Flordia West Coast in Feb.

[funhouse8]

Hi My SIL invited us to visit her this Feb in Boca Raton. My DH always wanted to visit the West Coast. So what sites do you recommend we visit. He wanted to look at land in the Cape Coral area but I would love to visit some of the beaches. We will be flying into Tampa Driving doen to Naples and across to Boca Raton. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[ford family]

For beaches, we prefer Anne Maria Island, much more laid back than many of its neighbours, either Coquina Beach at the south end by Longboat Pass or Anna Marie Beach at the north end.

If you travel south on I75 (rather than I275 over the Sunshine Skyway) a great place to call into on the way down is the power station at Apollo Beach. During the winter months manatees congregate in the warm discharge waters and there may be upwards of 200 to see. There are viewing platforms and walkways, museum, gift shop and cafe, all courtesy of the Tampa Electric Co retirees. http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/

If you have time around Sarasota, visit the Ringling Museum. Absolutely awesome restored winter home of the famous circus family, amazing art collection in a huge purpose built gallery, massive amounts of circus memorabilia and a huge model of a travelling circus in its heyday that has to be seen to be believed. http://www.ringling.org/

ford family

 

[funhouse8]

Thanks I am differently going to see the Mantees.

 

[tegdig]

I agree that Anna Maria is beautiful and quaint. The stretch from there down has some of the most beautiful beaches. My favorite place is Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota. You have to walk on the sand there. There is a big public beach on the island that is very accessable to just go for a walk if you are just passing through. I promise you it will be worth your time and you will want to return. Take the trip out to Sanibel Island on your way to Naples. Watch for dophins as you go over the long causeway, especially in the morning hours.

 

[Golf4food]

Definitely second the Ringling Museum. I wish we were closer! What a fantastic place.

There is a Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg as well and if you are at all a fan of art you should visit at least once - seeing the masterpieces in full size is amazing. Photos don't do his works justice - and take one of the tours they do so that you can follow along as they point out all of the myriad hidden things you might miss if you don't know what to look for. Quite fascinating.

And if you are flying into Tampa the Florida Aquarium in Tampa is great, too.

 

[funhouse8]

We have been to the Barnum Museum is this similar? What is the weather like in Feb?

 

[lillygator]

http://www.ringling.org/

http://www.mote.org/

http://www.selby.org/

http://www.siestadrumcircle.com/main/

http://siestakeychamber.com/

 

[tegdig]

http://www.ringling.org/

http://www.mote.org/

http://www.selby.org/

http://www.siestadrumcircle.com/main/

http://siestakeychamber.com/

LILLYGATOR......as often as we have visited or stayed on Siesta Key, why have I not known of the siesta drum circle. I cannot believe that we would not have atleast heard it, or come across it! We have had the air horn at sunset and taps at sunset, but have not seen or heard this. Thanks for posting it!

 

[mamacatnv]

As a tourist here is what we enjoyed: (we always go Dec/Jan to visit the inlaws who live in Bradenton)

The Mote
Sarasota anthing the bay exploration cruise thru the Mote was great. Siesta Key
Anna Marie Island & Bradenton Beach
We went parasailing on Anna Marie Island - amazing
Myakka (Sp?) state park for the airboat ride and the gator viewing
South Florida Museum home of Snooky the Manatee

I cannot stress how much we enjoyed the Apollo Power Station with all the elevated walkways for manatee viewing - it was wonderful to see so many manatees in one place

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is the scariest ride I have ever been on

 

[funhouse8]

Great ideas, anyone else?

 

[funhouse8]

LILLYGATOR......as often as we have visited or stayed on Siesta Key, why have I not known of the siesta drum circle. I cannot believe that we would not have atleast heard it, or come across it! We have had the air horn at sunset and taps at sunset, but have not seen or heard this. Thanks for posting it!

This looks like so much fun but we won't be here on a Sunday.