Things to do in SRQ
Local information and recommendations
Sarasota – Vibrant City by the Bay
The city of Sarasota is a city that offers eateries, theaters, shopping boutiques and is home to many artists and galleries. Running through the heart of downtown is Main Street, and branching off this main drag are colorfully named streets such as Pineapple, Orange, Lemon and Palm. Its wide sidewalks and street cafes give downtown an almost European appeal, that is very inviting for stroll around the city to explore all it has to offer.
Colorful shops and bungalows turned into bakeries, galleries, salons and restaurant surround central downtown, which is divided into five districts: Burns Court, Towles Court, Rosemary District, Historic Palm Avenue and Gillespie Park. Discover even more at Bayfront Park, Southside Village and other nearby locales.
For more information please
call us at (941) 366-9485
Restaurants on the Water
O’Leary’s Sarasota (tiki bar/bar food)
Relax and enjoy ocean breezes from the Gulf of Mexico with tropical drinks, wine, and beer selections.
www.olearystikibar.com
Marina Jacks
Finest steaks, seafood, and pasta (included gluten-free options)
www.marinajacks.com
Ophelia’s on the Bay – Siesta Key
Fresh fish and an exquisite view of Little Sarasota Bay.
9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key
www.opheliasonthebay.net
Boatyard
Locals spot with great food, views, and specials
1500 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, FL 34231
www.boatyardwaterfrontgrill.com
Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant and Oyster Bar
Outdoor and indoor waterfront dining, fresh local seafood, and oysters
www.creekseafood.com
The Old Salty Dog (multiple locations)
Delicious bar bites on the water and a steamer & raw bar
theoldsaltydog.com
Chart House – Longboat Key
Creative, exotic seafood and a daily selection of fresh fish
cuisine that infuses local flavors with a touch of the exotic, resulting in one of the most creative seafood menus around. We also offer a daily selection of fresh fish.
www.chart-house.com/locations/longboat-key/menus.asp
Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Old waterfront cottage with wonderful deck dinning.
5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
www.creekseafood.com
Casey Key Fish House
Delicious seafood, large patio, water views, nautical environment, and a tiki bar!
801 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey
www.caseykeyfishhouse.com
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub
Sustainable local seafood and vegetables. Plenty of outdoor seating near the water.
760 Broadway St., Longboat Key
marvistadining.com
Restaurants
Selva Grill – Sarasota Downtown and UTC area
Latin Fusion cuisine combines exotic flavors from Latin America and the United States. Our special emphasis on Peruvian dishes recognizes the contribution of Asian immigrants to Peru. Selva offers innovative, intricately prepared dishes, plated and presented as works of art.
www.selvagrill.com/
Duval’s Seafood – Sarasota downtown
Fresh local seafood. Features brunch and happy hour specials
www.duvalsfreshlocalseafood.com/menu
Owen’s Fish Camp
Casual and historic, featuring local fresh seafood, craft beer, and wine
www.owensfishcamp.com
Calusa Brewing (and food trucks)
Craft brewery based in Sarasota with rotating food trucks
www.calusabrewing.com
Brine
Great ambiance with fantastic Maryland-style seafood that makes your mouth water!
2250 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota
Bushido Izayaki
There are many sushi places in Sarasota, however Bushido Izayaki has to be one of the best.
3688 Webber St, Sarasota
www.bushidosushisrq.com
Michael’s on East
The everchanging menu with international themes can easily become a favorite. New experience upon every meal.
1212 S. East Ave, Sarasota
www.bestfood.com
Veronica Fish & Oyster
Wonderful seafood with a glamourous ambiance.
1830 S. Osprey Ave, Sarasota
www.veronicafishandoyster.com
Walt’s Fish Market
A seafood market and restaurant combination. Delicious fresh caught shellfish and fish.
4144 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
www.waltsfishmarketrestaurant.com
Beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Accessible from South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, this beach offers everything a beachgoer could want, beginning with that magnificent soft white sand that has given it an international reputation. It has been named one of North America’s best beaches numerous years in a row. Siesta is famous for its white sand, which stays cool even in the heat of the day.
The wide public beach stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to an attractive pavilion that houses restrooms, a snack shop, a souvenir and beach gear store. It offers amenities like beach volleyball nets, shaded picnic areas and grills, a playground and plenty of restrooms. There is a large parking lot, but it can easily fill up during tourist season, and there are limited options nearby.
Lido Beach
Lido stretches along the Gulf of Mexico in Lido Key. It offers low-key attractions for a variety of tastes. You can stroll along the beach north toward New Pass. It’s a long but pleasant walk along the often empty coastline, which can get more crowded on weekends. At the southern end is South Lido Beach Park, where swimming is prohibited because of strong riptides in Big Pass.That beach is surrounded by a forest of pine trees, making it perfect for a barbecue. It has many picnic tables and grills.
