Taylor's Sarasota Guidebook
Sightseeing
Cá d’Zan (John Ringling’s winter home), the circus museum, and an art museum are excellent and worth a visit. Reservations recommended for the on-site restaurant.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdCá d’Zan (John Ringling’s winter home), the circus museum, and an art museum are excellent and worth a visit. Reservations recommended for the on-site restaurant.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StSarasota Art Museum
1001 S Tamiami TrailMote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyBeaches
Lido Beach, the closest Gulf of Mexico beach to the Casita (11 min drive), has white sandy beaches, concessions with food and drinks, lifeguards, a pool, and live music (during peak hours). Lido Beach is within walking distance of St. Armand’s Circle, great for dining, shopping and ice cream.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLido Beach, the closest Gulf of Mexico beach to the Casita (11 min drive), has white sandy beaches, concessions with food and drinks, lifeguards, a pool, and live music (during peak hours). Lido Beach is within walking distance of St. Armand’s Circle, great for dining, shopping and ice cream.
My favorite local beach. The southernmost point of Lido Key is where the Big Sarasota Pass, the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay converge. Just south, you can see Siesta Key and west: downtown Sarasota. This beach is a 15 min drive from the Casita. Has parking and restrooms but no concessions.
25 locals recommend
South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf
Benjamin Franklin DriveMy favorite local beach. The southernmost point of Lido Key is where the Big Sarasota Pass, the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay converge. Just south, you can see Siesta Key and west: downtown Sarasota. This beach is a 15 min drive from the Casita. Has parking and restrooms but no concessions.
Check out Siesta Village and Siesta Main Beach. If Main Beach is too busy, you can drive further south to Crescent Beach.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
Check out Siesta Village and Siesta Main Beach. If Main Beach is too busy, you can drive further south to Crescent Beach.
Bradenton Beach
The southernmost beach on charming Anna Maria Island.
Activities
Cponies Beach Horseback Rides
8400 Manatee Ave WSunset cruises and dolphin cruises. Embark from Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota.
37 locals recommend
LeBarge Tropical Cruises
2 Marina PlazaSunset cruises and dolphin cruises. Embark from Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota.
Sarasota Boat Rental
2 Marina PlazaDog-friendly brewery with a creative array of local drafts served from a rustic bar. Enjoy BBQ, live music and beer in their expansive shaded outdoor seating area with fire pit.
30 locals recommend
Big Top Brewing Company
975 Cattlemen RdDog-friendly brewery with a creative array of local drafts served from a rustic bar. Enjoy BBQ, live music and beer in their expansive shaded outdoor seating area with fire pit.
Cruisin' Tikis Sarasota
920 Gulf Gate DrYoga on Lido at Sunset
232 Benjamin Franklin DrLively and fun for all ages, this starts about an hour before sunset on Sundays at Siesta Key Main Beach.
62 locals recommend
Siesta Key Drum Circle
948 Beach RdLively and fun for all ages, this starts about an hour before sunset on Sundays at Siesta Key Main Beach.
Siesta Key Rum
2212 Industrial BlvdMyakka Canopy Walkway and Observation Tower
Oscar Scherer State Park
Oscar Scherer State ParkFood scene
Famous and historic Spanish restaurant on St. Armand’s Circle. Food & Wine Magazine named their Cuban sandwich the “Best Sandwich in Florida.”
118 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
411 St Armands CirFamous and historic Spanish restaurant on St. Armand’s Circle. Food & Wine Magazine named their Cuban sandwich the “Best Sandwich in Florida.”
