15 Things To Do In North Port FL: New Travel Guide

North Port, which is situated along the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of Florida’s west coast, had just under 60,000 people living there as of the time of the most recent census.

In Sarasota County, North Port is situated along the Tamiami Trail, a network of US Routes that connects Tampa to Miami.

There is no shortage of breathtaking beaches in the region for those who prefer to relax by the ocean and soak up that famous Florida sun, and the city is close enough to many of the state’s most popular natural and cultural areas to make day trips a practical option.

The following 15 activities are located in and around North Port, Florida.

Things to Do in North Port Fl

Myakka River State Park

Myakka River State Park is one of the largest and oldest parks in the area, situated in Sarasota and Manatee Counties just east of Interstate 75.

The park is home to a variety of natural habitats, including wetlands, marshes, and cypress swamps. It is also well-known for its 100+-foot-deep sinkhole, appropriately named “Deep Hole.””

The park, which has rustic campsites and a number of trails open to hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders, is a favorite destination for novice bird watchers who come to get a glimpse of some of the rare and solitary birds that live nearby.

Atwater Community Park

In many parts of the Sunshine State, especially in the summer, the combination of heat and humidity can be downright uncomfortable. Splash parks are the ideal places to cool off when traveling with kids.

Such a location is the Atwater Community Park in North Port, which offers all the water-related activities you’d anticipate and is known to keep kids entertained for hours.

There are seating areas nearby for parents who would prefer to observe from a safe distance without getting wet, but some visitors have complained that there wasn’t enough shade, so pack some sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.

North Port Performing Arts Center

Community performing arts centers are excellent places to escape the elements, contribute to the community, and experience performing arts you might not otherwise have access to.

The North Port Performing Arts Association offers close to 20 annual events, with a wide range of concerts from band and symphony to choral; tickets can be purchased individually or for the entire season.

The auditorium, which has nearly 1,000 seats and is completely handicap accessible, has state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment. It has been in operation for almost 20 years.

West Coast Auction Company

Checking out an estate auction at West Coast Auction Company would be a great way for intrepid travelers to both explore new horizons and have a unique experience.

One of the biggest and most prosperous auction houses in the region, West Coast focuses on business and estate liquidations and conducts regularly scheduled auctions that are accessible to dealers, collectors, and the general public.

Art, jewelry, home goods, electronics, and sporting goods are all possible estate auction offerings. Like shopping at flea markets and antique stores, there might be a rare treasure or two; that’s half the fun.

Warm Mineral Springs

Warm Mineral Springs, which can be found in North Port on San Servando Avenue, may not be the Fountain of Youth that Spanish explorers sought out centuries ago, but many people who have immersed themselves in its healing waters claim that it is incredibly close.

The springs not only offer a soothing environment and stress-relieving waters, but they also have a fascinating geological past that many visitors find fascinating.

Some previous visitors have asserted that it’s all hype and that you’re better off soaking in a hotel hot tub, but they’re the minority.

Although it’s not the most affordable attraction in town, it’s a local landmark that’s worth a visit, and admission tickets are valid all day.

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a well-liked local attraction that houses thousands of works of art from the medieval, Renaissance, and classical Greek and Roman eras. It is just one attraction on the vast Ringling Museum Campus.

You won’t be surprised to learn that the facility is named after one of the founders of the Ringling Bros. if you recognized name. and Circus Barnum & Bailey Along with the original and replica works of art, there are also numerous buildings with distinctive architectural styles, lovely grounds, and gardens.

In addition to guided tours, amenities include gift shops and cafes.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which were formerly an amateur gardener’s private grounds, have been open to the public for close to fifty years and contain thousands of different species of plants, trees, and flowers dispersed across numerous unique gardens and greenhouses.

The gardens are renowned for their peaceful atmosphere and breathtaking views of nearby Sarasota Bay. The butterfly and rainforest gardens are particular favorites for families traveling with young children, and many visitors come just to admire the amazing collection of exotic plants, including orchids and banyan trees.

The cafe and tea room in the gardens are open every day. Compared to adult tickets, children’s tickets are significantly less expensive.

Sarasota National Cemetery

Many of the state’s veterans are laid to rest in the nearly 300-acre Sarasota National Cemetery, which is accessible every day from sunrise to sunset.

