Sarasota Gardens, Aquariums & Animal Parks
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From Sarasota Jungle Gardens to the Mote Marine Aquarium..
Hibicus Suites Inn is conveniently located to several of west Florida's botanical gardens, aquariums, and animal parks. Five popular gardens and parks are only five to twelve miles from the hotel. The closest of these attractions is The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which has recently been named one of America's Top Ten Botanical Gardens. It's considered a must-see for serious plant lovers.
Going from fauna to fins, take time to visit nearby Mote Marine Aquarium. The aquarium has a 135,000-gallon shark tank that provides views from above and below the water's surface. Other tanks show off sharks, rays, and other marine creatures native to the area.
Note that the selection list is in alphabetical order and indicates the distance to Garden or Aquarium. For those who wish to scroll the entire list, it is in order by distance from the hotel.
Listed by distance from the hotel:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens •
5.0 miles
811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens was recently named one of America's Top Ten Botanical Gardens. A must-see for serious plant lovers and a should-see for those looking for good photo ops. The Gardens are home to more than 20,000 exotic plants, including more than 6,000 orchids, as well as a bamboo pavilion, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, a medicinal plant garden, a waterfall garden, a cactus and succulent garden, a fernery, a hibiscus garden, a palm grove, two tropical food gardens, and a native shore-plant community.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens •
9.0 miles
3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34234
With over 70 exotic and native animals, plus a variety of tropical plants, you'll find lots to do at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Stroll jungle trails, hold a parrot, get close to an alligator, or let a flamingo eat out of your hand. Kids of all ages will enjoy their five daily educational presentations including Reptile Encounter, Birds of Prey and the Birds of the Rainforest Show, each presented twice a day.
Mote Marine Aquarium •
10.1 miles
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
Mote Marine Aquarium is an excellent Sarasota aquarium, that provides the perfect day out for the whole family. The aquarium has everything from sharks to sea horses so allow plenty of time to see everything. The 135,000-gallon shark tank at Mote Marine Aquarium lets you view its inhabitants from above and below the water's surface. Additional tanks show off sharks, rays, and other marine creatures native to the area. Handle rays, guitar fish, horseshoe crabs, and sea urchins in the touch tanks. Take a boat trip onto Sarasota Bay (about 2 hours), conducted by Sarasota Bay Explorers. The crew brings marine life on board in a net, discusses it, and tosses it back to swim away.
Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary •
10.3 miles (22 minutes)
1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-4444
The Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary is the largest Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Florida. Each year their hospital treats over five thousand sick, injured and orphaned birds, mammals and reptiles. It is also the home of some 275 permanently disabled birds that represent 70 species of Florida's native and migratory birds. Most birds are released back into their natural habitat, but the birds that are premanently disabled live in his sanctuary that is open to the public. Here you can see all kinds of local birds, including rare ones like the Rosette Spoonbill.
Myakka State Park •
12.8 miles (22 minutes)
13207 State Road 72, Sarasota FL 34241, 941-361-6511
Myakka State Park, though close to Sarasota, gives you a glimpse of wild Florida. You'll see gators, eagles, wild boar, and other native Florida wildlife. Excellent boat tours that get you close to the gators, but not too close. Bring your binoculars if you like birds. Bicycle rental is also available for the trails.
Florida Aquarium •
65.2 miles (72 minutes)
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 273-4021
Experience The Florida Aquarium and see why it's among the top aquariums in the world. There's over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, including sharks, otters, gators, free-flying birds, exotic sea dragons, & more. Plus dive shows and animal encounters daily. Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, it has a fresh water stream running through the Aquarium with ducks and birds flying around.
It is a wonderful place to just get away and enjoy nature. Take this opportunity to view Florida's wildlife in ways you never thought possible. Hours: Daily 9:30a-5p.
Lowry Park Zoo •
69.6 miles (79 minutes)
1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL. 33604, (813) 935-8552
The Lowry Park Zoo is a place for all ages. It is ranked among the top three zoos of its size. Located just west of downtown, it has 41 acres of natural habitat. It's home to the Pepsi Manatee and Aquatic Center, one of three manatee hospital and rehabilitation facilities in Florida.
With over 1500 animals from four continents, attractions include Primate World, Jungle Carousel, Asian Domain, Lorikeet Landing, Birds of Prey Theater, Petting Zoo, and Discovery Center. Grab a bite to eat at the Lowry Park McDonalds while you're there. Hours: Daily 9:30a-5p.
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