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    Historic Spanish Point

    4.0 (38 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Historic Spanish Point Photos

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    Sinead F.

    This is technically a botanical garden, but it really is more like a historical museum. It's a beautiful place to walk and enjoy nature and artifacts. There is a person there with a big golf cart to help people get around the park. The cafe was pleasant. You can sit there and eat in front of the bay.

    Rachel M.

    Historic Spanish Point is truly amazing. Now owned by Marie Selby Gardens, you will be immersed in history, nature, and finesse. I can describe this as a campus like the Marie Selby Gardens in nearby Sarasota. There are many landmarks along the way with a great story from back in the day. Two of my most favorite features are the sunken garden with beautiful bougainvillea flowers everywhere and the butterfly house. It recently opened in late 2020, so I definitely wanted to check it out. Historic Spanish Point is perfect for one who loves nature with picturesque water views and garden views. I think there is a lot for everyone. Check it out! It's a perfect trip that doesn't break a buck where there is a great amount of sun and shade. And is easy to social distance. Also it is best to wear gym shoes instead of flip flops. I'm so happy I followed that tip.

    Bougainvillea
    Tonya M.

    An absolute treasure trove of beautiful and exotic plants scenery and history. The employees we encountered are volunteers. They performed their jobs stupendously by carting us to several spots and answering our questions with regard to the Palmer family that owned this area around the turn of the 20th century Even on this cool day we were able to appreciate the lavish beauty of the flowers that adorned the trails. The orchids were colorful and displayed God's artistic work. The butterfly area was housed in a tent like meshing filled with a variety of jeweled flowering plants. We enjoyed watching these graceful beauties drink their lunch There is a small cafe that serves hot sandwiches hot coffee and cold beer along with chips freshly made cookies and granola and various other available snacks and drinks. Many restrooms along the path so you need not worry about access to needed facilities. There are plenty of areas available for picturesque settings to create your memories on camera. There is a little white chapel there with beautifully stained glass windows vaulted ceilings with a taste of Pennsylvania Dutch architecture. The original bell sits by the pulpit as well as original antique furnishings Their are still some projects being worked on. But this place was so clean and well kept in good working order. You can tell a lot of detail has been placed into this. Much love has been contributed to this gorgeous park A lovely day in nature and with God and good friends.

    Andrew J.

    My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful spot. I'm a lover of nature, history, beautiful gardens, and archeology, so wow! We went in the morning and enjoyed the relatively cooler temps in July. Lots of good shade and many interesting things to observe. The house to tour is gorgeous- a woodworkers dream home. The way the archeology museum was constructed is nothing short of genius! The only shortcoming is I wanted more. More on the prehistoric culture, more artifacts, etc. Definitely wear shoes for hiking the crushed shell trails. A little bug spray probably a good idea too.

    My family
    Sarita A.

    If you love nature, I recommend coming to Historic Spanish Point. It's very beautiful. They give you a map of the place and you just walk around. Everyone, there is very friendly. My favorite part is the footbridge that overlooks the lake. I went with my family and it's a nice attraction to go to for fun and relaxation. The butterfly area is also very nice at the attraction, each of the butterflies is beautiful.

    Sunken Garden
    Terry D.

    Lovely place to spend a few hours north of Venice, FL. Staff is helpful and friendly. You will have to walk about 2 miles on flat, paved paths. A tram is available for non-walkers. Very cool experience of history from ancient Americans to pioneers to early 1900's. We went slightly after season and would have liked some more docents at sites but still able to read history. Well kept and amazing views of little Sarasota Bay.

    Old Florida. I was sorry I wore sandals - most of the trails were shell. Spent a lot of time kicking shell out of my show. Otherwise, it's a nice walk in the mangroves.

    Beautiful spot for a wedding.
    Kristen T.

