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Calling all golf lovers, are you ready to take that golf getaway you have been planning for? Have you been planning but not quite sure where to go? Don’t waste any more time, visit Bradenton/Sarasota for endless golf options that you won’t be disappointed with.

Florida offers more than your typical gorgeous beaches, amazing weather and awesome lifestyle,  it is home to some of the best courses around. The sport of golf elevates Florida’s sunshine and scenery to a whole other level. With challenging yet fun fairways, playable and well-managed greens, and an awesome selection of shots, you are bound to have a blast playing golf on the gulf coast. With well over 50 golf courses in the Bradenton/ Sarasota area, it may be a struggle to find the best courses around. Rather than have you do the research yourselves we have listed below our top 5 golf courses in the area. This will ensure your golf getaway planning goes nice and smooth.

 

Top 5 Golf Courses

 

Planning Your Golf Getaway

Finally, with many of our vacation homes on or near these golf courses, planning your golf getaway will be a breeze. All other courses in the area are only a 10-15 minute drive away. Don’t spend your nights cramped in a hotel, check out our list of comfortable vacation homes here. If you would like additional preferences on golf courses leave us a comment and we would be happy to share our other course favorites in the area.

Have you been trying to plan a kid friendly vacation but haven’t quite found the right place? Bradenton, Florida offers plenty of fun kid friendly activities to do while visiting the area. Whether you like spending your days outdoors, inside, or at the beach your kids are bound to have plenty of fun. Bradenton offers kid friendly activities for all ages and endless fun to create those unforgettable family memories. We have created a kid friendly activity list below to help you plan your gulf coast vacation.

 

Kid Friendly Activities

With plenty of kid friendly activities to do in the area there is no excuse not to visit the Gulf Coast. Plenty of activities to plan, amazing weather and beautiful vacation homes to rent, what could you possibly be waiting for?  Take a look at our rentals here, we offer homes of all sizes to fit the whole family. Not to mention many of our homes feature a private pool which is great to keep kids occupied while in the comfort of a home. Let us help you plan your family getaway, give us a call today!

Heading to the Sarasota area soon and looking for date night activities to plan? Don’t stress we’re here for you. Date night planning is easy, you only need 3 things. 1) Significant other, 2) Destination (Sarasota..check), and 3) activities, which we will provide you. See how simple that was, your planning is complete! Sarasota is a wonderful city with awesome nightlife, romantic restaurants, and endless adventures for two to enjoy. Let’s take a look at our top 10 list of date night activities in Sarasota.

 

Top 10 Date Night Activities

1. Can I get a sunset for two? What could be more romantic than watching the gulf coast sunsets as your date night? Plan a picnic on the beach with all of the essentials like a blanket, wine, snacks, music and relax on any of our local area beaches listed here. Looking to make it an even more romantic night? Take a night stroll along the beach walking in the moonlight, it doesn’t get more romantic than that.

2. Speaking of sunsets, check out the sunset cruises at Marina Jacks for a date night. These evening or lunch cruises travel through the inter coastal waters of the gulf while enjoying amazing views, delicious food and live entertainment. This would be the perfect date for the couple looking to explore the gulf while enjoying amazing fresh food.

3. Looking to stay on land instead? How about visiting the famous St. Armands Circle for the night. The circle offers endless activities to do while on your date night, including shopping, dinner, dessert and plenty of live entertainment. There is something to do for every type of couple including jazz bands, local bars, and romantic eats. Not to mention, Lido beach is a short walk away form the circle, so you could take that evening walk we talked about earlier.

4. If you are wanting a more lively seen try heading out to Downtown Sarasota for your date night. You will be able to spend the whole night here between the endless restaurants and local bars. Downtown Sarasota also features a few great night clubs that include the Gator Club and Clasico. You and your date are bound to have an amazing time and will meet plenty of people.

5. What would date night be without Restaurants? A date night almost always consists of dinner at a romantic restaurant. We have come up with a few of our Sarasota favorites which include the Chart House, Indigenous, Selva Grill, and The Capital Grill. The restaurants serve delicious meals and offer a romantic atmosphere, you and your significant other will leave happy and full, no questions.

6. Do you and your significant other enjoy a good laugh? If so McCurdy’s Comedy Club is surely the way to go on your date night. At McCurdy’s you will be able to enjoy a good act, dinner, dessert and amazing cocktails and beer. Be prepared to laugh until your stomach hurts all while enjoying the company of your date and a great atmosphere.

