Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Sarasota

"As soon as you see the bright blue waters and white sand beaches of this park, you’ll instantly be at peace. Take some time to ride a paddleboard across the waters, search for shells on the beach, or lie back and enjoy catching up on your suntan!. Wildlife abounds here, so keep an eye out for pelicans, especially at Brushy Bayou!"

"Explore Florida's ecosystems with a day of hiking or bicycling around the nature trails at De Soto National Memorial park or take a 45-minute Trail Walk with one of the Park Rangers from the Visitor Center to learn about the rich history and heritage of the grounds. The De Soto National Memorial is home to the living history Camp Uzita; a ten-table picnic area; several small beaches; and The Cove, an anchorage for small pleasure boats. Admission to the De Soto National Memorial is free to the public, but donations are accepted."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Located in Manatee County, DeSoto National Memorial Park is a place that was established to commemorate the landing of Hernando de Soto in 1539, a Spanish explorer and conquistador who made landfall in Tampa Bay along with his army of soldiers. Aside from that, it was also built to remember the Europeans’ first exploration of the southern United States."

"Housing over 120 birds in their 3 acre site, Save our Seabirds aims to rehabilitate injured birds and to educate the public on how to minimize environmental risks to them. Their Birdwalk shows visitors how each species has adapted to its natural environment. The Wild Bird Learning Center has some interesting educational displays."

"This attraction is right next to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. The birds here have been injured, treated yet unable to return to the wild. It provides a tremendous educational opportunity to learn about the local birds and what we can do to help in conservation efforts."

"Save Our Seabirds, Inc. is an animal shelter specifically catering to seabirds. It features an onsite learning center, offering educational galleries and live exhibits."

"Neal Preserve is home to some of the best Anna Maria nature trails, with more than 120 acres for you to discover. Located on the mainland in nearby Bradenton, Neal Preserve is more than just a remarkable natural site – it also has a lot of historical significance. The preserve is home to reconstructed burial mounds, initially built by the Native Americans from 3000 BC to 1400 AD."

"On your way in to Anna Maria Island you’re sure to spot Neal Preserve while making your way across Perico Island. Neal Preserve is set against the stunning waterways around Anna Maria Island and offers fantastic examples of Florida’s natural wildlife and native plants. But there’s more to this 120 acre preserve than meets the eye."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. A 120-acre (48.5 hectares) preserve, Neal Preserve in Manatee County is a combination of mesmerizing coastal habitat and oak hammock upland. The area comprises mangrove forests and salt terns."

"Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 480-1700, croissantandcovenice.com. On downtown mornings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a seat at this downtown Venice boulangerie, patisserie and restaurant. Credit the mountain of pastries and sweets behind the counter up front, as well as a menu loaded with quiches, sandwiches and salads."

"Multiple locations, panerabread.comCall me crazy, but when I showed up with four cream cheese Brittanies to a recent meeting, I scored the account in five minutes after they devoured the flaky cupcake-sized pastries. Not too sweet—perfect for an afternoon pastry pick-me-up."

"Just a short walk from the beautiful beaches of Sarasota, Cafe Gabbiano brings Italy to Siesta Key. It's serene, casual ambiance imitates..."

"My family of 7 ordered and shared 7 separate dishes, and they were all outstanding. The veal ravioli was my favorite."

"The beef w/broccoli combo platter was very tasty including the egg roll. Ready in 10 minutes - works for me!"

"537 B E. Venice Ave., Venice, (941) 484-8458, thaibistrovenice.com. Owner and chef Kwan Taylor is a pioneer. She introduced Venice to Thai cuisine when she opened this popular restaurant, which specializes in the food of southern Thailand."