Best places to get outside near Bradenton, from island beaches to nature preserves
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Snowbirds on the Suncoast
Guides to everything you need to know when visiting the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
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White sandy beaches and relaxing Gulf waters aren’t the only things to enjoy now that the weather is warming on Florida’s Suncoast.
The Sarasota/Bradenton area is chock-full of fun and soothing outdoor activities.
Here’s a look at what beaches to see, where to hike, good spots to kayak or paddleboard and other recreation activities to soak up the Florida sunshine.
What beaches to see
The beauty of Florida’s Suncoast is the local beaches all offer something a little different. The most recognizable and popular beach locally is Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, due to the cool, white sand getting it voted the No. 1 beach in America on more than one occasion. And also because of MTV’s reality TV show of the same name.
But make sure to get there early enough to snag a parking space and spot on the beach during the busy winter months, especially on weekends.
Siesta Key Beach isn’t the only option. Manatee County’s Coquina Beach is a jewel to see as well as Bean Point Beach on the northern end of Anna Maria Island.
Manatee County Public Beach, Anna Maria Public Beach, Cortez Beach and more also dot the island, giving the area no shortages of beach options.
For those willing to make the trek a bit further south, Venice is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” and their beaches are a great place to find shark teeth.
Where to hike, bike or walk outside
In Manatee County, Robinson Preserve in northwest Bradenton has several hiking trails, including one that winds along Tampa Bay. Plus, there’s an observation tower. You can walk or bike any of the trails, and the Manatee County park has restrooms, picnic tables, campground and other amenities.
Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto also has an observation tower and usual park amenities, but is a spot that you can see the Sunshine Skyway bridge from a distance, depending on what part of the preserve you’re in.
The National Park service oversees the DeSoto National Memorial, which has a nature trail winding along shoreline and through different Florida ecosystems such as a mangrove forest.
It’s named after Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto, and the nature trail has interpretative signage telling the natural history story of the area as well as the DeSoto Expedition from 1539.
You also can’t forget to take the trek southeast to Myakka River State Park, which is abundant with alligators throughout the expansive lake within the park. There are hiking trails, including a canopy walk that leads to a tower that sits atop the trees.
Back in Manatee County, Rye Preserve is a spot to check out in Parrish. It’s a 145-acre property that is home to early Manatee County pioneer history with some short nature trails to hike.
Duette Preserve is the largest preserve in Manatee County at 21,000 acres. Located in the northeastern part of the county, Duette Preserve has several hiking trails and even has wagon tours available for anyone interested.
Also in Manatee County are Felts Audubon Preserve, which is home to 33 different butterfly species, and the Palma Sola Botanical Park is a 10-acre area that has a “warm micro climate and is notably frost-free.”
Little Manatee River State Park is in Hillsborough County, but worth a visit for hiking aficionados with a 6.5-mile stacked loop trail. There’s the 0.8-mile Oxbow Nature Trail that serves as a short, yet signature surprise to the state park.
Benderson Park by the UTC Mall might be known for its rowing competitions — it hosted the 2018 World Rowing Championships — but the concrete pathway circling the man-made lake is a popular loop for residents and visitors alike.
And you might just spot a gator gliding along. Be careful with pets near the water’s edge.
Where to kayak and paddleboard
The aforementioned hiking spots also offer some good places to kayak or paddleboard, but arguably the best place to do it is in Sarasota Bay off Lido Key. Mangrove tunnels provide some shade from the sun as well as a peaceful, relaxing escape from any daily worries.
In the winter months, there’s a chance to see dolphins swimming around the bay. You’ll have to wait for summer and warmer waters to catch manatees in their Sarasota Bay habitat.
Fort Hamer is a place in Manatee County to kayak, but also for anyone interested in rowing.
Other recreation activities
The Bradenton RiverWalk isn’t just a good place to stroll next to the Manatee River, to try catching some fish or to take children to enjoy a playground. It’s also a spot to bring a skateboard and dabble at the skate park.
Since being built in 2012, the RiverWalk has offered various amenities, including the splash pad, skate park, walking paths, volleyball courts and an ampitheater area.
Want something a bit more adventurous? Head to East Manatee County and tackle ziplining at TreeUmph! Adventure Course. The place has all kinds of different obstacle courses and challenges for beginners to the more experienced person.
Dotting AMI or just around the island are several parasailing and jet ski companies to help with water-focused activities in the Florida sun. Boating is another popular recreation activity during a stay in Manatee County.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 12:00 AM.
