SARASOTA (anything we should not miss ? )

Hi:)
We are going to Sarasota this week and we love the beaches there.
However is there anything else that we should not miss ?[msnembarrased]
Over to you the experts !

The Marina is nice to wander through. Siesta Key is worth a visit. Jerry Springer and Arnie have houses there are you will see a Rollys Royce or 2 on a good day, it is very wealthy.

Myakka state park is worth a visit, and Siesta key crescent beach is one of the best in the world.

Longboat key/St Armands circle is great for shopping and has some very nice restaurants.

I love Sarasota. [msnsmile2] Enjoy Mr Flibble [msnwink]

I love Longboat Key. There are some great little coffee shops where you can easily sit a few hours and just watch the world go by.

You must eat at Tommy Bahamas, it's really good.

Yep, absolutley love Longboat Key, St Amands Circle for all those nice little shops. Hemingways Restaurant and the Dry Dock Bar & Grill are 2 eating places we thought were excellent. Hemingways is just off St Amands, Dry Dock is heading up Longboat Key its on your right watch out for the signpost for it. The Dry Dock is next to a Dry Dock Boat Storage Hanger.

I don't know whether it is too early,but the nearby State Park gets manatees and their young over the winter (the power station warms the water) I will look for a link when I get time (it is about $1 to get in)It may even be the one already mentioned

Theres also a turtle rescue centre there thats worth an afternoon visit, very educational. Gill

The Ringling circus musuem and mansion house is well worth a visit. Great place to go on the odd rainy day.

Just remembered they have greyhound racing too, if that tickles your fancy.

The Classic Car Museum which also has John Lennon’s Mercedes Roadster and Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper.

The Mote Marine rescue centre is very close, you can see them rehabilitating manatees and all sorts of marine life. Makes a great day out..

St Armands Circle, Cha-Cha Restaurant
Anywhere on Longboat or Siesta Key
Mote Marine
Drive to the park at the end of the road beyond St. Armands to see raccoons
Library at the top of Main Street is worth a visit (has good loos) - just goes to show what Sarasota County spend their Property Tax on
Ringling Museum ( about 5 miles north towards the airport) - parkland is free
Van Wezel Concert Hall (round pink building) good views from the car park over the water
S[bad language filtered out]y new organic/wholefood supermarket opened summer 2005 on the ground floor of the new buildings by the Library.

I love Sarasota, tremendous amount of new building going on currently, local resident told me with disgust it was all 'Chicago money!!!!'

Clare Reeves - 1367

We had a really fantastic day at the Myakka State Park, We had an air boat ride for $8 and a ticket for a second rind half price.

We then took a stroll along the canopy walkway. and climb the tower and we were treated to the most amazing uninterrupted view of the sounding aria.

There are Safari tram tours of the park´s back country.Picnic aria, freshwater fishing,
We realy loved it and it is only 9 miles east of I-75 in Sarasota on S.R. 72.

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...Holiday044.jpg

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...Holiday038.jpg

We did the Mote aquarium and a boat trip through them and loved it. We also did the beach at Siesta Key. The sand was lovely but I prefer the quietness of the beaches of Boca Grande and Englewood:)

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ruth
We did the Mote aquarium and a boat trip through them and loved it. We also did the beach at Siesta Key. The sand was lovely but I prefer the quietness of the beaches of Boca Grande and Englewood:)
[/quote]

That's where we are in March Ruth, which is closest to Rotunda, would you know?

It depends whereabouts on Rotonda you are staying Macka. Both are close and we always do both[8D]

Yeah, just flamin flippin well can't wait Ruth. We're on the squiggly bit of Rotunda, round the corner from the bendy bit just before you get to the sticky out bit, close to the long curvy bit. So we shall do both too.[^]

If you go to the Mote aquarium you can also visit the Pelican man wild bird sanctuary for rehabilitation birds back in to the wild, you will find him almost next door to the Mote aquarium.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ruth
We did the Mote aquarium and a boat trip through them and loved it. We also did the beach at Siesta Key. The sand was lovely but I prefer the quietness of the beaches of Boca Grande and Englewood:)
[/quote]

LOL Macka, I have stayed on Rotonda twice in two different villas, and you have described where I stayed perfectly:D:D

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
We're on the squiggly bit of Rotunda, round the corner from the bendy bit just before you get to the sticky out bit, close to the long curvy bit. [/quote]

Posted this picture before but seems appropriate:

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
Yeah, just flamin flippin well can't wait Ruth. We're on the squiggly bit of Rotunda, round the corner from the bendy bit just before you get to the sticky out bit, close to the long curvy bit. So we shall do both too.[^]
[/quote]

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...3E13CD9CAA.gif

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andrewmckay5
Posted this picture before but seems appropriate:

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Macka
Yeah, just flamin flippin well can't wait Ruth. We're on the squiggly bit of Rotunda, round the corner from the bendy bit just before you get to the sticky out bit, close to the long curvy bit. So we shall do both too.[^]
[/quote]

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums...3E13CD9CAA.gif
[/quote]

Ooh Oooh ,Yes, yes, that's it see it there ? by the pointy bit??