Parks and viewpoints in Sarasota

Sarasota Natural Wonders

Sarasota’s natural landscape ranges from the specialized epiphytes at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to the diverse bird nesting habitats of the Venice Area Audubon Rookery. This collection includes coastal access points like the Venice Inlet jetties and the prehistoric shark-tooth-rich sands of Caspersen Park. Inland, Nathan Benderson Park offers a world-class rowing venue, while the Lemon Bay and Myakka River preserves protect native mangrove and freshwater ecosystems across Sarasota County.

Bayfront Park

Waterfront green space featuring paved walking loops, a marina, and various public art installations including the "Unconditional Surrender" sculpture.

Ebyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden located at 900 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota, Florida.

Jennifer Huber / CC BY-SA 2.0

Nathan Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park, previously known as North Metro Park and Cooper Creek Park, is a 600-acre park in the U.S. state of Florida, owned…

Lemon Bay Overlook

Elevated observation point providing views across the mangrove forests and seagrass beds of the Lemon Bay aquatic preserve.

South Jetty Park

Located at the southern edge of the Venice Inlet, this park features a rocky walkway for fishing and watching boat traffic enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Venice Area Audubon Rookery

A protected nesting island in a freshwater pond where great blue herons, snowy egrets, and anhingas breed and raise young during winter months.

Caspersen Park

One of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline in Sarasota County, known for nature trails through coastal hammocks and beaches containing fossilized shark teeth.

North Jetty Park

Situated on the southern tip of Casey Key, this park provides access to the Venice Inlet for fishing and surfing, with amenities including a concession stand.