7. For those couples who enjoy a more laid back environment, how about trying dinner and a movie? Cine bistro in Sarasota offers just that. This theater is equipped with comfortable reclining chairs, the newest movies and of course amazing entrees to choose from. You cant go wrong with a dinner and a movie for date night.

8. Feeling Artsy? Try Painting With A Twist for date night. This fun art studio allows you to BYOB and food during the 2 or 3 hour paint class. Choose your favorite painting from the event calendar and make it your own in this fun exciting art class. Local Artists are there to help assist you while you’re painting your masterpieces. The art classes are tons of fun and allow for a relaxing evening doing what you love. Even if you are not a great artist this will be fun for everyone and you will leave with a great piece of art.

9. Are you a competitive couple that loves to out win one another? If so, Livingston’s is the perfect place for you and your date. Livingston’s features an arcade, billiards, bumper cars, go karts and much more. This is the ultimate place to come have fun, have a drink, socialize and unwind. Also, if you can earn enough tickets you may be able to leave with a great prize from the arcade.

10. Last but not least, seeing that Sarasota is known as an art community, it wouldn’t be right to visit without seeing a local play. This would be perfect for date night for those who enjoy the art of acting and music. Check out Van Wezel and the Players Centre for upcoming events and plays.

 

Planning your stay on the Gulf Coast

That concludes our list of top 10 Date night activities in Sarasota. Sarasota offers so much more than what is listed above but this is a good starting point for those couples coming to visit. If you are planning a trip soon with your significant other we would love to have you, check out our rentals in the Sarasota area. Our rentals are located near all the local area shopping, entertainment and beaches. Need some help planning? No worries, give us a call and we would be happy to help.

Located in a pristine location and family friendly neighborhood, Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club is a great vacation destination for all travelers. Located right off interstate 75 and state road 64, commuting to Tampa, Orlando, or Sarasota is a breeze. This community is also located near shopping centers, local beaches, and a five-minute drive to the Lakewood Ranch area. There is plenty to enjoy about this community including the golf course, club house, and luxury homes. Let’s take a look at what makes this community one to vacation in.

 

All About Stoneybrook

One of the best features in Stoneybrook is the par-72 course. This golf course features four sets of tees and plenty of water and marshes to cross. Designed by Arthur Hill, this course is truly one not to forget and is also redundant for wildlife spotting. With the course playing through wetlands, lakes, and mature woods, it is satisfyingly challenging and makes for a great game of risk and reward.

Also featured in this community are state of the art tennis courts, clubhouse, fitness center, swimming pool and many more amenities. This community is definitely a piece of paradise and not to mention completely gated . Not only is the community itself great but the homes are what makes this community thrive. The homes in this community range from condos, coach homes, carriage homes, villas, and single family homes.

 

Planning A Visit

Whether you are visiting for the golf or not you will not be disappointed by what Stoneybrook has to offer. For the non-golfers remember there are plenty of amenities to enjoy around the community and you are around the corner from great shopping and local beaches. If you would like to visit the area soon, book a home in this great community. With plenty of outdoor activities, the beautiful sunshine, and family friendly neighborhood your vacation will be a memorable one.  We would love to help you plan your next vacation to Stoneybrook, give us a call today.

We love our Florida beaches and marine species, I’m sure just as much as you may.  Many Florida marine species that are endangered and threatened accommodate the local beaches as their home or as nesting grounds. Not only are these Florida marine species fighting to keep their nesting spots and homes from getting destroyed from us but they are also living in trash and litter from beach goers everyday. We love our Florida wildlife and want to do our best to keep these animals safe. Today only about 825 miles of Florida beaches are protected by the state. We wanted to help educate our visitors on what they can do to help and protect our beaches and Florida marine species. But first lets learn more about a couple of Florida’s most researched marine species.

 

Florida’s Sea Turtles

 

The Florida Manatee

 

Helpful Tips on Protecting our Florida Marine Species

 

What you can do if you see a marine animal violation?

To report marine mammal violations, such as people feeding, attempting to feed, or harassing marine mammals in the wild, please contact the national NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964. Information may be left anonymously.

