| a complimentary continental breakfast buffet is provided. some have microwaves and recliners. kids 17 and under stay free with a paying adult. check-in time: 3:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. off interstate 75, this straightforward hotel is less than a 5-mile drive from pirate city and 6 miles from gamble plantation historic state park. theres also an outdoor pool, as well as free parking for cars, rvs and buses. all rooms include en suite bathrooms with showers and tubs, and have free wi-fi, tvs and desks, as well as minifridges, and tea and coffeemakers
Tampa International Airport 51 min
Mixon Fruit Farms (12 min)
Citrus grove with a play park, alligator encounters & a store serving orange flavored ice cream. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus (29 min)
Showcase for thousands of tropical plants, plus a conservatory & garden museum, in a historic space. Sarasota Bay (38 min)
Named an estuary of national significance, this subtropical, coastal lagoon is popular for kayaking. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (15 min)
A planetarium, aquarium & history museum under 1 roof with dioramas & films. Gamble Plantation Historic State Park (12 min)
Florida's only surviving plantation home, circa 1840, set on lush grounds & open for guided tours. Lake Manatee State Park (19 min)
This waterfront park offers freshwater boating & fishing, plus camping (though no actual manatees). Tibbals Learning Center at The Ringling (26 min)
Ringling Circus archives, with historical documents, costume drawings & art (by appointment). The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (25 min)
State art museum founded by the circus magnate with 31 galleries in a pink Renaissance-style palace. Sarasota Classic Car Museum (25 min)
Venerable site showing 90+ classic, exotic & muscle cars, plus antique music boxes & phonographs. Sarasota Jungle Gardens (27 min)
Historic attraction featuring more than 150 animals & shows in a tropical setting. Florida Railroad Museum (20 min)
Transport history told in interactive exhibits & a 13-mile weekend ride, plus locomotive rentals. Ca' d'Zan (28 min)
Once home to the Ringlings, this circa-1924 mansion draws inspiration from the palazzos of Venice. Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary (21 min)
Animal sanctuary home to big cats & other wild species offering animal encounters & seasonal hours. Nathan Benderson Park (17 min)
600-acre park on a lake with rowing facilities, including a boathouse & regatta center. DeSoto National Memorial Park (26 min)
Nod to the famed explorer's landing site with living-history camp, exhibits, shore & nature trails. | 
