For some people, it's not enough to simply laze about on the beach. We're not sure who those people are, but surely they would appreciate our roundup of great places to sport, spectate, swing and speed around Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

IMG Academies
IMG Academies attracts students and adults from all around the world to its top-notch training facility for seasonal and year-round clinics. It’s the home of the famous Leadbetter Golf Academy and a world-famous tennis academy, in addition to programs for football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball and baseball. Note that IMG Academies is not open for public touring; you must have an appointment to tour and formal registration and enrollment to attend.

Speedway sports
‘Round and ‘round and ‘round we go – on the speedway, that is. DeSoto Super Speedway has a 3/8-mile oval track with stock car racing every Saturday night. Their regular season, February to November, is full of events, including the popular Crash & Bash twice a year (think school bus racing, demolition derby-style). Bradenton Motorsports Park has drag racing and a variety of speed racing events all year long.

Here, horsey horsey
Out in Lakewood Ranch, where there's plenty of room to spread out, is the Sarasota Polo Club. You'll be completely stunned by the beauty of nine perfectly manicured polo fields set on 130 acres. Polo season is from December to April. (By the way, dogs on a leash are welcome, and tailgating is encouraged.)

Water. Sports.
Though not first-of-mind for water sports, Florida's Gulf Coast actually offers a big range of water recreation. You have a lot of options for rentals and lessons. Some we like are Island Style Watersports, offering windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and kite surfing, and Coastal Watersports for jet skis and sailing lessons. For canoeing and kayaking, there’s a plethora of outfitters around Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and coastal Bradenton.

Gorgeous golf
Golf with a view? Yes, please. The Harbourside and Islandside courses at the Longboat Key Club have views of the bay and the gulf, depending on the course you choose. The resort has earned a Four Diamond rating from AAA. And the options don't end there. You have the acclaimed private Concession Golf Club, the Arnold Palmer-designed Legacy Golf Club and the popular University Park Country Club. The list goes on. Check out our golf listings for other amazing golf courses around the area.

Spring training
Since 1969, the Pittsburgh Pirates have trained in Bradenton at McKechnie Field. This thoroughly upgraded, visitor-friendly and much-loved facility offers games during the spring training season (roughly late February or early March through April). Check the calendar for games and to order tickets.

Public tennis
The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center is a public tennis facility with daily events, a teaching court, clinics, tournaments, a match-making service and more.

Public parks
Throughout Manatee County, public parks offer a variety of facilities for family and group recreation. From the Olympic pool and fitness center at G.T. Bray Park to sandy pavilions at beach parks, your crew can keep busy any time of year. View a list of parks here.

Sk8 Punkz Welcome
Skateboarding is alive, well and welcomed – in designated areas – around here. G.T. Bray Skate Park in Bradenton, Blackstone Skate Park in Palmetto and Holmes Beach Skateboard Park are three great venues for rollerbladers and skaters.

Premier ice-skating facility
The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex is a bit of an upgrade from what you might remember as a skate rink. This noteworthy facility has ice and figure skating, hockey, indoor soccer and a fully equipped gym.