Sarasota may not be the home of that white-gloved, big-eared mouse or a stomach-flipping roller coaster, but it certainly holds its own as far as attractions go. From the Venetian grandeur of John and Mable Ringling’s Cà d’Zan mansion to an afternoon at the Parker Manatee Aquarium with Snooty, the long-lived manatee, there’s always something for visitors—and locals—to do. Nature lovers can walk the trails of Sarasota County’s state parks or discover the restorative waters of tranquil Mineral Springs. Many of the attractions listed offer visitors discount Internet coupons, so be sure to check each listing’s Web site before you go.
BRADENTON
De Soto National Memorial, 75th St. NW, Bradenton. 792-0458. Employees dressed in period costumes perform demonstrations and give talks about the Florida of 450 years ago, when Hernando de Soto was thought to make landfall here. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Free of charge. www.nps.gov/deso
South Florida Museum/Bishop Planetarium/Parker Manatee Aquarium, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. 746-4131. Survey local Florida history at the South Florida Museum, where exhibits include the world-renowned Tallant artifacts collection and life-sized casts of Ice Age mammals. At the Bishop Planetarium, budding astronomers can enjoy astronomy presentations and sound and light shows, and animal lovers can go nose to nose with Snooty, the 58-year-old manatee and the star of the Parker Manatee Aquarium. Hours: January-April, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m; May-December, Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday noon-5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $15.95, seniors $13.95, children four-12 $11, free for children under four. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.
ELLENTON
Gamble Plantation and Mansion, U.S. 301, Ellenton. 723-4536. Once part of a thriving sugar plantation, this antebellum mansion—which, at press time, was still undergoing structural restoration—was allegedly a hideout for Confederate higher-ups during the Civil War when they were on the run from the Yankees. It’s also the oldest plantation house in South Florida. Open 8 a.m. until sundown daily. Free. www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/default.cfm
OSPREY
Historic Spanish Point, 500 Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 966-5214. Historic Spanish Point—once the home to prehistoric American Indians, the Webb pioneer family and socialite Mrs. Potter Palmer—offers visitors a 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental site, period buildings and exhibits. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $9, children 6-12 $3, seniors $8, Florida residents $8. For a discount coupon, visit www.historicspanishpoint.org.
Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 483-5956. Spend a day in nature and take advantage of this park’s pine flatwoods and lakes by hiking the trails, canoeing or kayaking. You’ll get an eyeful of Florida wildlife, too: scrub jays, indigo snakes and gopher frogs all call Oscar Scherer home. Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. Admission: $4 per vehicle for up to eight people; $24.42 per night to camp. www.floridastateparks.org/oscarscherer/default.cfm
SARASOTA
Ringling Museum of Art/Cà d’Zan Mansion, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 351-1660. The Ringling Museum has been dramatically expanded without losing any of its historic charm and character. Two of the biggest draws at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art are the new Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing, which provides the museum with an extra 30,000 square feet of space for exhibitions, and the Circus Museum, which includes the Tibbals Learning Center and the world’s biggest miniature circus. Meanwhile, Cà d’Zan (literally: “House of John”) offers visitors a glimpse into the life of John and Mable Ringling and a breathtaking view of Sarasota Bay. And the museum’s new Treviso café has won raves with reviewers and local gourmets. Open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $19, seniors over 65 and active U.S. military $16, children ages six-17, students with ID and Florida teachers, $6. Free for all museum members and children under six accompanied by an adult. On Mondays, admission to the museum of art is free. www.ringling.org
Crowley Museum and Nature Center, 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota. 322-1000. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of native Florida wildlife, take self-guided tours through the nature preserve and pioneer history area, or pack a lunch and take in the sights from picnic tables. Open Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from May 1-Dec. 31 and Tuesday-Sunday from Jan. 1-April 30. Admission: Adults $5, children five-12 $3, free for children under five. www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
G.WIZ: The Hands-On Science Museum, 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. 906-1851. This educational, fun museum offers children (and adults, too) hands-on exhibits and activities, including the EcoZone, EnergyZone, MindZone, BodyZone, TechZone, WaveZone and Kids Lab Zone. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Admission: Adults $9, seniors $8, children three-16 $6. Group discounts are available. www.gwiz.org
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. 366-5731. This internationally recognized 9.5-acre bayfront estate, with its open-air and under-glass museum, features 20,000 plants, an indoor rainforest, koi pond, a dart frog collection, and the historic Selby house. Perfect for any nature lover.
Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. 388-4441. In addition to more than 100 species of marine life—including sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles—the aquarium is home to touch pools, a sea turtle rehabilitation hospital, viewable working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits. If you get hungry, grab a bite at the 1950s-style Deep Sea Diner. Admission: Adults $15, children four-12 $10. Free for children under three; seniors receive $1 off general admission. Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., including holidays. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.mote.org.
Myakka River State Park, 14 miles east of Sarasota on S.R. 72. 361-6511. Home to deer, osprey, alligators, local Florida plants and even the Florida bobcat, this park helps visitors get the most out of their experience by offering a horse trail, fishing, airboat tours, canoeing and camping. To schedule a tour, call 365-0100. Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. Admission: $5 per vehicle of two to eight people. www.myakkariver.org
Sarasota Classic Car Museum, 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 355-6228. Car lovers can rev up their enthusiasm for the classic cars featured here; exhibits date as bar back as the horseless carriage and feature more than 100 automobiles as well as an antique game arcade. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. except Christmas Day. Admission: Adults $8.50, seniors $7.65, children 13-17 $5.75, children six-12 $4, free for children under six. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.sarasotacarmuseum.org.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 355-5305. This is Sarasota’s version of the Amazon, with 10 acres of tropical trees and flowers, pink flamingoes, and bird and reptile shows performed daily. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet the Gardens’ animal keepers. Admission: Adults $12, seniors (62 and up) $11, children three-12 $8, free for children under three. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com.
VENICE
The Springs, 12200 San Servano, North Port. 426-1692. This Venice attraction, long known as Warm Mineral Springs, now has an online store that’s chock-full of mineral-spring-water-based products, so out-of-towners can always get their fix. The springs—believed by some to be the original fountain of youth—maintain an 87-degree temperature all year long, and the on-site spa and café enhance the experience. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $20, students $14, AAA members $18, children 12 and under $8. www.warmmineralsprings.com