Let me share some of favorite Sarasota activities and things to do. There is so much to enjoy here.
MAINLAND
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS
900 S Palm Avenue | selby.org
An urban oasis showcasing rare and beautiful tropical plants on 15 acres. Enjoy coffee and lunch at the Selby House Café. The gardens are a lovely relaxing jewel on our bay and not to be missed.
MARINA JACK'S RESTAURANT | 2 Marina Plaza
Fun for lunch or dinner outside on the first-floor deck,orenjoy formal dining on the second-floor during the evenings.
O'LEARY'S TIKIBAR &GRILL | 5 Bayfront Drive
Drinks at the tiki bar or bar food outside on picnic tables is fun al fresco near the water and pretty park area.
RINGLING MUSEUM | www.ringling.org
Touring the facility is free on Mondays, excluding access to the Ringling house and The Circus Museum. Try it once and you will want to go back and see those, too. The lovely upscale café serves incredible hamburgers. There a free trolley which makes about six stops. The Art Museum building is to the left over the bridge as you exit the wntry and C'a da Zan (The John Ringling House) is straight ahead.
THE CELERY FIELDS | 6800 Palmer Blvd
For the outdoor enthusiasts. A scenic walk and Audubon bird-watching habitat experience. Big Cat Habitat is just around the corner.
THE BIG CAT HABITAT
bigcathabitat.org | 7101 Palmer Blvd
Call before you go and make sure they are having a show with the tigers on that day. A very unique, family-owned rescue operation with over 150 rescue animals, including lions, tigers, and bears that will make you say, "Oh my!"
SAILORS CIRCUS ACADEMY | 2075 Bahia Vista Street
Starting as a gymnastics class, it is how a spectacular circus school. One of the top schools in the USA, check online schedules for show dates to see exciting entertainment.
NATHAN, BENDERSON PARK | www.nathanbendersanpark.org
Situated just west of 1-75, a unique acre community park with a 100-acre lake and recreational pursuits has put Sarasota on the map as an international rowing facility with ongoing ways for biking, running, walking on the trails, picnics, or getting on the water with kayak, rowboat or paddleboard rentals.
THE LEGACY TRAIL | www.sarasotalegacytrail.com
An alluring trek back to "Old Florida" on a 12.5-mile bike trail through nature.
Hike, bike,picnic, kayakand carnoe among 487 acres.
PERICO PRESERVE | 11700 Manatee Ave W.Bradenton
Hiking, biking and birding within an Audubon destination.
LONGBOAT KEY
ST ARMANDS CIRCLE
THE COLUMBIA RESTAURANT | 411 Saint Armands Circle
Started in 1903 in Ybor City, they offer Cuban cuisine with dining indoor or out for lunch or dinner. Their black bean followed by their 1905 salad, made at your table for as many as you want, is excellent. Their homemade, warm Cuban bread is wonderful. You will leave full and replete. Everything on the menu is excellent.
THE BLUE DOLPHIN CAFÉ | 470 John Ringling Boulevard
Everyone's favorite breakfast place and a good lunch, too. Casual with good food and service.
CITY ISLAND | At the south end of Longboat Key
Just past St. Armands Circle, area hotspots include Mote Marine, The Salty Dog, and Save our Seabirds.
MOTE MARINE LABORATORY | mote.org
With an intriguing story of beginning, enjoy seeing the science and allure behind ocean conservation and rehabilitating the dolphins, turtles, and manatees, A great way to spend two hours.
SAVE OUR SEABIRDS | www.saveourseabirds.org
Local bird rescue providing an interesting walk through of protected sea birds.
THE SALTY DOG RESTAURANT
theoldsaltydog.com | 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway
Enjoy a fun lunch or dinner dining on the water, inside or out. At the end of the island is a nice place to park with benches and a walkway through the mangroves.
TURTLE COFFEE BAR
172 Gulf Drive Longboat key | 941 702 8526
Fabulous coffees, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Delicious and healthy smoothies, Breakfast sandwiches made to order, waffles, and Bagels with all the fixings. Lunch-Pizza, Avocado Toast, BLT, Italian Panini, Salads, Tuna wrap. Something for everyone in a relaxed, casual, and fun setting. Sit in or out. Heather will take good care of you.
8 am - 2 pm daily
SARASOTA SKI-A REES | www.skirees.com
Founded in 1957, the Ski-A-Rees present weekly water skiing shows at 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway. Enter the Mote Marine parking lot and continue to the end, then turn right into Ski-A-Rees parking lot. Shows every Sunday at 2:00 PM, February through early May, and a 6-8-week season in September through October. Check the website for the schedule.
THE DRY DOCK RESTAURANT | 412 Guld of Mexico Drive
Fun and good food, eat outside on the deck for lunch or dinner.
THE LAZY LOBSTER | 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Excellent foof with lovely outdoor seating.
BAYFRONT PARK | 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Open from 5:00 AM - 11:00 PM, enjoy the amenities of tennis, a dog park, recreation center, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, pickle ball, shuffleboard, picnic tables, kayak launch, fitness classes, and children's playground.
MAR VISTA RESTAURANT AND PUB
760 Broadway- North end of Longboat Key
Old Florida rustic family ambiance with inside and outside seating for lunch or dinner whether arriving by car or boat.
BRADENTON BEACH
THE BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT
200 Gulf Drive | Bradenton Beach- Just before Cortez Road
Go for lunch or dinner inside or on the beach' on the rear pavilion. The perfect spot to enjoy a gorgeous sunset with your dinner and a glass of wine.
BEACHES
Aside from the famous and well-known beaches of Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, here are a few you may want to experience.
BEACH POINT- ANNA MARIA
Fern Street and Jacaranda Road off North Shore Drive.
BRODHARD BEACH AND PAW PARK - VENICE
venicegov.com |1600 S Harbor Drive
The only beach in Sarasota County that allows dogs.
CASPERSEN BEACH - VENICE | 4100 Harbor Drive S.
A top spot to find prehistoric sharks' teeth, and a great shelling beach.
NOKOMIS BEACH | 100 Casey Key Road
The old beach in Sarasota County, and quite gorgeous.
Not early as famous as nearby Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach also has superb sand, a playground, and a tree-lined beachfront campground.
I'M YOUR LOCAL EXPERT ON EVERYTHING SARASOTA AND OUR KEYS. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS, AND FOR ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO HELP YOU.
