The Villa Co - Sarasota and Bradenton Florida vacation attractions guide

Sarasota/Bradenton attractions:

South Florida Museum

Welcome to South Florida Museum. The largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida's Gulf Coast! Midway through a $5 million renovation program, the Museum, and this web site, are undergoing frequent, exciting changes. We urge you to visit often and to share the truly unique educational experiences we offer.

Experience Florida’s First Peoples and see the world renowned Tallant Collection of artifacts, the most comprehensive collection of material from archeological sites in Florida, dating from the Paleoindian period to the arrival of the Spanish explorers in the early 1500's. Explore maps, charts and local maritime history in the Maritime Gallery. Wonder at the variety of animal life through natural history exhibits and journey back to 16th century Spain in our Spanish Plaza with a replica of a 16th century chapel. Not to be missed is the changing exhibits gallery, with new and exciting programs planned throughout the year.

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Here is an opportunity to enjoy a stroll along a trail that wanders through an ever-changing landscape of cool, under-story jungle growth and around open pond shorelines. As one meanders through Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a magnificent and wildy overgrown paradise, one wonders how such an abundance began.

Attractions incude:

The "Birds of Prey" exhibition will be held in our newly constructed area behind our Reptiles of The World exhibit. This show will feature Sarasota Jungle Garden's rescued avian predators, Red Tail Hawk and Great Horned Owl. Also, the very maligned "Black Vulture" will be discussed and hopefully dispel the myths that surround this beneficial creature! 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.

"Critters and Things" is just what it sounds like! Featuring the fuzzy, furry, creepy, crawly and everything in between, "Critters and Things" is sure to amaze, amuse and educate every member of the family! This show will immediately follow the "Birds of Prey" exhibition.

"Reptile Encounter" This new, audience interactive show is designed to thrill and amaze our guests. Fact or fiction? You tell us! When was the last time you held an 8 foot Burmese Python? Or, do you want to? 11:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

"Birds of The Rainforest" Our new performing bird show with a twist. These birds are pretty and very smart! But, do they make good pets? Learn more about these exotic animals, their habits and habitats, while they test their's and your IQ! 12:00 noon and 4:30 P.M.

"Meet the Keeper" gives our visitors the opportunity to meet our animal handlers at individual habitats throughout the Gardens. Each informative 5 to 10 minute talk will consist of facts on each animal species, natural habitat and how the animal came to Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Each talk will allow time for a question and answer period. 1:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. Contact: 941-355-5305

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Crowley Museum and Nature Center

Crowley Museum and Nature Center (CMNC) is a non profit nature and pioneer history center located on 190 acres of native land adjacent to the Myakka River in Sarasota County. Visitors can enjoy nature trails through the protected wildlife sanctuary, a boardwalk traversing the Maple Branch Swamp and Tatum Sawgrass Marsh and an observation tower overlooking the Myakka River. The pioneer history area includes a museum with artifacts from the late 1870's to the early 1900's, a one room homestead cabin, a working blacksmith shop, a working sugar cane mill, and a restored 1892 "Cracker" house. Our trails are well maintained, and many are handicapped accessible.

Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours during our normal visiting hours. Walk leisurely through the nature preserve and pioneer history area, enjoying the sights and sounds of native Florida. Picnic tables offer a pleasant spot for a relaxed lunch. Group tours are available with advanced reservations.

Directions: I-75/ Fruitville Road in Sarasota Take Exit 210 (Fruitville Road/SR 780) and travel East for 11 miles to the stop sign. Turn right onto Myakka Road and proceed 2.5 miles to the Crowley Museum and Nature Center. The entrance is on the left. (Note: Myakka Road doglegs several times, stay with the main, paved road until you see our sign.)

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Circus Sarasota

Founded in 1997 by Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, Circus Sarasota is a not-for-profit performing arts educational organization. Circus Sarasota is committed to broadening the artistic contribution of circus, while raising the level and perception of the American Circus to that of the other fine arts.

Known as the "Circus Capital of the World," Sarasota now claims its own one-ring, five star international circus. The presence of circus as an institution and its artists as individual citizens has contributed substantially to the cultural richness and diversity, which is now synonymous with the Sarasota area.

