Is there anything to do in Sarasota?

[solongtogo]

DH's grandparents own a home in a small town by Sarasota, Florida, so we decided to take a vacation there in April since we won't have to pay for a hotel. Is there anything to do with a 1 year old besides the beach?

[maxandmolly]

Not really. It's really mostly a resort/beach/God's waiting room for the wealthy kinda place. There is the John Ringling (or something like that) museum in the mansion that the Ringlings built on the water, that's worth a trip through. Though I doubt the one year old would enjoy it! There's also a circus museum there, but I've never been in it so I don't know if it's worth the price. There's plenty of high end shopping to be had, too. Then if you head north a bit on I-75, you'll get to Ellenton where there is a fairly large popular outlet mall. Also possibly worth the drive, if you enjoy historical stuff, is the Thomas Edison home & museum in Ft. Myers. It's south on I-75, an hour and a half, maybe? It's been ages so I could be a bit off on that, but I'm sure mapquest/google/whathaveyou can pin it down. I remember going there every summer on field trips at day camp and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. If your hubby likes to fish, there are tons of deep sea fishing charters he can do, either for a half day or whole day.

[nylons73]

Sarasota is about 45 min- 1 hour south of Tampa and there def. are things to do with a youngster in Tampa (the Florida Aquarium, etc.,) but as far as what there is to do in Sarasota itself, MaxandMolly pretty much has it pegged. It's the wealthiest county in Florida (sports personality Dick Vitale lives there and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman had some property there at one point (not sure if one of them still does.) and it attracts those who really love the Arts. There are plenty of book signings, art shows, and high end boutique shopping opportunities in Sarasota. Unfortunately, unless you are the parent of a child prodigy, I am guessing that your 1 year old won't really get in to any of that. heh heh

Sarasota is more of a beachy-artsy town and less of an action packed vacation destination. It's always good for those who love to golf, fish or play tennis. But those three activities combined with shopping and sitting on the beach pretty much sum it up. Oh! btw- There are some GREAT restaurants in Sarasota so take advantage them! Yum!

[HeatherFL]

In Sarasota Siesta Key Beach is lovely and consistently voted one of the top ten beaches in the nation. The sand is beautiful and sparkles because it is crystal, but it feels like powder! Siesta Key info (http://www.siestakeychamber.com/beaches.php?id_cat=24). The The John and Mable Ringling Museum (http://www.ringling.org/) is beautiful. Just stay away from the clown section if you're like me and hate clowns! Oh and if you like nature type stuff Myakka River State Par (http://www.myakkariver.org/)k is fun. You can canoe and see alligators and some pretty cool wildlife. For shopping St. Armand's Circle (http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/) is nice. :)

If that is not enough, I would just drive up North to St. Petersburg and Tampa where we have A LOT of things to do. I know I have a post out there somewhere with a lot of stuff to do in St. Pete/Clearwater/Tampa. I'll see if I can find it. It's just a short drive over the bridge 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

~H.

[HeatherFL]

I am just copying and pasting from the other thread:

Well, I am originally from Miami so I consider that my hometown. But I live in Tampa Bay now, so I'll post some for both. :) (I am copying these from some of my old posts, so there will be dining recommendations too.) (I'm deleting the Miami part since that's not pertinent to this thread.)

Tampa Bay & Surrounding Areas
TAMPA SIDE

Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens (www.buschgardens.com)

Florida Aquarium (www.flaquarium.org) A LOT OF stuff to do here for kids! (Right next to Channelside)

The Big Cat Rescue (http://www.bigcatrescue.org/)

The zoo
Lowry Park Zoo (www.lowryparkzoo.com)

Tampa Theatre--BEAUTIFUL!!
Tampa Theatre (http://www.tampatheatre.org)
http://www.tampatheatre.org/images/auditoriumCott72.jpg

Jackson's Bistro (http://www.jacksonsbistro.com/backjacks.html) on Harbour Island, right next door to the Wyndham and across the street from the Marriott Waterside. They have a club attached too. Good drinks and the food is good (or at least it's always been my experience that the food is good.) Great club too!:)

Grille 29 (http://grille29.com/) in Channelside--actually there are a few places in Channelside. This is rather new, just a few months old. Great dessert bar and good food!

Also, just so you have it Channelside (www.channelside.com) is somewhere you may want to check out. It's been our experience that the food at Margarita Mama's is awful, though!

Definitely have some Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream (http://www.coldstonecreamery.com/main/index.asp) My favorite is their cake batter ice-cream. MMM (And I am not a big ice-cream eater!)--Located in Channelside.

