Stroll Around Bayfront Park in Downtown Sarasota

Now that you have arrived at your destination and are staying at one of our premium Sarasota vacation rentals, the only thing left to do is hit the town and see some sights!

Sarasota is an amazing place to visit, and the metroplex area is considered the second fastest-growing city in America. This means that it still has a smaller town feel, but there is a large variety of things to do in Sarasota. 

Make sure to spend a day in Bayfront Park on your visit to Sarasota! Here is our guide to help you plan your trip.

Where is Bayfront Park?

Among your myriad of choices is a network of lovely city parks, including beautiful Bayfront Park. Located downtown, it sits right on Sarasota Bay, in between the bay and the marina. It forms a half-mile loop that offers some breathtaking views of the bay and metro skyline. 

There is paid parking at the park, but admission is free, and a nearby lot offers free parking all day. The entrance to the park is a large alabaster-hued arch, which is far more welcoming than its size might suggest. 

What Amenities Does Bayfront Park offer?

Dog-friendly, listed at a cozy 3.5 acres, and open from 5 am until 11 pm, Bayfront Park offers a little something for everyone! The kids will love the dedicated playground — on which they can swing, jump, and climb all day — while the grown-ups will appreciate the comfortable nearby benches.  

Also, there are basketball courts for those who want to play a little hoop and pickleball courts for those who play, or would like to try, the fastest-growing sport in America! For those who are a bit more traditional, tennis courts are also available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Grills are available for public use, and picnicking is encouraged. Just be prepared because few scents in life are as enticing as those which drift from seafood-stacked grills in the park!

Replete with restrooms and water fountains, it is an immaculately clean and well-maintained property, possessing everything you need for a half-day visit. 

Things to Do at Bayfront Park

Interwoven throughout the park are a small number of walking and bike trails where you can stretch your legs, get some exercise, or just get lost in the mesmerizing view of the bay itself.

The view alone is worth the trip, even if it’s to simply sit in the shade and watch the countless boats peacefully bobbing along.

A casual stroll will surely include an encounter with any number of beautiful indigenous birds, along with a local squirrel population that seems the delight of many park visitors. 

However, for those with zero intention of putting in any work on their vacation, fear not! Bayfront Park offers two restaurants on/around its grounds. For lunch, try a sumptuous steak at award-winning Marina Jack’s.

Or in the evening, swing by O’Leary’s Tiki Bar for a delicious happy-hour cocktail as you take in an extraordinary sunset over Sarasota Bay. Be sure not to miss a quick jaunt down to the fishing pier and to get a look at some of the stunning public art, which, according to one visitor, tells “a story of diversity, inclusion, and hope.” 

Last but not least, take a forever pic under the massive WWII statue, “Unconditional Surrender.” It is a tribute to the iconic Pulitzer prize-winning photo taken at the end of the world war. It is truly one of a kind and something you’ll always remember from your vacation in Sarasota!

Your Sarasota Vacation Rental

We encourage you to contact us and leave nothing to chance. We’d love to assist you in finding the perfect luxury Sarasota vacation rental for your stay here! Vunique’s vacation rentals are the definition of luxury, and they’re perfectly located. Your home away from home will be within close proximity of all the local sights, attractions, restaurants, and more!