Local Attractions- Water and Beach Activities, Museums, Aquariums

The following list includes mostly activities near or on Casey Key such as kayak/boat rentals, boat tours, beach events and attractions. You will also find fun things to do farther away. Use the key below to see what the appropriate events are for your group.
Please send us feedback of an attraction you enjoyed whether or not it’s on this list, so that we can provide the best guide for visitors. Send photos and feedback to SarahJurina@gmail.com.

Key:
Family Friendly = Fam
Great for Couples = Pair
Kid Oriented = Kids
Nightlife = Nite
Cost = $ $$ $$$ $$$$

	Kayak Rentals & Fishing Charter – $$ \| Fam \| Pair Nokomisbeachbaitandtackle.com Open daily. Hourly and Daily rentals. Located three blocks from the Motel, visit Nokomis Beach Bait and Tackle or have them bring the kayaks to you! Also two captains work at the shop and offer fishing charters to couples, families and groups.
Venice Farmer’s Market and Crafts - $ \| Fam \| Pair Thevenicefarmersmarket.com Open every Saturday 8am-noon. Located along Tampa Ave. in the heart of Venice Island, the farmer’s market is a popular stop. You will find fresh produce, handmade crafts and jewelry, seafood, soaps, baked goods, plants and more. Afterwards, head with the kids one street over to the water fountains or walk along Venice Avenue for shopping and great restaurants.
	Venice Parasailing and Custom Boat Tours – $$$ \| Fam \| Pair \| Kids \| Nite Veniceparasailing.com Call for reservations. Start your parasailing adventure with 1-3 people at Venice Beach. Captain Tony has 23 years with a perfect safety record! You can also enjoy sunset and dolphin tours.
Stand Up Paddleboard - $ \| Fam \| Pair \| Nite Supenglewood.com Saturday Night Sunset Paddleboard. Daily Rentals. Enjoy standup paddleboard daily on Nokomis Beach for four-hour timeslots. Pick-up and drop-off is part of the price, and special sunset paddleboarding is offered on Saturdays at Nokomis Beach. Stand up paddleboarding is easy to learn and another great way to enjoy the water.
	Sail Venice - $$$ \| Fam \| Pair \| Nite Sailvenice.com Call for reservations. Morning, afternoon and sunset sails depart from Crow’s Nest Marina on Venice Island. Aboard the Inspiration, Captains Dove and Tim will tailor the adventure to your liking. Stop at a restaurant, take the wheel or just relax.
Island Jet Ski Tours & Rentals - $$ \| Fam \| Pair Islandjetski.com Open daily. Hourly and Daily rentals. Located on Blackburn Point Rd. in Osprey, you have the option of renting jet skis, boats, kayaks and paddleboards. Dolphin tours are also available.
	Peace, Love, & Hoopiness - $ \| Fam \| Pair Peaceloveandhoopiness.com Classes Mon-Fri. Hula Hoop fitness on Nokomis Beach is offered at 9am Monday through Friday. Hula Hoops provided, and the class is for all fitness levels.

	Big Cat Habitat – $ \| Fam \| Pair \| Kids \| Bigcathabitat.org Open 12pm-4pm Weds-Sun. Big cat show at 2pm. Located in Sarasota just off Bee Ridge Road/Exit 207, this is a fun animal filled activity. Lions, tigers, ligers and other animals such as bears and birds reside at Big Cat Habitat. Do not miss the big cat show, playing once or twice a day, will be the absolute best part of your visit to this attraction.
Selby Botanical Gardens - $ \| Fam \| Pair Selby.org Open 10am-5pm daily. Located in Sarasota on Tamiami Trail/41 this is a must-see for the flower and plant enthusiast. With 28 stops along their map, you will learn about native Florida plants as well as some of the history behind the Selby’s.
	The Ringling Art Museum - $ \| Fam \| Kids \| Pair \| Nite Ringling.org Open 10am-5pm daily. Closes later on Thursdays. A huge attraction in Sarasota, the Ringling Art Museum offers ongoing “kid” events, ever-changing exhibits and Art after Five. They also have the Ringling Circus Museum and the Ca’ D’Zan (Ringling Home) all on the beautiful bayfront.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - $ \| Fam \| Kids \| Pair Mote.org Open 10am-5pm daily. An exciting and large aquarium, MOTE Marine has dolphins, sharks, tunnel aquariums and even touchable rays. Experience feeding the sharks, or go along with biologists on Morning Rounds. Events are happening often, so check their website for more.