It has been open to the public for more than 15 years and is one of the most meaningful places in the area.

The cemetery is open to the public for free visits, and it frequently hosts military funeral services, which are quite dramatic spectacles to see, especially if you’ve never attended one.

On most Tuesdays at 10:00 AM, free guided tours are offered of the cemetery, which has an amphitheater displaying a variety of works made by veterans and with military themes.

Wicked Dolphin Distillery

Despite being only a few years old, Cape Coral’s Wicked Dolphin Distillery has already made a name for itself by producing some of the most delectable and sought-after small-batch rums in the Gulf region.

Their products, which are made from sugarcane grown in Florida, have a devoted following and have also received numerous honors.

There are guided tours available for those who are interested in learning more about the distilling process, but you must make your reservation in advance by calling or doing so online.

Distillery tours and tastings are ideal adult-only outings for parents who left the kids with a babysitter or locked them in the hotel closet.

Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta

Boats must naturally be water-repellent in order to float. Contrarily, when it becomes wet, cardboard acts like a sponge, soaking up water and quickly degrading. The Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta is a riotously funny, family-friendly event because of that perplexing situation.

The regatta is open to family, school, church, and business teams who want to try their hand at amateur nautical engineering. It is held in April when the Florida weather is about as perfect as it gets.

In addition to the races, there are many other events and activities at the regatta, which is renowned for its delicious food and joyous atmosphere.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, which is just outside of Sarasota and is a short drive from North Port, is well known for its amazing exhibits and live animals.

It doesn’t mean, however, that it is only home to cute penguins and clapping seals; on the contrary, some of its most well-known inhabitants are the American crocodiles and alligators and the variety of toothy sharks that live in a huge tank that contains more than 100,000 gallons of salt water.

Planning ahead is advised because admission is on the pricey side and it can get crowded during the day.

Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Garden

Florida is the ideal place for a wide variety of butterfly species because of its warm, humid climate, and the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly Garden is the best location to see them in all their beauty for tourists in the North Port area.

Many visitors discover that learning about the lives of the majority of the garden’s inhabitants was just as appealing as experiencing their beauty. Most of the garden’s inhabitants grow and develop through their numerous different life-cycle stages before being released into the wild.

Check out their website for schedules, prices, and directions to the facility. Tours are offered three days a week and are included in the price of admission.

The Cape Coral Historical Museum

The Cape Coral Historical Museum is the region’s most comprehensive collection of items related to the founding and development of the city and is very affordable to visit. It consists of three different buildings and contains a variety of historical exhibits, displays, and memorabilia.

It also has a well-known rose garden and numerous Native American artifacts that were uncovered in the region’s numerous archaeological sites, many of which date back thousands of years before people of European descent settled in the area.

You can explore on your own or benefit from a reasonably priced guided tour that includes the Florida Friendly Garden and the museum structures.

Cultural Park Theater

Southwest Florida’s Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral is a well-liked tourist destination and it has the longest history of any theater of its kind.

Since it opened more than 50 years ago, the venue, which has nearly 200 seats, has been putting on performances by local artists.

In addition, to live performances, there is also an art gallery with works in a variety of media by local and regional artists, and many of their annual presentations are classics like South Pacific.

The majority of the performances take place on weekends, so check their website’s calendar of events to see what’s scheduled for the time you’ll be there.

Big Cypress National Preserve

Big Cypress National Preserve was founded in the middle of the 1970s, is a few hours south of North Port, and is made up of more than 700,000 acres of the preserved natural environment.

Although it requires some travel, the area’s size, beauty, and abundance of recreational and cultural attractions make it a worthwhile stop.

The preserve’s staff offers a variety of ranger-led educational tours that are excellent ways to get an insider’s view of the park and many of its animals, in addition to the popular activities of camping, hiking, and wildlife photography.

Close Note: A Relaxing Experience

Take a soak in the community hot springs, then unwind with a fine bottle of red wine at the nearby winery. You have the opportunity to collect seashells or see some incredible marine birds at the many nearby beaches, especially those in Port Charlotte to the south. In North Port, Florida, you can go for a tranquil horseback ride through a state park or play a thrilling round of golf.

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