SarasotaFL.org - Official source of Sarasota travel information � Sarasota and Her Islands

Thunder by the Bay Bike Fest
January 9th

Poe At The Crosley
January 13th

Venice Theater Concert Series: Late Nite Catechism
January 18th

FEATURE STORIES

Looking for Ideas on what to do while you're here? Check out our Itineraries:

Road Less Traveled
There is something mesmerizing about sparkling blue waters, dazzling white sands and warm, caressing breezes. No wonder the Sarasota area is world famous for its beautiful, balmy beaches, not to mention fascinating historic sites and polished cultural calendar. Yet despite the popularity of this precious gem, it has hidden facets often overlooked. Explore Sarasota’s lesser-known quiet side, just off the beaten path. Like a diamond in the rough, it’s just waiting to be discovered. (more)

Take It Outside!
Drifting slowly down South Creek, the small stream that bisects 1,384-acre Oscar Scherer State Park, it is hard to imagine that busy Tamiami Trail lies just a few miles away.

The creek, a mixture of freshwater runoff and tidal flow from the Gulf of Mexico, gently winds beneath the oak canopy, providing a leisurely one-mile paddle to anybody looking to escape for a few hours from the hustle and bustle of nearby Sarasota. (more)

Time After Time
History buffs and art connoisseurs, nature enthusiasts and just plain fun-lovers will delight in the bounty of Sarasota’s historic sites and time-tested attractions. Here are some suggestions for hitting the highlights on and around our sunny shores. (more)

Festivals

Celluloid Dreams
Just eight years old, the Sarasota Film Festival is making a splash on the worldwide festival scene, with a hand-picked program of 85 independent and international films in competition, as well as an almost equal number of short films. (more)

Festivals of Flavor
How do you get great, homemade ethnic cuisine without traveling abroad? Attend one of the Sarasota and Her Islands' three ethnic food festivals, held each February, and you'll feel as if you've traveled far from Florida, to a New York deli or street fair. Or even to a Greek marketplace. (more)

Friday Fest on the Bay
One part bandstand, one part sunset and one part shimmering Sarasota Bay, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's Friday Fest on the Bay is a potent cocktail for a sultry summer evening. (more)

Scottish Rites
Sir Walter Scott, Scotland's historical novelist, could have made a fine fireside tale out of Sarasota's auld past. And he might have felt a kinship with it, too. After all, Sarasota, in its bonny beach ambiance, was settled by Scott's own people. The Ormiston Colony may have left the damp, austere landscape of Scotland for Sarasota's sunny climes in 1885, but the Scottish spirit remains. (more)

Sunset Swing: Friday Fest on the Bay
One part bandstand, one part sunset and one part shimmering Sarasota Bay, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall’s Friday Fest on the Bay is a potent cocktail for a sultry summer evening. Whether it’s samba, swing or a serenade, one Friday a month from June to October the bayfront lawn behind the Van Wezel in downtown Sarasota fills with blank ets, lawn chairs, picnics and people for a free outdoor concert (more)

Events

A Beachin' Good Time
Daiquiris and sand have their ideal blends, and so too do spacious, sun-loving block parties such as Siesta Fiesta, a local tradition combining business and beach along with equal parts arts and music for 28 years. This sprawling arts and crafts event hosted by the Siesta Key Village Association shuts down "main drag" Ocean Boulevard and Beach Road. (more)

A Novel Affair
Instead of hiding your affair with reading in the library stacks or under the covers at bedtime, trot your fidelity – and yourself – out into the sparkling autumn daylight. Get thee to the Ninth Annual Sarasota Reading Festival in downtown Sarasota. (more)

Art for Art's Sake
Vivid watercolors portraying tropical scenes, realistic wildlife sculpture, fine wooden bowls and leather accessories are just a sampling of the works of art that you’re likely to find at the Englewood Fine Arts Festival. (more)

Bon Vivants
If you've come to Southwest Florida in search of fresh feasts, look no further than the three-day 17th Annual Stone Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival at the luxurious Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Longboat Key. (more)

Christmas with a Twist
Family gatherings, home-baked cookies, chilly nights and warm memories… the holidays are upon us, and so are some of our favorite traditions. At Sarasota County’s museums and historic sites, they go back centuries. Try spicing up this season with Native American drumming by a fire, reliving Florida’s pioneer days or celebrating Christmas in grand Victorian style. (more)

