The Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, a city approximately 50 miles south of Tampa, offers 22 fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, rugby, archery, senior games, Ultimate Frisbee, Special Olympics, flag football, youth football, Frisbee golf, and more.
If you are fortunate enough to be headed to the Premier Sports Campus with your team for a tournament, then you will need some fun activities for the group when you are not playing. Here are some suggestions, along with a few restaurants to consider dining at as well.
Things to Do
The Fish Hole
South Florida is a well-known destination for golf, as well as miniature golf. The Fish Hole miniature golf course is located right in Lakewood Ranch near the Premier Sports Campus and offers 18 holes of nautically themed fun.
Misters are strategically placed around the course to keep guests cool, even in the Florida heat. The lush foliage around the holes is impeccably maintained and are comprised of gorgeous plants that are native to the area. The course is even home to a 3,000-gallon koi pond, where you can take a break from golfing to feed the fish. 115 Bridge St, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
TreeUmph! Adventure Course
Located about nine miles northwest of Lakewood Ranch and the Premier Sports Campus, the TreeUmph! Adventure Course offers unique outdoor adventures among the treetops.
This ropes course lets visitors of all ages climb high above the lush surroundings and take part in adrenaline-pumping activities. Walk across wobbly bridges, swing on ropes like Tarzan, experience the thrill of zip-lining, and more.
Adventures can be customized according to the age of participants so that your whole group has fun without going beyond their individual comfort zones. In fact, the park has 102 unique obstacles spread out over 14 acres, so there’s truly something for everyone. 21805 E State Rd 70, Bradenton, FL 34202
South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium, and Parker Manatee Aquarium
The city of Bradenton is located about 15 miles northwest of Lakewood Ranch, on the shore of the Manatee River. One of the most exciting destinations here actually houses three attractions under one roof.
The South Florida Museum teaches visitors about the natural and cultural history of the region. It features fossils, skeletons, and artifacts from the animals and people that have lived here for millions of years. The Bishop Planetarium showcases the star systems and other planets above Earth, with several different shows in an immersive theatre. Lastly, the Parker Manatee Aquarium offers visitors the opportunity to observe manatees and other aquatic life up-close. 201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Another attraction only 15 miles southwest of the Premier Sports Campus is Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a family-owned zoological and botanical park that dates back to the early 1930s. Originally founded to showcase tropical plants from around the world, the Gardens has expanded through the years and currently covers about 10 acres.
Animal inhabitants include birds of prey, alligators, crocodiles, flamingos, ring-tailed lemurs, and more. Most of the animals on display here have been rescued either from private owners or the wild, and the Gardens endeavors to teach visitors about conservation. 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234
Manatee River and Sarasota Bay Tours
Manatee County is dotted with bodies of water throughout, but the Manatee River and Sarasota Bay are the area’s largest. Several companies in Bradenton and Sarasota offer tours by boat that allow guests to experience this beautiful region from the water. Tours can focus on the history of the area, the plant life, and especially the animals that call South Florida home. Many cruises specifically focus on dolphin and manatee sightings and teach guests all about these unique marine mammals while plying the waterways.
Here are some boat tour options: Sarasota Bay Explorers; LeBarge Tropical Cruises; or a kayak tour with Biotica EcoTours. 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236; 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236; Sarasota, FL
The Ringling
The Ringling is located in Sarasota and preserves the legacy of John Ringling, one of the five brothers who owned and operated the iconic circus rightly called “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
It is home to an art museum, the historic Ca’ d’Zan Mansion, bayfront gardens, an art library, a circus museums, and the historic Asolo Theater. 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Places to Eat
Full Belly Stuffed Burgers
A local staple, Full Belly Stuffed Burgers is one of Lakewood Ranch’s most popular restaurants. The family-run eatery blends together ground beef with other ingredients like bacon, sausage, cheese, or mushrooms, and then it cooks them all together for the ultimate taste experience. More exotic toppings, including peanut butter, fried egg, maple syrup, and blue cheese, are also available. Kids of all ages love the opportunity to craft a burger that they’ll never get to try anywhere else. 8742 E State Rd 70, Bradenton, FL 34202
Station 400
With locations in the heart of Lakewood Ranch and downtown Sarasota minutes from the Premier Sports Campus, Station 400 is an excellent breakfast and lunch destination.
Often described as “quaint” and “charming,” this restaurant puts its own spin on breakfast classics. Guests with a more refined palate love the Nutella waffle and the truffle Eggs Benedict, but there are also plenty of staples for pickier eaters to enjoy. The extensive lunch menu also features lots of sandwiches, salads, soups, and more. Friendly service is a hallmark at Station 400, and the eatery is perfect for families. 400 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Pinchers
A Florida seafood chain with one of its locations in Lakewood Ranch near the Premier Sports Campus, Pinchers was founded in 1997 to bring the ambiance of a traditional seafood shack to diners living inland from the coast.
Best known for its crab, shrimp, and fish dishes, this eatery has a bustling ambiance that borders on rowdy, making it the perfect place for families with kids and large groups to gather. Serving local seafood whenever possible, Pinchers offers an authentic dining experience that is both delicious and fun. 10707 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Linger Lodge Restaurant
Named one of the “weirdest restaurants in the country,” Linger Lodge Restaurant proudly puts its oddities on display in Bradenton. The establishment, which is adjacent to an equally bizarre campground, is lined with taxidermied local wildlife on all of its walls.
The menu is straight out of old Florida, featuring authentic Southern dishes like frog legs, alligator chowder, and fried green tomatoes. All this food is served in a riverside shack that hasn’t changed much in the last 60 years. Dining here certainly makes guests leave their comfort zones and gives them an enjoyably eccentric experience they won’t soon forget. 7205 85th St Ct E, Bradenton, FL 34202
A picturesque location and memorable attractions ensure that the Lakewood Ranch area is rife with exciting experiences. Your team will have a blast exploring Manatee County and making memories together when visiting the Premier Sports Campus.