| Page Views: 4,246 Last Visit to Sarasota: July, 2001 | Sarasota - small city with the best of a big city by noidiotsplease - last update: Sep 8, 2007 |
"Florida's Cultural Coast" Sarasota may be a small city, but it posesses the cultural and cosmopolitan offerings of a much larger metropolis. Very culture conscience, the city takes great pride in its hometown ballet, performing arts center and acclaimed Ringling Museum. The city's best two attractions, however, are the lovely Selby Botanical Gardens and the fascinating Mote Marine Aquarium. At the Selby Gardens listen for the music of giant bamboo stalks clunking together as they blow in the breeze. The gardens also offer spectacular views of the downtown skyline. At the Mote, get face to face with an injured sea turtle and learn how this very important research center finds ways to nurse them to recovery. |
| Siesta Key -- some of the world's whitest sand |
|  | Sarasota's fabulous Keys Sarasota's biggest claim to fame is, of course, the natural endowment of its beaches. These beaches include a string of narrow islands that separate the mainland from the Gulf of Mexico including the laid back charmer of Anna Maria Island, the exclusive enclave of Longboat Key, the vibrant shopper's delight of Lido & St. Armond's Keys and the often touted Siesta Key -- famous for having some of the whitest, finest sand in the whole world! Venice is another nearby beach town anchoring the southern part of Sarasota County. St. Armond's Circle on St. Armond's Key is a pedestrian-oriented giant traffic circle lined with upscale shops and eateries just a short walk from Lido Beach. Siesta Key Village is a more bohemian collection of shops, galleries and restaurants spread over a few blocks of Siesta Key, just footsteps from the beach. |
| View from the marina on a peninsular park |
| | A vibrant downtown Downtown Sarasota offers Main Street and The Quay, two worthwhile destinations for art galleries, shops, bistros, fine dining and coffee. Stroll over to the Bayfront Park and its iconic fountain featuring statues of leaping dolphins for scenic panoramic views of the downtown skyline and both Lido and Siesta Keys across the bay. Marina Jack's is a romantic fine dining restaurant in the middle of the park that offers spectacular views of the sunset.
As evidenced by its attractive modern skyline composed primarily of an ever increasing number of luxury residence towers, Sarasota has enjoyed more success than many larger cities in getting citizens to move downtown. This helps add to the small city's vibrancy and sophistication. |
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| In A Nutshell: | "Destination rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Fantastic!" |
noidiotsplease's Sarasota Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do
Tips: 5 - Photos: 5 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1 | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | | Sports Travel | General Tips |
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