a masterpiece, both inside and out. The exhibits are fascinating, and the architecture is stunning. The café added to the experience with its fun drinks and tasty treats. However, the highlight for me was the beautiful gardens in the lovely St. Pete setting. The combination of art, nature, and scenery was truly impressive.

Such a great and interactive museum which kept adults and kids engaged. It has an activity that uses AI to make your image into a piece of art and interactive app that animates different parts of the paintings and tells you about each. The Cafe at the museum was stellar. My whole family enjoyed Spanish food on the patio. Lovely!

We were in town for several days for our 50th wedding anniversary. Our last visit was 30 years ago so there were new attractions we wanted to see along with those we had already experienced. The Dali Museum was among the latter. We don't remember much about the old museum except that it had many more master works. Not a big deal when you enter this amazing space and begin to understand and remember Dali’s talent.Teagen, at the front desk, accepted our $3 off coupons (up to 4 adults or seniors) for discounted gallery admission which I found in the Discover Downtown Map and Guide. We combined those with the senior admission price. The coupons are also available on the Discover Downtown mobile app. We visited on the last weekend of the "Dali and the Impressionists" exhibit. Dali was influenced by the impressionists but didn't feel their style would last long.There were several knowledgeable guides available to answer questions. We especially appreciated being able to take (non-flash) pictures. One guide overheard me lamenting that the 'melting clocks' masterwork was not in the museum. It is in another museum but he directed us to the Dali Alive 360, "an immersive experience bringing Dali's work to life like never before." There, on the outside of the dome, is a sample of the melting clocks which can also be seen at the Dali Alive 360 for an admission add-on.Restrooms are clean and plentiful. People rave about the cafe. We met a woman who had the gazpacho and pronounced it excellent. It does great business but we didn't want to spend our limited time waiting in line. If you do have the time, be sure to eat outside and enjoy the view. We visited the gift shop for souvenirs. Pricey, yes, but I found a cool shirt on sale.The museum has a strict policy about backpacks and liquids in the museum; an attendant checks all bags. We used the free lockers available at the entrance. Simply select a four-digit code from the keypad, take a picture of the code and locker number, scramble the code and walk away. Easy and secure.We walked to the museum from the Pier; our car was parked in the Sundial Garage. I saw that the free Downtown Looper had a pickup at the Dali which we boarded. The Looper only stops at the museum when it is open. We enjoyed a city tour while en route back to the garage. If you ride the free Looper, be certain to tip your driver who is committed to getting you safely to and from your destinations.

It was such an amazing experience visiting this museum. We did both the full 360 and the general admission exhibits, and they’re well worth the price. We went during the floral special exhibition, and I really enjoyed the florals there in signature Dali style. I would also heavily recommend the poached pear dessert - it was super unique and well priced! Overall I would recommend!

I am biased because I love Dali's work. Being among it was enough, but getting to see some of his larger scale paintings was amazing. Getting to see sibling pieces to the ones I have seen in the Tate Modern and the Reina Sofia was great. The special exhibit was something I had not engaged with before. And they do have a banging gift shop.

The Dali365 experience was neat to see but the museum and the additional exhibit they had on impressionists was a bit underwhelming. I love Dali's work. He was a brilliant painter for his era but I was expecting more on exhibition to see. The impressionist exhibit was fairly sparse as well. Even with stopping at every piece, reading the plaque and examining the work, I was done in probably 45 minutes.

Parking was $10, (all day parking), however parking is limited. There was a graduation at the theater next door and a boat show, we got lucky and got one of the last spots. They were asking folks to park just two blocks away.There are docent tours every hour 12:30, 130… check before you go and do go, fascinating! So knowledgeable and polite.There is a Dalí Cafe, delicious (limited indoor seating but worth the wait). I don’t normally enjoy museum cafes but this one had very tasty food (we had the cheese plate, bread plate and carrot hummus, plus coffee and tea.The is a decent selection of Dali photos, paintings and information and you can go online to learn more. I would go back again since our friend is not much of a reader and is more of a quick browser. I would like to spend a bit more time and perhaps go on another docent tour.Go, enjoy and try the cafe, too!

Well worth price of admission. The building is amazing work of art. Dali was an eccentric person and a very different artist with an amazing mind. Not the type of art you may put on your walls, however I can appreciate his genius as an artist and his flamboyant personality. I visited a number of years ago and remembered some things, but enjoyed talking in more of Dali. Especially liked the 360 movie, very well done.

First time at this location, hadn't been since the 90's. I love Salvador Dali, my favorite artist for decades. We spent a little extra for the 360 experience, totally worth it. The coolest part was the AR app that made the paintings come to life. Staff were great, prices reasonable.

Spent 4.5 hours totally absorbed with Salvador Dali's life and surreal art. The museum is beautifully arranged with great attention to detail andarchitecture, in line with the artist's style.

