While Sarasota’s beaches are definitely the main draw, the city certainly has many other attractions, from the marine (Mote Aquarium) to the botanical (Marie Selby Botanical Gardens) to the architectural (the John and Mable Ringling’s grand Cà d’Zan), for visitors to experience. Auto lovers, for example, can take an educational tour at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, while those who prefer the great outdoors can walk the nature trails at Myakka and Oscar Scherer state parks or get to know the wildlife at Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary. All the attractions listed here have Web sites, so you can study up before you go to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

BRADENTON

De Soto National Memorial, 75th St. NW, Bradenton. 792-0458. This national park is thought to be the site of explorer Hernando de Soto’s landfall in Florida more than 450 years ago. During the winter and spring, park employees perform demonstrations and give talks about that era of Florida’s history while wearing period costumes, allowing visitors a glimpse of what Florida life might have been like in the 1500s. Open daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Free of charge. www.nps.gov/deso.

South Florida Museum/Bishop Planetarium/Parker Manatee Aquarium, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton. 746-4131. At the South Florida Museum, a wide range of exhibits covers local Florida history, from the Native Americans to Hernando de Soto to the Crackers who settled the area. Stargazers at Bishop Planetarium will enjoy the digitally programmed star and music shows, and Snooty the lovable (and at over 50, long-lived) manatee entertains guests of the aquarium. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m. except for New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission: Adults $15.95, seniors $13.95, children 4-12 $11, free for children under 4. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.southfloridamuseum.org.

ELLENTON

Gamble Plantation and Mansion, U.S. 301, Ellenton. 723-4536. This antebellum mansion, once part of a thriving sugar plantation, is the oldest plantation house in South Florida. It also served as a hideout for the Confederacy’s Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War, when he was on the run from the Yankees. It’s both a slice of history and a glimpse of Florida plantation life—educational and entertaining. Guided tours of the house are given daily. Open Thursday-Monday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Tours take place at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tours are $5 for adults and $3 for children. www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/default.cfm

OSPREY

Historic Spanish Point, 500 Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 966-5214. Historic Spanish Point has a unique history. It is a 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental site with period buildings and exhibits to view, but it has also been the home, at different times, of prehistoric American Indians, the Webb pioneer family and socialite Mrs. Potter Palmer. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5p.m. except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $9, children 6-12 $3, seniors $8, Florida residents $8. For a discount coupon, visit www.historicspanishpoint.org.

Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey. 483-5956. Full of Florida scrub jays, gopher tortoises, gopher frogs and indigo snakes, this is one of locals’ favorite parks. Visitors can take advantage of its lakes and pine flatwoods by hiking the trails, kayaking or canoeing. Open daily from 8 a.m. to sundown. Admission: $4 per vehicle for up to 8 people; $24.20 per night to camp. www.floridastateparks.org.

SARASOTA

Ringling Circus Museum; Cà d’Zan 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 351-1660. Two of the biggest draws at the John and Mable Ringling Musuem of Art complex (read more about the art museum in the listings for museums and galleries in this issue) are the Ringlings’ 1920s mansion, Cà d’Zan, and the Circus Museum, which, as of January 2006, includes the new Tibbals Learning Center. Featuring posters and costumes from the early 20th century, the museum is also home to the largest circus miniature in the world. Meanwhile, Cà d’Zan is the epitome of Roaring ’20s grandiosity, with its combination of Gothic and Venetian architecture.  Open daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission: Adults $15, seniors over 65 and active U.S. military $13, and children ages 6 to 17, students with ID, and Florida teachers $5. Admission is free for all museum members and children under 5 accompanied by an adult. On Mondays, admission to the museum of art is free. www.ringling.org.

Crowley Museum and Nature Center, 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota (near Myakka City). 322-1000. Visitors can hearken back to the days of the early Sarasota pioneers at this reconstructed village, with its lovely natural surroundings and walking trails. Open Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. from May 1-Dec. 31 and Tuesday-Sunday from Jan. 1-April 30. Admission: Adults $5, children 5-12 $3, free for children under 5. www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org.

G.WIZ Blivas Science & Technology Center, 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota. 906-1851. In its successful attempt to make science and technology educational and fun, the G.WIZ features hands-on exhibits and activities aimed at kids, including interactive displays, mind-bending puzzles and a beautiful butterfly garden. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Admission: Adults $9, seniors $8, children 3-18 $6. Group discounts are available. www.gwiz.org.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. 366-5731. Nature lovers will fall for this Sarasota oasis—and research center—where orchids, epiphytes, bromeliads, banyans and many other plants live and flourish. Botanical research is also carried out here, and the gardens house a Museum of Botany and the Arts and the Selby home as well. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. except Christmas Day. Adults $12, children 6-11 $6. www.selby.org.

Mote Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. 388-4441. Jaws aficionados will be excited to hear that Shark Tracker, Mote Aquarium’s newest interactive exhibit, opened recently—but sharks aren’t the only sea creatures that call Mote their home. Sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and other creatures of the deep live there, too. Group tours are available, and there’s a gift shop on the premises. Admission: Adults $15, children 4-12 $10. Free for children under 3; seniors receive $1 off general admission. Open 365 days a year from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., including holidays. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.mote.org.

Myakka River State Park, 14 miles of east of Sarasota on S.R. 72. 361-6511. Untamed, wild Florida thrives on this 28,000-acre preserve that’s home to local plant and wildlife, including deer, alligators, osprey and even the ever-elusive Florida bobcat. To allow visitors to get the most out of their experience, tram rides, nature trails, airboat tours, canoeing and camping are also available. For a wildlife tour, call 365-0100. Open 8 a.m. to sundown daily, 365 days a year. Admission: $5 per vehicle of 2-8 people. www.myakkariver.org.

Pelican Man’s Bird Sanctuary, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. 388-4444. Set on two waterfront acres, the sanctuary is home to more than 200 permanently disabled birds and is also a haven for other injured animals. Visitors can get up close and personal in public viewing areas, meander down the boardwalk, and purchase souvenirs at the gift shop. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. except Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Admission: Adults $6, children 6-17 $4, free for children under 6. www.pelicanman.org.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum, 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. 355-6228. With exhibits dating back as far as the horseless carriage, this jewel of a museum features more than 100 automobiles, as well as an antique game arcade. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. except Christmas Day. Admission: Adults $8.50, seniors $7.65, children 13-17 $5.75, children 6-12 $4, and free for children under 6. www.sarasotacarmuseum.org

Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 355-5305. Heed the call of the wild and visit Sarasota Jungle Gardens’ 10 tropical acres of trees, flowers, pink flamingoes and other exotic animals. Bird and reptile shows are performed each day, and there’s a playground, gift shop and snack bar as well. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except Christmas. Admission: Adults $12, seniors $11, children 3-12 $8, free for children under 3. For a discount Web coupon, visit www.sarasotajunglegardens.com.

VENICE

The Springs, 12200 San Servano, Venice. 426-1692. A visit to The Springs in Venice leaves visitors feeling sorry for Ponce de Leon, with his all-consuming search for the Fountain of Youth—if only he’d come to Venice! The mineral springs maintain an 87-degree temperature year-round, and the spa, café, and special events enhance the experience. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: Adults $16, students $11, AAA members $14, children 12 and under $7. www.warmmineralsprings.com.