Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Nokomis, FL

  • Published 2022/01/20

In Nokomis, visitors may enjoy a small-town lifestyle and a laid-back beach town vibe while still enjoying all the best things to do in this charming town.

Nokomis, which shares a border with the towns of Sarasota and Venice, is well-known for its magnificent beaches, a plethora of retail options, and well-kept residential neighborhoods.

Horse and Chaise was the name given to the early settlements between Dona Bay and Roberts Bay.

This place’s name comes from a group of trees that sailors thought looked like a horse and a chaise (two-wheeled horse-drawn wagon).

In 1888, the town’s name was changed to Corryton and Venice.

As a Palmer business, Sarasota-Venice Company built out Venice south of Hatchett Creek in 1915.

The Palmers successfully petitioned the US Postal Service to relocate the Venice post office from its original location south of Shakett Creek to the new Venice Estates neighborhood.

The post office and the village’s name were shifted south over the protest of the pioneer family.

Nokomis was therefore chosen as the new name for the original village.

“Nokomis” is a Native American term for “grandmother.”

Nokomis Beach is located at the southern end of private Casey Key in the unincorporated settlement of Nokomis.

Nokomis provides visitors with wonderful Gulf beaches and fishing, a boat launch pad, a stunning shoreline, and adjacent Sarasota attractions.

Now let’s look at the 15 best things to do in Nokomis, Florida.

Go Fishing at Venice Fishing Pier

Image of locals and tourists fishing along the Venice Fishing Pier.

Kristi Blokhin / shutterstock.com

Brohard Park, on the southern tip of Venice Island, is home to the city of Venice Fishing Pier.

The 700-foot pier is a terrific place to catch some fish and enjoy the sunset at the end of the day.

Admission to the city-owned Pier is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There is no need for a fishing license.

Entrance to the Venice Fishing Pier.

Linda White Wolf / shutterstock.com

Fishermen have been forbidden from using shark fishing gear on Venice Pier in November 2019 and limiting them to one fishing line in the ocean at a time.

Brohard Beach and Venice Beach will be designated as “swimmer first” places under a new regulation prohibiting swimming within 150 feet of the Pier.

The pier also restricts bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards.

An abundance of recreational amenities, including a golf course and a sand volleyball court, can be found within walking distance of the park’s picnic pavilions.

Learn about Nokomis with All Around Charters

All Around Charters was established in 1997.

All Around Trips has provided daily and multi-day guided motorcoach tours throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than a decade.

Bring the whole family along on one of its guided tours!

The collective experience of the people working in our tour department is close to 50 years in the tourism industry today.

Whatever your interests may be, it has various options for you and your group!

In addition to experiencing everything that Florida offers, it offers out-of-state trips for a hands-on and educational experience regarding Florida’s neighboring states.

The driving and technicalities are taken care of, so relax and enjoy the ride!

Tee Off at Calusa Lakes Golf Course

Nokomis, Florida’s Nokomis Calusa Lakes Golf Club, is just a short drive from Siesta Key, making it a great option for anyone looking for a quick round of Venice golf.

Gorgeous forested topography at Calusa Lakes Golf Club enhances the natural backdrop of this exceptional 18-hole offering.

The course, nestled in an eco-friendly neighborhood, is surrounded by green space.

The course twists its way through a wide array of stunning Florida scenery and fauna.

Pine and oak trees provide the course with a unique mid-Atlantic flavor.

It is player-friendly, even with several lakes.

The Champion Grass greens, undulating fairways, and fair-lending zones provide a unique and delightful golfing experience for golfers of all skill levels.

Go Hiking at Legacy Trail

The Legacy Trail entrance at Venice Station, Florida

Sanibel sun, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Legacy Rail connects southern Sarasota with Venice’s Shamrock Park via a “rails-to-trails” biking and pedestrian route.

Approximately 12 miles in length, the path is broad enough for two-way traffic to pass (center markings in place).

Venice has a few parks with amenities close to the path and various shelters along the way.

Biking bridges that cross busy roads and waterways can be found.

The route provides access to Oscar Scherer State Park and the surrounding area (pay for access).

Despite its length, this route packs a lot of punch.

It is a great spot to visit since you can park wherever you choose and start exploring.