I hadn't planned on visiting the Dali museum, but I'm really glad I did. His drawings are fascinating, with a lot of details. Definitely worth checking out! The museum itself is quite stunning as well. The commute wasn't the most convenient, but they do have a cute shuttle from the parking lot to the museum.

Yaakov is so entertaining at the Cafe Gala (has a big, fancy, & affordable menu). This museum is beautiful. The technology is so advanced. Definitely pay $15 for the 36 minute Dome show

The Dali is such a wonderful museum. The permanent collection is always worth visiting and they have amazing special collections several times a year. Membership is the way to go if you're local, the Dual and Family memberships are very affordable. If visiting St Pete, the Dali is a must-see!

Do not dilly dally. Check out the Dali Museum. So many cool things and deep historical contexts in his paintings. Good food/coffee/ treats and artistic treasures to buy.

Absolutely loved it. Be sure to take a guided tour. On my own, I never would have seen all of the details the guide pointed out. What an amazing talent Dali is. ENJOY.

Great museum that features Salvador Dalí’s art. The price to get in is very affordable and there is a large collection of art to see. I went during the week so it wasn’t busy and I had plenty of space to see the art without having to fight any crowds. However, this museum is not for everyone. If you’re not interested surrealist art, then this museum is not for you. I also would not say this museum is child friendly. To a child this would probably be pretty boring, and a lot of the art includes shock value (nudity).

The Dali Museum is quite the experience and absolutely worth making a trip to the area. The parking is $10 for all day and can be limited but we found it no issue.No backpack type bags are allowed and only disposable water bottles are allowed (first floor only). Luckily they have free lockers just outside the museum to stow your stuff, especially if you like to carry your own water bottle like me and want to go upstairs to see Dali’s works. So bring a small purse/bag and disposable water bottles.I suggest you purchase the tickets ahead of time because it can get crowded/busy and you want to ensure your entry. It got packed by the time we headed upstairs.The outing will be pricey, especially if you add on the “360 experience”, some snacks, drinks at the cafe and of course…the souvenir shop.At first we weren’t going to do the “360 experience” but decided on it last minute since we already made the trip out there. I have to say it was worth it! We absolutely loved it and found it inspiring and moving. We’d do it again.Plan a trip to The Dali Museum and give yourself time to enjoy all it has to offer.The art pieces themselves are incredible and I could’ve easily spent all day here, there’s truly a lot to see, especially if you read about each piece.There’s a small theater that plays Dali’s life story on repeat, which we enjoyed. The building itself is gorgeous and something Dali would’ve loved!

I'v been to the Dali museum a handful of times because he's one of my favorite artists.For the entrance cost, this is a very very small museum. With the first floor being the cafe, the second floor being offices, that just leaves the third floor for art and exploration, and the outdoor 'garden' for a photo op with his infamous curled mustache.Nonetheless, this is a beautiful building, but you can easily knock out this museum in about an hour.

4.7

(16598)

4.5

(8546)

1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA

+27 other lists

You’ll be glad you went. The glass pieces take over the space with beauty! It’s a manageable little venue with restrooms and gift shop. Best feature might just be the opportunity to watch a live glass blowing demo (50 min) in a nearby glass studio. Great place to purchase artist made glass pieces with zero pressure.

This was a great experience! The art exhibits were stunning. And I loved the movie room, where you get to learn about the artist himself and his story, as well as seeing all of the installations that he's done around the world.This was definitely worth the price of admission and I would even consider going back on occasion.

The collection is not huge but, what's there is really cool. We got thru the gallery well-within an hour. Stuff you don't always see at your typical art gallery. What makes this a ☆☆☆☆☆ is the glass-blowing demonstration which runs at the top of each hour - it's a really interesting and fun. Again, something different and worth the ticket. Don't miss it. And, there is a "tip-bucket" - make sure to help out these artisans - I'm not talking just a buck or two. Throw a $20 in the bucket (I did)!!!

Loved all the color and designs. Really enjoyed the glass blowing demonstration. The pieces here are amazing. I only wish there were more! Price is a little steep, but if you love Chihuly you will be happy.

This is a really beautiful exhibit. I enjoyed a quiet hour wandering through Chihuly's works. There is a neat video at the end featuring Chihuly speaking about his process and artistic vision.

This is my third visit. Beautiful large glass sculptures. Entrance fee includes a glass blowing exhibit.Museum will require an hour and the film about Chihuly and the glass blowing about another hour. Worth the time.Highly recommend.

Super mesmerizing!! The teens enjoyed it as much if not more than I did. Such precision and attention to details..omg!! I hoped to see a demonstration, but no one was available on the weekend..it was still beautiful! The store was a bit pricey,but had a great selection of items..

