Bayfront Park

Located in the southern end of the town of Longboat Key, Bayfront Park has a small beach with light brown sand and is surrounded by mangrove trees, palm trees, and sparse vegetation. 

Although Bayfront Park does not have lifeguards, it has many amenities including a fishing Pier, barbeque grills facility, pickleball courts, shuffleboard courts, a basketball court, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a playground, an indoor recreation center, restrooms, covered pavilions, paved walking trails, electric charging stations for electric vehicles, and wifi. Dogs are allowed in Bayfront Park if they are on a leash, and the park is open from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. 

Bayfront Park offers many fun activities including fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, swimming, boating, sailing, and bird watching. Depending on the time of the year visitors can spot dolphins and manatees in the water near Bayfront Park. Bayfront Park is an ideal kayaking spot to rent a kayak or bring your own. The park also hosts many fun activities including sports leagues, educational programs, cultural classes and seminars, social functions, and special events for all ages and interests.

Getting to Bayfront Park is easy- the park is present at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive, there is a free parking lot is also present. Once you park, you need to cross Gulf of Mexico Drive to reach Bayfront Park’s beach as the beach is present across the street from the main part of Bayfront Park. We recommend being careful while crossing the street to reach the beach in Bayfront Park as the Gulf of Mexico Drive is a part of an active state highway named Florida State Route 789.

There are many attractions near Bayfront Park. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium offers swimming, kayaking, seashore safari, snorkeling, and boat tours experiences where visitors can explore the coral reef and a lagoon that offer interesting insights into the local biodiversity. In addition, this marine park is home to many kinds of local marine wildlife including sharks, rays, otters, manatees, sea turtles, and Florida watersheds -and also offers interactive animal-feeding and animal petting sessions. Florida Maritime Museum offers interesting local maritime historical exhibitions and hosts many events, and also has a gallery displaying maritime-related memorabilia including photos, model boats, tools, and instruments. If you are looking for another attraction near Bayfront Park, The Fish Hole Miniature Golf is a family-friendly 18-holes mini-golf course that offers several amenities including cooling mist devices, lush green gardens, and a koi pond.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Bayfront Park. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is a nautical-themed waterfront bistro that serves incredible seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and desserts. Bayou Tavern is a beachfront restaurant that offers amazing Italian cuisine including pizza, ravioli, risotto, pasta, bruschetta, salads, and seafood. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Bayfront Park, the modestly priced Blue Dolphin Cafe serves delicious breakfast dishes including waffles, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, eggs, and wraps. The restaurant also serves excellent lunch and dinner dishes including Wraps, hotdogs, burgers, salads, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood.

If you are looking for a hotel near Bayfront Park, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is 19 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a golf course, a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, tennis courts, and several restaurants. As another upscale option, the 4-Star The Resort at Longboat Key Club offers a golf course, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a business center, a children’s club, and several restaurants. A more affordable hotel is 3-Star BridgeWalk- A Landmark Resort that offers many amenities including a heated pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a golf course, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast. If you looking for another good and affordable hotel near Bayfront Park, the modestly priced 2-Star Wicker Inn Beach Resort is a bayfront hotel that offers several amenities including a gazebo, a grilling area, and a heated pool.