Where to go and what to see....

[MJG]

Villa booked now and in July next year we will be staying in our rented Villa in Rotonda.

Have found one guide book for the Gold coast but frankly it's a bit sparse on specific info. on the area close by. It has tried to include too much as it attempts to cover the whole of the gulf coast. So posting in here hoping for some first hand info.

Our likes_

Decent not too expensive restaurants (But we freely admit to liking a small number of the 'chains' partic. Red Lobster too).

We like to able around harbour/river side towns towns.

Self drive river boat trips.

Scenic drives (inland or coastal)

Modern art.

Local history of the areas we are staying in.

Our not too keen on_

Beaches - take them or leave them for me.

Golf.

Fishing.

So given all the above can anybody suggest where we might like to go and see.

Any info. gratefully received,

many thanks in advance.

[Clare R]

Restaurants - Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster all in Port Charlotte. Johnny Leverocks, Farlow's on the Water in Englewood.

Harbours/Marinas - Fisherman's village at Punta Gorda. Marina Jacks restaurant at Sarasota. Eagle Grille in Boca Grande but you can't drive round the marina. Venice has a small marina and a couple of jettys where you are bound to see dolphins.

Art - Sarasota is probably the best place

[msmiff]

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art at Sarasota Bay is well worth a visit !!
Really a full days worth to see there....

[Katys Grandad]

Naples is a bit of a drive but the harbours are very classy with some good quality restaurants.

There's not a huge range of 'local history' sites in that area. The Ford and Edison homes in Fort Myers aren't exactly mind blowing but worth a visit if that's your kind of thing.

[Pookie]

Arcadia is not to far inland and an old Florida town with feed stores, town railway and antique shops.

Myakka State Park with the tree top walkway and scenic walks thru' the park, plenty of wildlife.

The Selby botanical gardens also in Sarasota.

Historic Dearborne Street in Englewood and there are guided tours held by the Englewood Historic Society around the older Florida homes.

There are farmer's markets held in Saturdays in Sarasota and Armanyd Circle is wonderful for people watching and has many restaurants with outside seating, Columbia being one of our favourites.

Head to the Visitors Center on State Rd 776 in Englewood they have a wealth of information.

Enjoy.

Lynne

[Clare R]

Gold Coast actually refers to Miami to Palm Beach - I hope you realise that you are staying on the Gulf of Mexico and not the Atlantic coastline.

[MJG]

Woops sorry yes should have typed GULF not Gold...

[atush]

Snook haven, food, live music on occasion and Kayak rentals on the river.

Stump Pass Grill on the marina there. Like the ones mentionned above (esp Farlows) have a look at Restaurant.com for discounts for other places in the area and Sarasota.

Sharkey's on the water at Venice Beach. you can walk the pier and watch dolphins- no one will make you fish

Drive down and around Gasparilla Island. I like to eat at South Beach Grill- actually on the beach (rare to find) but no one will make you go on it lol. State park with old lighthouse to see next door- good for history.

Ia gree, the best culture and Museums are up Sarasota way. Mote Aquarium is good too.

The beach may be more intersting to you around sunset, and on manasota key there are lots of sharks teeth just waing for you to pick them up.

[thornton]

Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum

[Clare R]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by thornton
Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
[/quote]

Yes, this very interesting and shows what life was like when the area was involved with phosphate mining and shipping.

Museum is closed all August, 7 days a week November to May and closed Monday and Tuesday June/July/September/October.