The pieces were set up beautifully and with the perfect lighting for each specific item. At the end of the collection is a small display showcasing other artists' pieces and then the store.Included with the collection was a live demonstration through a glass studio across the street, I do not know if that was a special event or a usual occurrence.I'm a huge Chihuly fan, and I am excited to be able to check this impressive collection off my bucket list!

A very nice collection of Chihuly's work. In some ways I expected more, but the works that were there were great. A guide was eager to tell the story behind the works, and there was a nice glass blowing demonstration across the street. A gift shop had works from other gifted local glass blowers for sale.

This pkace was quite small but still beautiful. I had my 2 kids plus a friend and her nephew ages from 9 to 15 and they enjoyed it as well. Art is such a beautiful thing!! We absolutely love everything about museum's. They had a gift shop at the entrance and some displays were very interesting!!

It's a gorgeous location. It had cost me 20$ per person to go in.The price is reduced if you are a senior or a student, though.Im not sure if you get a discount for being a veteranIt has amazing sculptures and a good few paintings from the main artist but no others.It must be said that the venue is very small, and you'll be in and out in less than 60 minutes, and if you're not big into photography, you'll be out in 30 minutes.But it must be said that the sculptures are spectacular

Interesting but small. It does not take long to walk through the museum but it allows for some great photo ops. A ticket includes a free entry to the glass making demonstration across the street making the whole price worth it (with possible discounts as well)

I wouldn't call it a "good deal" but I guess for the area, and being a Chihuly enthusiast, it was worth it. We went through the display in less than half an hour, then went to the glass blowing demonstration afterwards. The demonstration was extremely informative. They do have several displays, and an excellent gift shop.

Lovely place to visit. The works were beautiful and we were able to take our time and admire everything. And the ticket purchase included an art gallery, clay gallery and a glass blowing demo. We visited 4 places for the price of 1 ticket. What a great way to spend a day!

There's not a lot of glass sculptures and it took me and my family about 10 minutes to finish. They look pretty good though, and the amount of work it takes to make some of these in incredible. A bit expensive but if you like art it's a good place to go 👍👍👍.

The Chihuly Collection in Saint Petersburg, Florida, is a fantastic indoor activity, especially on those scorching hot days! The art pieces are absolutely stunning, and I even ended up buying a beautiful vase. The staff is friendly and welcoming. My only wish is that the exhibit were a bit larger to enjoy even more of the incredible artwork. Highly recommend visiting!

If you are an admirer of Glass Art, especially works done by Dale Chihuly this is a must visit exhibit.Paid Parking is available on the street and also in lots.Plenty of Beautiful works are on display and a gift shop is also on premise.Besides the Collection Building there is a Glass Works building across the street.*Check for days and times*

Very good collection of Chihuly works. Nice presentation of pieces and a decent variety. Worthy visit when in the area.

We arrived a little over an hour before closing and were greeted by a friendly and helpful man at the front. We were assured that we could see the collection and watch glassblowing in the time we had. He was not wrong. He even walked around letting everyone know it was time to head over to watch the glassblowing so no one missed it.We took in some of the pieces with some fun photo ops before heading over to catch the last glass blowing demonstration. The demonstration was great to watch and took about 20 minutes. It was a couple minute walk across the street. It gives you a real life demonstration of the work that goes into creating the pieces. My teens had a greater appreciation for the collection after seeing this.We returned to finish seeing the Chihuly collection and watched to video there. The video really puts the work into perspective. We even had a few minutes to walk the gift shop before closing.Great experience, enjoyed by teens. Fun family activity that does not need a full day to do.

I'm not a huge museum fan, but this place is a great addition for a fun and interesting day in St. Pete's. The museum itself is pretty small and the average person could browse through it in an hour or less. Add another hour for the glass making demo and gift shopping! The glass work is amazing and gorgeous, the glass making demonstration is interesting, and of course, the gift shop has a lot of beautiful goodies. We took the time to sit through the short video about Chihuly and that helped make the experience feel more interesting and personal. Two hour street parking was convenient in front of the museum when we went mid-week, but I'm not sure how much availability would be there on weekends. The surrounding neighborhood is perfect for a stroll, dining, shopping, or a drink in one of the sidewalk eateries.

Beautiful glass collection in Downtown St. Petersburg. Chihuly is brilliant artist. 💯% recommend this location wherever you're in the area. 20 minutes to walk around the exhibit. Enjoy!

Stopped at this exhibit on our way out of Petersburg and I am so glad we did. Chihuly’s works are possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! I only wish we had stayed for the glassblowing demonstration

The Chihuly Collection is located in the Morean Arts Center, which houses a permanent collection of Chihuly artwork. It features 18 large-scale installations, including the "Florida Rose Crystal Tower." The collection is relatively small and can usually be covered in no more than an hour. It is also a smaller version of the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington. So, if you have already visited the one in Seattle, I would not recommend visiting this one; you would not find anything new.