 

Experience Florida and All It Has to Offer

If you are intrigued with Florida’s marine species and beaches how about planning a visit to the gulf coast. Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals offers vacation homes near the local area beaches. Don’t spend your nights cramped in a hotel room when you could experience living in Florida. Not to mention all of the wildlife you could spot renting a golf course home,  lake view home or one minutes from the island. Let us help you plan your perfect vacation,  give us a call today.

Traveling can be hard work, especially if you’re traveling with kids and pets. We think vacationing should be fun and enjoyable with no added stress. Whether traveling alone or with your family we have put together top travel tips to help you plan and prepare for your traveling adventures.

#1 Be patient: Your traveling adventures may not go as you planned. So preparing for delays is vital when traveling. This way when your fight gets delayed or you take the wrong route it will not phase you as much. You will already have planned for it. Just remember to stay calm and think positive

#2 Make/Print a list for your belongings: How many times have you left your house and forgot about an important item? Probably most of us. Planning ahead of time will allow you remember the important items such as chargers, camera and important documents. You can find great lists online that will allow you to check off items as you pack.

#3 Pre-plan Local Activities: Nothing is worse than getting to your destination and being overwhelmed by places to go and see. Pre-plan your activities so you know which ones you would like to do during your visit. Unless you are taking a 3-month long vacation it is impossible to see and do everything that the destination has to offer. So make sure to pick and choose your favorites ahead of time.

#4 Make photocopies of important documents, you never know when an emergency will arise. You should always make 2 photocopies of all your important documents. One copy to leave with a trusted friend or relative at home and the other to carry with you in case of loss or theft.

#5 Ask the locals: Wouldn’t you want a pro to give you guidance during your vacation? Don’t be afraid to ask the locals where the best restaurants, coffee shops, sunset spots, etc. They will know the best spot and will be more than happy to share it with you. It may surprise you how much you enjoyed the place.

#6 Alert your bank and credit card company: This is an important habit to get the hang of before your travels. Unless you want your debit and credit cards getting declined, be sure to make this call. This is specifically important for those traveling overseas. It will enable a smooth process while on your vacation.

#7 Back up your laptop, cellphone and other electronics: Although planning for a burglary is never thought upon it could happen when visiting a new area. It is important to back up your electronics and always carry those important documents in case of theft. You can back up your files and photos on a hard drive or online with a software.

#8 Slow down and don’t over plan: Nothing is worse than feeling overwhelmed on your vacation. Your vacation is supposed to be relaxing and fun. Don’t feel like you have to spend every waking moment visiting a new place. Slow down and plan for the places you really want to see. Spend some time with yourself relaxing near the pool or on the beach. The goal is to come back from vacation feeling refreshed, not drained.

#9 Packing for a carry on: Some important items to always pack on a carry on are any medications, toothbrush, electronics, and extra set of clothes just in case.  A swimsuit may not be a bad idea if you are traveling to the Gulf Coast. That way you can head straight to the beach while waiting to check in.

#10 Travel More: Stop making excuses on why you can’t travel more, get out and explore the world! Those who wait to travel unfortunately never do. Starting with a weekend trip is always a good idea and allows for a short break from reality to enjoy what this world has to offer. After your weekend trips, plan for a week and before you know it you’ll be across the country for a 3-week vacation enjoying different cultures. That new iPhone or shopping spree can wait, if you truly want to experience all that life has to offer travel more!

Sunshine, sandy toes and the sound of ocean waves breaking. High above you are the bright blue sky and the ocean breeze against your face…who’s already feeling a bit more relaxed?

We are all well aware that the ocean and beaches are a symbol of relaxation but did you know it’s also scientifically proven to benefit your health? What better reason do you need to book your next vacation near the beach? Not buying into it quite yet? Let’s take a look at some of the proven benefits of vacationing near the ocean.

 

#1 The color blue associated with the ocean benefits our well-being

Statistics show that the color blue is the world’s favorite color. It’s no surprise seeing that we are surrounded by a world filled of blue shades. People surrounded by the ocean experience a mental relaxation that can soothe a tired mind as well as calm a problematic mind. It also makes a person more aware of their imagination. With time spent near the ocean you can allow your problems to float away while you spend your days gazing into the crystal blue ocean and sunshiny blue sky.

