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The Gulf Coast barrier island of Siesta Key is one of southwest Florida’s most popular beach towns, beloved for its pristine white sand beaches, gorgeous turquoise waters, and relaxed nightlife and social scene.
Many popular attractions draw big crowds, such as St. Armand’s Circle, Siesta Key Village, and the Mote Marine Laboratory, but for those who prefer to wander off the beaten path, there are plenty of secret sights to enjoy. Let’s take a look at 15 of Siesta Key’s hidden gems.
1. Fossil Hunting at Canoe Outpost
- Website: facebook.com/CanoeOutpostPeaceRiver
- Address: 2816 NW County Rd. 661, Arcadia, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Canoe Outpost lies on the Peace River, around an hour from Siesta Key. If you’re looking for fun things to do on the water, head here to try fossil hunting. During the low water season of March through May, fossil hunters scour the river for bone and tooth fossils. If you’re new to this type of outdoor activity, Canoe Outpost can teach you the right techniques and provide you with suitable shovels and sifter kits.
2. North Point Warm Mineral Springs
- Website: northportfl.gov/Community-Recreation/Parks-Facilities/Warm-Mineral-Springs-Park
- Address: 12200 San Servando Ave, North Port, FL
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
The warm mineral springs of North Point maintain a heavenly 85 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, making them perfect for a relaxing dip. The mineral water is purported to have healing properties thanks to the 51 natural minerals that are dissolved in it. Spa services like massages, facials, and waxing are also available so you can make a day of getting pampered.
3. Tamiami Trail
Interstate 75 is the main high-speed traffic route on the southwest coast of Florida, but before it was constructed, only US Highway 41 connected Tampa to Miami. These days, the 41, known as the Tamiami Trail, offers a leisurely, scenic ride across the Everglades. Pick it up in Siesta Key for an epic 6 to 7-hour drive to the bustling city of Miami.
4. The Florida Railroad Museum
- Website: frrm.org
- Address: 12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
The Florida Railroad Museum lets you step back in time, experience life in the 1940s and 50s, and discover how the development of the railway impacted Florida. You should also consider booking a specialty train ride, such as a train robbery reenactment or a Christmas North Pole adventure, for an unforgettable railroad experience.
5. Herrmanns Royal Lipizzan Stallions
- Website: herrmannsroyallipizzans.com
- Address: 32755 Singletary Rd., Myakka City, FL
- Opening hours: Seasonal performances on Thursdays & Fridays at 3 pm and Saturdays at 10 am
The Lipizzan is a rare and endangered horse breed renowned for its elegance and ability to conduct precise combat maneuvers. It was rescued in World War II after near extinction, and the Herrmann family has been dedicated to preserving it in the USA since the 1960s. Watch the Lipizzan Stallions perform at the Herrmann family’s ranch to see these majestic animals in action.
6. Red Barn Flea Market
- Website: redbarnfleamarket.com
- Address: 1707 1st St, Bradenton, FL
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Bradenton, which lies just north of Siesta Key, is renowned for its Red Barn Flea Market which attracts up to 10,000 visitors every weekend. There are more than 600 booths on this 20-acre site, with vendors selling everything from clothing and jewelry to antiques and handmade artworks. There are also lots of food stalls selling delicious hot and cold meals and snacks.
7. Beer Can Island
Beer Can Island, also known as Greer Island, is a sandbar that lies just off Longboat Key Bridge close to Anna Maria Island. Driftwood that resembles whale bones litters its beach, giving it an otherworldly charm. The sandbar is most easily reached by boat, so it’s a bit of a mission to get to it, but it’s a great spot for a picnic or party.
8. Sunset Point Pier on Siesta Key Beach
- Address: Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL
- Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
All of Siesta Key’s beaches are known to offer fantastic vantage points at sunset, but most people flock to the Siesta Beach Pavilion, where the Drum Circle takes place on Sunday evenings. Sunset Point Pier is a great alternative. It lies right at the northern end of the island, which tends to be a little quieter and less crowded.
9. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- Website: selby.org
- Address: 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens offers 45 acres of bayan groves, clumping bamboo, mangroves, and staghorn ferns, all overlooking Sarasota Bay. The gardens are at the forefront of research into orchids, ferns, and bromeliads, and there’s lots to be learned about botany, horticulture, and the environment when you visit.
10. Secret Beaches
Siesta Key is renowned for its beautiful beaches, with Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach, and Turtle Beach often considered the area’s very best beaches. If you’re looking for a quieter experience away from the crowds, check out these lesser-known public beaches.