It is a small museum but has beautiful glass work. It's easy to get to and there's public parking available. Starting at noon there is a glass blowing exhibition every hour Monday to Friday. I love art and this fits the bill.

The museum is not the biggest Chihuly collection I've seen but it is a beautiful and varied collection. I enjoyed watching the movie as much as anything. The chandeliers, as always, are amazing. The best part hands down is watching the demonstration. Two artists demonstrate how they create an amazing piece of art. One narrates and explains what's going on, then she assists with the main artist. Just so you know, It's warm in there, despite the largest ceiling fan I've ever seen. haha. But what an incredible opportunity to watch amazing artists! Love it!

What a great experience. Bring your ear bubs as there is an audio guide with your admission. Fantastic exhibits. Be sure to see the glass blowing demo included with your admission and located a block away. Plenty of 2 hour parking on street. Hard to find longer parking. Nice area to walk, shop and have a bite to eat.

Unbelievable!! Stunning pieces beautifully displayed. There's a self-guided audio tour provided as part of the $20 USD admission. Also includes a 30 min glass blowing demonstration which was amazing. A video profile of the artist, provides significant insights into how he creates the pieces. There's a shop to purchase stunning pieces. Definitely worth the price of admission!!

The Chihuly Collection is a great spot to check out in St Petersburg and the work is awe-inspiringly beautiful. You can take your time walking through the gallery and are free to move at your own pace and take as many photos as you’d like photos. Definitely a must-see, especially if you’re a fan of glass art.

It's hard to come up with fresh new things to say about chihuly glass collection.Innovative, avant-garde, pushing the limits, imaginative cutting edge.Never mind my ramblings.Just go to the museum and experience this fabulous art for yourself.This will be the $18 dollars you have spent in many a year.

This is not a museum... It is a gallery! ( A small one at that). And I think it's crazy for a gallery to charge admission. They try to justify the price because there is a 20 min "movie" to watch about Chihuly and there is a glass blowing demonstration. So.... if I opted out of those things, could I walk through the gallery for free? (Which only takes about 5 or so minutes). I doubt they would allow that.Also, the pricing of items in the glass blowing gift shop is ridiculous. Hundreds of dollars for crooked, messed up pieces?

Charming ChihulyBucket list. We were in St. Petersburg for four days to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. I have been fascinated with Dale Chihuly for some time and since we will not get to Seattle to see his premier work, I was excited to learn about the first installation of his work in a building designed for that purpose. Chihuly is a pioneer in the studio glass movement and leads in the development of complex structures and environmental art.While the display is smaller, the pieces are nonetheless impressive. Several chandeliers grace the ceiling of the building and range in size from 3-30 feet in length and are made up to 1,000 elements of glass including one of the most famous, "Iconic Ruby Red Icicle." One walkway features many pieces in the ceiling making you want to lie down and gaze up at the beauty. Glass-related gifts, books and other items are available in the gift shop.We did not find any discounts or coupons for entry and paid $18 each for the senior rate. However, admission covers entry to the Morean Arts Center directly across the street for glass blowing demonstrations on the hour. This is a must to see how a hot, sweaty, tricky trade that requires intense concentration and timing results in beautiful glass art. Viewers sit on bleachers in a covered area at the back of the center. The glass blower and his fellow colleague have been blowing glass for 10 years. One of the glass blowers lived in Venice for a few years and studied in Murano.The furnace temperatures range from 1,000 to 2,000 degrees F. Many steps are required to create one of the scalloped pieces similar to those we saw in the collection. It takes 24 hours for the final pieces to cool in the coolers in the demo area. One of the trickiest parts is separating the glass from the rod which the pair did with finesse and success. We watched as the piece was widened and color added to the rim.Friends have mentioned seeing his work in Milwaukee and Madison, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Columbus, OH, Nashville and at the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.

It's not just a collection of glass. It's an entire experience! You must visit Chihuly Collection in person to experience the magic of these glass masterpieces. Come with curiosity. Leave with a memorable positive experience!

4.7

(2430)

4.5

(2416)

720 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA

+75 other lists

This is a smaller garden but a very Zen place. I enjoyed my time here. It doesn't take very long to walk around the entire garden. I recommend bringing water. I love the tropical feel and seeing the butterflies. The staff were very warm and friendly. I appreciate that. I love the flamingos I do wish they had a bigger area for them. As well as the birds I wish there was a huge atrium for them to fly around in. However the animals were well taken care of and looked healthy. They do have an option to get married here for those who are looking. Great place to take photos. It isn't very expensive and parking is free which is always a bonus. They have food for the koi fish for about $2 which isn't too bad. Great place for families and those who are solo looking for something to do. I do like the gift shop they have a mixture of various garden eclectic items.

This is a great place to see nature and it also has some history to it. It's nice the city bought this place to keep it open. They have all sorts of trees plants and flowers. They also have flamingos and different bird species as well.