It’s a terrific spot to go for a bike ride or a walk, and there’s plenty of wildlife to see as you go.

Birds, otters, butterflies, and other wildlife are some of the possibilities you could see while exploring this area.

Ample free parking spaces are available for loading and unloading bicycles.

Play Ball Games at Mission Valley Golf & Country Club

Mission Valley Golf & Country Club in Nokomis is a great place to play golf, whether a novice or a seasoned pro.

If you’ve ever wanted to improve your golf game, this course has six distinct degrees of difficulty.

The 6,734-yard course was built in 1967 and is one of the oldest in the area (6,157.57 meters).

Golfers of all abilities will enjoy Mission Valley Country Club’s scenic vistas and testing terrain.

Even though Mission Valley Country Club is a challenging course, the professionals can advise how to play your best round.

You and your pals will enjoy Mission Valley Country Club in Nokomis, Florida, for your regular golf games or as a new location while you’re in the area.

Aside from golf, the facility also features tennis courts.

Dance to the Beat of Nokomis Drum Circle

An hour or so before the sun sets, the Nokomis Beach Drum Circle.

Nokomis Beach in Florida is the site of the drum circle.

The mesmerizing beat of the drummers inspires the audience to participate with maracas or dance and sway.

A wide variety of drummers of all ages and skill levels get together to jam.

As the sun begins to lower into the Gulf of Mexico, gather your friends and family, pack a picnic, and settle in for a relaxing evening.

The number of persons attending the drum circle varies according to the weather.

Chill at Pop’s Sunset Grill

Pop’s Sunset Grill is a must-stop beachfront eating destination for residents and tourists alike if you’re on the Gulf Coast.

On the Intracoastal Waterway south of the Albee Road bridge, across from Nokomis Beach (Casey Key), Pop’s first opened in 1954.

There is a dock for boats at Pop’s, so you may dine right on the water.

It offers fresh fish specials, live music, and indoor and outdoor dining.

“Sarasota Originals” and TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame members include Pop’s.

Pop’s Bou-Tiki is a 4,000-square-foot multi-level Tiki structure with almost 180-degree views of the Intracoastal, a great bar with four 75-inch TVs, fire pit tables, and an expanded gift store.

Relax and enjoy the view of the gorgeous Intracoastal Waterway while having a wonderful dinner or a refreshing beverage at our waterfront restaurant.

Be One with Nature at Pinelands Reserve

The Pinelands Reserve captured on a foggy morning.

Nagel Photography / shutterstock.com

According to residents, the Pinelands Reserve attracts many people curious about what lies ahead.

There are picnic areas, hiking routes, and various wildlife in reserve.

Bald eagles and other bird species, deer, wild boars, and alligators are common sights in this area.

The most prominent feature of the loops is an eagle’s nest, which may be found among the area’s many pine trees.

This track was easy to navigate, although there were a lot of dragonflies and butterflies fluttering around.

Picnic tables can be found across the reserve, even near the parking lot, making this a great spot for a day out.

Take a Splash at North Jetty Beach Park

It’s a great place for visitors to catch a glimpse of boats passing across the canal between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.

Summer and winter alike, lifeguards are on call.

It’s a favorite fishing area because of the ever-changing tidal patterns that reward the persistence of beachgoers.

Concessions provide a range of meals that may be eaten on the beach or in a shaded picnic location if you don’t catch your lunch while out fishing.

It’s a great place for visitors to catch a glimpse of boats passing across the canal between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico.

Gaze at Stunning Works at The Cottage Art Gallery

Professional artists came together in 2015 to form the Cottage Art Gallery to showcase their work and make it accessible to the general public.

Unique, creative, and reasonably priced art and gifts are all part of the experience.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind artwork for your home, office, or a friend, you’ll find it here.

The Cottage Art Gallery’s artists display their most recent work and some anecdotes about their creative processes and daily lives.

All levels of artists can take classes here.

Enjoy a Sunny Day at Nokomis Beach

Beautiful shoreline and white sand in Nokomis Beach, Florida.

Jim Schwabel / shutterstock.com

Sarasota County’s earliest public beach, Nokomis, dates back to 1888.

