There’s no shortage of beautiful places to visit in the Bradenton and Sarasota area. After all, our area is well-known for its quality of life for a reason, thanks in part to our connection with nature and scenic views. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of choosing what kind of view or activity you want on a given day. Here are three local parks and preserves that are worth a visit for their history, natural beauty, and more.
Celery Fields in Sarasota
The 360-acre Celery Fields in Sarasota is the site of what was once actually celery fields. Now, it has the highest point in Sarasota (not including high-rises) and is the county’s primary storm water collection zone. Celery Fields is a magnet for both hard-core exercisers (perhaps due to its prominent hill) as well as the “binocular crowd,” looking out for birds. Celery Fields is owned by Sarasota County, but the Sarasota Audubon Society also has a strong presence there. More than 200,000 aquatic plants and trees have been planted, according to the Sarasota Audubon Society, and the park has two boardwalks. More walking and biking trails are planted. At its boardwalks, a master naturalist is sometimes on site to help you spot beautiful birds—some birds that stay in our area year-round and others that are visiting for winter. Have your good camera ready for pictures.
De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton
De Soto National Memorial, which is part of the National Park Service, has a little something for everyone in the family, including the pets. There’s history—the site is named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who made landfall in Tampa Bay in 1539. The park features various cut-outs of both Spanish explorers and Native Americans who once inhabited the land. There’s even a small archaeological site that has shells and other remnants that are thousands of years old. You can discover more about the area’s history at the visitor’s center or with the reenactors who are at the park. Then there’s beauty—this site at the tip of west Bradenton offers a stunning view of Tampa Bay, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Boaters abound and come to stop at DeSoto. When storms roll into town in the summer, stop by De Soto to get pics of rain or lightning moving across the sky. Finally, even your pooches can get in on the action—many people bring their dogs to walk around De Soto or swim in the waters.
Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto
Emerson Point Preserve is a hidden gem in Palmetto that has spectacular views of Tampa Bay and offers a peaceful respite for sunning, swimming, fishing, and exercising. The 365-acre preserve, operated by Manatee County, is located at the mouth of the Manatee River where it meets Lower Tampa Bay, according to the Manatee County website. Numerous trails allow you to explore a variety of natural views, from bayside vistas to boardwalk meandering to views from the observation tower. There are also two small picnic shelters and a canoe/kayak launch area that provides access to tidal canals and Terra Ceia Bay. Emerson Point also has a hill you can climb for a rare elevated view. The preserve’s Portavant Temple Mound is Southwest Florida’s largest Native American Temple Mound.
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