Things to do Outdoors in the Sarasota Area

If you're the outdoorsy type, Sarasota has some great places for you to discover. There are plenty of places for you to enjoy the beauty of Florida's nature during your vacation. If you enjoy seeing wildlife in its natural habitat and like to hike, walk, jog, or bicycle in the great outdoors, you'll enjoy these things to do outdoors in the Sarasota area:

Myakka State Park

This park, located on Florida's Wild and Scenic River, is famous for its diverse wildlife. At the park, you can find alligators and wading birds year-round, as well as ducks and shorebirds in the winter. Bald eagles, sand-hill cranes, ospreys, and other animals are commonly seen. The park features wildlife viewing from both a boardwalk above the Upper Myakka Lake and in the trees from a canopy walkway. Visitors can fish, bike, canoe, kayak, or hike the trails on the property.

Celery Fields

Celery Fields includes trails, ponds, and a 75' tall man-made hill with benches for observing the surrounding wildlife. It is an ideal spot for running, walking, biking, and especially, bird-watching. The park is family and dog-friendly; a great place to enjoy nature's flora and fauna.

The county has installed 600,000 wetlands plants in the area, selected for their attractiveness to birds. Since the initial plans of conservation for this urban bird sanctuary have been set into motion, 210 species of birds have been identified in Celery Fields. Due to the preservation of the land, Celery Fields has become a location of ecotourism. Bird watchers from all over the United States come here to observe the wide variety of native birds.

The Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail is a 10.8-mile paved trail that runs from Venice to Sarasota, Florida. The same land was originally a railroad line built in 1911, which most famously transported passengers to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Today, this trail can be used for walking, running, cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding, and dog walking. The trail has rest stops about a mile apart, trailheads, and free parking. The trailheads include stands with historical information about the Legacy Trail. The rest stops offer benches to sit, relax and take in Florida’s natural beauty. This trail attracts more than 120,000 people every year.

Oscar Scherer State Park

Oscar Scherer Park is located in Osprey, between Venice and Sarasota, Florida. The 1,381-acre park offers plenty of land and water-based activities including hiking, canoeing, and kayaking along South Creek, fresh and saltwater fishing, and bird and animal watching. The park includes picnic areas and pavilions, a wildlife and butterfly observation stop, a visitor center, the Lester Finley Barrier Free Nature Trail, and access to the Legacy Trail. There is something for every member of the family at Oscar Scherer State Park.

Whatever outdoor activity you are looking for, chances are, Sarasota offers it. During your next stay with us, consider visiting these sites. It's a great way to get some exercise and see the beauty of nature at the same time.