 

#2 The ocean breeze is beneficial to your lungs

Many people who work in an office rarely get a breath of fresh air. Most are stuck in an office for an average of 8 hours a day and don’t get the chance to go outside. Taking a break away from the office and heading near the ocean can benefit your lung health in many ways. The ocean breeze can actually clear out the lungs of those suffering from cystic fibrosis (Dr. Thomas W. Ferkol.) Also, other studies have suggested that ocean air can help thin mucus, improve lung function, reduce coughing and decrease sinus pressure. Who’s ready to get a breath of fresh air?

 

#3 We have a biological connection to water

From the beginning of our life cycle we are biologically connected to water. The human body is made up of 60% water, ¾ water makes up the brain and human bones contain 31%. Human brains respond to the sight of water by triggering a response of calmness and relaxation through the human body. This also enables us to feel rejuvenated and refreshed allowing us to forget any worries or stress on the mind. This biological connection can also help restore your focus. So when you’ve had a tough work week or life simply has you down, plan a vacation to the ocean to refresh and refocus your mind.

 

#4 Amazing source of vitamin D and improved immune health

One of the most beneficial and essential vitamins in our diets is vitamin D. Although important, we often times don’t consume near enough of this vitamin through the food that we eat. Fortunately for us, only 10 minutes of sunshine will do the trick. What better way to get that 10 minutes of sunshine than at the beach? The ocean is also great for your immune health. Salt water contains unique antibacterial properties that help sooth external and internal infections. These infections can include cuts and open wounds and also help boost the function of the thyroid gland and energy levels. Good levels of iodine in your body also ensures metabolism rates are optimal.

 

#5 The ocean allows you to connect with your inner self

Whether religious or not spending time with your self is important. We all need time to reflect and focus on personal goals. Whether we have goals for work or our personal lives, it can be hard to focus on them in our stressful day to day lives. Being near the ocean allows us to be one with nature. The calmness associated with nature is proven to help us relax and feel at peace. Making it easier to get in touch with our inner self and our consciousness. There is no better spot that near the ocean to get connected with yourself and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

Are you convinced that being near the ocean is essential for your health? If not, you may as well have to try it out for yourself. The next time you have a stressful week at work or simply need a break, take a vacation. Visit the Gulf Coast and see for yourself. You may just find yourself coming back over and over, and there’s absolute nothing wrong with that!

Check out our available homes on the gulf coast here. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us. We would be glad to plan your beneficial vacation to the gulf coast.

Booking vacation rental homes are the new and upcoming trend in the traveling industry. People are realizing that hotels are often times twice as costly as a vacation home would be. No to mention all those hidden fees such as parking and Wi-Fi. Why rent a room when you can have a home to make your vacation feel like a home away from home? Instead of dealing with a headache and empty pocket at the end of your stay, you can come back from vacation refreshed, relaxed and recharged. Check out the top 10 reasons why you can book with confidence at Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals.

 

#1 Simple, Fast and secure online bookings:

No need to worry about spending hours trying to find the perfect home and secure the booking on your own. We have made the process fast and simple. All you need to do is search your dates, location, and enter the number of guests. From there a list of available homes will show up on your screen. Choose the best option for you and click book now. Once you are in the booking stage the rest is cake. Simply follow the prompts and secure the booking with an online payment. No need to worry, our website is fully secured to make online payments.

How easy was that? If you don’t have access to a computer, give us a call. We’d be happy to follow these exact steps to help you book the home of your dreams. If you have any questions about the area, feel free to reach out to us.

 

#2 In House Maintenance Staff and Hotline:

We would be lying if we told you nothing ever goes wrong while in a rental. Unfortunately, things do happen. It is a home just like yours and minor issues do occur. But we want you to be fully aware that we are only a phone call away. GCVR has their own in house maintenance that will be able to respond to any maintenance issues in a timely fashion. Simply call our maintenance hotline, that will be posted in your home and in your guest book, and we will have someone over in no time. This hotline is available to you 24 hours a day!

 

#3 Professional Cleaning Service:

Walking into a clean rental property is often times a hit or miss, but not here at GCVR. We utilize a professional cleaning business that ensures top standards for all of our vacation homes. The cleaning staff ensures homes are cleaned and prepared for the day of your arrival. Even if a home is vacant for some time before your arrival, rest assured that our cleaners will do a full clean to ensure a fresh clean home. No need to worry about the cleaning fee being put to full use. We make sure your cleaning fee ensures the utmost standard before your arrival to the property.