Creators and Collectors – An Arts Tour
For 34 years, this arts tour has opened the door to the homes, studios and lives of noted Sarasota artists and collectors. Conceived by the members of the Fine Arts Society in 1971 during a retrospective at the Arts Center, the tour was initially an opportunity for art lovers to step inside the intimate world of the artist. It has since evolved into a matchless chance for artists and art lovers to connect, to sell and purchase work and to contribute to the futures of local students of the fine arts. (more)

Deck the Boats
Each December, the Sarasota area celebrates the holidays with a tropical twist – colorful boat parades. The communities of Sarasota, Venice and Englewood each host parades, so visitors to the area during December have a choice. (more)

Festivals of Flavor
How do you get great, homemade ethnic cuisine without traveling abroad? Attend one of Sarasota and her islands’ three ethnic food festivals, held each February, and you’ll feel as if you’ve traveled far from Florida, to a New York deli or street fair. Or even to a Greek marketplace. (more)

Grand Slam
Newspaper headlines herald their arrival. Fans line up to buy season tickets… for $11. It’s 1924, and the crowds cheer as the players warm up on the field. “If you build it, they will come” held true for the baseball field at Payne Park and the New York Giants, the first major league baseball team to train there. (more)

Hey Batter, Batter...
It's an action-packed month of exciting major league baseball for the whole family or for a team of friends as Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium welcomes back the Cinncinati Reds. (more)

Love on the Beach
Every Valentine's Day, committed couples from the world over gather on Siesta Key Public Beach to renew their wedding vows. While many have participated faithfully for years, for us, it was a first that came gift-wrapped in wonderful surprises, including a personalized certificate and flowers. (more)

Put on Your Red Shoes...
Feel like dancing? Hip-shaking? Doing the Boogie-Woogie? At the 14th Annual Sarasota Blues Festival, held this year on November 6th, 2004, at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, you can cut a rug under the mild subtropical skies to the keyboard jams and dueling guitars of some of the finest blues acts going. From root music to rockabilly, soul to rock and roll, the Sarasota Blues Festival lays down a variety of rousing performances guaranteed to make you swish and sway. A peek at the festival’s past line-ups recalls a bibliography of the blues: Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Greg Allman, Solomon Burke, Jimmie Vaughn, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Coco Montoya. Does the name Pinetop Perkins set your feet going? R&B influences far and wide, past and present make themselves heard in the form of emerging and veteran performers alike in this daylong, family-friendly celebration of the blues. (more)

Sharks on Land
Why all the fuss over fossils? As one of the few cities on Florida's west coast without a barrier island, Venice is known as "The Shark Tooth Capital of the World" since millions of prehistoric shark teeth wash up on its sandy beaches annually. Combing these shores to look for the dark gems has always been a favorite pastime of visitors and residents here. Success is practically guaranteed. (more)

Springing for Art
Spring is a rebirth, even in temperate Florida. Though Sarasota's March isn't likely to come in like a lion, signs of growth and regeneration do abound. If the Fine Arts Society of Sarasota's 34th Creators & Collectors Tour is any indication, our sunny coast can look forward to a season of renaissance. (more)

Ten Thumbs Up!
The world of cinema comes to Sarasota in November again this year for the Sarasota Film Society’s Cine-World Film Festival, from the 5th to the 14th, 2004. More than 50 international films will be shown on the three screens of the Burns Court Cinema, just off Pineapple Avenue in downtown Sarasota. (more)

The Built Environment
An open-door policy invites you along the 16th Annual Historic Homes Tour through Sarasota's Laurel Park. Admire architecture, history, furnishings and even artwork on this walking tour through some of the area's most charming residences. (more)

Attractions

A Roaring Good Time
The largest creature to ever roam the earth has stomped into G.WIZ: The Hands-On Science Museum this summer for the Dinosaurs! Jurassic Fantastic exhibit. This giant and his prehistoric pals are on display for a limited time only, so scurry on over to check it out! (more)