Whimsical..indescribable..simply zen..oh my goodness 🥰🫶🏽💜 I could've stayed here all DAY!! So relaxing..IF I had to give a downside..I'd hope that the maps were laid out a bit better to match up with the layout..I mean it's SORTA close..but if you're not careful,you'll either miss something,or go in circles..but honestly its so beautiful to where you may not care too much..small kids may get a bit antsy with getting lost though..but not too bad. There's a beautiful layout of a gift shop as well🥳👏🏼

We had so much fun at Sunken Gardens! My husband and I went on a day where it had just rained and it was sunny, but not hot outside. The plants here are gorgeous, and the venue is well arranged. We really enjoyed going through the winding paths and identifying plants we were familiar with and being amazed by new ones we had never seen. Some of the trees here are enormous. We were especially impressed by the rainbow eucalyptus tree. It is out of a storybook. And by the way, there are real flamingos here! We also really enjoyed the gift shop. It is great place to find gifts for anyone who loves plants. I would love to come here again next time we are in St. Petersburg. Highly recommend making this part of your visit to the area. Don’t miss it!!

What an absolute gem! From the cute retro sign out front, to the incredible plant life inside the garden, it was a lovely experience. We got tickets on Groupon and it was such an easy experience. We went on a Saturday, and it definitely gets busier after about 2 pm. Coming back for sure!

Sunken Gardens in St. Pete is a delightful and affordable destination perfect for a family outing or a romantic date. This historic botanical garden is not only beautiful but also full of fascinating wildlife and vibrant plant life.As we strolled through the gardens, we were charmed by the playful flamingos, the speaking parrots, and the cool tortoises. The flamingos entertained us with their antics, and the parrots added an extra layer of fun with their chatter. Butterflies fluttered around, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.We spent about an hour and a half exploring the entire garden, soaking in its beauty and learning about its history. It's a serene escape from the hustle and bustle, and the well-maintained pathways make it easy to navigate.Overall, Sunken Gardens offers a wonderful experience that's both educational and enjoyable. Great customer service may I add, the very nice workers walk around with the parrots and give them treats when they talk! I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting St. Pete!

We visited during a recent family trip to St.Pete’s beaches. I had seen this listed as one of the things to do while in the area. I enjoyed walking through the beautifully laid out grounds and seeing all the magnificent plants and trees. The size of some of the trees is incredible. I am an amateur gardener and houseplant lover but given that I live in NY we aren’t able to grow most of these varieties, so this was really interesting to me. There is also a great history here and learning opportunities if you’re interested. My husband and 6 year old son got bored somewhat quickly so there’s that. But I could have spent much more time there. It is truly very tranquil and zen being surrounded by all that plant life. It is a little small but reasonably priced. My family did all love the flamingos and koi pond and waterfalls. We were a little disappointed that the birds were not available at the time that we went due to caution over the bird flu outbreak, but I totally understand that health is priority. Hopefully we will get to visit another time. It was April so not very buggy yet as some other reviews had mentioned. A very nice experience overall and would love to visit again if in the area.

If you are anywhere near this beautiful garden, It is worth every bit of your effort to visit it. There are amazing specimens from all over the world. They have taken a great amount of time to make sure that these beautiful plants have survived over 100 years. Great gift shop, as well. I highly recommend this lovely garden and the history that it brings to St Pete.

Taking time off from work for a little "staycation" this week for some decompression time. There;s is no better place to find some Zen time than this place. Wow.Peaceful and educational at the same time. We arrived just before 11am and there was no wait, no crowds. I could see where this would be pretty busy on a weekend; and that could diminish the peacefulness slightly.Walkways are decently marked and there are plenty of spots to just sit and take in the beauty.Grounds are very well maintained and the staff was very friendly.This is a place that one cold easily visit often, just to unwind and getaway from the hustle of the world.

Beautiful with lots of water features.Well maintained. Lots of varieties of flora with description plaques.Landscaped from a sinkhole back in the early 1900's.This is a gem in St Pete.I especially enjoyed the hundred years old royal Palms and live oaks, the koi and loads of blooming plants with sweet scents in the air.Well worth the admission price of $15

Absolutely gorgeous place to visit. So many different plants to see. Gorgeous landscapes, bridges, flamingos and fish. Very well taken care of. Bonus - a fun gift shop that offers many different souvenirs!Only costs $15 to get in and it is well worth the money.

Beautiful botanical gardens and home to rescued birds. Great variety of flora native to the area and other similar climates. I could have spent much more time there than I was able to. Great place to just explore or even grab a seat in a chair or on a bench and relax for a little bit. I did go on a Saturday and the parking lot filled up super fast. So I recommend getting there when they open or soon after.

