Local Lookouts: Great Spots for Visitors in Manatee and Sarasota Counties

As family and friends come down for the holidays, take your visitors to the best places that display Florida's beauty.

Snooty: Oldest Living Manatee

Get into the Florida spirit by visiting the state’s top marine mammal and Manatee County’s namesake: the manatee. At the South Florida Museum in downtown Bradenton, you can visit the world’s oldest known living manatee, our beloved Snooty, who turned 67 earlier this year. He is known to love people, so stop by for one of his feedings during the day to get up close and personal with a living legend.

Village of the Arts

​Just south of downtown Bradenton​ lies a community of creative artists that love to share their passions with others. Restaurants, bakeries,​ healing studios and art ​galleries light up the area with their own individual spark creating a wonderfully eccentric environment for visitors. The Village boundaries stretch from 9th Ave. West to 17th Ave. W.,​ between 9th St. W and 14th St. W. The first weekend of every month, VOTA hosts Artwalk Weekend where guests can discover the unique arts and enjoy food and music. The next Artwalk starts Friday Jan. 1. Visit their website for more details.

Mote Marine

Visit over 100 different types of sea life and learn how to protect them at this educational and fun aquarium. You can even get up close and personal with the animals at two touch tanks. See how these amazing professionals rehabilitate injured and sick animals to return them to their natural habitat. The aquarium is open every day from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and tickets are available online. Great for seniors, and grandchildren too!​

Myakka State Park/ Robinson Preserve

Discover Florida in these two beautiful nature preserves. Myakka State Park offers a canopy walk up to 71 ft high in the sky where visitors can overlook the entire park and all its glory. Enjoy scenic hikes and camping trips at the many sites and trails. Get on the water on a canoe, kayak or even take the airboat tour along the Myakka River.

Robinson Preserve is a coastal preserve where guests can kayak and paddleboard through trails in the majestic mangroves. This preserve also hosts a lookout tower, bridges, covered pavilions, and camping sites.

The Ringling

There’s not only art at the Ringling; explore all of its other attractions during your visit. With 31 galleries of artistic masterpieces, the Museum of Art is a must see. Walk around the Ca’d’Zan mansion designed by John Ringling in the roaring 1920s. Learn about circus history with over 44,000 miniature​ pieces in the Howard Bros. Circus Model. Wander trails of the Bayfront Gardens (free during Museum hours)​and experience a performance at the H​istoric Asolo Theater.

Anna Maria Island

Enjoy an afternoon, day or weekend on our beautiful island with a small-town feel,​ Anna Maria Island. Walk around and visit shops, eat at restaurants with some of the freshest seafood you can get and enjoy the water and sandy beaches with family and friends.

Secure Aging wants you and your visitors to enjoy the area and explore the best sights possible. We can help make life easier by tracking monthly income and expenses, as well as fully advocating for our clients’ well-being and safety. We are here to help make your life easier and keep your loved ones safe.

Reba Rogers, CPA, is the founder of Secure Aging, a group of care managers who preserve the independence and protect the assets of seniors by helping them with financial management. She is also a Director Consultant for BNI (Business Network International), a referral marketing organization which gives her access to many trusted business professionals in the community.

 

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