Pet-Friendly Things to Do in Sarasota

Dog-friendly events, parks, beaches, and attractions where your pets are welcome across the Sarasota area.

Upcoming Events

📍 Lakewood Ranch Main Street 🕐 4-8pm 🏷️ Free

Lakewood Ranch's grooviest dog-friendly festival with live music, local vendors, and adorable photo ops. It's a tail-wagging celebration for pups and their people.

Recurring Things to Do
  • 2nd Tuesdays Next: Tue, Apr 14

    Barks & Brews

    🕐 6-8pm 📍 The Green at UTC 🏷️ Free

    A monthly dog-friendly mixer benefiting Nate's Honor Animal Rescue. Expect craft brews, live music, adoptable pups, and a rotating cast of vendors. Bring your leashed dog and stay a while.

Places & Attractions
Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park

Downtown's waterfront playground with a pirate-themed play area, splash pad, and marina views — the best spot to watch pelicans and sunsets without leaving the city.

The Bay Park

The Bay Park

A 53-acre waterfront park along Sarasota Bay with free programming, playgrounds, art installations, walking paths, and stunning bay views. One Park for All.

Nathan Benderson Park

Nathan Benderson Park

A 600-acre park built around a world-class rowing lake, with a 3.5-mile loop trail perfect for running, biking, or walking the dog.

The Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail

Eighteen miles of paved trail connecting downtown Sarasota to Venice on a former railroad corridor, with 15 free trailheads along the way.

Payne Park

Payne Park

A downtown park with a circus-themed playground, skate park, splash area, and tennis center — one of the most popular parks for families in central Sarasota.