Things to do in Southwest Gulf Coast

Top Things to Do in Southwest Gulf Coast, FL - Southwest Gulf Coast Attractions

Things to Do in Southwest Gulf Coast


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Southwest Gulf Coast.

Top Attractions in Southwest Gulf Coast

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • ACBoca
    Boca Raton, FL15 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Three museums in one. The Circus Museum due to John Ringling’s winter home in Sarasota.The Ringling Museum with art masterpieces and some contemporary art. And finally CzDZan, House of John, Ringling’s 1926 winter mansion in Sarasota which you are able to tour.
    Written 15 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Phillis W
    Malone, NY4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We love this museum. We are able to see the actual house, laboratory, cars and more. The guides are very knowledgeable and friendly.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Judy Tremellen
    Naples, FL10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful experience, walking and enjoying the greenery!! Butterfly garden is wonderful and the lunch options were great! Lego display was amazing!
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • marianne A
    5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Armand square is a good place to hang out , with nice stores, bars and easy access to a very large, white sanded clean beach. Also not far from downtown as many other praised beaches are. Recommend it.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Malitz
    Toronto116 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had such a great time as a family, and felt it was well worth the price of admission. There was plenty of sea life that left us in awe; sharks, sea turtles, sea horses, a manatee, a preserved sea squid, plenty of fish ... and the staff were great sources of information. Thank you Mote Aquarium!
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ME Smith
    Flossmoor, IL14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hurricane Ian destroyed the pier 18 months ago, however there is a plan to rebuild in the future. There are no facilities.
    Written 8 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marie H
    Philadelphia, PA52 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely walk on elevated wooden walkway throughout the swamp sanctuary. We were able to see two alligators and all kinds of birds.
    You can choose a short walk or the one that is about two miles long.
    There is a lovely gift shop on the premises as well.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carolina_Traveler_7
    Charlotte132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    For the downtown location near Bayfront Drive —
    We really enjoyed our visit. Helpful volunteers, gardens well kept, most plants and trees well marked. We enjoyed the garden tour; it was good to hear the history, their future plans, and of course we all had questions about various plants and trees.
    There is another Marie Selby garden a few miles south that features native plants - the downtown garden is mostly non-natives.
    There is one greenhouse open to the public, small but well done. Most of the rest is open air paths.
    Best way to determine if this is for you is to check out the garden map online. This will highlight the main attractions and give a sense of the walking needed.
    There is a parking deck at the entrance to the gardens, no charge, with the check-in/admin area adjacent. (There is an admission fee for the gardens of course, but not parking on top of that). The sit down restaurant is nearby. (This area was recently under construction, but it’s finished. Construction has moved to an area away from the entrance and main garden).
    In addition to the new sit down restaurant, there is a grab and go place (salads and sandwiches) in the old Selby house (not open for touring otherwise). There is a patio with tables but we chose to find a shady bench and on the grounds and enjoy. So peaceful.
    This is not another Ringling type place - it’s not trying to outdo big name tourist attractions. It’s actually an important plant research and preservation site, involved in projects around the world. (For you gardeners/botanists out there - their specialty is epiphytes!). We are just enjoying the public portion, which helps fund what the center is doing.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Alison M
    5 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It is an excellent place for the great outdoors and the birds are indeed splendid. There were white pelicans, osprey fishing and on nests, resting roseate spoonbills, heron and 2 green iguanas crossing the road. There are boardwalks and a 4 mile drive where you can stop on the right and get out the car. There's a lovely visitor centre & shop. One serious obstacle is accessing Sanibel, a long and torturous journey in and an even more desperate crawl to exit. BE WARNED
    Written 7 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DAN S
    Fairbanks, AK128 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Ca d"Zan is a gorgeous structure and property. The interior is a little "over the top" if you had to live there, but wonderful as a museum. Don't miss the other museums at this local.
    Written 6 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SteelCity13
    Austin, TX921 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This park is beautiful and ease to navigate. So much to see and plenty of places to hike. Saw lots of gators. Did the tree canopy walk which was short but beautiful and fun! Be prepare for climb alot of steps. However I was disappointed to find out they were understaffed for Spring Break and the boat tours were all cancelled. So call ahead if you want to do a tour. Wish they would have posted it on the website or something.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lynnfreeman014
    Fort Myers, FL2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a beautiful preserve. Try to get there for the guided tours, which enrich the experience, but there is a leaflet which provides a self-guided tour if you are too late. It is inspiring to know that the area was saved by a group of students who advocated for its preservation.
    Written 13 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Gulf Coast