Sarasota - Where to stay, what to do?

[pema]

We are meeting my aunt from England in Sarasota, FL this September. Any one have any advice? There will be 4-6 of us.

[RIPH]

What type of things you want to do on vacation, Pema? There's an abundance of places to visit. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Ringling Museum, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Loads of beach stuff: Siesta Key, Lido Beach, Venice, Mote Marine, Longboat Key, and O'Leary's tiki bar, where the Le Barge daily excursions leave from. Further South is the Nav I Gator, to the north is Anna Maria Island in Bradenton, (my personal favorite), Woody's River Roo, and the Beach House. The IMG Academy is located in Bradenton if you want to see future sports stars in the making. We've also got the Original Lipizzans Stallions from Austria in Myakka City. Let me know if you need other ideas. I'm in Lakewood Ranch which is nestled on the border of Sarasota and Manatee counties.

[Bob Roberts]

Siesta Key is a must.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siesta_Beach

[seminoledq]

We stayed a couple days at the Hilton on Longboat and loved it. Make sure to step foot on Siesta Key and have a meal at the Salty Dog.

[Elrod]

Sunny Jim usually plays at Captain Curt's on Tuesday nights.

Check the schedule as your visit gets closer to confirm. Even if James is not playing, their clam chowder is probably one of the best that I've ever had.

http://www.captaincurts.com/

[Summerlover]

St Armands Circle is really a nice walking area. Shops, restaurants and general people watching. We are basic beach people but there are many things to do besides that as RIPH listed. Where to stay? Well that is up to you. Easy driving back and forth.

Don't miss a chance to drive north from Sarasota through Longboat Key to Anna Maria Island. Old Florida and just a nice little spot. We love to eat at the Rod and Reel but it is divey and not knowing your english aunt, well take a look.

Gulf Drive Cafe, The Sandbar Restaurant both Anna Maria.

We stay in Longboat Key but daily go to different beaches.

Here's a link to beaches in the area: http://www.bestbeaches.org/best-beaches ... ina-beach/

And yes, you have to go to Siesta Key beach. The finest sand you will find anywhere.

We head back this summer and looking forward to revisiting again.

[RIPH]

It's great seeing that you pholks all love the same places we do!

Even better that we are never more than 20 minutes away from all of it!!

[RIPH]

Since Chowdah was brought up.......

Take a turn off Gulf Drive in the Village of Cortez and head directly to the Seafood Shack. They also have awesome Chowdah as well as many other yummy Seafood plates! New owners are in the process of updating the place, but they have said they are not changing the recipes. Hopefully they won't!

[Summerlover]

It's great seeing that you pholks all love the same places we do!

Even better that we are never more than 20 minutes away from all of it!!

Oh, how I wish we were closer to the water! After this last week of highs of -11 to 0 I am ready to for some Vitamin Sea!!

Under 3 years in the workforce and we hand the baton to a younger person! We will be wintering in warmer parts of the country!!

[bob3435]

Alot of good info herebut I gotta agree with Elrod, go see Sunny Jim at Captain Curts on a Tuesday night. Also, he is playing tomorrow night (Friday) at the Venice Train Depot with John Frinzi.