Feed Your Wild Side: Must-See Animal Attractions in Sarasota

From interactive touch tanks at aquariums to feedings and demos at wildlife sanctuaries, the Sarasota area is one of Florida's top destinations for animal lovers. See tiny seahorses, flamingos, elephants, big cats and so much more—there is no shortage of animal attractions to add to your itinerary here.

To help you make the most of your visit, we've paired each attraction with a nearby restaurant and hotel to help you better plan an entire day's adventure or vacation.

Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA)

Photo courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

You’ll find more than 100 species of marine life at the new Mote SEA at Nathan Benderson Park, where world-class underwater exhibitions and interactive experiences will beckon! This 110,000-square-foot facility includes everything from sting rays and moray eels to mesmerizing jellyfish and their beloved resident manatees and otters. 

Mote Marine is also an esteemed laboratory, so visitors can partake in educational programs and observe oceanic research from its marine scientists, including the life-saving (and adorable!) work being done at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital.

Where to Stay Nearby

Just a short drive from Mote SEA, the pet-friendly Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota Lakewood Ranch sits in the heart of the chic Lakewood Ranch neighborhood, adjacent to Nathan Benderson Park and The Mall at University Town Center. Suites come with free breakfast and WiFi, plus an outdoor pool and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.

Where to Dine Nearby

Mote SEA’s on-site restaurant, Bite Café, serves modern dishes made with quality ingredients, while mobile stations offer coffee, gelato and other light refreshments—plus water refill stations throughout. For something fresh and wholesome nearby, Flower Child is a great option, with a menu of vibrant salads and bowls, such as the ginger miso crunch with cashews and mint or the glow bowl with sweet potato and sunflower sauce.

Save Our Seabirds

Photo courtesy of Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick and injured wild birds found in the area. Its Wild Bird Learning Center is home to more than 130 animals that were injured and treated, but are unable to return to the wild.

You and the family can stroll the three-acre site’s “birdwalk” to meet pelicans, owls, vultures, herons and other once-wild birds. Some have visible, life-altering injuries, such as sandhill cranes fitted with prosthetic legs and other birds with wing injuries. Enjoy a steady soundtrack of squawks, caws and chirps as you learn about the traits and characteristics of each species, as well as what you can do to help protect them from harm in the wild.

Where to Stay Nearby

Just steps from the soft, powdery sands of Lido Beach, Cirque St. Armands Beachside isn’t like any other hotel in Sarasota. A love letter to John Ringling and the golden age of the circus, this upscale retreat channels the glitz and glamour of old money—think Moulin Rouge meets coastal luxury, with dreamy, theatrical décor and signature hospitality to match.

Where to Eat Nearby

For a laid-back, only-in-Sarasota meal, The Old Salty Dog is a beloved local staple serving housemade crab dip, coconut shrimp, fish tacos and their legendary Salty Dog—a quarter-pound hot dog dipped in batter and fried to a golden brown. For something more elevated, Chart House on the Gulf delivers fresh seafood, prime rib and steak alongside some of the most gorgeous waterfront views in the area.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

A popular Sarasota attraction since the 1930s, Sarasota Jungle Gardens offers 10 acres of “Old Florida” fun. More than 200 native and exotic animals—many of them rescued—can be found here, including lemurs, iguanas, snakes and tortoises. If you’ve ever wanted to hand-feed a free-roaming flamingo, you can (and should) do it here. Kids of all ages can also get their photo taken with a tropical bird perched on their arm or while holding one of the reptile residents (think, baby alligator!). 

Daily presentations educate and entertain visitors. Don’t miss the roller-skating and bike-riding birds during the Jungle Bird Show, or all the scaly critters that take part in the interactive Reptile Encounter. As the name suggests, Sarasota Jungle Gardens also has some pretty cool plant life to admire, including towering royal palms and Ponderosa lemon trees that produce football-sized fruit.