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Florida Gulf Coast Rail Museum

The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, Inc. was founded in 1981 to acquire, protect, preserve and operate interesting and historic examples of railroad rolling stock, artifacts, and other aspects of railroad history, with emphasis on railroads that served the state of Florida. It is a not for profit Florida corporation and has IRS 501 (c) 3 tax status. In 1982, it was named an official State of Florida Railroad Museum by the Florida Legislature.

The museum currently operates diesel powered trips every weekend, year round. Trains depart from our station on 83rd Street East in Parrish, behind the Post Office. The 1.5 hour trip departs Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, rain or shine. Special weekend events are planned year-round.

From Tampa and Points North
- Take Interstate 75 South
- Exit I-75 at Exit 229 - Parrish
- Turn Left onto Moccasin Wallow Road
- At the dead-end into US 301, turn Right
- Take the next left turn onto 83rd Street
- Museum grounds are behind the post office
From St. Petersburg
- Take Interstate 275 South to I-75
- At I-75, take the I-75 South ramp to Naples
- Exit I-75 at Exit 224 - Ellenton/Palmetto
- Turn Left onto US 301 North
- Travel 7 miles north on US 301
- After crossing railroad tracks, take the next right turn onto 83rd Street
- Museum grounds are behind the post office
From Sarasota and Points South
- Take Interstate 75 North
- Exit I-75 at Exit 224 - Ellenton/Palmetto
- Turn Left onto US 301 North
- Travel 7 miles north on US 301
- After crossing railroad tracks, take the next right turn onto 83rd Street
- Museum grounds are behind the post office

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Located on U.S. 41 in Sarasota, Florida, the Museum’s 60,000 square foot facility sits on 4 acres of land near such good neighbors as The Ringling Museum of Art and the Asolo Theater, home of the Sarasota Ballet Company. The SCCM is a Museum by day and a Banquet and Event Facility by night. A 4,000 square foot open-air garden Atrium in the center of the Museum is used for dining and dancing amidst the car collection. A huge Gift Shop filled with an eclectic assortment of collectibles rounds out the facility. The entire facility is "wheelchair friendly" and free wheelchairs are available for visitors.

The Museum features a “living” collection of over 100 automobiles, constantly being updated through acquisitions, exchanges with other car museums, and through donations of vehicles from collectors. The collection spans over 100 manufacturing years. Almost every letter of the alphabet is covered: Auburn, Bentley, Cadillac station wagon (one of only 5 ever made), DeLorean, Edsel, Ferrari, etc. Vintage, classic, muscle, exotic cars….they’re all here. We have John Lennon’s Mercedes Roadster, Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper and a dragster belonging to Don Garlits among our favorite treasures.

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

Myakka River State Park

One of the oldest and largest state parks, Myakka protects one of the state´s most diverse natural areas. The Myakka River, designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Myakka Lake, then take to the treetops with a stroll along the canopy walkway. The park´s river and two lakes provide ample opportunities for boating, freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking; a boat ramp provides access to Upper Myakka Lake. Hikers can explore trails that cross large expanses of rare Florida dry prairie. Scenic lake tours are offered daily on the world´s two largest airboats. Safari tram tours of the park´s backcountry are offered from mid-December through May. Full-facility campgrounds and primitive campsites are available. Five palm log cabins, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, have been modernized for comfortable lodging. Located nine miles east of Sarasota on State Road 72.
Myakka River State Park is located 9 miles east of I-75 in Sarasota on S.R. 72.

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

More Florida State Parks to visit:

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which is affiliated with Florida State University, is the largest museum/university complex in the nation. The 66-acre estate is the legacy of John Ringling (1866-1936), one of the great business tycoons of his day. The Museum of Art, recognized as the state art museum of Florida, includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art with paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and other baroque masters. In addition, the estate encompasses Cà d'Zan, the recently restored 32-room Ringling mansion; the Circus Museum; the Original Asolo theater; the Rose Garden and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Statewide outreach educational programs provide access for scholarly research and arts education for audiences of all ages. The Museum's art library includes a major reference collection of more than 60,000 volumes encompassing all art periods.

Website: http://sarasota.com/attractions.htm

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The Villa Co.Florida - Sarasota and Bradenton Florida Attractions