 

#4 All Inclusive Pricing and Cost Affordable:

Unlike some vacation rentals companies and hotels, we don’t charge you a deposit for utilities or hidden fees after you book the home.  The price you see is the final price you get. Our prices are all inclusive with the use of utilities, cable, Wi-Fi, private parking, and the list goes on.  As you know booking with hotels can be very costly which is why at GCVR we include these extra amenities at no cost. We believe these added bonuses should be included during your stay. Did you know booking a vacation rental is also less costly that booking a hotel? It indeed is, check out the comparison here.

 

#5 Properties in Prime Locations:

If you are traveling to Florida to experience the amazing beaches, world renowned theme parks and top tourist attractions GCVR is definitely the spot for you. All of our vacation rental homes are located on the Gulf Coast in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Dependent on the properties, rides to local area beaches are a 10-20-minute drive away. Not to mention world class shopping such as the new UTC mall and St Armands, is also a short drive from all of our homes. With homes located in pristine gated communities to private pool homes with open RV and boat parking, we have something to fit everyone’s needs. Oh, and one last thing, all of our homes are located a 5-20-minute drive away from the interstate making trips to Orlando a short 2-hour travel. Also, trips to Tampa are even shorter, only 45-60-minute travel.

 

#6 Personable and Friendly Staff always a phone call away:

Here at GCVR we strive to make your stay as simple and hands off as possible. If you need any assistance with anything during your stay, our vacation rental staff is always here to answer your calls.  Whether you need directions, top tourist picks, or the best place to eat nearby, we have your back. We want to help make you vacation as stress free as possible. Any questions that didn’t get answered in this blog feel free to reach out to us at our office number 941-782-1559. We’ll be happy to assist you.

 

#7 Pet Friendly Vacation Homes:

Here at GCVR we understand pets are part of the family and wouldn’t want you to leave your fur children at home. We offer plenty of vacation rentals that allow pets in all of our locations. Whether you are looking for a 2-bedroom condo or 5-bedroom pool home, rest assured your pets will be able to come along for the ride. Plus, pets need a vacation too, new places to smell and adventure to be had.

 

#8 We offer accidental Renter Insurance:

Here at Gulf Coast we know accidents happen. Things such as stains, furniture tears and broken lamps are sometimes unavoidable. Instead of forking over your damage deposit, we offer a onetime fee damage insurance option. For $45 you and your family can be covered up to $1500.00 in damage.  Although, this does not exempt you from a security deposit. It is our policy that a security despot be held for all of our vacation rental properties. If ARDI is purchased we will not take any money out of your damage security deposit if an accident does occur, as long as the damage is below $1500.00. Just to be clear broken TV’s, pet damage and damaged furniture are not accidents and will not be covered under this insurance.

 

#9 Individually Owned Homes with Unique Style and Comfort:

Here at Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals you are not bound to the same old hotel style bed and dresser set up. Each of our vacation homes offer a different style and decor to make these homes one of a kind. Everything from large sectionals, private pool and spas, and one of a kind art painting. Your vacation home will be one with unique style and comfort. Since these homes are individually owned items such as cooking ware, plenty of linens and DVD players can be found throughout our homes, all free of use.

 

#10 Last but not least we offer a large variety of properties for you to choose from:

We have an inventory list of single family homes ranging from 2-5 bedrooms. Condos located on the golf course or in gated communities.  Also, if mansions are more your style we have that as well. Whatever type of homes, big or small we have one perfect for you and your family. Check out all the different types of homes we have available by visiting our website at www.gcvacationrentals.com.

What better place in the world to plan a wedding than Florida!  You have the gorgeous beach sunsets (on the gulf coast), country clubs over looking beautiful scenery and of course plenty of other breath taking venues. Florida is definitely a popular place to hold weddings for a very good reason. It is absolutely stunning, romantic and makes for the best pictures to cherish forever.

 

Wedding Tips:

For those looking to plan a Florida wedding we suggest a few tips to follow. First off, plan it for the spring time or fall. These times offer the perfect weather for a beach or outdoor wedding. It’s not to hot nor to cold. Summer weddings are gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but unless you enjoy 90 degree weather to get married in we suggest to choose otherwise. Also, another important factor is planning the right time of day. Be sure to plan for when you want your pictures taken.  If you want those beautiful sunsets in the background of your photos, plan for an afternoon ceremony and evening reception.

