Welcome to the NATURE ABOUNDS DEVERSE DESTINATIONS RESOURCE DIRECTORY Gulf Coast Heritage Trail e YOUR GUIDE TO PARADISE Wildlife Cultural Attractions he Gulf Coast of Florida is a sub-tropical HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: The Trail promotes a scenic tour route and Birds Sea Turtles he Gulf Coast Heritage Trail offers an array of Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Tparadise best known for its aquamarine The map shown on the other side of this includes bicycle staging areas where visitors The migratory routes The Gulf beaches along the barrier islands support Tcultural attractions, which range from visual & The Gulf Coast Heritage Trail 941.955.8085 waters and white sandy beaches. The brochure assists you in locating points of interest may park then peddle to nearby destinations. of birds, are referred loggerhead turtles and their nesting activities May and performing arts Arts/Cultural Interests area features outstanding fishing, boating identified by numbers which are color coded: Additionally, nature walks, scenic trails and to as “flyways”. These through October. Five species of sea turtles inhabit to nationally famous Arts Hotline 941.745.ARTS Manatee County Cultural Alliance 941.721.0405 and wildlife viewing opportunities. The ● Historical wildlife viewing opportunities can be found flyways, are not specific, the Gulf Coast region: loggerhead, green, hawksbill, museums. Home to many Sarasota County Arts Council 941.365.5118 area is also rich in history, culture and the ● Natural (environmental) at many of the points of interest. If you are they are general routes leatherback, and Kemp’s Ridley. However, loggerhead writers, artists and patrons, County Parks Arts; providing a wide range of unique ● Cultural interested in canoeing and kayaking, launch areas that most migrating birds turtles, which are classified as threatened, are the Manatee and Sarasota Manatee County 941.749.7123 Sarasota County 941.861.5000 destinations for everyone to enjoy. and trails have been mapped. Our area’s history follow. Florida is a part predominant species on our beaches. In 1998, more counties present a year- Department of Historical Resources and “the Arts” can also be enjoyed by using this of the Atlantic Flyway Roseate Spoonbill than 4,538 nests round festival of the Arts. Manatee County Department guide. Because the Trail cannot be traveled in System, which accounts for the of loggerhead Sarasota Opera House (site 75). of Historical Resources 941.741.4070 a day, it has been segmented into three areas: high number of bird species found in our area. Most t u r t l e s w e r e Sarasota County Department of Historical Resources 941.861.5000 North, Central and South. The recommended migrating birds require the presence of wetland documented in Bayfront BayWalk (site # 70 ) located near the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (site 72). Public Transportation scenic routes are the most pleasant and highlight estuaries, rich habitats where a source of freshwater the region. Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) 941.749.7116 the character of the area. Each North, Central meets the Gulf. Large numbers of migrating Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) 941.861.1234 and South tour routes takes a full day or up to shorebirds will return Circus Sarasota. State Parks Loggerhead Turtle Myakka River State Park 941.361.6511 several days depending on the number of points to the same stopover Oscar Scherer State Park 941.483.5956 of interest you decide to visit along the way. The site year after year. Dolphins Tourist Information North tour route takes you through Manatee These large flocks of During the spring Manatee County Ca’d’Zan (site #48) at Ringling Museum (site 47). County which is rich in agricultural heritage. shorebirds will feed and summer, mothers Tourist Information Center 941.729.7040 Sarasota County Enjoy the downtown waterfronts of Palmetto and for several days or and calves can be Tourist Information Center 941.957.1877 Bradenton, along the scenic Manatee River, which weeks in order to found in the shallow Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce 941.778.1541 offer a wealth of cultural and historical attractions. build up their energy waters of Palma Manatee Chamber of Commerce 941.748.3411 Discover Sarasota and Manatee Counties’ natural areas, botanical The Central tour route focuses on the City of The wood stork are Sola Bay and Anna gardens, wildlife and bird viewing. enjoy the wide variety of culture wetland dwellers and Longboat Key and history that abounds here on Florida’s Suncoast. Sarasota and northern Sarasota County. It is best use fresh, brackish, and Dolphin Maria Sound. The Chamber of Commerce 941.383.2466 Historic Bridge Street Pier Gulf Coast Wonder known for white sandy beaches, arts, culture and salt water for feeding newborns are safer in (site 35). Greater Sarasota and nesting. They are Historic Spanish Point (site 98). & Imagination Zone (site 73). Chamber of Commerce 941.955.2508 fine dining. Enjoy Sarasota’s cultural coast