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtC'est La Vie
1553 Main StExcellent French restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and baked goods
Caragiulo's Italian American
69 S Palm AveBrick's Smoked Meats
1528 State StEl Melvin Cocina Mexicana
1355 Main StAnna Maria Oyster Bar Landside
6906 14th St WWalt's Fish Market Restaurant
4144 S Tamiami TrailPatricks 1481
1481 Main St$5 burgers on Mondays. Voted Sarasota’s best burger.
Main Bar Sandwich Shop
1944 Main StWhitney's
6990 Gulf of Mexico DrNorth Longboat Key
Baker & Wife
2157 Siesta DrBlu Kouzina
25 N Boulevard of the PresidentsGreek restaurant on St. Armand’s Circle.
Speaks Clam Bar - Seafood - St Armands
29 N Boulevard of the PresidentsVeronicas Fish and Oyster bar
1830 S Osprey Ave‘One of the most acclaimed chefs in the region, owner Steve Phelps earned a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best Chef, South, in 2014 and 2015, and was featured on CBS This Morning, where he discussed his use of ingredients native to the area.’ [Sarasota Herald Tribune]
80 locals recommend
Indigenous Restaurant
239 S Links Ave‘One of the most acclaimed chefs in the region, owner Steve Phelps earned a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best Chef, South, in 2014 and 2015, and was featured on CBS This Morning, where he discussed his use of ingredients native to the area.’ [Sarasota Herald Tribune]
Live music
Florida’s oldest tiki bar. Live music Friday and Saturday nights and drag bingo Sundays at 7:30. One mile north of the Casita.
9 locals recommend
Bahi Hut Tiki Cocktail Lounge
4675 N Tamiami TrailFlorida’s oldest tiki bar. Live music Friday and Saturday nights and drag bingo Sundays at 7:30. One mile north of the Casita.
Good food and drinks, reasonably priced and close to the Casita (0.5 miles south).
14 locals recommend
Wicked Cantina Sarasota
1603 N Tamiami TrailGood food and drinks, reasonably priced and close to the Casita (0.5 miles south).
On Main St in downtown Sarasota. Great live music, craft cocktails and many beer options.
7 locals recommend
Cask and Ale
1548 Main StreetOn Main St in downtown Sarasota. Great live music, craft cocktails and many beer options.
O’Leary’s is located at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and offers views of the bay and city.
171 locals recommend
Oleary's Tiki Bar & Grill
5 Bayfront DrO’Leary’s is located at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and offers views of the bay and city.
The Gator Club
1490 Main StWaterfront dining
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaOne of Sarasota’s primary meeting points for visitors and locals.
A Longboat Key classic with great seafood, nice atmosphere and lovely views of the Bay.
74 locals recommend
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
412 Gulf of Mexico DrA Longboat Key classic with great seafood, nice atmosphere and lovely views of the Bay.
While enjoying the gorgeous view from North Longboat Key, you may spot a dolphin or two.
65 locals recommend
Shore Longboat Key
800 Broadway StWhile enjoying the gorgeous view from North Longboat Key, you may spot a dolphin or two.
If you want to dine with your toes practically in the sand, this Anna Maria Island destination may be worth the 30+ minute drive from the casita.
24 locals recommend
The Kokonut Hut
900 Gulf Dr NIf you want to dine with your toes practically in the sand, this Anna Maria Island destination may be worth the 30+ minute drive from the casita.
Dog friendly
A short walk from the casita and a great place to walk your dog and enjoy the view of Sarasota Bay.
6 locals recommend
Indian Beach Park
2703 Bay Shore RdA short walk from the casita and a great place to walk your dog and enjoy the view of Sarasota Bay.
Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueEvery Saturday from 7am to 1pm
Sapphire Shores Park
5015 Sun CirKen Thompson Park
1700 Ken Thompson PkwyAward-winning brewery with indoor and outdoor seating, live music, various food options, Sunday brunch, events and very dog-friendly inside and out. Local and imported beers as well as a full bar with liquor and wine. Located in Bradenton about 20 minutes drive north of the casita.
80 locals recommend
Motorworks Brewing
1014 9th St WAward-winning brewery with indoor and outdoor seating, live music, various food options, Sunday brunch, events and very dog-friendly inside and out. Local and imported beers as well as a full bar with liquor and wine. Located in Bradenton about 20 minutes drive north of the casita.