You may have heard of a famous restaurant here called Bern's. It's a steak place. There is a "sister" restaurant to that place called Side Bern's in South Tampa. WONDERFUL FOOD!! This link will take you to both of the restaurants (http://sideberns.com/)

On Bay Street in International Plaza, there are a bunch of places too (and a large high end shopping mall.) For instance, Cheesecake Factory, Kahunaville (where the bartenders do some awesome tricks!), Bamboo Club, etc. Here is the site with a directory (look in the middle of the page kind of to the right and it will say "Restaurant Listing"
International Plaza and Bay Street (http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/)

In Westshore Plaza you have Maggiano's (Italian), PF Chang's and such:
Westshore Plaza (http://www.westshoreplaza.com/go/dirListing.cfm?CurrCat=dining)

The name of it is Columbia's Restaurant (http://columbiarestaurant.com/). It's really famous. If you like Spanish/Cuban food (high end, but not outrageously expensive) this is a great place to go! The one in Ybor City (pronounced ee-bore) is the one you'd want. There are others, but the one in Ybor is the first one. (Ybor is also a popular place to hang out, if you want to have drinks or catch a movie. The Premiere Theater is nice. It's 21 and over only and you get free popcorn and you can buy alcohol. Not that I am a lush!) Ybor City website: YBOR (www.ybor.org).

ST. PETE/CLEARWATER SIDE
Yes, The Hurricane (http://www.thehurricane.com/) is a cool place to hang out. Be sure to go to the Pier and Baywalk! Shops, restaurants and movie theaters. Also, if you like art, the Dali Museum is a must!

St. Pete Pier (www.stpete-pier.com)

Baywalk (http://www.stpete.org/baywalk.htm)

Pinellas Trail (www.pinellastrail.com)

John's Pass (www.johnspass.com)

Caladesi Island (www.abfla.com/parks/ HoneymoonIsland/honeymoonisland"Honeymoon Island[/url]

[url="www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland)

Dunedin (www.cityofdunedin.com)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (www.cmaquarium.org)

Dali Museum (http://www.salvadordalimuseum.org/)

Also, check out some of the beaches...Clearwater Beach and the Pier 60, Indian Rocks, etc.

Sunset at Pier 60 (www.sunsetsatpier60.com)

Spring Training! (http://www.springtrainingonline.com/) (We're the Grapefruit League)

Of course, the Orlando theme parks are also a short drive away. Go to the upside down house, check out Church Street too, I-drive (International Drive) and Giordano's for some good stuffed pizza. Also go to Jungle Jim's. Nothing fancy, but great drinks! A local favorite. :)

Popular areas are actually about 1 hour south of Tampa in the Sarasota area. It's an older population, but very pretty down there!!!! Siesta Key Beach is nearby and is wonderful! There isn't a whole lot to do, but it is really pretty!

Longboat Key info (http://www.longboatkeychamber.com/)
More Longboat Key info (http://www.longboatkey.org/home.htm)

Anna Maria Island info (http://www.annamariaislandchamber.org/)
A little more info on Anna Maria Island (http://www.amisland.com/)

Florida is just awesome altogether. Not that I am biased or anything. ;)

H.

[solongtogo]

Thanks so much! I'm stoked about that outlet mall...it just so happens that the house we're staying in is in Ellenton :D

[HeatherFL]

I love Prime Outlets! (http://www.primeoutlets.com/) Right near the Outlet mall is a place called Roarin' 20s Pizza and Pipes (http://www.roaring20spizza.com/). I've always wanted to go there, but always run out of time or they're not open when I'm nearby. It's supposed to be really cool! Make sure you check the schedule if you go, because they don't usually open until 4pm or 4:30pm unless it's the weekend.

~H.

[HeatherFL]

I forgot to mention... In Sarasota, there is a small Amish community, especially during the winter. You can see them out and about and they have fresh fruit markets and restaurants. If you drive Beneva Road and Bahia Vista you will see them and run into different stands and places to eat.

Amish in Sarasota (http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amishinflorida.htm)

Troyer's Dutch Heritage (http://troyercorp.com/)

Yoder's Amish Restaurant (http://www.yodersrestaurant.com/)

There is also a place called Mom's Amish Country Cooking, but they don't have a website.

~H.

[maxandmolly]

I had no idea there was an Amish community in Sarasota. Huh, interesting.

[HeatherFL]

Yeah, I had totally forgotten about it and then two weeks ago we went to the Renaissance Festival and were on Beneva and Bahia Vista. They were walking all over and had their buggies and bikes out. I forgot that some of them live in Sarasota year round, but a lot do the snowbird thing too and come down from the north. I'm dying to try the food! But I didn't feel properly dressed because I was wearing a top that had cleavage. I know they probably get that a lot being that it's Florida and all, but I'd feel more respectful wearing something that was more covered up.

~H.

[solongtogo]

score...amish restaurants kick ass

[HeatherFL]

Okay, I really want to eat Amish food now!

[dragonfly28602]

If you can, go to St Armands circle. There are some great (but pricey) shops and some really yummy restaraunts. I used to live in Sarasota and loved to spend the afternoon there. Parking can be a pain, however.