Enjoying Sarasota's Beautiful Beaches
Despite the economic climate, summer is here. Many families still want and, in many respects, need a vacation. While everyone and anyone is tightening their belt on spending, the summer vacation trip need not be sacrificed.
“Stay-cations” are the option of choice for most Floridians this summer and fall. It is well known among state residents that this time period offers the best of paradise at bargain prices and while also right in your own backyard.
Trips may also be shorter this year with 3-4 day getaways instead of 1-2 weeks, and families may steer toward activities that are no- to low-cost options.
Sarasota & Her Islands (www.sarasotafl.org), on the central west coast of Florida, is often recognized as a luxury vacation destination with a metropolitan city and a string of eight islands to call home. But this high-end experience should not scare away those traveling on a budget this summer. With free-access to award winning, white-sand beaches stretching the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, hotels and attractions literally going on sale through October and a number of free and inexpensive things to do, families can truly enjoy this paradise even on a tight budget.
More than 34 of Sarasota’s hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts are offering Buy 3, Get 1 Free through October, where you book and pay for three nights, and you get a fourth at no cost -- that’s an extra night to see more, do more and make more memories without digging deeper into your pockets. Plus many of the select hotels including The Hyatt Regency Sarasota,
La Palme Royale Bed & Breakfast and the Tropical Breeze Resort (just to name a few) are offering their lowest rates of the season during the Sale-a-sota promotion.
So with the accommodations booked, now what do you do with the family on a shoe-string budget? Well, here is a list of a dozen things to do for free or cheap.
1. Feel the sand through your toes. - Sarasota & Her Islands have miles of white-sand beaches including Siesta Key beach, which was Dr. Beach’s number two beach in the country in 2009. Public beach access and parking are free. (www.sarasotafl.org)
2. Run away with the circus. - The circus is a dominate social and economic force that has evolved for more than a half-century in Sarasota County. The many sites and symbols of that long-standing and vibrant presence is available in a free Circus Heritage Guide. The Guide is a journey to discovering what makes Sarasota & Her Islands unique.(www.sarasotacircushistory.com)
3. Stroll the estate of a Circus King. - The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is an estate befitting the circus king, John Ringling. The Estate offers a Museum of Art, the Cà d’Zan Mansion, two Circus Museums, the Historic Asolo Theater and 66 -acres of grounds and gardens on Sarasota Bay. The Museum of Art is free on Mondays, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and includes special exhibitions (tickets to all venues just $25 on Mondays, and throughout the week). Stroll the grounds and gardens for free any day, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (www.ringling.org)
4. Touch the tooth of a shark. - Venice Beach is famous for offering visitors a chance to play archaeologist in the sand. Prehistoric shark’s teeth and fossils of other marine life surface in this area as a reminder of their presence here long ago. Findings serve as one-of-a-kind, free souvenirs.
5. Drive to architectural gems. - Sarasota’s architecture has been attracting world wide attention since the early 1900s and played a key role is defining the cities identity rooted in art, culture and design. Take a two-hour driving tour to some of the best examples of these architectural gems. The Architecture Tour map is available for $10 through the SCVB. (www.toursarasota.com)
6. Days of Discovery. - Visitors enjoy $2 off with coupon to Sarasota’s major attractions such as The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Aquarium, Selby Botanical Gardens, G.WIZ Science Museum, South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, Historic Spanish Point and Sarasota Jungle Gardens. The Days of Discovery coupon is available at www.sarasotafl.org.
7. Head downtown. - You don’t have to be a local to enjoy Sarasota’s Downtown Farmers’ Market. This free, Saturday morning market is a potpourri of fresh produce, food, flowers and plants, fine artisanship, friends and fun. (www.downtownsarasotafarmersmarket.com).
8. Revel in the festivities. - Festivals scheduled through October in Sarasota County with no entry fees and low cost-tickets include: Downtown Venice Labor Day Weekend Craft Festival, Sept. 5 - 6 (www.artfestival.com), The Ringling International Arts Festival, Oct. 7 - 11 (www.ringlingartsfestival.org).
9. Stretch your mind. - Beginning Yoga is offered for free on Siesta Key beach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. (yogaonsiesatabeach@yahoo.com)
10. Canoe through nature. - Ranger-guided canoe rides on South Creek at Oscar Sherer State Park are available every Wednesday for $4 park fee plus canoe rental with limited space. (941-485-5956).
11. Cherish old Florida. Bring your hiking boots and bug repellent for a self-guided trip back to old Florida in the Myakka State Park. Myakka is completely removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life and free to access. Schedule an entire morning for a hike on any part of the 39 miles of trails that snake through the 37,000 acres of wilderness.
12. Dance in the shadows of the sunset. FridayFest, the free outdoor summertime music series and celebration set along the bayfront of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, tunes up for an eclectic season of Caribbean, Salsa, Rock, Oldies and Country music from top Gulfcoast bands. Every Friday, 5 - 9 p.m. through October. (www.vanwezel.org).
For more information on these opportunities and many more go to www.sarasotafl.org or call (941) 957-1877. For a complete list of Buy 3, Get 1 Free, Sale-a-sota participating hotels and to make a reservation go to saleasota.com.