North Jetty Park and Nokomis Beach
The southern end of Casey Key, accessible from US 41, offers a relaxed beach environment that, in late spring, caters more to retirees and fishermen. North Jetty Park, which spans the tip of Casey Key from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico is a great spot for fishing. The jade-green water is deep right off the beach, so boats come in close. It is a quite and relaxed place where you can often see dolphins swimming and hunting in the Jettys currents. There are several parking areas, a large picnic area with tables sheltered by tin roofs. There are horseshoe pits and a small playground area.
Nokomis Beach
Nokomis Beach is half a mile north, where Albee Road meets Casey Key Road. Colorful beach umbrellas dot a narrow strip of sand almost entirely by bronzed retirees picking through seashells. A boardwalk between the parking lot and the beach offers a nice view over sea grapes and sea oats to the water. Shaded benches and tables are up there in the breeze. There is a children’s play area across the road on the Intracoastal side.
Caspersen Beach
Just south of the Venice city limit, is a large park and beach area with nature trails, a playground and an extensive boardwalk along the Gulf side. The beach itself is a very narrow strip known for its fossilized sharks’ teeth. A great place to spend time with children and search for those ancient fossils. There are several parking areas, so it pays to keep scouting around if the lot looks full.
Shopping
St. Armands Circle
St. Armands has something for everyone! Tons of upscale shopping and souvenir shopping. Lots of restaurants from bar food to fine dining. Even ice cream and dessert shops.
www.starmandscircleassoc.com
University Town Center Mall
Browse hundreds of retailers with over 20 dining options
www.mallatutc.com
Ellenton Premium Outlets
130 designer and brand outlet stores where you can find fabulous deals
www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ellenton/stores
Things for Kids or Rainy Days
Bayfront Park (near O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill)
Grab a drink and listen to live music while watching your children enjoy the park with a gorgeous water view and delightful sunsets. This park has a playground and a water park which is great fun on hot summer days.
www.inhabitsarasota.com/day-at-bayfront-park/
The Ringling
The Ringling serves as the legacy of John and Mable Ringling—a place of art, architecture, and circus in an environment that inspires, educates, and entertains.
www.ringling.org/playspace
Nathan Benderson Park (playground and rowing)
Children’s park overlooking large lake
www.nathanbendersonpark.org/
Indoor Trampoline Park – Jump and Fun
www.skyzone.com/sarasota
Payne Park – Sarasota
2110 Adams Ln, Sarasota, FL 34237
South Lido Park (on the water)
2201 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Ken Thompson Park and New Pass Fishing Pier
1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Museums/Nature/Activities
The Ringling – on the water
There’s always something to do at The Ringling! There’s the Museum of Art, the famous Circus Museum, the Historic Asolo Theater, the Education Center, and the beautiful Bayfront Gardens.
www.ringling.org
Shelby Gardens
Shelby Gardens is a tropical oasis in the city with beautiful flowers and plants
www.selby.org
Sarasota Bay Explorers to see Dolphins
Join a marine biologist on this 1 hour, 45 minute cruise through Sarasota and Roberts Bays. Observe Florida manatees and resident population of bottlenose dolphins while learning about the ecology, history, and folklore of the area.
www.sarasotabayexplorers.com
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Animals galore! Do everything from hand feed a flamingo to take a photo with an alligator
www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL 34236
Sea creatures galore! Aquarium, exploration gallery, and special events. Shark Zone exhibit and reef animals exhibits-touch a sting ray!
www.mote.org
Big Cat Habitat
See lions, tigers and other animals at this large-animal rescue
www.bigcathabitat.org
Dolphins and Manatees
Dolphin and Manatee Watch Cruises, Sightseeing and Nature Cruises, Tropical Sunset Cruises in the Marina Jack Plaza, Sarasota
LeBarge Tropical Cruises
Take me cruisin’
Myakka River State Park
See local fauna and wildlife at one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks. Myaka River flows 58 square miles through the park
www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park
Legacy Trail 12-mile bike ride
Twelve miles of easy riding with restroom facilities which goes through farms and wooded areas, not just for bikers-pedestrians, rollerbladers, and cyclists are welcome
www.friendsofthelegacytrail.org
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
Second oldest antique car museum in the US. Enjoy rotating exhibits including antique, exotic, and one-of-a-kind classic automobiles
www.sarasotacarmuseum.org
Boat Rentals
Marina Jacks
www.marinajacks.com/marina/excursions.html
Sightseeing cruises on the water
Marina Jacks
www.marinajacks.com/sightseeing-cruises/the-marina-jack-ii.html
Other Recommendations
Steaks and fresh produce
Best Steaks for BBQ in town and down the road from your home.
Detwiler’s Farm Market,6100 N Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Fort De Soto Beach Park (Tierra Verde)
Miles of unspoiled beaches to enjoy, great walkways, bike rentals, a fishing pier and lots of history with a old Fort. This park just north of Bradenton has activities for the entire family. If you want to get away from some of the more crowded beaches in the area, this to the place you will want to go.
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.,
Tierra Verde, FL 33715