A Valentine's Getaway
Some years, St. Valentine’s Day should be more than cards, chocolates and roses. A romantic Valentine’s getaway for you and your beloved to Sarasota and her islands can be an aria of love, a sea of affections, a city of dreams. Pack your whimsy and your sense of romance, and chart your Valentine sojourn in a land of blazing sunsets, soaring operas, white sands and intimate dinners. (more)

Bloomin' Sarasota
It's spring, and that means it's hard to go anywhere in Sarasota without seeing something in bloom – a tree, a shrub, or a whole garden. Check out the following public gardens, where budding botanists, photographers and anyone who appreciates a beautiful bloom can realize their floral fantasies. (more)

Call of the Wild
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is an Old Florida attraction that has withstood the test of time to continue to offer fun for all ages. (more)

Clowning Around in Circus Town
Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, welcome to the circus! Sarasota is steeped in the colorful history of this age-old form of family entertainment. Once the winter headquarters of the Ringling Barnum and Bailey Circus, the town has long been home to a number of circuses from around the country and the world, as well as to a 200-acre Lipizzan stallion ranch. (more)

Don't Just See the Circus, BE the Circus!
I'm uncoordinated, non-athletic, and let's just say my muscles and cardiovascular system have been on vacation for about a year. Oh, and I just turned 50. But Tito Gaona's trapeze school boasts students of all ages and levels of fitness. Seemed like a fun idea for an article and besides, if I could do it, anyone could, and I set out to prove it. But my bravado turned to sheer terror the moment I arrived. Trapezes that hung from the clouds, nets big enough to catch schools of tarpon and torturous looking ropes were all very daunting. (more)

Fabulous Freebies and Inexpensive Treats
To everything there is a season in the Sarasota area. When it comes to sweet eats, simple pleasures and downright steals, you’re only limited by your imagination and the calendar. Fortunately, Sarasota is generous to both, rewarding savvy spenders with thrills cheap in cost but not quality. Here’s a roundup of wallet-friendly ways to spend your days. (more)

Finding Nemo
If you liked Finding Nemo, you'll love finding Mote. It delivers all the drama and color that captured your imagination in the fun fish tale, but here, it's real. Colorful reef fish, toothy sharks and sensational sea turtles swim right before your eyes. You can actually pet a velvety "Mr. Ray" at the Ray Touch Tray, and pick up a sea star like "Peach" in the Touch Tank; reach out and touch live crabs, sand dollars, sea urchins, whelks, conchs, tulips and clams. (more)

G.WIZ - Hands-On Fun For Kids
I’ve never been a big fan of reptiles, but my children seem to be herpetophiles, at least that’s suddenly so when we arrive at G.WIZ, The Hands-On Science Museum along Sarasota’s bayfront, just north of downtown. (more)

Guess Who’s Coming to Visit?
When the welcome mat brings friends and relatives to town, where to go? What to see? (more)

Haunted Sarasota: History and Mystery
Sarasota gleams. There are bright, expansive beaches that lead to warm, dappled waters. Everywhere the bustle of development gives rise to examples of modern architectural elegance. Restaurants reflect evolving tastes and trends, while theatres and museums cater to the area's appetite for culture. But behind its sunny façade lurks a curious past, kept alive by legend and through the city's oldest landmarks. Where there's history there's haunting, and Sarasota's got more than a few skeletons in its closet. (more)

Lite Bites
When you're hungry for quality but not quantity, savor a myriad of morsels at our award-winning restaurants. Sampling hors d'oevres, antipasti or tapas is a playground for the palate and easy on the purse in any language. Classic or trendy, indoors or out, here, good things really do come in small packages. (more)

Over the (Big) Top
Founder of the Venice Circus Arts Foundation, The Flying Trapeze Academy and Circus Adventure Park, the legendary Tito Gaona is making giant strides in not only preserving circus history, but in creating it. (more)

Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary
Want to meet Gregory the Green Heron, Colu the Mourning Dove, Casey the Blue Jay, Woodrow the Wood Stork, Goliath the White Pelican, Princess the Barred Owl, Delilah the Iguana and Edison the Red-tailed Hawk? You can at the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary on Lido Key, where injured, sick and orphaned wild birds, mammals and reptiles are nursed back to health. It's the largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Florida and a great spot to learn more about native birds. (more)

Polo: The Sport of Kings
Mention polo, and most people conjure up images of Prince Charles, wealthy aristocrats and fine-bloodline ponies. The common folk tend to associate polo with the rich jet-setting life played out in the international media. Not here in Sarasota. But for the beauty of the sport, champagne swilling and divot stomping, the atmosphere bears little resemblance to that in the movie, Pretty Woman. Dress in finery and don your chapeau if you like, or come as you are and bring the kids. Dogs on leashes are welcomed as well. (more)

Racing the Waves
Flying across the water at 100 miles per hour, twin-engine powerboats running just as fast a few feet away on either side, a Super Cat driver has little room for error.