Palmer Point Beach
- Address: Osprey, FL
- Opening hours: 6 am – Sunset
Walk south from Turtle Beach to reach Palmer Point, a lovely sloped beach and dune lined with vegetation. It’s a great area for walking, birdwatching, and spotting wildlife because its lack of parking, restrooms, and amenities discourages large groups of tourists from visiting.
Point of Rocks
- Address: 6900 Point of Rocks Road, FL
- Opening hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
Point of Rocks is at the southern end of Crescent Beach. It’s an excellent spot for snorkeling, especially for beginners, because the calm Gulf of Mexico waters are rich in coral and marine life. Keep in mind that you’ll have a bit of a walk to reach it; park up at Beach Access 12 and make the rest of the way on foot.
Chauncy Howard Park
- Address: 800 The Esplanade N, Venice, FL 34285
- Opening hours: 6 am – Sunset
Venice, one of Florida’s most beloved beach cities, lies just 30 minutes south of Siesta Key by car. Most people flock to the popular Venice Beach, where volleyball, beach parties, surfing, and other watersports draw big crowds in peak season. Chauncy Howard Park lies just a little north, but it tends to be quieter. It’s perfect for those who want to chill out, sunbathe, or have a peaceful picnic.
11. Mangrove Tunnel Paddleboard Tour
- Website: kayakfl.com/lido-key-sarasota/mangrove-tunnel-paddleboard-sup-tour
- Address: Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures,100 Taft Dr., Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Kayaking is a popular pastime in the waters surrounding Siesta Key and Sarasota, but stand-up paddleboarding is a fun alternative.
Head to South Lido Key to join a tour where you can look out for manatees and dolphins in the bay before heading into magical mangrove tunnels. You’ll learn about the local ecosystem and the history of the area from your tour guide along the way.
12. Ca’ d’Zan Mansion
- Website: www.ringling.org/visit/venues/ca-dzan
- Address: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Ca’ d’Zan is an epic Venetian Gothic mansion that was once the winter residence of the Ringling family. It forms part of the epic Ringling Museum of Art, but it tends to draw fewer visitors than the rest of the estate. It’s an extraordinary building adorned with terracotta, stucco, glazed tiles, marble, and lots of luxurious gold detailing.
13. Seafood & Oysters Restaurants
Siesta Key is renowned for its delicious fresh seafood and oysters, so be sure to check out some of these popular spots for an epic meal.
The Old Salty Dog
- Website: theoldsaltydog.com
- Address: 5023 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 11 am – 9 pm daily
A casual restaurant in Siesta Village that serves classic seafood dishes such as clam strips, fish sandwiches, and shrimp baskets.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
- Website: skob.com
- Address: 5238 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily
If you’re looking for the best oysters in town, you can find them at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. Choose from raw or baked oysters, and a variety of other delicious seafood dishes such as crabcakes and blackened Mahi jerked shrimp.
The Lobster Pot
- Website: sarasotalobsterpot.com
- Address: 5157 Ocean Blvd, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 11.30 am – 9.00 pm daily
You can find fantastic Lobster at the family-run Lobster Pot in Siesta Key village. There’s a great range of lobster dishes on the menu, including lobster ravioli, lobster mac and cheese, and an award-winning lobster bisque.
The Seafood Joint
- Website: theseafoodjoint.com
- Address: 217 Avenida Madera, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 4.30 pm – 9 pm daily
The Seafood Joint focuses on serving sustainable, ultra-fresh seafood that is caught locally. It serves some of the best fish and chips in town.
Owen’s Fish Camp
- Website: owensfishcamp.com
- Address: 516 Burns Ct, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 4 pm – 9.30 pm daily
Owen’s Fish Camp puts a twist on classic Southern-style seafood dishes. Popular items include shrimp and grits that are served with spicy smoked sausage and Bloody Mary oyster shooters.
14. Evening Tiki Boat Tour
One of the best things about taking a beach vacation in Siesta Key is its excellent nightlife and live music scene, much of which centers around Siesta Key Village. For a change of pace, consider taking a tiki bar boat tour. Your guide will take you to plenty of local hidden gems and landmarks while you taste wine and take in incredible panoramic views of the Gulf Coast.
15. Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Website: sarasotajunglegardens.com
- Address: 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
If you’ll be checking into your vacation rental with the whole family, you’ll need plenty of family-friendly attractions to explore. Be sure to visit Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where the kids can hang out with a variety of animals, including flamingos, lizards, goats, and pigs.
There are also 10 acres of botanical gardens to explore, where you’ll see a range of exotic plants, including oral palms, bunya-bunya trees, and strangler fig trees.
Explore Siesta Key’s Secret Sights
There’s no shortage of hidden gems in Siesta Key and Sarasota County. Which of these fun secret sights will you get to on your next getaway?
