WORLD NORTH AMERICA USA FLORIDA SARASOTA


Sarasota

Sarasota is a popular city on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is known for its vibrant arts community, excellent restaurants, unique shopping, and beautiful beaches. Sarasota, although a mid-sized city, is considered to be the cultural center of West Central Florida. The city has a metropolitan flavor unique to cities of its size and to cities in Florida.

The city includes the mainland downtown as well as three islands, called "keys." These are Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key. Causeways to all these keys are free and very picturesque. Downtown Sarasota is very vibrant with a healthy mix of businesses, residences, and restaurants, as well as city services. Sarasota is the County Seat of Sarasota County.

The Asolo Theater, Florida West Coast Symphony, Sarasota Opera, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and frequent art shows add the the cultural theme of the city, rivaling the facilities of Florida's largest cities. Sarasota is also home to the Ringling Museum of Art, the Selby Botanical Gardens, New College (Florida's public honors college), a USF branch, and the Ringling School of Ar and Design.

Sarasota's downtown comprises a true urban cityscape with offices and several upscale downtown condominiums. It is complemented by Saint Armands Circle, on Sait Armands Key, which is surrounded by Lido Key across Sarasota Bay. Saint Armands Circle is an upscale outdoor shopping area, with several cafes, reminiscent of Europe. The idea for Saint Armands was from John Ringling who also intended to build a Ritz hotel on Longboat Key. Today, Sarasota has a Ritz hotel downtown as well as the Longboat Key Club on Ringling's original sight. The Longboat Key Club includes two golf courses, tennis, and all other resort facilities and is located just north of Saint Armands on Longboat Key.

The biggest draw to the area remains the beaches. Siesta Key Beach is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches on Earth. Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, Lido Beach, and the beach running the 15 mile span of Longboat Key are equally beautiful and accessible. Indeed, much of Sarasota's charm comes from the fact that the beaches are so plentiful and accessible.

Get In


By plane
  • Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), 6000 Airport Circle, Sarasota, Phone: 941-359-2777, . Located on the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties.


  • By car
  • Sarasota has one primary expressway, Interstate 75, which runs north to south.
  • The major roads within Sarasota include the Tamiami Trail (which is the name given to US 41 between Tampa and Miami), US Route 301, Beneva Rd. and Cattleman Rd., all running north-to-south, and Clark Rd., Proctor Rd., Bee Ridge Rd., Fruitville Rd. and University Pkwy., all running east-to-west.


  • See
  • Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 3701 Bay Shore Road, Phone: 941-355-5305, . Daily 9AM-5PM. There are 5 shows at the gardens in addition to the grounds themselves which are filled with many interesting plants. As with most early attractions, they offer some animal shows and a chance to see some rare plants, many of which are of extraordinary size. This attraction is a rare opportunity to see what...



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    Hotels in Sarasota
    Club Bamboo Resorts Score 0 from 0 reviews
    2502 Gulf Drive North 0/10
    Hairdryer, iron and ironing boards may be checked out at the front desk. ... more
     
    The Helmsley Sandcastle Score 0 from 0 reviews
    1540 Ben Franklin Drive 0/10
    Recreation water sports include sailing, water cycles, bicycles, volleyball, shuffleboard, cabanas and chairs on the beach. Not to mention the convenience and luxury of, not one, but two heated outdoor swimming pools! ... more
     
    Gulf Watch Condominium Score 0 from 0 reviews
    601 Gulf Drive North 0/10
    Enjoy the likes of the following local eateries: Beach House Restaurant‎ Gulf Drive Cafe‎ Sun House Restaurant & Bar‎ Oma Pizza & Italian Restaurant‎ Banana Cabana Caribbean Grill‎ Star Fish Co Seafood Market‎ ... more
     
    More hotels in Sarasota

    Jack Fields Agency

    Located in quaint downtown kissimmee, Jack Fields Agency is among some of the most historic storefronts, with most buildings built around 1900.  Take a stroll down Main St. and you'll be transported back to the early 1900's where storefronts are friendly and inviting, each specializing in their own trade.  Don't forget to stop by The Someday Shop and say hi to Jan.

    type:Public Buildings
    tel:407-870-5534
    openingHours:9am-5pm
    address:10 E Monument Ave.
    email:druffej@nationwide.com


    Universal Studios® 1-Day Ticket Flexible

    Universal Studios® 1-Day Ticket

    Universal Studios® is more than a theme park, it's a real working motion picture studio where you are put right into your favorite scenes from your favorite films. With an incredible array of rides, shows, movie sets and attractions, you won't be able to tell where the movies end... and the real fun begins!

    Click here for more information and Booking Details


    St Augustine and Porpoise Point Helicopter Tour Varies

    St Augustine and Porpoise Point Helicopter Tour

    You'll depart east from the airport over the intracoastal waterway to North Beach, then enjoy a breathtaking view of the beach and coastline as you fly low and fast to Porpoise Point. You'll then fly around Porpoise Point before turning northwest back to the airport.

    Flight distance is 12 miles

    Click here for more information and Booking Details


    Universal's Islands of Adventure® 1-Day Ticket Flexible

    Universal's Islands of Adventure® 1-Day Ticket

    Welcome to Universal's Islands of Adventure® theme park, where high-tech rides and attractions bring all your favorite stories, legends, cartoon and comic book characters to life. Prepare to embark upon an amazing journey - A voyage of exploration and adventure through five incredible islands:
    Seuss Landing™ - A whimsical place where your favorite Dr Seuss characters and stories come to life before your eyes.
    The Lost Continent® - A dark and mysterious land where you'll encounter epic legends and mythic beasts around every corner.
    Jurassic Park® - A tropical paradise where dinosaurs have returned to rule the earth once again.
    Toon Lagoon® - A wild and wacky Island where cartoon and comic characters leap from the page to pull you into their mischievous misadventures.
    Marvel Super Hero Island® - A gleaming city where super human men and women clash in the battle between good and evil.

    Click here for more information and Booking Details


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