Top 15 Must-Do Activities in North Port, Florida

Inquire about the premier location for kayaking in Sarasota County, and my candid recommendation would be North Port, a land-locked city situated a few miles north of Charlotte Harbor.

North Port encompasses a network of canals totaling nearly 80 miles, ultimately connecting to the ‘wild and scenic’ Myakka River.

In recent years, the city has emerged as the spring training base for the Atlanta Braves, who relocated to the state-of-the-art CoolToday Park in 2019.

North Port is surrounded by expansive public natural areas, including Myakka River State Park, where one can experience Old Florida characterized by oak hammocks, cypress swamps, and pine flatwoods.

1. Myakka River State Park

Source: Rui Serra Maia / shutterstock

One of the largest and oldest parks in the state awaits exploration on the northern side of the city.

Myakka River State Park boasts a rich diversity of natural environments including wetlands, marshes, and cypress swamps. A noteworthy feature to locate is the Deep Hole, a karst sinkhole reaching depths of up to 100 feet.

With campgrounds and a renowned trail system, the park serves as a hotspot for amateur birdwatchers seeking to observe the rare species inhabiting the region.

One such species is the roseate spoonbill, and I had the opportunity to witness this magnificent and elusive bird foraging along the muddy banks of the river.

The park was inaugurated in 1942 after nearly a decade of development by the Civilian Conservation Corps, resulting in impeccably designed parkitecture still appreciated today.

2. CoolToday Park

In 2019, North Port became the new spring training home for Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves.

The centerpiece of this $140 million complex is CoolToday Park, which accommodates 8,000 spectators.

I attended a game here, and the most enjoyable aspect for me was the concourse walkway that spans the entire grandstand, a feature I am accustomed to finding only in larger stadiums.

This allows visitors to enjoy some leisure time and converse with friends without missing any of the action.

During the pre-season games, held from late February to late March, spectators can witness some of baseball’s most celebrated players and gain insight into the upcoming generation of stars.

Later in the year, CoolToday Park serves as the venue for North Port’s Freedom Festival, featuring live music and fireworks on July 4.

3. Paddlesports

Not widely known, North Port may be the premier destination in the Sarasota area for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.

The city is traversed by a network of canals totaling nearly 80 miles, complemented by the lower Myakkahatchee Creek and the interconnected Myakka River.

To facilitate navigation within this system, a network of ‘Blueways’ has been developed since the 2010s.

I personally experienced a stand-up paddleboarding excursion here, gliding through residential neighborhoods, never being more than a few minutes from the nearest public park.

Throughout my journey, I encountered a variety of birdlife as well as numerous alligators, all from a safe distance.

For equipment rentals, consider visiting Glass Bottom Rentals, which also provides guided tours launching from McKibben Park.

4. Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park

At North Port’s northern perimeter, the residential neighborhoods abruptly end at the boundary of Myakka River State Park.

A noteworthy place for hiking is Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, encompassing 160 acres of oak hammocks, marshes, and flatwoods along the creek’s dark waters.

If you prefer a shorter trek as opposed to an excursion into Myakka River State Park, this smaller park is a suitable alternative.

With just under four miles of trails designated for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, visitors have a strong chance of observing various wildlife such as alligators, deer, ibises, and egrets.

5. Deer Creek Prairie Preserve

If you seek a deeper immersion in the wilderness surrounding North Port, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve is an excellent choice.

Spanning almost 6,500 acres, this property includes a tributary of the Myakka River, accessible from the edge of town at 10201 South Tamiami Trail (southern entrance).

For tranquility, Deer Prairie Creek Preserve stands out alongside Myakka River State Park, featuring over 60 miles of unrefined, natural-surface trails.

The preserve’s ecosystems range from wetlands to Florida dry prairie, oak hammock, and scrubby flatwoods, all hosting a diverse array of wildlife, including bobcats, river otters, and deer.

A species to keep an eye out for is the Florida scrub jay, which has inhabited the region for over two million years but now appears on the ‘vulnerable’ list.

6. North Port Aquatic Center

If you are akin to me and hail from a colder climate, you may find it enviable to learn that outdoor pools in Florida operate throughout spring, summer, fall, and winter.

This offers a significant improvement over the standard operational window from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In addition to extended operating hours, the North Port Aquatic Center features an array of attractions and amenities.

There is a heated competition pool, the thrilling Barracuda Blast drop slide, and the serene Relaxahatchee Lazy River.

Younger visitors will enjoy the Pelican Splashground, while the Sand Dollar Snack Shack offers classic comfort foods such as burgers, hot dogs, and pizza, alongside cold beverages and frozen treats.

7. Atwater Community Park

Source: The City of North Port – Government / Facebook

During summer, the heat and humidity prevalent in much of the Sunshine State can be quite intense. For families traveling with children, splash parks offer ideal recreational spots to cool off.

North Port’s Atwater Community Park exemplifies such a location and includes all the water-related activities one would anticipate. It is certain that children will enjoy themselves all day if permitted.