Took my mother here for her birthday and she loved it. It was a perfect day for being outside. Most of the park is in the shade which is very nice in Florida.Tons of butterflies, plants, and flowers.The place has been around forever but visiting it yearly is always nice because they do change things up and of course plants are different throughout the year.It’s a beautiful place just outside of buddy St Petersburg where you can forget about everything.

Plant lover dream! We walked through this beautiful garden and enjoyed all the gorgeous plants and wildlife! If you love houseplants, it’s really amazing to see these plants in the wild, growing huge! My kids loved seeing the “retirement parrots” and all the little geckos.$6/kids, for adults, we got a Groupon!Nice gift shop too, with lots of plant-lovers gifts!

Everything about this place is incredible. The plants are all very well taken care of, and the inside staff are nothing but helpful. The various and winding paths always led to something interesting. There are plenty of sights and picture opportunities. If you're anywhere close to the area, I highly recommend a stop inside! It took us about an hour and a half to walk and gawk the whole trail.

This garden is absolutely amazing!! Extremely well maintained and HUGE. You could spend hours walking around, taking photos or just looking at all of the beautiful palm trees, flowers, fountains, waterfalls, they even have flamingos and turtles. Lots of shady places to sit and rest too. My friend Anna took me (I am from out of state) and I was blown away by it. I hope to go back again for my next trip. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who clearly work hard on such a unique attraction.

Absolutely worth going! I am a total plant person and loved the experience! They have flamingos and several other types of birds. 100% recommend.

Absolutely beautiful tropical oasis in the middle of an urban area! The shade makes for a slight reprieve from the FL heat. The plants are gorgeous, mixed in with water features and birds! It's very relaxing to walk around and take in all the natural beauty of the place. The entire place is stroller and wheelchair friendly. There is even a water bottle refill station!

It has been on my places to visit and finally made it! It was busy on a Saturday morning and since it was cold, we did not get to see the birds!There is plenty of parking and people go in and out constantly, so you will find a spot. We did not have to wait long to get our tickets and the entrance is right next to the check in.It is a small garden with plenty of plants, fountains, small history section, flamingos, birds (during cold weather they are not on display) and a small gift shop.They are sunken because you go from the street level down to the gardens. If I remember correctly, this was a sinkhole but don't take my word for it.A good visit to get a nature fix away from the city or the beach.

What a beautiful little place! My husband and I brought our two year old son and it was the perfect size for him to wake around and explore while we also enjoyed the views. Lots of gorgeous flowers and other plants as well as little hidden waterfalls. There's also several different birds. Very peaceful place

If you want to spend the day walking through a lush garden with lots of different flora, this is it. There was plenty of shade in most areas, but it was still warm. They had well kept clearings where you can enjoy a picnic (which I did). They also have flamingos and I really enjoyed watching them. They also have a cute gift shop! We got our tickets through Groupon for a cheaper price, so highly recommend to take advantage of the deal when it's up.

I have not been here in 20 years and I plan to visit here more frequently going forward. Not just a wonderful offer with year passes, but even the daily fee is well worth it. The garden remains as majestic as I remember, but the improvements around the gardens are just as beautiful. Parking can be tight on busy days, but no cost involved. Well worth my time and already looking forward to my next visit.

My family and I wanted to check out this place - my daughter loves nature. We were looking to do something low-key and relaxing. The Sunken Garden was tranquil and peaceful and just the right place we needed. It literally is an oasis in the middle of the concrete desert.Even though it was drizzling a little, the weather made it feel even immersive.Sure, one could take a brisk walk through the garden in maybe under an hour, but to really enjoy the experience, one needs to take their time, explore, take pictures, and just chill.

This place winds and twists into so many neat nooks and separate landscapes that all are so beautiful! I couldn't stop myself from taking photos every few moments it was hard to combat that feeling and just drink it all in

This place is a local treasure and a must see! Absolutely beautiful botanical gardens with an amazing collection of plants including a rainbow eucalyptus which is magnificent. Rich with local history, and easy to navigate and a most beautiful wedding venue too. We are members here and come as often as we can for a relaxing walk, to have a picnic in nature or to see the birds. We bring all our guest here.

Last Visit 1/14/23. From KY visiting family and we all went here. Had a blast walking around and seeing all of the (mostly) native plants. There were six of us and they let me in with my camera, bag, and tripod with no problems. All of the pix were for personal use and the attached eight were among them. I took 84 images that day.

This fantastic place has been in operation since 1940's. It remains a jewel of retro Florida's roadside attractions. Get a docent-led tour. Kudos to Steve V, our leader today. We spent 3 hours enjoying this living museum which includes a great pictorial history of its origins and founding owners. We are grateful to the city of St Petersburg (the current owners) for their foresight to save this icon of Florida history and life.

Very nice place. Easy to walk through and appreciate all the different plants. Turtles and flamingos were a cool little tough too. Glad to see an older place still around and busy.