“It’s a little hard to imagine,” said Hugh Fuller, offshore powerboat racing’s reigning world champion. “Just think about running the Daytona 500, but the track keeps changing on every lap.” (more)

Restaurant Week: An Itinerary for When You're Not Eating
So... you're in town for Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, and you're looking for things to do when you're not eating. Perhaps activities that'll help work off those extra Restaurant Week calories? (more)

Sea of Sculpture
Sarasota is a place imbued with the spirit of creativity and a source of inspiration for artists. One very public expression of its artistic conscience is the proliferation of sculptures throughout the area. (more)

Take a Dip in the Lido Pool
Most people can rattle off the bountiful assets of Sarasota's Lido Key with little effort: powdery beaches, a crab's trap worth of fine restaurants, sandy boardwalks cutting through mangrove mazes and, the gentle Gulf, unfurled like one endless beach towel. (more)

Time for Class!
Maybe you're looking to brush up on your art history. Or learn more about animals native to Sarasota and Her Islands. Luckily, local attractions offer classes galore for both kids and adults – in everything from watercolor painting to kayaking. So hit the books! (more)

Unusual Tours
The strange craft stood before me and I, on the precipice of discovery, felt as Renaissance men and women must have felt when Copernicus unleashed his theory that the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the universe. This journey was going to require a leap of faith. (more)

Beaches

Beach Odyssey
Venice Beach is on the mainland, close to downtown Venice. From the shade of the pavilion – which looks like some Greek emblem, soaring and low-pitched wings for a roof – I revived myself with an ice cream cone. On the drive out, I saw spectacular Italian Mediterranean homes from the 1920s glittering in the sunlight and scuba divers bouncing tanks and masks across the road to the beach. (more)

Beach on a Budget
The beach has always provided free fun, but read up on these new ways to create a memorable experience on a budget – including where to find free souvenirs and concerts. (more)

Beach Picnics
Want to elevate your beach picnic from a hot dog-and-chips affair? Read on to stage your dream repast, starting with where to find those little extras that transform an outdoor meal into something out of the ordinary. (more)

Beach Primer
Beaches do close for the night. And some have snack bars, fishing piers, ample parking and dune boardwalks. Here's all the practical advice you need to enjoy one (or all!) of Sarasota's glorious beaches. (more)

Beaches 101
Your guide to Sarasota County beaches: Where they are and what they offer. (more)

The Wind and the Waves
If the wind blows without stopping for more than 24 hours, Juan Rodriguez heads down to Siesta Key with his nine-foot surfboard in tow.

“If you are lucky, you will find beautiful waves and nobody out,'' says the Florida surfing pioneer. “The waves are never big, but they are usually close to perfect. People say you can't surf on the West Coast of Florida. All you need is the right equipment.” (more)

Outdoors

Anchors Away
Whether it's a romantic sunset sail or a festive party barge that floats your boat, you'll find plenty of options for touring Sarasota by sea. Whether it's a romantic sunset sail or a festive party barge that floats your boat, you'll find plenty of options for touring Sarasota by sea. Sailing off into the sunset is as dreamy as it sounds when you do it with Key Sailing. For Tom and Sally Reed (and second-mate, Abbey, a loveable yellow lab), it’s a dream-come-true. (more)

Back to School
Nothing beats the feeling that comes with a perfectly struck golf ball. And Sarasota sets the perfect scene for doing just that – sunny weather, plenty of wildlife and more than 30 courses to choose from. (more)

Birding Sarasota
Turtle Beach -- A pair of black skimmers swooped in low along the water looking for baitfish. Skimmers are a fairly common sight along Florida’s shoreline, yet it is always a thrill to see the birds perform their aerial acrobatics.