the shallow coastal waters away from such predators Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 941.349.3800 and the local treasures surrounding the reserves to continue their as adult Bull Sharks, which swim in the Gulf offshore Venice Area Chamber of Commerce 914.488.2236 gem of the area, Sarasota Bay. The South flight. in the summer. In the fall and winter, dolphins are Englewood Chamber of Commerce 941.474.5511 tour route takes you through southern Some feathered more frequently found in the passes and along Gulf Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (site 82). Some museums and art institutions have limited operating hours. Sarasota County in and around the quaint friends who live and The endangered Florida shorelines. A large Bottlenose Dolphin population It is recommended you call the locations prior your visit. historic district of Venice. Treasures in the visit our area are the Scrub-Jay may be spotted call Sarasota Bay home year round. A world-class collection of area include pre-historic shark teeth finds, great blue heron, in scrubby flatwoods Baroque art along with a Circus This publication is presented by the habitats such as Oscar large nature preserves and canopy roads. roseate spoonbill, Scherer State Park (site #100), Museum and Venetian-styled Sarasota Estuary Program (SBEP) Whether you’re a naturalist, a cyclist, a snowy egret, wood Rye Preserve (site 10), and mansion are part of the Ringling Service Club Park (site 113). stork, white ibis, Museum (sites 47 & 48) , a gift of Mission Statement Red Drum (Redfish), nice catch! kayaker, one who appreciates fine art and You can be part of the solution... culture, or a history buff, the Gulf Coast anhinga, brown pelican, osprey, bald eagle and John and Mable Ringling to the De Soto National Memorial (site 19). The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Unfortunately, a leading cause of death Crosley Museum (site 45). Heritage Trail has people of Florida. is dedicated to improving and protecting Enjoy discovering paradise... Manatee and injuires among Florida Manatees, Mote Marine Laboratory something for you. Among the riches from which visitors and locals Other sites and museums such as the Crosley and Aquarium (site 55). the area’s greatest and most important On the Heritage Trail of Manatee Paddle at the Myakka River State Park. (site 94) The Florida manatee, Sea Turtles and Dolphins are human- Enjoy exploring may choose are productions on theatrical stages, Museum (site 45), Historic Spanish Point (site 98) , natural asset—Sarasota Bay. and Sarasota Counties, you are a subspecies of the West related from collisions with boat hulls and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium the wonders including professional theater companies and and De Soto National Memorial (site 19) educate SBEP strives to improve water quality, invited to tour, visit and Indian manatee, is Florida’s propellers, entanglement in floats, fishing (site 55) is a renowned marine research and of paradise... dinner theaters. At the Van Wezel Performing Arts visitors about the area’s history. increase habitat and enhance the experience an array of official marine mammal. lines and ingestion of foreign objects, educational facility with exhibits featuring sharks, Hall (site 72), you can see a full season of artistic Visual arts are enhanced by community arts natural resources of the area for use environmental, cultural Florida Department of such as garbage thrown from boats. manatees, sea turtles and other marine life that performances. Music lovers can select from organizations, college galleries, fairs, festivals and and enjoyment by the public. and historical gems You can view manatees Environmental Protection Please follow safety cautions to ensure inhabit nearby coastal waters. The South Florida among a symphony orchestra, an opera company, commercial art galleries e throughout this region at The Parker Manatee estimates there are about protection for our region’s wildlife. Museum (site 21) triplex showcases Florida from choral groups, smaller orchestras, concert bands There is a rich circus heritage that still can be Aquarium (site 21), the stone age to the space age, and also offers a Brochure design & production: Patti Cross/Tom Cross Inc. 941.966.3843 of Florida. 2,400 of these gentle, seen through the performances of Circus Sarasota and at Mote Marine and numerous jazz ensembles. The region’s [email protected] Siesta Public Beach, another beautiful sunset. (site 91) fascinating mammals living planetarium and manatee aquarium. Aquarium (site 55). cultural community also offers outstanding ballet and Sarasota’s Sailor Circus (site 84), the oldest in Florida. These vegetarian Experience natural and phyical science hands- Sarasota Bay and ballroom dance companies. continuously running youth circus in America. Restoration and preservation efforts suggest that Florida giants can grow to a length of 10 feet and can on exhibits at Gulf Coast Wonder & Imagination Estuary Program will continue to be defined by the beauty and utility of its Zone; GWiz (site 73).