Another tip for planning a Florida wedding is to always have a back up plan. This is Florida we’re talking about, it could rain at any point in time. If you plan on having one outdoors be sure to plan for the unexpected. Renting tents as a backup is always smart as well as holding your reception indoors. For guests that forget to come prepared,  little umbrellas or rain covers could be offered just in case. Just be sure to keep an eye on the weather report. Although it may not rain on your special day it is better to be safe than sorry.

The third tip to follow is to look for events,  festivals, and live entertainment going on in the area during the weekend of your wedding. For guests traveling to your wedding the least you can do is offer fun events to do leading up to the big day. This will add a special touch to your guests stay and allow your guests to enjoy fun things going on in the area.  Not to mention events you may want to attend yourself could be going on. Such as live entertainment at a nightclub down the road from your wedding. That would make for a great spot to go after the wedding to continue on the celebration. Sending a quick email with local events will show your guests that you are indeed thinking of them and may also help you plan for a great after party.

Finally the last tip, choose the right venue that fits your interests.  Everybody is different and has different interests. Make sure you and the groom plan a spot together that you both will enjoy. Planning a wedding in Florida can get overwhelming because of all the options you have. So we decided to help, we have listed the most popular places in the Bradenton and Sarasota area to help you plan your wedding. Take a look at some of the great options the gulf coast has to offer you for your big day.

 

Top 10 Wedding Venues:

Ringling Mansion
Crosley Estate
University Park Country Club
Lakewood Ranch Country Club
Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast
Long Boat Key Resort
The Sandbar
Selby Botanical Gardens
Hunsader Farm
Mixon Farm

 

Planning Your Special Day

If you plan to have a Florida Wedding make sure to check out our available vacation rentals for your stay on the gulf coast. We also have multiple homes located in the same neighborhood, perfect for those looking to stay close to family and friends. Also, check out our Pinterest wedding board here for great planning ideas.

Aquariums, Zoos and Botanical Gardens are just a few of the local area attractions you will find on the gulf coast of Florida. For those vacationers traveling with kids, we understand how challenging it can be to find enough things to do to keep kids occupied. We assure you though, the Bradenton/ Sarasota area has plenty for you and your family to enjoy.

 

Local Attractions: Aquariums

Since you are going to be visiting Florida, going to an aquarium is a must! One of the most popular aquariums on the gulf coast is Mote Marine Laboratory. This attraction is fun for all ages and gives a great insight on different species found throughout our oceans. As well as the challenges that our oceans face today and ways to help. Furthermore, the aquarium is a great place to learn and enjoy ocean life, there’s no doubt kids won’t have a good time. Not to mention just a few species you will see are sharks, manatees, otters and so much more.

1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
(941) 388-4441

 

Local Attractions: Zoos

A few local zoos in the area include Sarasota Jungle Gardens and Big Cat Habitat. These attractions are family favorites for locals in the area. Starting with Sarasota Jungle Gardens, it is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals. The zoo is approx. 10 acres of tropical style landscape connected with fun jungle trails. In addition, the zoo features daily shows for birds and reptiles for education and entertainment purposes.

941-355-5305 | 877-681-6547
3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34234

Sarasota Big Cat Habitat is a large nonprofit sanctuary for exotic animals. They offer weekly tours, training demos, and daily shows. The shows are free with admission and furthermore,  all admission income goes directly to care and feeding of the animals. Also, the zoo provides permanent homes for dozens of exotic animals including lions, tigers and bears.

7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34232
(941) 371-6377

 

Local Attractions: Botanical Gardens

If you want a sight to see, our local botanical gardens will leave you feeling speechless. These breath taking gardens are a tropical oasis not to forget. Selby Marie Botanical Gardens is located on the shores of Sarasota Bay. They are open daily for all to explore. They offer photo tours, group tours or you can opt in to take a class. Selby botanical garden is a world class center for education and research.

900 S. Palm Avenue • Sarasota, FL 34236
941.366.5731

Another local area botanical garden is located in west Bradenton and is called Palma Sola Botanical Gardens. This 10 acre park is open daily. A few things you will notice when strolling through the gardens are lush tranquil gardens, lakes, bridges and more. Entry into this park is free and offers a perfect setting for afternoon strolls or lunch picnic. Stop by Palma Sola gardens and appreciate all that nature has to offer.

9800 17th Ave NW, Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 761-2866