Suggestions for 2nd week in Sarasota please?

[Mike Jones]

We will be moving to Siesta Key near Sarasota on 27th December for a week after 9 days at wdw over Christmas. We have no expectations at all and are generally happy to chill, walk the beaches if weather permits and explore like newbies, but does anyone have any 'can't miss' advice for us within an hour or so of Sarasota? (we'll be theme-parked out, so don't want Busch gardens or anything similar). Appreciate your help guys.

Mike

 

[Dee & Greg]

We have family in Sarasota and always make it the second part of our annual treks to WDW so I do have some ideas.
Cote d' Zan (I hope I spelled it right; it means "House of John") is the John Ringling home that has recently had millions poured into it for restoration. It is awesome, and overlooks the water. This is a Vanderbilt kind of home..
Go and spend an afternoon at St Armand's Circle. This is an upscale shopping and restaurant area between Sarasota and Longboat Key.

Have fun! Wish I was going with you!

 

[lindamg]

Welcome to our area! I think you'll like Sarasota. I would suggest the following things:

Mote Marine Aquarium - small, but very interesting and educational

The Ringling Museum - this includes a lovely art museum, Ca d' Zan (as previously mentioned) and a small, but interesting circus museum. There is also a nice restaurant on the grounds.

Selby Botanical Gardens

Asolo Theater - this is right across from the Ringling museum. You might want to see what is playing

Sarasota Jungle Gardens - gardens and bird and reptile shows

Historic Spanish Point - ancient Indian mounds and the first settlement in the area

G WIZ - hands-on science museum (fun if you have kids)

That's just a start - there is so much to see and do in the area. Check out this web site, go to attractions and it has links to all of these and many more.
www.sarasotafl.org

Have fun!

Linda

 

[staylor]

My grandfather lives in Venice, FL (15 minutes south of Sarasota) we go there at least once a year. Siesta Key is so beautiful, we try to drive there when we are in town. We'd love to stay there sometime.
Ok, lindamg is going to have to help with this one. But if not, just ask the locals and they'll be able to point you in the right direction. There is a restaurant in Sarasota, I believe it is Amish, they make the most unbelievable pies in the world. I'm not a huge pie eater but cannot pass this place up when we visit. Also, if memory serves correctly, they are open w/ pies only on Tue or Wed. Also, lindamg gave you some great suggestions on places to go. I'd start there. Have fun!

 

[lindamg]

Hi staylor! Venice is actually my home town. Although Venice to Sarasota tends to all run together these days. I've lived here 30 years now, and the place has really grown. As for the restaurant, you could be thinking of Yoder's on Bahia Vista in Sarasota. The people are Mennonite, not quite Amish, but close!

Linda

 

[k_k_100]

You can't spend a week on Siesta Key with out relaxing at the Daiquiri Deck. Don't plan on driving home!

Also take some time and walk around St. Armonds. The Met is amazing! Relax and enjoy being pampered.

 

[Dopey'swife]

Actually there are a few Amish restaurants in Sarasota. Here are a couple:

Yoder's
http://www.yodersrestaurant.com/


TROYER'S DUTCH HERITAGE
http://www.troyersdutchheritage.com/

I can't speak personally about the latter, but my father took me to Yoder's several times when I was young and it was very good from what I can remember.

 

[Mike Jones]

Mike

 

[Jane E.]

Do you have children or just adults? Without kids I enjoy eating downtown at Mattisons City Grille (Lemon & Main) in the evening when they have live music. I've been there for jazz and also for a Frank Sinatra sound alike with a great band. Its an outdoor restaurant. I also like the Alley Cat for lunch. Its pricey so I've never eaten dinner there. Its also in the downtown area. They have indoor & outdoor seating. I usually make reservations for this place. On Siesta Key, I like the Summerhouse for dinner. They also have a piano bar upstairs. This place can be expensive too.

I enjoy going down to the Bayfront & walking around the marina. There is a beautiful fountain at the end of the park. There are always swings & benches you can sit on. Also check with the Visitors Center to see if they are any special events going on. The Van Wezel is a performing Arts hall. You could do an online search to see if anyone you want to see will be appearing there in January.