Website design copyright Sarah Jurina at SarahJurina@gmail.com

	Kayak Rentals & Fishing Charter – $$ \| Fam \| Pair Nokomisbeachbaitandtackle.com Open daily. Hourly and Daily rentals. Located three blocks from the Motel, visit Nokomis Beach Bait and Tackle or have them bring the kayaks to you! Also two captains work at the shop and offer fishing charters to couples, families and groups.
Venice Farmer’s Market and Crafts - $ \| Fam \| Pair Thevenicefarmersmarket.com Open every Saturday 8am-noon. Located along Tampa Ave. in the heart of Venice Island, the farmer’s market is a popular stop. You will find fresh produce, handmade crafts and jewelry, seafood, soaps, baked goods, plants and more. Afterwards, head with the kids one street over to the water fountains or walk along Venice Avenue for shopping and great restaurants.
	Venice Parasailing and Custom Boat Tours – $$$ \| Fam \| Pair \| Kids \| Nite Veniceparasailing.com Call for reservations. Start your parasailing adventure with 1-3 people at Venice Beach. Captain Tony has 23 years with a perfect safety record! You can also enjoy sunset and dolphin tours.
Stand Up Paddleboard - $ \| Fam \| Pair \| Nite Supenglewood.com Saturday Night Sunset Paddleboard. Daily Rentals. Enjoy standup paddleboard daily on Nokomis Beach for four-hour timeslots. Pick-up and drop-off is part of the price, and special sunset paddleboarding is offered on Saturdays at Nokomis Beach. Stand up paddleboarding is easy to learn and another great way to enjoy the water.
	Sail Venice - $$$ \| Fam \| Pair \| Nite Sailvenice.com Call for reservations. Morning, afternoon and sunset sails depart from Crow’s Nest Marina on Venice Island. Aboard the Inspiration, Captains Dove and Tim will tailor the adventure to your liking. Stop at a restaurant, take the wheel or just relax.
Island Jet Ski Tours & Rentals - $$ \| Fam \| Pair Islandjetski.com Open daily. Hourly and Daily rentals. Located on Blackburn Point Rd. in Osprey, you have the option of renting jet skis, boats, kayaks and paddleboards. Dolphin tours are also available.
	Peace, Love, & Hoopiness - $ \| Fam \| Pair Peaceloveandhoopiness.com Classes Mon-Fri. Hula Hoop fitness on Nokomis Beach is offered at 9am Monday through Friday. Hula Hoops provided, and the class is for all fitness levels.

	Big Cat Habitat – $ \| Fam \| Pair \| Kids \| Bigcathabitat.org Open 12pm-4pm Weds-Sun. Big cat show at 2pm. Located in Sarasota just off Bee Ridge Road/Exit 207, this is a fun animal filled activity. Lions, tigers, ligers and other animals such as bears and birds reside at Big Cat Habitat. Do not miss the big cat show, playing once or twice a day, will be the absolute best part of your visit to this attraction.
Selby Botanical Gardens - $ \| Fam \| Pair Selby.org Open 10am-5pm daily. Located in Sarasota on Tamiami Trail/41 this is a must-see for the flower and plant enthusiast. With 28 stops along their map, you will learn about native Florida plants as well as some of the history behind the Selby’s.
	The Ringling Art Museum - $ \| Fam \| Kids \| Pair \| Nite Ringling.org Open 10am-5pm daily. Closes later on Thursdays. A huge attraction in Sarasota, the Ringling Art Museum offers ongoing “kid” events, ever-changing exhibits and Art after Five. They also have the Ringling Circus Museum and the Ca’ D’Zan (Ringling Home) all on the beautiful bayfront.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - $ \| Fam \| Kids \| Pair Mote.org Open 10am-5pm daily. An exciting and large aquarium, MOTE Marine has dolphins, sharks, tunnel aquariums and even touchable rays. Experience feeding the sharks, or go along with biologists on Morning Rounds. Events are happening often, so check their website for more.