Sensory-Friendly Experiences in Sarasota

Sarasota’s natural beauty and cultural richness are for every body and every mind—that includes travelers who experience the world a little differently. Whether you're planning a beach day, museum visit or outdoor retreat, many local attractions have sensory-friendly experiences designed to reduce overstimulation and increase comfort for those with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, PTSD, sensory processing differences or anxiety.

Actively seeking experiences that engage and soothe is a practice called "sensory foraging." Science indicates that savoring these experiences can enhance our general well-being. Positive sensory experiences can help regulate our emotions and even reduce cognitive overload. 

Sarasota happens to be ripe with opportunities for sensory foraging! Our sub-tropical climate, gorgeous natural surroundings and the energy of our arts and science community invite year-round opportunities for people of all ages and neurodiverse abilities. 

These environments might feature quieter hours, lower lighting, minimal crowds, sensory maps, accessibility features, noise-canceling zones or visual aids—all with the goal of helping every guest feel welcome and at ease. From museums with sensory kits to nature parks that let you set your own pace, Sarasota's inclusive encounters are where calm meets connection.

Marie Selby Gardens, Sarasota 

For a peaceful, after-hours experience, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens—recently designated an Autism Friendly Business—is dedicated to offering its beautiful grounds to serve the neurodiverse community. On Tuesdays, Selby offers to stay open an extra hour (5:15pm - 6:15pm) for what they call: Tranquil Tuesdays. During these private sessions, lighting is dimmed, crowds are limited and ambient noise is minimized to create a soothing and inclusive environment. 

A standout feature of Selby is its Children’s Rainforest Garden, welcoming younger guests to explore at their own pace—wandering through misty jungle pathways, feeding koi fish in the waterfall ponds or spotting birds and wildlife along the adjacent bayfront. This thoughtfully crafted garden encourages hands-on discovery and a holistic connection to nature in a way that’s both accessible and enriching for the entire family. 

Noise-cancelling earmuffs, sensory kits and wheelchairs are also available on loan, free of charge. Guests need to register in advance to partake in this sensory-friendly garden experience. Tickets are complimentary for neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive guests, their families and caregivers. 

Location: 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL (941) 366-5731

Garden of the Five Senses, North Port

With the aim to engage all five senses while preserving our area's natural resources, the thoughtfully landscaped Garden of Five Senses in North Port invites visitors to explore nature through touch, sound, sight, scent and movement. The peaceful park includes a variety of sensory-friendly elements, like the Boundless Adventures Playground—the first playground in North Port to be designed to accommodate children of all abilities—and a Story Stroll, where children can enjoy trail-side reading along a soft, flexi-paved path. 

From fragrant plantings to interactive textures and quiet corners, the garden offers a welcoming and engaging experience for individuals of all ages, especially those looking to get outside for some fresh air, and a bit of quiet and calm during their most anxious hours. 

Location: 4299 Pan American Blvd. North Port, FL (941) 429-7275

The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature, Bradenton

Experience backyard bliss at The Bishop Museum of Science & Nature, where kids can step into curiosity and creativity while learning about the solar system and the natural world. The Mosaic Backyard Universe, a fully ADA-accessible exhibition designed for children of all ages (and the grown-ups who still love to explore), is a playful, hands-on space to journey through a miniature solar system, meet friendly turtles in a real freshwater pond and dive into discovery with a STEAM Cart, Science Shed and the 30-foot Mighty Oak tree at its center. 

Views with binoculars and telescopes from the Tree House Platform permit studying the solar system from the “sky.” An ADA-lift ensures everyone can enjoy the view.

Location: 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL (941) 746-4131 

Mote Marine / MoteSEA, Sarasota

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is another Sarasota institution recognized as an Autism Friendly Business. By bringing marine science to life for sensory-sensitive visitors and kids with special needs, Mote occasionally hosted Sensory Saturdays. These special Saturdays opened an hour earlier than normal business hours to provide a quieter, uncrowded environment with soft lighting to lessen sensory overload, and also included sensory-friendly backpacks to explore more than 100 marine species. 

While the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium location on City Island will close to visitors on July 6, 2025, the highly anticipated Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park is its newly built location—expected to open later this year. Keep up to date with any sensory-friendly events or programs on their site for when the aquarium reopens to the public. 

Location: 225 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 

SMART with Heart, Bradenton

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) brings the benefits of equine therapy to those in need in Sarasota, while Hooves with H.E.A.R.T provides specific support to individuals with special needs through equine-assisted activities and horseback riding. Together, the organizations created SMART with HEART to provide a safe, nurturing and fully adaptive environment—led by fully certified instructors—to help enhance independence, confidence and well-being. 

Participants of all ages and abilities can experience the transformative power of being around horses in a serene, 23-acre facility of green paddocks, whether through mounted lessons, horsemanship tasks or sensory paddock interactions. 

Location: 4640 Co Rd 675, Bradenton, FL (941) 322-2000

Local Animal Shelters

Spending time with animals isn’t just heartwarming—it can also be deeply comforting and therapeutic for individuals with autism, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety or other sensory processing differences. Several Sarasota-area shelters welcome visitors for quiet, low-pressure interactions with adoptable animals, which can induce emotional regulation and a sense of connection.

At Cat Depot in Sarasota, guests can visit climate-controlled cat pods and softly lit spaces while interacting with gentle, adoptable felines. The environment is quiet and sensory-considerate, and the staff is welcoming to guests with special needs. Over in Bradenton, Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center offers a more rural, one-on-one experience with rescue dogs in a no-kill "shelter" (which is more like an animal resort). Its indoor-outdoor grounds are ideal for those who may feel overwhelmed in enclosed, busier settings. 

Whether you’re adopting a furry companion, thinking about fostering or simply looking to connect, animal shelters offer a nurturing atmosphere where animals and people alike can find healing, hope and joy!

Locations: 2542 17th St, Sarasota, FL (941) 366-2404 and 4951 Lorraine Rd, Bradenton, FL (941) 747-4900

Coastal Calm Water Therapy

Water offers a powerful sensory experience, from the way it feels to the skin, to how it visually reflects and sounds when flowing and moving. Water is in wondrous supply on Florida's Gulf Coast. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, Sarasota's beaches and barrier islands offer more than just scenic beauty—they provide a natural form of gentle, restorative therapy. The rhythmic sound of waves, soft textures of sand and expansive, open spaces can help regulate the nervous system and reduce overstimulation. 

Whether it’s floating in the clear-blue, shallow waters of Manasota Beach, walking barefoot along the tranquil shores of Turtle Beach or simply sitting under an umbrella and watching the tides roll in on Longboat Key Beach, Sarasota’s coastline creates a safe and serene environment for grounding, sensory balance and emotional ease. Many public beach locations also offer accessible amenities, such as mobile-friendly mats and free manual beach wheelchairs, so no one has to miss out on a restorative beach day.