Out of the Water

Sarasota native and champion swimmer Emma Weyant is, not surprisingly, often in the water. In the Sarasota area, that means doing laps at spots like the Selby Aquatic Center near Potter Park.

But when she’s not swimming in Sarasota, she can often be found enjoying the outdoors. And in an area as beautiful as Sarasota County, there’s a wide array of locations where both locals and visitors can get outside and play. Here are some of Emma’s favorite places to spend time outdoors in Sarasota.

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1. The Beach

Yes, some swimming will likely take place at the beach. But for Emma, the beach is also where she heads to relax with a good book.

Her personal favorite? Turtle Beach. Named for its sea turtle nesting habitat, this stretch of soft sand on the southern end of Siesta Key is her go-to spot when she wants to read by the water and catch the sunset. 

The public beaches on Longboat Key are also a favorite for some quiet time on the sand. But beach time isn’t all about rest and relaxation: Emma often brings her competitive spirit to beach volleyball games with friends and family. “But I’m definitely not as skilled at that as swimming,” she laughs.

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2. The Legacy Trail

Just under 20 miles in length, the Legacy Trail runs from downtown Sarasota south to Venice’s Shamrock Park. The former railroad corridor is now a non-motorized multi-use trail ideal for biking, running, and walking. 

Trailheads and amenities can be found at multiple spots along the route, and the trail connects to the Venetian Waterway Park and North Port Connector for even longer jaunts. Emma’s a fan of biking along the trail, which travels through several area parks including Oscar Scherer State Park. There are a number of shops in the area that rent bikes to help visitors get out on the trail, and the Friends of The Legacy Trail also runs a surrey ride program during the winter season to help folks of all ages and abilities explore the route.

3. The John Ringling Causeway

The John Ringling Causeway isn’t just a driving route connecting downtown Sarasota to Bird, St. Armands, and Lido Keys. It’s also a popular spot for running and walking in the area, and Emma’s been known to get some exercise outside of the pool by running on the expanse.

The 65-foot-tall, 3,097-foot-long bridge offers both a good workout and amazing views of Sarasota Bay. You’ll be able to spot everything from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus to The Bay Park, two more places perfect for getting outside in the area.

4. Bird Key Park

Bird Key Park sits at the southwest side of the John Ringling Causeway, and it’s one of Emma’s top spots for sunset viewing in the area. There are pavilions with picnic tables here, so you could bring some takeout from a nearby restaurant for a picture-perfect twilight picnic.

People also head to the park to fish, canoe, and kayak. Companies like Lontra Pedal Kayaking offer tours that leave from the park, or you can rent your own gear and set off on your own.

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5. Siesta Key

Emma’s a fan of walking and running on Siesta Key. The barrier island offers lots of options for runners: At low tide, the sand is supportive enough for a three-mile route from Siesta Beach south and back, or a six-mile route along the entire stretch of sand. There are also sidewalks on Siesta Key if you want to add some road running to the mix. 

And the barrier island offers a lot of ways to reward yourself after a good workout. Head to spots like Siesta Key Oyster Bar and The Old Salty Dog for some alfresco food and drink, or grab an iced coffee at Mojo Risin’ Coffee Company or Meaney’s Mini Donuts & Coffee House and enjoy it by the beach.