The Saunders Blog

Activate Yourself – Top 10 Sarasota-Area Recreational Activities

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Get out, get active and enjoy the weather. Photo courtesy of allposters.com.

Now that the warm weather months have arrived, it is due time to get out of the air-conditioning and enjoy the outdoors with some exciting recreational activities. Florida’s Gulf Coast may be known for some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, but there is so much more to do than spend a lazy afternoon lounging in the sand.

From a family camping excursion to a solo kayaking tour and everything in between, the Sarasota area offers something for all ages and tastes. And with such a breathtaking tropical backdrop highlighted by a gorgeous climate, each recreational pursuit is sure to please the senses as much as it invigorates the body. Here are our top 10 Sarasota-area outdoor activities:

1.  For the Horses – Ever want to learn how to ride a horse, or brush up on your equestrian skills? Take some horse riding lessons at Meadowind Oaks. This 10-acre farm nestled under giant grandfather oak trees is just five minutes from the bustling intersection of Bee Ridge and Cattleman Road in Sarasota. All lessons are private and by appointment only. Just $35 per session. Click HERE for more info.

2.  Happy Campers – One of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, the Myakka River State Park is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation. Spend some time among the elements with four campsite options: cabin rentals, family camping, group camping and primitive camping. Reservations are always advised, especially for holiday weekends. Click HERE for more information.

3.  Fish On! – Catch the big one on a charter fishing trip in the sparkling Gulf waters. Tightlines Sportfishing Charters specialize in both the inshore and offshore waters of the Sarasota and Bradenton area. Tightlines Charters ensures an enjoyable fishing experience and works hard to make sure you leave the dock with sore arms and a smile. Rates vary depending on length of trip and style of fishing. Visit HERE for more info.

4. Tour de Force – Paddle your way through beautiful meandering mangroves and gorgeous waters. Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures provides a wide range of guided kayak eco-tours—Lido Key, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and around the state of Florida—that allow you to get closer to nature while experiencing an adventure of a lifetime. Fully-guided, eco-tours are customized for all ages, physical conditions and interests. Visit HERE for more info.

5.  Be Very, Very Quiet – What may be a surprise to some, Sarasota and the surrounding areas offer some of the finest hunting in North America. Here, you can hunt year round for a trophy hog and during regular hunting season there is the opportunity to take a trophy Florida Whitetail or the elusive Osceola Turkey. Rates vary depending on style and season. Visit HERE for more info.

6. Welcome to the Jungle – Spend the day with wildlife at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, home to an array of exotic and rare animals. A visit to the Gardens will bring back the memories of Florida days gone by. Visit HERE for more information.

7.  Green Day – Test your golfing skills at one of Sarasota’s challenging courses. Rolling Green is a par 72 layout with tree-lined fairways and large greens. The course is known for its collection of challenging par 3 holes. The course plays to nearly 6,500 yards from the back tees with the forward tees playing about 5,000 yards. Rates vary. Click HERE for more information.

8.  Live to Ride – An excellent source for exercising, a bike ride is so much better when the scenery is beautiful. Jump on the ten mile Legacy Trail and travel from Sarasota to Venice, through Oscar Scherer State Park. The paved trail is perfect for bicycling and rollerblading. Wildlife viewing along the trail is excellent. Visit HERE for more information.

9.  Life’s a Picnic – What a harmonious setting is South Lido Park, a blend of nature, beaches, and playgrounds, perfect for a family outing. Parts of the park are wide open beach and other areas have towering trees which grow only a few yards from the water. This is a large park that wraps around from the Gulf to Sarasota Bay offering good comfort facilities, picnic pavilions, and BBQ grills right under the tall Australian Pines.

10.  Take a Hike – Surrounded by wildlife and shaded by beautiful mature trees, Oscar Scherer State Park is the perfect place for a hike. Six marked hiking trails provide visitors an opportunity to explore various remote portions of the park. Numbered benches conveniently placed along the trails provide resting spots and, since the numbers correspond with numbers on the trail map, visitors can determine their exact location on the trail. Visit HERE for more information.