Where to Stay Nearby

Situated in Sarasota's vibrant Rosemary District, voco Sarasota is a full-service upscale boutique hotel that blends modern comfort with coastal charm. It's a convenient base for exploring the city's cultural attractions, with easy access to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport via the hotel shuttle, plus a fitness center, pool and an on-site restaurant.

Where to Dine Nearby

For a quick and easy bite, the on-site Flamingo Café has you covered with sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks and sweet treats. Nearby, Pie on Main is a comfort food lover's dream—think truffle fries, mozzarella sticks, calzones, stromboli and pies of every variety, plus hot and cold subs. Don't miss The SRQ, a sub stacked with salami, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic vinaigrette.
 

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary

Photo courtesy of @marco_suave92

For a truly wild time, head to Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, where over 350 animals spanning more than 60 different species (formerly born in captivity or injured in the wild) have found a forever home at this sprawling 20-acre sanctuary. Visitors can observe creatures like bears, primates and, of course, lions and tigers. These massive predators roam three indoor/outdoor housing complexes—complete with exercise habitats and swimming pools. Plop the little ones in the petting zoo to meet more mild animals like goats, llamas and chickens.

Two demonstration shows take place each day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They’re subject to change, but generally feature the parrots and big cats. During the shows, you can learn about the animals’ characteristics and watch training sessions in action!

Where to Stay Nearby

Ameniti Bay, BW Signature Collection is the perfect place to stay for a family getaway, with stunning water views, a resort-style zero-entry pool, tropical sundeck, fire pit and gas grills—all just a short drive from St. Armands Circle. Guests also enjoy a free hot breakfast buffet, and select rooms include mini kitchens for added convenience.

Where to Dine Nearby

A true Sarasota institution, Stottlemyer's Smokehouse is a family-run, open-air tiki bar and restaurant that's as Old Florida as it gets. Come hungry for the slow-cooked brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, pulled pork and fried chicken.

Myakka Elephant Ranch

Experience a unique-to-Florida encounter at Myakka Elephant Ranch, a non-profit conservation center dedicated to elephant education and preservation. Guests can learn about elephant conservation efforts and interact with the three resident elephants through guided experiences and memorable photo ops. You and the family can even opt for the Spa Encounter, which includes helping to bathe these gentle giants. Visits are by reservation only, so be sure to book in advance.

Where to Stay Nearby

For an extended stay, Home2 Suites by Hilton Lakewood Ranch is a solid choice—just minutes from The Mall at UTC, with a heated outdoor pool, fitness center and free hot breakfast included. For something more wellness-focused, Even Hotel Sarasota Lakewood Ranch delivers award-winning service alongside a fitness studio, on-site restaurant and fitness equipment in every room.

Where to Dine Nearby

Bar Italia is a slice of New York in Sarasota—think scratch-made sauces, fresh pastas and timeless Italian dishes served in a bright, airy atmosphere. Start with the zucchini fritti or fresh burrata to share, then settle in for the pesto Genovese or house-made lasagna.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is in nearby Bradenton, boasting a planetarium and exhibits featuring fossils, Florida’s ancient past and local maritime history. It’s also the site of the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, a 60,000-gallon tank modeled after a Florida cypress spring. The exhibition not only serves family enjoyment and interactions, but is a second-stage rehabilitation facility for injured manatees that have received treatment but aren’t quite ready to be released back into the wild.

Where to Stay Nearby

The DoubleTree by Hilton Sarasota Bradenton Airport is hard to miss—a six-story glass atrium with glass elevators and an indoor waterfall sets the scene. Practical perks include an airport shuttle, on-site restaurant and bar, and concierge service, with Sarasota's beaches and Nathan Benderson Park just a short drive away.

Where to Eat Nearby

Captain Brian's Seafood Market and Restaurant is a reliable spot for fresh seafood—think fried whole belly Ipswich clams, clam baskets and a rotating selection of fresh haddock, halibut and mahi mahi. The bouillabaisse is a standout worth ordering.