Rainy Day

Located directly on the Sarasota Bay, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall presents a broad spectrum of the world’s finest performing artists, meeting the diverse needs of all of Southwest Florida’s residents and visitors. Providing entertainment for more than 42 years, the Hall has a long tradition of presenting spectacular Broadway musicals, top national and international performers, world-class symphony orchestras and a compelling mix of classical, modern and ethnic dance.… Continue Reading Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

No matter what you call it — putt putt, mini golf, miniature golf, mini putt putt or adventure golf — you will enjoy 18 holes of outdoor fun at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf. Play amid rushing waters, mysterious caves and waterfalls on mountainous tropical terrain for a truly unique Florida miniature golf experience. Make it a true Florida adventure by taking the opportunity to feed the real live alligators that… Continue Reading Smuggler’s Cove Adventure Golf

The Florida Railroad Museum offers one of the most unique museum experiences in the world . . . it’s where you “Ride the Exhibits!” Founded as The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum with the stated goal of preserving Florida’s railroad history, over the years the Museum has acquired and restored rolling stock and equipment to operate for the public’s enjoyment. To achieve its goal of operating equipment and recreating the… Continue Reading Florida Railroad Museum

Big Cat Habitat is a nonprofit safe haven for exotic cats, bears, primates, birds, and other animals. The Rosaire family is a respected family of animal trainers originally from England from the Rosaire Circus. Now mostly retired, they dedicate themselves to the care and rescue of unwanted big cats and other animals in need. See lions, tigers, ligers, leopards, cougars, bears, monkeys, birds and much more when you visit Big Cat Habitat!… Continue Reading Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary

Home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays and the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm, Tropicana Field’s 1.1 million square feet includes unique design features and fan amenities found nowhere else in the Major Leagues. If you don’t want to take in a professional baseball or arena football game, or you are on Anna Maria Island during the sports’ off-season, you can partake in one of behind-the-scenes tours that… Continue Reading Tropicana Field

Explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. The Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Mote Aquarium is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)… Continue Reading Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Located in Bradenton, Florida, approximately 10 miles from Anna Maria, is G.T. Bray Park and Recreation Center. It is Manatee County’s center hub for recreational activities and features just about everything for which an active person hopes. The park is open from sunrise to 11:00 p.m. and is equipped with multiple soccer, baseball and softball fields; basketball, racquetball and tennis courts; and horseshoe pitching platforms. In addition, the park offers a… Continue Reading G.T. Bray Park and Recreation Center

Experience underwater viewing windows, dolphin pools, hands-on stingray tank, and other one-of-a-kind marine animal homes. Meet Winter, the star of the Hollywood blockbuster movie, “Dolphin Tale”! See turtles, sharks, otters and fish all swimming and playing in their homes throughout the aquarium. Included in the admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium is the behind-the-scenes exhibit, Winter’s Dolphin Tale Adventure. See rebuilt scenes and actual props from the movie. The kids will… Continue Reading Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Get closer to all your favorite sea creatures at The Florida Aquarium. See cownose rays, sand tiger sharks, sea dragons, green sea turtles, moray eels, giant pacific octopus, and thousands of other unforgettable creatures. Touch real stingrays and bamboo sharks in the 5,000 gallon Touch Tank. You can also touch sea stars, crustaceans, urchins and mollusks in the No Bone Zone touch tank. Enter the wetlands and get within inches… Continue Reading The Florida Aquarium

The South Florida Museum is the largest natural and cultural museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. See dramatic dioramas, exciting exhibits, fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest marine and mammal life, and the world renowned collection of prehistoric and early post-contact archaeological artifacts from Montague Tallant. Continue Reading South Florida Museum