An hour north is St Petersburg. To get there, you have to drive over the very very tall Skyway Bridge. In St Pete they have the International Museum. It has a permanet collection on JFK which is very interesting to see. Also a couple blocks fromt that is the inverted pyramid thing, I can't remember what its called. There are restaurants, bars, shops & even a mini aquarium there. I loved watching the seagulls and pelicans here.

Have fun in Florida!

 

[sammi]

Sarasota and all the surrounding keys are some of my favourite Florida places to stay.

Another vote for the Marie Selby Gardens.....really pretty place to visit with lots of "old Florida" vegetation and flowers. Really pretty place to visit and spend half a day.

Also our favourite Amish restaurant is the Sugar and Spice with the most gorgeous pies I've ever ate in my life. We always make a stop there on our way to South Florida just to have one of their famous dinners and a piece of their great pies. Here's their site if you'd like to see what they have on their menu........

http://www.amishstylecooking.com/

Have a fantastic time!

 

[Mike Jones]

Jane.. yes, we have ds 9 and DD 11.

Lots of great ideas, guys. Can't wait!

Mike

 

[floridagirrl2]

Take a drive to the other, tiny, keys in the area--Casey Key and Bird Key come to mind. In some areas, the islands are so narrow that you can see water behind the houses on both sides of the street! It's a beautiful part of Florida.

DH and I like to take the touristy boat tours now and then. You're practically guaranteed to see dolphins. It's a fun way to see the waterfront houses, too.

If you don't mind a 1 1/2 hour drive, Sanibel Island (near Ft Myers, south of Sarasota) is truly and unspoiled paradise with great shelling.

 

[sln88]

Since you said you had 2 boys, they might like this.
We went on a pirate ship cruise at John's pass9about an hour from sarasota)
It lasts about 2 hours, and they have toy gun fights, water gun fights, pirate story and treasure hunt, limbo, dancing and they blew off a 'cannon'.

the cost was about $20 for adults(includes beer/wine/soda) and $15 for kids. If you are interested, let me know and I will post the website(it has coupons)

my boys enjoyed it alot.

 

[Mike Jones]

.. for your tips. Query from the kids... where is the best beach around the area to find shark's teeth?

Mike

 

[sammi]

I would definitely say Venice Beach!We found all kinds of great shark's teeth when we were down there.And we were also lucky to be able to watch dolphins playing in the Gulf.

It's a little drive down the coast from Sarasota but well worth it. Venice beach area is beautiful............ohhhhhh I wish I was there now!

 

[Mike Jones]

thanks sammi!

 

[PhotobearSam]

sammi....your holding out on me...SHARK'S TEETH???


Tell me more....

 

[sammi]

LOL Hey Samantha How's everything down on the east coast?

Yes we've travelled around Sarasota,Longboat Key area and had to drive down to Venice Beach..... well known for the sharks teeth you find.(sharks tooth capital of the world) We had a really nice day there and the beaches are absolutely stunning!

Here's a couple of web sites for you to take a look at:

http://www.venice-fla.com/index.htm


http://www.onveniceisland.com/beach.html

See Sam there is another life besides WDW!

Have a great time on your upcoming trip!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Mike Jones...Thanks for starting this thread...

We are going to St.Pete Beach before our 2 weeks at WDW so this helps us a lot.

sammi...The east coast is fine but I had to take over my parents grocery store while they are in Florida for a month and I hate it...I worked there for 11 years when I was young but it's just not for me.


We were looking for a day trip from St. Pete beach on one of our days so....Venice it is...

Can't wait. I want to find a shark's tooth...Are they easy to find???

I'm a huga SHARK fan...I like everything about them. When I saw your post...I TOLD my DH that is where we are going...(I didn't ask...I insisted)

Thank you to everyone on this thread...I learned a lot.

 

[sammi]

LOL Sam I guess you ARE going to Venice Beach!

We found lots of sharks teeth when we were there and brought quite a few home for my Godsons and some for us too!

Mike I hope you enjoy your trip and all that the Sarasota are has to see.

Samantha I think you're all going to have a fantastic trip too!