For parents preferring to remain dry, there are nearby seating areas. I would recommend bringing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen.

8. North Port Performing Arts Center

Source: Gid Pool / Facebook

I am pleased with whatever is on offer; I simply cherish experiencing the cultural milieu in any community I visit. This practice is an effective way to support the local economy, promote creators, and expand one’s horizons.

Open for slightly over two decades, the North Port Performing Arts Center is an excellent venue to facilitate this. The center boasts state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, is fully accessible, and accommodates nearly 1,000 attendees.

The schedule features a broad array of concerts and recitals, from touring bands to the North Port Symphony Orchestra, which has been active for more than 40 years.

9. West Coast Auction Company

Source: Supavadee butradee / shutterstock

If you are seeking a unique experience and wish to acquire distinctive items, consider exploring the region’s leading auction house.

West Coast Auction Company specializes in business and estate liquidations, periodically hosting auctions for dealers, collectors, and the public.

The company operates from a 10,000-square-foot facility, located just off I-75 (Toledo Blade Exit #179), having begun its journey in 2004 from the family garage.

Items available at estate auctions may include art, jewelry, household goods, electronics, and sports equipment. Similar to shopping at antique stores and flea markets, one may discover rare treasures.

10. Warm Mineral Springs

Source: Warm Mineral Springs / Facebook

Florida features a landscape abundant in springs, with around 900 recorded, yet only one is classified as a warm mineral spring, located right here in North Port.

What fascinates me about Warm Mineral Springs is the natural environment, which resembles a circular pool descending 250 feet.

This formation is a sinkhole that emerged approximately 30,000 years ago, containing evidence of Native American burials dating back about 10,000 years.

Alongside human archaeology, the springs have preserved fossils of prehistoric creatures, such as giant sloths and saber-toothed cats.

The waters are reputed to have healing properties, attributed to their elevated concentrations of potassium, magnesium, and sulfates, each of which can be beneficial in appropriate quantities.

11. Blue Ridge Park

For me, the charm of this small neighborhood park in North Port lies in its serene residential setting, situated along one of the city’s many canals.

As part of the Blueways system, Blue Ridge Park is another excellent location from which to launch a kayak, leading to a connection with the Myakka River.

The park features a boat ramp and a fishing dock, and it is also a suitable location for individuals wishing to relax by the water.

Visitors will find rental pavilions and an updated playground, which now includes a fun mini-zipline that my child thoroughly enjoyed.

12. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Historic Spanish Point Campus

In 2020, Sarasota’s esteemed Marie Selby Botanical Gardens acquired a 30-acre museum and environmental complex situated near North Port in Osprey.

Once a coastal estate, this site is rich with archaeological history extending back five millennia.

The campus comprises a variety of preserved structures from the early 20th century, including a homestead, a chapel, a boatyard, and a citrus packing house.

I spent a rewarding few hours exploring these gardens and coastal woodlands, encountering historic buildings and ancient middens.

Be sure to take the boat to the gardens’ main campus in downtown Sarasota, where you may spot dolphins in the bay.

13. Caspersen Beach

If you cannot resist the allure of the Gulf Coast, a series of beautiful beaches is located approximately 20 minutes by car from North Port.

My preferred destination is Caspersen Beach in Venice, renowned as one of the finest locations for beachcombing in Florida.

There are excellent opportunities for shelling along the beach, and you may also encounter a prehistoric shark tooth.

The beach retains a natural atmosphere, featuring a nature trail that weaves through undeveloped coastal hammock and dune restoration areas.

For privacy, simply walk south along the barrier island, and the crowds will quickly dissipate.

14. King Fisher Fleet

A few miles south of North Port lies the expansive Charlotte Harbor, the second-largest bay along Florida’s coast.

At the convergence of the Peace, Caloosahatchee, and Myakka rivers, this estuary encompasses nearly 5,000 square miles of astonishing diversity.

Charlotte Harbor is a natural marvel, featuring a multitude of habitats ranging from oyster flats to mangroves. This area is home to iconic Floridian wildlife, including manatees, alligators, and loggerhead sea turtles.

To appreciate the vastness of the bay and to learn more about its wildlife and human history, I would recommend embarking on a cruise with King Fisher Fleet, based in Punta Gorda.

They offer a variety of experiences, including day trips to Cabbage Key or romantic evening cruises to watch the sun set over the bay.

15. Heron Creek Golf & Country Club

In my opinion, one will not find a golf facility offering better value between Sarasota and Naples than Heron Creek.

This is a 27-hole facility designed by the esteemed architect, Arthur Hills (1930-2021).

Hills was renowned for integrating the existing landscape into his designs, which is evident in the Oaks Course, Creek Course, and Marsh Course.

I played at Heron Creek last year and consider it deserving of championship facility status, featuring surprising elevation changes and picturesque scenery along the creek.

Heron Creek offers expert instruction for all aspects of the game, complete with a full practice facility that includes pitching and chipping greens, as well as putting greens.