A Great Vacation Destination: Sarasota, Florida

Need an idea for a great family vacation, or just a romantic get away? Sarasota Florida has a lot to offer, no matter what type of vacation you are planning. From sandy beaches to botanical gardens, guided tours, or dinners for two, Sarasota has something for everyone.

Sarasota is on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Located by the water there are many keys, two of the main tourist keys being Siesta Key, and Lido Key. Both keys have a lot to offer. Siesta Key had beautiful white sand beaches. Siesta Public Beach offers a food stand, rest rooms, outdoor shower, and volleyball. Siesta also offers a wonderful strip with shopping, dining, and a great night life. After dark Siesta Village is the place to be. Lido's beach is great for shell searching. On the way to the beach stop on St. Armand's Circle for a little shopping and dining as well.

Sarasota also offers many attractions as well. Mote Marine is a great place to learn about marine life. They even have an 'interactive' pond, where you can pet a stingray! They have some resident manatees on site as well, and do a very informative show with them.

Head over to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a beautiful day! Selby Gardens is just a gorgeous place to be. They have a huge orchid display which you walk through as you enter the gardens. From the minute you get out of your car, there is beauty surrounding you. All plants displayed throughout the gardens are marked with their scientific name, and some plants even have a little history noted as well. Selby Gardens offers a few small dining spots, a walk through the Selby house, a butterfly garden, and a kids learning center too, (which is where you will find some very exotic poisonous frogs...beautiful!) Selby also has a gift shop, and live plants for sale too. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is located right on the Gulf of Mexico, so the view in some spots is magnificent. Sit on a bench, or walk out on one of the piers, and enjoy the beauty!

Located almost right next to Selby Garden's is Island Park. Island Park has a great walking path, and is surrounded by the bay. The park also features a play area for the kids, and during the hot summer months, they turn on the fountains, where the children can play and cool off! The last two years in a row now, the park has had a wonderful art display up for about six months. The display has changed from year to year, but both years has been consistent in the show being filled with big sculptural art pieces. If you are in Sarasota during 'season', you will get to experience this as well. Island Park also welcomes dog, as long as they are leashed.

Jungle Gardens is another great spot to spend an afternoon. The walk through the gardens is gorgeous, and there's a lot to look at. Jungle Gardens mot only offers a beautiful display of plants, but they have animals as well! They have daily show, such as a bird show, and a reptile show too. Jungle Gardens also has special things going on for each holiday too. It's a great place for the kids to learn, as much as it is a beautiful experience for the adults. Bring your camera, there are plenty of photo opportunities here too!

The Ringling Museum is another 'must' when you visit Sarasota. John and Mable Ringling, (Ringling and Barnum Bailey Circus), had a wonderful art collection which is on display at the museum. There are also many galleries filled with wonderful pieces. The family home has also been recently restored, and is now open to the public. You may take a guided tour through the mansion, or walk through on your own. The Ringling Museum also has beautiful grounds. Mable Ringling loved roses and there is a gorgeous rose garden to enjoy. There are also those famous Banyan trees on the grounds as well. There is a separate building which houses a display of 'miniatures'. The display features 'circus life', and has moving pieces and lights. It's a stunning display, very impressive! Ringling Museum is a great place to learn a little circus history!

If you are planning a trip to Sarasota, the town has it's own airport as well. Most of the major airlines fly into The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport too. It's a nice, 'cozy' airport, not as big as most, so it's easier to navigate around. Sarasota also has a wide variety of hotels to choose from, including the Ritz Carlton. If you are into shopping, the town offers many unique shops, a ton of thrift store, and two malls. There is also a huge outlet mall a couple towns over in Ellenton as well.

Sarasota is also home to two colleges as well. Ringling School of Art and Design, and USF New College. Sarasota is known for their 'artsy'' feel. They offer concerts and dinner shows as well. Head over to the Van Wezel for a live show featuring many different big name acts. If you happen to be in Sarasota during the summer months, they offer a free concert the last Friday of every month. This is outside by the water, with booths selling food and drinks, and is a great time for all! Sarasota is also home of the Golden Apple Dinner Theater. This theater is located downtown, where you can shop, or stop for a smoothie somewhere before you head to the theater. Robart's Arena is another place where they hold various activities. From the annual county fair, to Pet Expos, concert's and home shows, there's usually something going on at Robart's Arena. You can also head over to McCurdy's comedy theater for an evening filled with laughter. McCurdys is a smaller comedy club, but they offer big name entertainment as well!

Whether you are looking for a good place to take the entire family, or a nice romantic get away, Sarasota is a great choice. There is something for everyone, and the town's location is only forty five minutes from Tampa, and two hours from Orlando. Walk the beaches, rent a boat, eat, drink, shop and explore! It's all here in Sarasota! The weather is most pleasant between October and April, which we locals call 'season', but there is plenty to do here year round!