So I pull out my notebook and record the time, date, and location of the species observed, adding “black skimmer” to my birding “life list.” (more)

Get Out In Nature
As many who have already experienced one will tell you, a nature walk along the Myakka is not exactly a stroll in the park, but it’s not quite an adventure along the Amazon, either. (more)

Hound Heaven
From the moment she realizes that we’re approaching a paw park, my 10-month-old pug, Cali, has trouble holding still. In fact, she shakes. By the time we hit the parking lot, she is whining impatiently and attempting to claw her way out of the car window. We live in a downtown Sarasota apartment and while we take Cali on numerous long, interesting walks every day, she’s always on a leash. At the paw parks, Cali runs wild. She bonds with her four-legged friends through traditional body sniffing. She has so much fun that she often sleeps the whole ride home. (more)

Inside Myakka
Myakka River State Park – A red-shouldered hawk shattered the morning stillness as the sun rose over the dry prairie. Out here in the middle of nowhere, far from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, a raptor’s cry is the loudest noise you will hear. But that is why people come – to see Florida the way it was. (more)

Paddling Pursuits
The best kayak trip on the West Coast of Florida, the paddle around Lido Key has a little bit of everything. At the south end of the key, you’ll find a protected mangrove area that looks like something out of a Tarzan movie. (more)

Spinning Wheels
My body registered the threat before my mind did. I slammed on the breaks before fully realizing that the dark form in the middle of the paved road wasn't a shadow, or a fallen branch. It was a five-foot alligator. (more)

Summer Savings in Full Swing
Great value is par for the course
Summertime is hit-the-links time for many golfers, for a number of reasons. First, as the rates come down, some of those top-end courses drop into the affordable range. But just as importantly, the warmer weather can mean smaller crowds, which makes it that much more possible to get on some of the more exclusive layouts in Sarasota and Her Islands. (more)

Walking Trees
My kayak slid noiselessly toward a tall tangle of black and red mangrove just off Lido Key. A throaty call rose from a flock of gold-jawed cormorants sequestered among the dense branches. From a low limb a few yards away, a dark-winged cormorant plunged into the clear water. The mangrove leaves were dusted white with guano, or, as I know it, bird droppings. High up in the branches was a great blue heron’s nest from which a bird flew with a twig twice its length in its beak. Against the sky, a squadron of black-and-white frigate birds circled as a solitary osprey kept an eye on my approach from a pine tree. I’d snuck, undetected, into a vibrant “birdopolis.” I was a citizen of avian society, if only for an instant. It took a roaring pair of jet skis rounding an island a few hundred yards off and the whole tangle of mangrove took flight – a thousand noisy feathers unfolding into the sky. (more)

What Can You Do From a Kayak?
Everyone it seems is out and about in a kayak, some with rod and reel in hand. That includes families who want to spend some quality time on the water in Sarasota angling for everything from redfish to grouper to sheepshead. (more)

Winter Wildlife
Winter months bring a seasonal sensation to Sarasota and her islands, a wildlife wonderland when sightings are plentiful and bird watching is at its best. Deciduous trees reveal deer, bobcats and fox; alligators bask on the banks and migratory birds join year-round residents. Wading birds feast on fish easily found in waters most shallow this time of year, and nesting comes naturally as there’s plenty of food for the entire family. Manatees are drawn to the warmth of the bay and pop up in bayous as offshore waters cool. With all this activity, it’s no surprise that winter is an ideal time to meet our furry, feathered and finned friends. (more)

Golf

Sarasota: The Cradle of Golf
So where does a longtime Sarasota resident and avid golfer go on vacation? Visitors typically answer that question for me soon after I guide them around some of the best courses in Florida. During 15 years or so of setting up tee times, I simply read the look of affirmation on their faces. Why do I seldom leave my own backyard? Because I already live in a golf mecca. (more)

Fishing

Fish On!
Whether they do it for sport or for dinner, fisherpersons will find their haven in Sarasota-area waters. Tarpon, mackerel, snook and sea trout are among the challenges beneath the waves. (more)

Snook Haven
As my Camry rolls along a narrow, muddy road intended for sturdier vehicles, I sense I’m finally on to something. A recent transplant from California, I have been struggling to find a sense of what “true” Florida was before the snowbird became the quasi-official state bird and the wetlands were covered with velvety country club fairways. (more)

