Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Siesta Key

"As soon as you see the bright blue waters and white sand beaches of this park, you’ll instantly be at peace. Take some time to ride a paddleboard across the waters, search for shells on the beach, or lie back and enjoy catching up on your suntan!. Wildlife abounds here, so keep an eye out for pelicans, especially at Brushy Bayou!"

"Explore Florida's ecosystems with a day of hiking or bicycling around the nature trails at De Soto National Memorial park or take a 45-minute Trail Walk with one of the Park Rangers from the Visitor Center to learn about the rich history and heritage of the grounds. The De Soto National Memorial is home to the living history Camp Uzita; a ten-table picnic area; several small beaches; and The Cove, an anchorage for small pleasure boats. Admission to the De Soto National Memorial is free to the public, but donations are accepted."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Located in Manatee County, DeSoto National Memorial Park is a place that was established to commemorate the landing of Hernando de Soto in 1539, a Spanish explorer and conquistador who made landfall in Tampa Bay along with his army of soldiers. Aside from that, it was also built to remember the Europeans’ first exploration of the southern United States."

"Housing over 120 birds in their 3 acre site, Save our Seabirds aims to rehabilitate injured birds and to educate the public on how to minimize environmental risks to them. Their Birdwalk shows visitors how each species has adapted to its natural environment. The Wild Bird Learning Center has some interesting educational displays."

"This attraction is right next to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. The birds here have been injured, treated yet unable to return to the wild. It provides a tremendous educational opportunity to learn about the local birds and what we can do to help in conservation efforts."

"Save Our Seabirds, Inc. is an animal shelter specifically catering to seabirds. It features an onsite learning center, offering educational galleries and live exhibits."

"Neal Preserve is home to some of the best Anna Maria nature trails, with more than 120 acres for you to discover. Located on the mainland in nearby Bradenton, Neal Preserve is more than just a remarkable natural site – it also has a lot of historical significance. The preserve is home to reconstructed burial mounds, initially built by the Native Americans from 3000 BC to 1400 AD."

"On your way in to Anna Maria Island you’re sure to spot Neal Preserve while making your way across Perico Island. Neal Preserve is set against the stunning waterways around Anna Maria Island and offers fantastic examples of Florida’s natural wildlife and native plants. But there’s more to this 120 acre preserve than meets the eye."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. A 120-acre (48.5 hectares) preserve, Neal Preserve in Manatee County is a combination of mesmerizing coastal habitat and oak hammock upland. The area comprises mangrove forests and salt terns."

"The grill gurus at BrewBurgers are expert searers, adept at keeping thin patties pink and juicy while scarring their exteriors to blackened beauty. A tender, floury bun hugs the patty and contains the lettuce and tomato and a fistful of shredded lettuce. These burgers are a perfect accompaniment to the restaurant’s excellent selection of local beers."

"If you’re searching for a swanky new rooftop bar in Sarasota, Florida, with a slight musical and artistic vibe, then you need to spend an evening soaking in the scene at the Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar. This scenic venue on the fifth floor of the Art Ovation Hotel in downtown draws a younger crowd late at night, but a variety of age groups relax in this spectacular setting in the afternoon and early evening. Take a seat under one of the many shady umbrellas and order one of their light specialties like the blackened grouper sandwich or a crab salad accompanied by a pineapple martini."

"A post shared by Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar (@perspectivesarasota) on Jul 3, 2018 at 9:50am PDT. Perspective is Art Ovation Hotel’s hotspot. It’s one of those areas where can easily be transported from the middle of the city to a poolside with a craft cocktail in hand."

"450 Old Main St., Bradenton; 941-745-8433; facebook.com/theloadedbarreltavern. A legend among local bartenders, Paul Kotlarczyk built a loyal army of followers on Old Main Street while slinging drinks at Lost Kangaroo before opening The Distillery by DeSoto Square Mall about 15 years ago. In 2011, Kotlarczyk returned to Old Main Street with what is now The Loaded Barrel Tavern."

"In the heart of downtown Sarasota Florida, Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill stands alone for creative sushi, fresh sashimi and a new spin on asian fusion--all at remarkable prices. The Tsunami team focuses on ensuring every meal exceeds your expectations. Hours:12:06 AM - 12:00 PM todaySat: 12:00 PM - 10:30 PMSun: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PMMon: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PMTue: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PMWed: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PMThu: 11:00 AM - 9:30 PMFri: 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM"

"Ask anyone and you will hear that the best Sarasota restaurant for sushi is Tsunami. This Japanese spot is open daily for lunch and dinner and features dozens of sushi rolls. This includes everything from traditional sashimi to crazy rolls like ones with spicy escolar and pine nuts or the Tiger Roll with four different kinds of fish!"

"Waitress was so nice and I could tell that the whole staff works so hard to make sure everything is perfect...."

"The beef w/broccoli combo platter was very tasty including the egg roll. Ready in 10 minutes - works for me!"

"Delicious Chinese food in a convenient location (right off I 75)- there's even a drive thru for easy pick up!. We ordered the chicken lo mein and shr..."

"Considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Bradenton, Fav’s is located in the downtown area on Main Street. They have indoor and outdoor seating and a small but superb menu. From homemade bread and pasta to great wine by the bottle, it’s an experience you’ll enjoy."

"Favs has a lot of take out orders and its hard to tell when they are busy. Sometime the service…"