Kilometres of white sand beaches, islands, countless sheltered bays with warm clear waters, culture, architecture, festivals and an abundance of outdoor pursuits – welcome to Sarasota, Florida, “The Best of the Best Small Cities in the United States”- a wealth of cultural attractions, elegant hotels and a dynamic food scene, according to Conde Nast Traveler. They’re right!
Every year, domestic and international publications and travel sites acknowledge the area at the top of just about everything that celebrates what a perfect vacation should be; best places to live, best beaches, best theatre and arts scene, top restaurants for both casual and sophisticated dining, most cafes per capita in the US, and even the “best city for vegans” according to rent.com.
An hour south of Tampa Bay, Sarasota is located at the northern end of Sarasota County on the Gulf of Mexico’s southwestern coast. Travelling south from Sarasota, you’ll discover Venice, one of ‘The Best Beach Towns to Live In.’. There’s something for everyone throughout Sarasota County, no matter your lifestyle or interests.
Sarasota is not a retirement city per se, though surveys continually rate Sarasota and Sarasota County as the best place to retire. No, Sarasota is unique from other Florida settings, an eclectic city of 57,000 full-time residents’ whose lifestyle and interests seldom seem to be moving at ‘retirement speed’.
For Canadians, Sarasota County is the perfect destination for a memorable escape from less temperate climes. Major airports across Canada have regular scheduled and one-stop flights to Sarasota/Bradenton or Tampa’s International Airport with Sarasota less than an hour away.
Once settled, take a few hours to get to know Sarasota. The perfect way to do this is to reserve a seat with one of the numerous tour companies, such as Discover Sarasota Tours, where knowledgeable guides provide intriguing stories showcasing fascinating locales, history and the personalities that have shaped this cosmopolitan centre.
Theatres that stimulate creativity, museums and galleries that showcase inspirational exhibits, Sarasota is a city of art and entertainment. Every month there seems to a festival occurring in the city that’s fun, eclectic, educational, or musical;Forks and Corks Food and Wine, Circus, and the Winter Opera. If you enjoy films, Sarasota is your destination: Through a Women’s Eyes, Jewish and the world-renowned Sarasota Film Festival attract visitors from around the world.
Perhaps a little less cultural, though that can be argued, is a day at the ballpark for Spring Training, with the warm sun, and intimate ballpark, a hot dog and a cold beer as the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota and the Atlanta Braves in Venice prepare for the upcoming season.
Looking for something a little more contemplative? A visit to Mote Marine and Aquarium should be on everyone’s list. Discover the wonders of the sea at this world-renowned research centre with interactive exhibits showcasing over one hundred species of marine life.
It’s difficult to think of another small city and county, anywhere, that provides as much in the way of vibrancy, culture, sport and relaxation that Sarasota and Sarasota County have to offer. Vogue Magazine says Sarasota is “The Best Kept Secret in Florida”.
Oh, and the sunsets? They’re stunning!
Art and Museums
Sarasota is rich with live theatre, concerts, ballet, opera, galleries, museums and even the circus. Recognized as the cultural centre of Florida, it attracts Educators and Students from around the world to learn and experience what a cultural hub can provide.
Spend a few days exploring a wonderful assortment of museums and theatres. The pink Renaissance styled home of John and Mable Ringling has become the Ringling Museum of Art and should be explored. This grand structure showcases one of the finest collections of old masters and modern art in the US.
A wonderful place to take the family is the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy. Cheerful, decorative sculptures, furniture and paintings, it’s an artistic wonderland for people of all ages.
The iconic purple building, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, on Sarasota Bay, has been the city’s most recognized landmark since1968, when Frank Lloyd Wrights’ son-in-law created its seashell-shaped roof. It’s the city’s most recognized centre for concerts, ballets and live theatre.
The Players Centre for Performing Arts, celebrating ninety years since it’s first performance, is one of Florida’s finest venues for theatre, dance and music. One of the more difficult, but worthwhile, tickets to obtain is for one of the high-energy musicals or provocative theatre performances at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe.
Architecture and Garden
Sarasota is proud of its diverse architectural history and home to Florida’s Center of Architecture. Bidwell-Wood House, built-in 1882, is the earliest example of wood construction and Sarasota’s oldest, standing homestead. Forty years later, Sarasota became the centre of the Mediterranean Revival movement as magnificent properties, fashioned after grand seaside European palaces, were built for the wealthiest of Americans, creating a real estate boom. Owen Burns, then the city’s largest landowner and pioneer who created much of the infrastructure and institutions that still stand, constructed Ca d’Zan, the winter residence for John and Mable Ringling regarded as one of America’s most historic homes.
Gardens are a vibrant part of the City’s fabric. Stunning orchids and butterflies are plentiful over fifteen acres of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of orchids and other unique tropical vegetation. Take a stroll through the state’s oldest rose garden, the beautiful Mable Ringling Rose Gardens then walk a short distance to the Ringling’s Secret Gardens, one of the city’s most picturesque gardens. Both have no entrance fee, an extraordinary opportunity to experience such world-class venues. Since 1939, Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been the area’s most popular family attraction, a tropical adventure of exotic plants, animals and reptiles.
Shopping and Dining
Like to shop? Well, Sarasota has it all! Trendy and young or upscale and classic, there’s a mall or shopping district for everyone. Chic cafes, shops and patios and forty restaurants are abundant in the quaint shopping district of St. Armand’s on Lido Key. Speak’s Clam Bar is a local favourite where seafood and pasta are always fresh.
Another relaxing venue is The Tavern and Whiskey Bar at the clubhouse at Harbourside Golf Club, located a few kilometres from St. Armand’s, on the landscaped grounds of the five-star Resort at Longboat Key Club, recently nominated as Travel and Leisure’s “World’s Best Award”. This resort has a private white sand beach, tennis, two golf courses and six restaurants, and is truly an ultimate escape destination.
‘Happy Hour’ is a way of life in and around Sarasota and a perfect way to end a day. One of the best places to hang out is Marina Jacks, the area’s most popular waterfront outdoor patio. A short walk away you enter the heart of the vibrant downtown where shops, festivals, theatres and dining converge.
For a special dining experience downtown, consider Element: Modern Mediterranean Grill. With casual elegance, Element is one of the city’s premium steak and seafood establishments.
Barrier Islands and Sunsets
Sarasota County has 65 kilometres of beaches which provide joy to sunbathers and explorers alike; from the whitest of sand at Sarasota’s Siesta, Lido and Longboat Keys to the shell rich Nokomis Beach and “shark tooth capital of the world” Venice Beach, where the discovery of prehistoric teeth is a daily occurrence.
The Keys around Sarasota are known as the Barrier Islands and include: Lido, Bird, Casey and Manasota. Each offers something special. Siesta is continually ranked in the top three “Best Beaches in the United States” while Longboat was the winner of the “Top Ten Islands in the Continental USA” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. A short distance away is Lido. More laid back than Siesta, the sugary sand beach is home to a wide variety of shorebirds and is a wonderful place for children to swim. A short walk inland and you’re in the heart of St. Armand’s Circle.
A special part of any visit to Florida is watching the sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. Brilliant reds, oranges and pinks broadening across the sky will imprint on your memory. Consider a sunset paddle in a kayak from Kayaking SRQ. Dine aboard Marina Jack’s Sunset Dinner Cruise for a relaxed viewing or enjoy a few drinks while tapping your toes on the lively LeBarge’s Tropical Sunset Cruise.