Relaxation

A Sarasota Wedding
We began planning our Sarasota wedding from New York City. We did our research, and considered everything from luxurious, all-inclusive sites to warm-sand-in-your-toes beach weddings. But we imagined a one-of-a-kind site that we could dress with meaningful touches – bowls of oranges in honor of our citrus hometowns, books as favors – and that recalled the jazzy literary elegance of Fitzgerald. (more)

And the Beat Goes On
Incense, bongo drums, long hair, faded jeans and gypsy skirts… the sunset gathering on the beach was nothing short of groovy. Barefoot locals of all ages gathered in a circle, sporting drums, pots and pans, even five-gallon drywall buckets — anything to keep the beat. (more)

Hot Dog Digs
The hot trend in travel is for resorts to cater to pets as well as their owners, and Sarasota overlooks no “de-tail” to lead the pack. In this pet-friendly paradise, every dog has its day, whether it's uptown or beachside. (more)

Pure Relaxation
From aromatherapy massage to make-up application, day spas offer a wealth of ways to pamper visitors. Indulge with a signature package for a day of beauty and body treatments, or take a quick break for a firming facial or luxury pedicure. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, rejuvenation or a whole new look, you’ll find it at one of Sarasota’s many full-service day spas. (more)

The Arts

A Prize for Every Eye
Sarasota's cultural attractions are all gems, but the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is its crown jewel. Preview the diverse exhibits and events that Sarasota's art scene will host this summer. (more)

A World of Film
Thanks to the Sarasota Film Society's Cine-World Film Festival, you can experience a world of film just by hopping between the screens of a local movie house. The festival brings approximately 50 international films to downtown Sarasota. (more)

Art's The Thing
Culture in all its forms is part of the fabric of this community, and around every corner, Sarasota County is returning to its roots as a haven for artists, poets, playwrights and choreographers – a place that inspires. (more)

Curtain Call
The aerialist spins elegantly, glittering to the ground as the music transports her from the heavens back down to her earthly perch. Beauty, athleticism and grace combine with a stunning score and fabulous costumes in the first collaboration between Sarasota Ballet and Circus Sarasota. Cà d’Zan – A Fantasy, tells the tale of the creation of John and Mable Ringling’s mansion on the bay, set against the backdrop of Sarasota in the Jazz Age. (more)

Meet the Artists
Sarasota’s natural beauty has fanned the flames of artistic inspiration for generations. The Cultural Capital of Florida, Sarasota continues to breed and attract locally and internationally known artists. Galleries pop up exponentially, exhibiting everything from Old Masters-style paintings to avant-garde sculpture. (more)

Shopping

Antiquing Agenda
Sarasota is a bright fusion of sparkling beaches and bays, art, culture and history. But antiques mavens know this gem has yet another facet. The area holds a treasure trove of vintage finds in not one, but several districts known as “Antique Row.” Purveyors range from non-profit thrift and consignment shops to high-end art and antiques galleries. Some are located in beautiful and popular historic neighborhoods; others are tucked away off the beaten path. (more)

Buy the Book
Imagine Sarasota’s Main Street as a novel. Each café, gallery, shop and restaurant is another chapter in a vibrant and unfolding saga, rich in history, local color, surprise twists and eccentric characters. From start to finish the tale captivates, and your bookmark moves quickly through the pages, tracking your progress. Yet some chapters invite you to stay a bit longer. Sarasota News & Books and Main Bookshop are the beginning and ending chapters of the adventure story that is Main Street. Mark your place and read awhile. (more)

Fresh, Not Frozen
Every Saturday morning a farmers’ market blooms along Pineapple Avenue at Herald Square. Colorful umbrellas and tents pop up before 7 a.m., the stands underneath bursting with organic produce, seafood, fresh cut flowers, beautiful bromeliads and orchids, homemade cookies and an imaginative array of arts and crafts. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air – along with lively tunes by local musicians – as crowds mingle and meander through the festive displays. (more)

Shop 'til you Drop
From chi-chi clothing to fine jewelry, our major shopping areas abound with the latest and greatest in fashions for the family and home. (more)

