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Activities and Attractions in Sarasota There are a great many things to do in Sarasota. From fun in the sun at the beach to a luxurious nightlife with the finest waterfront dining, you will find it all here. Situated along Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is a boaters' paradise. The calm, warm waters are teeming with sea life, and activities such as water skiing, fishing, and boating (both power and sail) are very popular. You can rent boats and jet skis by the day, or you can even charter a boat and crew for a private fishing trip! Sarasota is also a golfer's dream come true featuring many beautiful golf courses, including the first golf course in Florida. If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy the natural beauty, abundance of birds, and year-round foliage that can only be found in this sub-tropical climate. We have gathered some fun activities for you and your family to enjoy during your stay in Sarasota. Click on the links below or call the available numbers for more information. SPECIAL EVENTS Sarasota Film Festival
- A glamorous week each Spring including film screenings, premieres,
and parties for both fans and creators of documentary, foreign, domestic,
and student films. There is a children's film festival and premiere
events throughout the year. Call 941-364-9514. Arts Day
- Sarasota Arts Council, the Tourist Development Council, and 50 arts
organizations celebrate Sarasota's visual and performing arts with dance
and theatrical performances, music, and art exhibitions. Call 941-365-5118. Suncoast Offshore
Gran Prix - Join
approximately 50,000-100,000 racing fans and more than 500 spectator
boats to watch 45 of the fastest boats in an exciting exhibition of
offshore racing on a 13-mile racecourse in the Gulf of Mexico. Call
941-371-2827. Sarasota Blues Festival
- Thousands of Sarasota music fans gather for the Sarasota Blues Fest
at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. This annual November event has included
Delbert McClinton, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie
Vaughn, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dr. John, Junior Wells, and more
great blues musicians. Sarasota Music Festival
- This annual 3-week event held in June showcases soloist, recitalist and
principal musicians from America's leading orchestras and talented students.
This series features some of the best in chamber music concerts.
Call 941-953-4252 Siesta Fiesta
- A juried street arts and craft show in April featured by the Siesta
Key Chamber of Commerce that includes fun, entertainment, and food. Taste of Sarasota
- Taste the delicious food from Sarasota's most popular restaurants
and enjoy the live entertainment, attractions, kid's games, crafts,
ice carving and much more. St. Armands Circle
Association Events - Stroll and shop while you enjoy all of
the events on the Circle including the Jag Fest, St. Armands Art Festival,
Classic Car Shows,
Sip 'n Shop, Fourth Fridays, and Holidays on St. Armands. Siesta Key Chamber
Events - Celebrate the sand at Sandfest at Siesta Key Beach
or enter the Annual Sand Sculpting Contest. Some of the other festivities
include Island Fest and Boat Show, Siesta Key Craft Show, and the grand
Siesta Key 4th of July Fireworks Exhibit. Call 888-837-3969. BOATING AND FISHING Flying Fish Fleet
- Offers three large vessels for fun trips and deep sea fishing with
4, 6, or 8 hour trips in the Gulf of Mexico. Call 941-366-3373 or visit
them at Marina Jack, Highway 41 Downtown. LeBarge Tropical
Cruises - Have a ball on this floating tropical island with
live entertainment, dancing, and fabulous sunsets over the Gulf. Don't
miss their Dolphin Watch cruise where you will see some of the over
100 bottlenosed dolphins that live in Sarasota Bay. Call for reservations
at 941-366-6116 or visit them at Marina Jack Plaza on Highway 41 Downtown. ParaSail and JetSki Rides - Soar over Siesta Key Beach with a seven mile riding area in a colorful parasail. Dry take offs and landings are launched from the boat deck. For more info call 941-921-2754 or visit 1504 Stickney Point Road in Sarasota. CB's Saltwater Outfitters - Rent a bike, a boat, a rod and reel, or book a fishing trip. Have fun and see Sarasota from a differerent angle. Call 941-349-4400. Mote Marine Aquarium - Explore the secrets of the sea with touch pools, shark, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits and over 100 other species of marine life. Viewable working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. NATURE AND SCIENCE Mote Marine Aquarium - Explore the secrets of the sea with touch pools, shark, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits and over 100 other species of marine life. Viewable working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. Located at the Mote Marine Laboratory, it includes