There is a beach in Sarasota County, Florida called Nokomis Beach on the barrier island of Casey Key, just south of Siesta Key.

If you’re looking for some peace on the beach, this is your place. It is an excellent location for collecting seashells.

Due to unknown factors, this beach appears to be superior to others in the vicinity in terms of seashell hunting—much how the beaches around Venice are superior in searching for shark teeth.

When I get a chance, I’ll go into more detail on seashell hunting.

Also, Nokomis beach is one of the best places to take a long stroll, relax on a sun lounger, or enjoy a wonderful day on this family-friendly beach.

Pelicans, dolphins, and seagulls are all around you on this beautiful Gulf of Mexico beach, and you’ll enjoy watching them all from the comfort of your beach chair.

Have a Picnic at Nokomis Community Park

Three multipurpose rooms at the Nokomis Park Community Center can be rented.

At 1586 square feet, the main hall can comfortably seat 164 people.

Events like weddings, parties, and meetings may all benefit from the utilization of this table.

It has a microwave, a sink, and a small refrigerator/freezer in the kitchen.

Other than that, there are two extra rooms; one for doing crafts, the other for holding meetings.

A total of 45 passengers may be accommodated in each.

A workstation, sink, and moveable wall are also available in the arts and crafts area.

It features a cable TV in the conference room.

The rental includes eight-foot banquet tables and chairs, easels, whiteboards, TV/VCR units, a portable screen, podiums, lecterns, and microphones.

In addition to the covered basketball court, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, and covered stage, the park’s 17-acres of gorgeous open space also has six covered picnic shelters with grills, a fishing pier, a water view, and a covered children’s playground.

Rent a Kayak from Silent Sports Outfitters

Most Kayak Dealers are eager to sell you a boat.

A Silent Sports Outfitter wants to ensure you’re in the right kayak/SUP for your size and skill level.

Hal White and Mary Gordon started Silent Sports Outfitters in 1993.

They were passionate about paddlesports, so they opened a business dedicated to the activity.

Both Hal and Mary announced their retirements in September of 2018 and handed the reins over to Ryan Nowakowski.

In addition to more than 250 kayaks and canoes displayed, the shop also features the greatest collection of kayaking equipment and accessories available in Florida.

Whatever your level of experience is with kayaking, whether it’s for fishing, exercise, touring, or simply for fun, the knowledgeable team at this store can assist you in finding the perfect kayak for your needs.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Go Canoeing and Kayaking at Oscar Scherer State Park – 11 mins

Reflection of the blue sky on the clear South Creek in Oscar Scherer State Park.

Jim Schwabel / shutterstock.com

For decades, Oscar Scherer has worked tirelessly to protect the Florida scrub-habitat jay’s from development and major roads.

Lake Osprey is popular in the summer and winter for its bald eagle nesting and as a swimming and fishing destination.

Anglers, canoers, and kayakers enjoy South Creek.

This park’s 15-mile network of trails offers something for everyone in terms of peace, beauty, difficulty, and a good dose of healthy adventure.

Oscar Sherer is a well-known rest station for Legacy Trail bikers and walkers, making it a valuable resource for the neighborhood and a great pit break for tourists.

Explore the Gulf Coast with Cool Breeze Boat and Jet Rentals

Getting out on the lake is a great way to see more of the region.

If you agree, why not rent a jet ski from Cool Breeze Boat & Jet Ski Rentals and visit Nokomis Beach, Casey Key, and other regions while you traverse the waters?

This Nokomis-based company has rented out jet skis and boats since it opened in 2005.

With over a decade of expertise in the region, we’ve built a strong reputation for providing excellent customer service and reasonable costs.

We take great satisfaction in offering a wide range of watercraft and watersports equipment for hire at competitive prices.

Many kinds of birds and lovely mansions and estates may be seen along the trip.

The refreshing sea wind will whip your hair, and the sun’s heat will touch your skin as you journey.

Final Thoughts

If you want to escape the stress of major cities and looking for somewhere to unwind, visit Nokomis, Florida.

Swimming, hiking, and picnicking among the abundant animals may be found on various reserves and parks.

Use our guide to the best things to do in Nokomis, Florida, as a guide in planning your itinerary.

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