Venice, Florida: An American Dream
Venice Avenue, the heart of MainStreet, is a broad boulevard lined with palm trees, shops and boutiques, restaurants and small sidewalk cafes. Children skitter around outdoor tables and umbrellas while couples stroll slowly past. The air is warm, the sky is clear and nothing is hurried. Just another afternoon on MainStreet. (more)

Dining & Nightlife

After Hours
Looking for nightlife? Whether you want to relax on a soft leather couch with a signature martini (shaken, not stirred) or dance the night away to a local band, we’ll take you on a tour of Sarasota County’s nightlife. (more)

Around the World
In this roundup of Sarasota County’s international fare, the only passport you need is your appetite. (more)

Bayside Groove
By day, the exotic foliage at Marie Selby Gardens provides an educational experience for visitors young and old; by night, it's the backdrop to Selby Sunsets, one of Sarasota's coolest summer music events. (more)

Bunches of Brunches
What's better than sleeping in on a Sunday morning? Sleeping in and then indulging in a lazy Sunday brunch, of course. At area brunch hotspots, you can linger over mimosas and sample a little bit of everything. (more)

In the Cultural Limelight
Few artistic mediums can satisfy the desire for new experiences and cultural enrichment quite like the theater. In Sarasota, you can be a part of the thrill of the stage all summer long. (more)

Keys to Island Dining
Whether it's casual fare or fine dining you favor, you'll find plenty of palate-pleasing possibilities on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Siesta and Casey Keys. Our palm-fringed paradise is peppered with original, award-winning restaurants that serve up everything from crab cakes to caviar. (more)

Meet an Original
Meet Darwin Santa Maria, chef of Selva Grill and a member of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals – the culinary brain trust behind Sarasota's fresh, creative cuisine (and its Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week). (more)

Move and Jive at Downtown After 5
After a brief summer hiatus, Downtown After 5 is raring to go for its autumn revival. Head downtown for a taste of local musicians, artists, programs, shops, boutiques and cuisine. (more)

Nautical and Nice
Restaurants in Sarasota and Her Islands host fun, tropical atmospheres and the kind of fare you'd expect at a gulfside getaway: delicious, fresh catches. (more)

Supreme Ice Cream
While the air conditioner originated in Florida, ice cream, probably of ancient Chinese origin, cools from the inside and tastes better. Sarasota isn’t lacking in the ice cream department, luckily for us. When sunny summer rolls in, there is nothing as exquisitely delightful as a frosty cone of your favorite flavor. But, the sweet summer magic doesn’t stop there – cups of the creamy stuff mixed with candies, nuts, syrups and more; the perfect milkshake, teetering on the precipice between a liquid and a solid; and the cones – waffles, sugar, dipped or encrusted with sprinkles. Here is an empire of ice cream. (more)

Tea for Two – or a Crowd!
At Tastefully British, owner Sandra Cherry says, "We like to make people think they're in England when they're here. Everything's made on the premises from family recipes - from scratch." Cherry's tearoom shares space with her Gulf Gate-area shop filled with tastes of the British Isles, as well as tea pots and tea accoutrements. Decorated in burgundy and gray, the tearoom is a floral extravaganza with touches of Irish linen and Battenburg lace. Bone china service completes the look, and Cherry, a native of Hertfordshire, England, completes the authentic English experience. (more)

Welcome to Restaurant Week
Turns out Sarasota has Florida's highest concentration of restaurants rated by Zagat Survey – the world's leading source of consumer survey-based restaurant information. Get a feel for the flavor at Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week. (more)

History

"Where the Past Meets the Bay."
Graced with timeless beauty and nature’s bounty, it’s easy to see why Historic Spanish Point has been inhabited for more than 4,000 years. A quiet oasis overlooking Little Sarasota Bay, the scenic 30-acre peninsula is the site of the most well preserved Indian village in Florida. Journey through time from prehistory to present; see burial mounds and pioneer homesteads; stroll elaborate gardens borne of prosperity and generosity; connect with people and events from the distant past. (more)

Girls Rule!
Historic Spanish Point, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art – these renowned Sarasota attractions all have fascinating histories. And all of the histories have something in common – a woman who played a major role in their creation. (more)

The Greatest Show on Earth
Here comes the circus! Circus is a magic word inspiring all sorts of exciting, colorful images. It’s a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around the rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and sequined costumes glittering under the lights. (more)