We were in town to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Among the destinations we wanted to visit were Sunken Gardens since we are intrigued with "Old "Florida" which is rapidly disappearing. It was officially opened as "Turner's Sunken Gardens" in 1903 when George Turner, a plumber and gardener, "drained a shallow lake which had filled an ancient sinkhole and dropped 15 feet below street level to provide a rich soil to grow fruits and vegetables from all over the world."One of Florida's oldest family-owned roadside attractions is now a restored botanical garden. After three days of being downtown and "museumed-out," we spent our last day in this quiet, shaded oasis not far from the noise of downtown. We had a B1G1F coupon from the Discover Downtown Guide and Map which when combined with a senior discount we paid $12 for both of us. After three museum days, this was the most reasonably priced attraction we visited. In 1924, visitors paid $.25 for a stroll through the lush gardens.Check-in is efficient; you are given a map of the gardens with the number of stickers attached to the back of the guide indicating how many are in each party. I would suggest using the restrooms at check-in before heading out. No restrooms are available in the 24-stop self-guided tour.Educational programs, workshops, special events, and tours are available. The gardens are also a favorite setting for weddings and receptions.The map shows shaded ADA accessible paths and picnic tables. Some of the meandering walkways are uneven; good walking shoes are recommended. Lots of benches are available for sitting.Plants and trees from around the world grace the gardens. Madagascar, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Africa, New Guinea, South America, Australia and other countries are represented. Geriatric exotic birds have a safe haven at Sunken Gardens when their owners can no longer care for them. Among them are macaws and an endangered Umbrella Cockatoo. The Chilean Flamingos were having a grand time finding morsels in the water while squawking at each other; they are identified by their pink joints and unusual, black-tipped bills. We waited for a few minutes for the Laughing Kookaburra from Australia to call but he wasn't having it.Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Sunday Noon-4:30 p.m. Parking is free in the large lot also shared with Carrabba's Italian Grill. We got takeout after our visit. Win-win!

Very large diversity of plants. Took about 2 hours to see everything. Please just be respectful and stay on the path and do not vandalize any of the plants! Nobody came to see your initials carved in to the bamboo...

Beautiful place! We went early in the day and it wasn't very crowded. The tropical birds were a bonus. It would be a great wedding venue. I wouldn't bring kids because it is a little spendy and they would probably race through it and want to leave.

We happened to have visited on a rainy day. If there is any lightning at all they close the garden. They post a sign outside saying it’s closed and unfortunately they don’t know when they will open. We decided to wait it out and we finally got in. They have a beautiful verity of plants and a few birds. It’s a winding sidewalk that guides you through the garden.

Beautiful place, I would recommend it to everyone to go and see it. We spent almost 2 hours slowly walking around and learning about the plants, flowers and animals. Make sure to take some water with you and just enjoy the scenery.

4.7

(4734)

4.5

(2125)

1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, USA

+67 other lists

21 lists

Very beautiful park. Mostly boardwalk and very well kept. Saw alligators, multiple different turtles, birds, and the outlook was beautiful. They also had a tower overlook which was nice. The picnic tables near the boardwalks have a few games to play with friends which is nice, and a little information building w a/c, bathrooms, and water. Overall a very nice park.

Amazing place to go on a easy hike. You will see some wildlife too. We walked for about a mile and half and it was awesome. Must checkout if you are passing by and have some time on hand!!

Looks like the majority of the construction is done! The park is awesome with several trails to choose from. Lots of encounters with wildlife. We saw quite a few turtles, birds and squirrels. No gators sadly but maybe next time. The board walk paths are wide and wheelchair accessible. The tower has a viewing area in the bottom and stairs to a second level. For being a walking path with dense vegetation we weren’t really bothered by mosquitoes and that was surprise. Lots of free parking. This park is a must see. The lake is beautiful.

This is my happy place. The trails are not too long so it’s perfect for a good 45 minute walk if you go through the entire trail. So many adorable animals. I’ve seen armadillos and bunnies.

This place is awesome! We hiked around the entire park. They put a lot of work into this place to build all the board walks that go through the swamp and over the water. They close the board walks at 7:30 and the park at 8PM. And we saw some pretty cool stuff, from alligators to baby birds in their nests! This place is definitely worth checking out. Free parking! This is a gem for the area! A must check out for a shorter hike. I give this place two thumbs up!

Much of the trails are under the shade of trees. Restrooms available, trails are well-kept. We saw several baby gators and many beautiful birds, some fish and 2 types of turtles!

Nice place for walking and collecting your steps. There is construction going on summer of 2024 so there are limited access but still a good place. You can see what construction has been completed on a couple of bridges. They look nice. It will be good to see later this year when it’s complete and you can again access everything.

Beautiful park with a nice boardwalk for most of the trail. We got to see a gator right next to the watchtower, as well as one swimming across the lake. There were a lot of turtles, too, both hard- and soft-shell.