a 135,000 gallon outdoor tank for sharks and other marine species. Touch
stingrays, learn about sea turtles, see the interactive multimedia,
"Shark Attack," and take Eco boat tours. Call 941-388-4441. Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- With acres of beautiful gardens and nature trails, this is the perfect
place for a leisurely stroll. Showcasing exotic plants and animals from
around the world, Jungle Gardens features daily bird and reptile shows
and a petting zoo. Call 941-355-5305 or visit at 3701 Bay Shore Road
in Sarasota. Marie Selby Botanical
Gardens - Explore the world's most spectacular display of rare
orchids and bromeliads in this 8.5 acre tropical oasis on the shores
of Sarasota Bay. See a living collection of more than 20,000 colorful
plants collected mostly in the wild on more than 150 scientific expeditions
to tropical rainforests. Call 941-366-5731 or visit at 811 South Palm
Avenue in Sarasota. Myakka River State
Park - A 28,000 acre park with wildlife and nature tours by
canoe, boat, air boat, train, or along the treetops in a walkway that
reaches as high as 74' high. For campsight reservations call 800-326-3521. G. Wiz (The
Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone) - G.WIZ strives to make science
relevant, technology understandable, and learning MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES Sarasota Classic
Car Museum - Surrounded by 100 cars representing 100 years,
the museum has a 4,000 square foot garden atrium for dining and dancing
at night. Have fun in the Antique Game Arcade and gift shop. Call 941-355-6228. John and Mable Ringling
Museum of Art - Affilliated with Florida State University,
it is the state art museum and includes 66 acres with 21 galleries of
American and European art. The Museum contains over 10,000 pieces of
art and the library has a reference collection of more than 60,000 volumes
covering all art periods.Call 941-354-1660. Ringling Circus Museum
- A large collection depicting the history of the circus including beautifully
carved parade wagons, elaborate costumes, and circus memorabilia. Call
941-359-5744. Cą d'Zan
- Translating to "House of John," Cą d'Zan is a restored
32-room 1920's era Venetian Gothic Mansion with a rose garden and lavish
lawns overlooking Sarasota Bay. John and Mable Ringling's home was designed
to feature architectural elements from her favorite Venetian hotels.
Call 941-359-5700 Historic Spanish
Point - Explore Florida's past with archaeology exhibits, pioneer
homestead, formal gardens and lawns created by Mrs. Potter Palmer for
her winter estate on 30 acres on Little Sarasota Bay. Call 941-966-5214. South Florida Museum
- Discover Florida's prehistoric past with full-sized casts of
Ice Age mammals that lived in Southwest Florida over 12,000 years ago,
realistic dioramas, and archaeological collections that explain how
Florida was formed. Exhibits include over 15,000 diverse and unique
objects that are rotated throughout the year. For current exhibits,
call 941-746-4131. ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Asolo Theater
Company - A professional theater company that performs
at the Asolo and in the 500-seat Mertz Theater. Office 800-361-8388. Van Wezel Performing
Arts Hall - A purple, seashell-shaped building designed by
Frank Lloyd Wright. This unique performing arts hall presents Broadway
musicals, national and international performers, world renowned symphony
orchestras and classical, modern and ethnic dance. Some of the entertainers
have included Luciano Pavarotti, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Dylan, The Boston
Pops, The Chicago Symphony, Willie Nelson, and The Temptations.Call
941-953-3368. Player's Theater
- A 70-year-old community theater featuring musical theater, concerts,
and other programs. Call 941-365-2494. Sarasota Opera House
- Over 40 years of grand performances of Strauss, Verdi, Bizet, and
many others. Call 941-366-8450. Sarasota Public Library
- Call 941-861-1180 G. Wiz (The
Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone) - G.WIZ strives to make science
relevant, technology understandable, and learning SHOPPING Sarasota Square Mall - Over 140 specialty stores, including major department stores, a food court and a movie theatre. St. Armands Circle - More than 145 shops and boutiques located in a tropical paradise between Bird Key and Lido Key. Elegant restaurants, lush landscaping,statues, courtyards and patios, and contemporary design offer European-style shopping and gourmet dining. Palm Avenue - Walk down this historic street while shopping for fine art, antiques, jewelry and fashions.
Copyright © 2002 - Les & Becky Freed, Realtors - All Rights Reserved. |
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