    Went for a wedding out by the water, it was absolutely stunning. For about 80 people it was the perfect sized venue. The lights that they put in the bushes and trees are beautiful, and the garden area was just serene for the ceremony. Growing up in Sarasota I wondered where the best places to get married are and honestly Spanish Pointe never crossed my mind, I always just thought of it as the historic place we went to on field trips as kids (which that part is great too). But the venue was wonderful and the staff were so helpful. I hear they also have a small chapel for even smaller weddings, but I thought the place by the water was just perfect.

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    3 years ago

    Such a beautiful botanical garden, I especially loved the walk through butterfly garden. Will definitely return when it is cooler outside.

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    4 years ago

    Beautiful place to walk around and see the water. Butterfly garden is also filled with different butterflies.

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    7 years ago

    Hidden gem in Sarasota. Very interesting to people of all ages. The Indian shell mound is a must see. You may want to bring some bug spray.

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    5 years ago

    It is a beautiful setting , the place is on the water but the food is very mediocre . Very long waiting time for food

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    9 years ago

    Worth the visit. A hidden gem in Sarasota. Very knowledgable guides. Will definitely be back.

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    Review Highlights - Historic Spanish Point

    Historic Spanish Point is perfect for one who loves nature with picturesque water views and garden views.

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    4.1(106 reviews)
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    Let me tell you about the time my wife casually turned a normal "drop our daughter off at college"…read moretrip into what felt like a deleted scene from a survival movie... destination: Solomon's Castle in the absolute middle of nowhere. And when I say nowhere, I mean NOWHERE. I'm driving waiting for streetlights... nothing. Gas stations? Nope. People? Questionable. Cows? Plenty. Motorcycles flying by like we accidentally entered a post-apocalyptic biker convention? Oh yeah. At this point, I'm looking at my wife like, Babé are we visiting a castle or auditioning for The Walking Dead: Florida Edition?" Then suddenly... BOOM. Out of nowhere... like a mirage built by a very creative pirate appears this shiny, aluminum-covered CASTLE. Now I'm confused. Because one minute I'm dodging cows... and the next minute I'm like: Did we just teleport to medieval times sponsored by Home Depot? But here's the thing this place is AMAZING. Inside? Pure genius. Art everywhere. Sculptures made out of stuff you probably threw away last week. It's like if creativity, humor, and a junkyard had a baby and that baby became a castle. And then there's the restaurant. Yes. A restaurant. Inside a boat. Inside a castle. In the middle of nowhere. At this point, I've stopped asking questions and just accepted that I'm in someone else's dream. If you want the backstory, go ahead and Google it because it's wild. But honestly, just go. Don't overthink it. Would I have ever planned this stop? Absolutely not. Did my wife once again prove she's the CEO of random but incredible detours? 100%. Final verdict: Unexpected Slightly suspicious drive in Completely worth it If you're ever near Ona, Florida--or even if you're not take the detour. Just make sure your gas tank is full... and maybe say a quick prayer once the streetlights disappear

    On our drive from St Augustine to Tampa, we made reservations to see Solomon's Castle in the middle…read moreof nowhere on beautiful land here in Florida. This castle was built by Howard Solomon, a high school dropout, with his bare hands and his own designs with whatever scraps of metal he could find or that were donated to him by others. He had friends and neighbors who helped him build. He built vertically because his land was more narrow than wide. So there are stairs to climb. Everything including his unusual artwork inside the Castle was donated or built by Solomon. He also had a 1930s collection of cars and trucks that are displayed at the Castle. His personal story is very interesting which will be told during the tour. Visitors are not allowed to photograph the auto collection nor anything inside the Castle. There is no cell service/wifi there on the property. They do not use computers so everything is paid by cash: the tickets (we paid about $40 in cash for the castle tour and the classic car tour), the food, and souvenirs. They are dog-on-leash friendly, which is nice. The staff is very welcoming and fun to interact with! The tour is very interesting with funny jokes thrown in. Food is served on the boat and reviewers have been favorable about the meals offered. Remember, it is cash only. Parking is free and at the entrance before you get to the Castle. Wear comfortable shoes. I was happy that we got to do the tour. I don't know that I would go back because it is so out of the way but it was worth the trip.

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