Top Amenities and Things to Do Near Tara Golf & Country Club
- John Belt
- Jun 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 8
One of the questions I get most from buyers considering Tara Golf & Country Club is some version of: what else is there to do besides golf? The answer is a lot more than most people expect—both inside the gates and within a short drive along the SR 70 corridor. Here's a full rundown of what life looks like day-to-day when you live in Tara.
On-Site Amenities at Tara Golf & Country Club
The centerpiece is the 18-hole championship golf course—a par-72 layout originally designed by Ted McAnlis and renovated by Ron Garl in 2009, playing 6,904 yards from the back tees. The practice facilities include a driving range, putting green, and swing analysis technology including Flightscope, V1, and BodiTrak systems. The club caps golf memberships at 800 to keep pace of play manageable.
But golf is just one piece. Tara runs six on-site dining venues—a number that surprises most first-time visitors. The formal dining room seats 200 with views over the course. The Grille Room and Main Bar seat 175. There's a snack bar for casual bites and multi-purpose rooms for private events. An executive chef and sous chefs run the kitchen. The Sunday brunch is open to the public and has become a draw beyond the community.
The fitness and recreation amenities cover the essentials and then some. There's a resort-style pool with jacuzzi and steam room. The fitness center has treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, free weights, and weight machines. Fitness classes include yoga, meditation, line dancing, cardio dance, water aerobics, and water volleyball. Lighted Har-Tru tennis courts—which run 20% cooler than hard courts—are available from 7 AM to 10 PM daily. Pickleball courts are the newest addition, located near The Terraces. Bocce ball courts and lawn games round out the outdoor options.
The social calendar is where Tara really stands out for a community in this price range. The club organizes bingo nights, pool parties, holiday celebrations, trivia nights, dinner dances, wine tastings, karaoke evenings, Friday happy hours, cooking demonstrations, fashion shows, and golf and tennis tournaments throughout the year. Card rooms host regular bridge and mahjong games. For residents who value a built-in social life—especially those relocating without an existing local network—the activity level is a genuine asset.
Shopping and Everyday Errands
Daily errands from Tara are about as convenient as you'll find in east Bradenton. Twelve Oaks Plaza sits practically next door—a Publix-anchored center right on SR 70 that includes Gecko's Grill & Pub. Most residents consider it a 1–2 minute drive. Creekwood Crossing, a 43-store shopping center, is equally close and includes Bealls and Home Centric. Both a Walmart Neighborhood Market and a Walmart Supercenter are within a few minutes along the SR 70 corridor.
For more serious shopping, University Town Center is about 15 minutes south via I-75. UTC carries 150-plus stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn, and restaurants like Cheesecake Factory. It's the largest shopping center in the area and one of the newer malls in Florida. Between Twelve Oaks for daily needs and UTC for everything else, most residents rarely need to drive more than 15 minutes for any errand.
Dining Along the SR 70 Corridor
Beyond the club's six venues, the SR 70 corridor near Tara has developed into a solid restaurant row. Gecko's Grill & Pub at Twelve Oaks Plaza is walkable from parts of the community. Peppercorns Steak and Seafood handles date nights. The Parrot Patio Bar & Grill offers casual waterfront dining. The Breakfast Company draws weekend brunch crowds. Speaks Clam Bar, Takos Cantina, and Rice Bowl Asian House cover seafood, Mexican, and Asian options respectively. 131 Main does upscale casual.
Many Tara residents end up eating at the club several nights a week—partly because the food is good, partly because the $60 per month food & beverage minimum encourages it. Between on-site dining and the SR 70 options, you're looking at 15-plus restaurants within a 5-minute drive.
Parks, Nature, and Outdoor Activities
G.T. Bray Park & Recreation Center is about 10 minutes from Tara and covers 140 acres. It has an Olympic-sized pool, 8 tennis courts, 20 pickleball courts, disc golf, a dog park, and walking trails. It's one of the best public recreation facilities in Manatee County.
For nature lovers, the Bradenton area delivers. Robinson Nature Preserve spans 682 acres with paved trails for walking and biking. Neal Preserve features a boardwalk through mangroves and a 20-foot observation tower. Emerson Point Preserve sits where the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay—excellent for hiking and kayaking. Palma Sola Botanical Park offers free gardens and quiet trails. The Bradenton Riverwalk runs along the waterfront with shops, restaurants, and a splash pad.
Beaches Within Reach
Tara is an inland community, so beaches aren't a daily walk—but they're very much a weekend routine for most residents. Anna Maria Island runs about 25–26 minutes by car and offers a classic Old Florida beach town with no high-rises. Longboat Key is roughly 25 minutes and skews more upscale and quiet. Lido Key is approximately 23 minutes with St. Armands Circle shopping and dining nearby. Siesta Key—rated the #1 beach in America for its powdery quartz sand—takes about 35 minutes.
During peak season from January through April, add 10–15 minutes for bridge traffic and beach parking. It's not a daily beach commute, but it's absolutely doable as a regular weekend or afternoon outing.
Healthcare and Medical Facilities
Healthcare access near Tara is strong, which matters especially to retirees and snowbirds choosing the area. Manatee Memorial Hospital, a 295-bed full-service facility, is in Bradenton. HCA Florida Blake Hospital is recognized for orthopedics and joint replacement. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center is close via I-75 and holds a Patient Safety Excellence Award. Sarasota Memorial Hospital has earned a 5-Star CMS rating for 10 consecutive years—it's one of the top-rated hospitals in the state. Multiple urgent care centers and specialist offices line the SR 70 corridor.
Schools and Family-Friendly Activities
Tara Elementary sits right in the community and carries a 9 out of 10 GreatSchools rating with an A grade from the state—among the best in Manatee County. Braden River Middle and Braden River High are both nearby on SR 70, with the high school just 1.4 miles from the community.
For family activities beyond the club, G.T. Bray Park has a splash pad and playground. LECOM Park—the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates—is about 15 minutes away. Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch hosts youth tournaments year-round. IMG Academy offers tours for families interested in athletic development. Between the on-site pool, the club's family-friendly events, and the nearby recreation options, Tara works well for families despite its reputation as a retirement community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do Near Tara
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Is there anything to do at Tara besides golf?
Absolutely. The club has six dining venues, a resort pool, fitness center, tennis, pickleball, bocce, and a packed social calendar—from trivia nights and wine tastings to holiday parties and cooking demos. Golf is a big draw, but many residents choose social membership and never touch a club.
How far is the nearest grocery store from Tara?
Publix at Twelve Oaks Plaza is about 1–2 minutes by car, practically next door to the community entrance on SR 70.
Are there good restaurants near Tara that aren't inside the club?
Yes. The SR 70 corridor near Tara has dozens of options—Gecko's Grill & Pub, Speaks Clam Bar, The Breakfast Company, 131 Main, and more. University Town Center, about 15 minutes south, adds Cheesecake Factory, Brio, and others.
What's the closest beach to Tara Golf & Country Club?
Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are both about 25 minutes by car. Lido Key is roughly 23 minutes. Siesta Key takes about 35 minutes.
Is Tara a good location for families with kids?
Yes. Tara Elementary is rated 9 out of 10 on GreatSchools, among the best in Manatee County. G.T. Bray Park nearby has a playground, splash pad, and sports facilities. The community itself isn't age-restricted, so families are welcome.