Take yourself away from the hussle and bussle of big city life with a walk at Sawgrass Lake Park. You can take 2 trails with different terrain, see wildlife, have a picnic, enjoy the butterfly garden, and even play some games at the picnic tables.Look high and low, you never know what you will see.

You want to walk around like you would in Jurassic Park ? Well, Sawgrass Lake park is there for you. We had the best time, twice, we saw baby gators, turtles, fishs and birds.

Your need for nature is met here. A sliver of wild within the hustle and bustle. Just enough even, to find yourself wondering the seemingly endless trails with the sounds of frogs, locusts and lizards scuttling along the leaves and branches. It's nice to have seclusion. Walk the winding path, take in deep breaths and smile my friend

This is a nice park with easy walking and hiking trails. Beautiful lake and opportunity to spot alligators. There is a nice look out tower. We saw the cutest baby alligator! But didn’t see any adult alligators. Lovely for a stroll anytime.

Sawgrass is a hidden gem for locals. Trails, both elevated and land. Nature doing her thing. Highly recommend for family picnics.

Super cool location with lots of wildlife. Nice spot to eat lunch and then take a quick stroll. Trail is short but scenic and alligator filled. The tower is great and everything seems well maintained.

So we were here visiting from Seattle WA, and was super excited to see the alligators, but the park was closed for that part 😭😭but we did meet this lovely lady ❤️ her grandson and husband. After talking to them, we were on our way out the park when the cricket started to stalk my daughter 😀 😄. We had a good time overall, but the site should have said that the trail to the alligators was closed.

My recent visit to Sawgrass Lake Park left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the natural beauty of the park is undeniable. The abundant wildlife and the serene surroundings are a testament to the park's potential. However, my experience was somewhat dampened by the fact that a significant portion of the trail has been closed for an extended period. This limitation made it difficult to explore the park fully and enjoy all it has to offer.The open sections of the park were still enjoyable, with the observation towers providing stunning views of the lake and the wildlife. The informative signs along the trail added an educational element to the visit, which I appreciated.I hope that the closed trail sections can be reopened soon to allow visitors to fully appreciate the park's beauty. Once that issue is resolved, Sawgrass Lake Park has the potential to be a top-notch destination for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Despite my mixed experience, I would still recommend a visit, especially if you're patient and willing to explore the open areas of the park.

Great place to photograph and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. My cat loves it even though I see more dogs. Picnic areas and plenty to see as you walk around.

Great place to spend an hour or two walking and wildlife viewing. There is a mile boardwalk that winds along the lake. Easy to spot wildlife.Entry is free and there are clean restrooms. Some picnic tables.The park is 15 minutes from downtown St Petersburg.

I love it here! First time seeing two alligator’s at this park for me. Can do two of the trails in under 1 hour. Plenty of parking, benches throughout to take a rest, great shade for majority of the trail, and never crowded. Stroller friendly with most of the trails being on boardwalks.

I recently discovered this park and really enjoyed it. The entrance is in a residential neighborhood, so please be considerate of the people who live there. The park is being revamped. There are picnic areas, playgrounds, walking trails, and cool tables with games. I have visited twice for birdwatching and have seen several species. There is a lot of road noise from the highway, but it is very enjoyable, nonetheless.

Great boardwalk and paved paths for a hike full of birds, turtles, and an alligator (far from path). Currently the main large loop is closed for construction but the small loop was still an enjoyable walk.

Beautiful park! Great for walks. You can tell they put effort in their conservation.

Came here while in the area to have a picnic style lunch. This is a pretty little park with lots of wildlife viewing opportunities. We coaxed a River Scooter across the road, which was pretty cool because we don't get those in Michigan. The pavilion we ate at was nice too, as squirrels were cutily watching us.

This place is so serene.Found a gatorFound a large turtleThe biggest frog we have ever seenSome fish 🐟Be really cooling I knew the names of them all

First time here. Unfortunately, all trails were closed. We were told by the construction crew that trails will not be open for two weeks. If you do come, my suggestion is to bring water and binoculars. Just by doing the short walk we saw lots of birds and turtles.

A very nice park to walk through. It also has an observation tower which allows for an overhead, 360-view. The boardwalk is well-maintained and allows for an easy walk through the nature. I didn't see any wildlife except for a few birds, but the trees were still nice to look at.

Dogs are NOT allowed. I trusted Google, which said dogs are allowed. We took my dog and walked basically around the parking lot, right next to a busy, loud highway. Every bridge into the actual park has signs saying NO DOGS. I sat with my dog on a picnic bench while my boyfriend ran in to see what was beyond the bridge. The path to the observatory was closed anyway, so we just left. Managed to walk 0.7 miles. DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE. Frustrated and disappointed we drove out here.

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7400 25th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702, USA