Sarasota crossed my radar screen in the early eighties when a colleague at work mentioned he was going there to visit his grandmother. My brain immediately registered Sarasota as a city for retirees. Since then, I had passed by Sarasota many times, but never once did I stop to visit. Until one February when my husband and I anchored in Sarasota Harbor for a few days while cruising the Florida Gulf Coast. What we discovered was a lovely and friendly city with lots of activities as well as arts and culture. These are our top 5 favorite things to do in Sarasota:
Bayfront Park and downtown Sarasota
Bayfront Park is a beautiful city park on the water overlooking Sarasota Bay. There are benches, swings, water fountains, a kid’s playground and lots of shady trees, making it an excellent place to spend the day. Also located in the park are a marina, a couple of restaurants and plenty of parking. O’Leary Tiki Bar and Grill is a fun place to stop for a bite to eat and listen to live music. For those seeking watersports activities, you can rent canoes or kayaks, take a sunset or dinner cruise, or go deep-sea fishing on a charter boat.
Wander across the street to find a downtown Sarasota lined with palm trees, art galleries and chic boutiques. You’ll find cafes, restaurants and independent bookstores too. On Saturday mornings, part of Main Street is turned into a farmer’s market with vendors selling all kinds of fresh produce and unique products.
St Armand’s Circle and South Lido Beach
Swanky St Armand’s Circle, a mere 5 minutes drive from downtown, is a shopper’s paradise with over 130 stores, from art galleries to jewelry and designer clothing. It is a fabulous place to stroll and people watch. Enjoy a gourmet meal in a tropical setting at a variety of restaurants and cafes. For a change of pace, head over to nearby South Lido Beach Park for a picnic or a walk on the beach. There are cooking grilles, picnic tables, rest rooms, and nature trails. You can watch boats and kayaks glide along Sarasota Bay against the backdrop of the Sarasota skyline.
Ringling Museum of Art
When John and Mable Ringling made Sarasota the winter home for the Ringling Circus in the 1920s, they transformed Sarasota into a cultural oasis, attracting writers, actors and musicians. To see their influence, visit the 66-acre estate to see a collection of masterpieces from the 17th-century Baroque period at the Ringling Museum of Art, the beautiful grounds and gardens, the awe-inspiring Ca d’Zan mansion with an impressive view of Sarasota Bay, and the Circus Museum.
Myakka River State Park
If nature and wildlife viewing is more your thing, take a day trip to Myakka State Park, a mini-Everglades. Take a boat ride on a tram or airboat to see the park, where countless alligators and the many varieties of birds call home. You can also hike, bike, canoe, fish and camp in the park. A short hike through shady hammocks brings you to the Canopy Walkway, where an 84-foot long suspension bridge awaits you. Walk to the end of the bridge and climb up the stairway to the top of the 74-foot Observation Tower to see a bird’s eye view of the Myakka Lake and River and the Florida landscape. Don’t forget to bring camera and binocular!
Siesta Key Beach
One of the top 10 beaches in America, Siesta Key Beach has sand so fine and white it will delight any beachgoer. Enjoy a blissful day on this picture-perfect beach lazing in the warm shallow waters of the gulf, and stay to watch the incredible sunset.
Sources:
http://www.myakkariver.org/index.html
http://www.ringling.org/
More From This Contributor:
A Travel Guide to the Florida Keys
The Best Day Trips outside of Jacksonville, Florida
Top Five Favorite Beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast
