Nataliya's Guidebook
Culture
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rdevery Sunday before sunset, gathered on the public beach by the main parking lot
62 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Siesta Key Drum Circle
948 Beach Rdevery Sunday before sunset, gathered on the public beach by the main parking lot
One of the few U Pick farms left in the area. Great for families with kids, lots of animals you can pet and feed at their farm petting zoo. There is even a camel and a turtle (last time we checked).
If you are visiting January to March, strawberry picking is a MUST! Fun for the whole family.
They also do one of the biggest pumpkin and fall festival in the area, end of October.
All around great place to visit. About 30-40 minute drive out east from property.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hunsader Farms
5500 Co Rd 675One of the few U Pick farms left in the area. Great for families with kids, lots of animals you can pet and feed at their farm petting zoo. There is even a camel and a turtle (last time we checked).
If you are visiting January to March, strawberry picking is a MUST! Fun for the whole family.
They also do one of the biggest pumpkin and fall festival in the area, end of October.
All around great place to visit. About 30-40 minute drive out east from property.
For everyone traveling with little kids, this place is a man-made wonderland. Alice in Wonderland meets enchanted forest. An amazing fantasy garden created by a couple out of scraps and recycled things.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Children's Garden
1670 10th WayFor everyone traveling with little kids, this place is a man-made wonderland. Alice in Wonderland meets enchanted forest. An amazing fantasy garden created by a couple out of scraps and recycled things.
Beach
must visit beaches in the area, each one unique in its own way
Overall most popular beach spot in the area.
Pros: powdery white sand, little to no shells, turquoise clear waters, beautiful sunsets, drum circle on Sundays off the public beach.
Cons: crowded, might be hard to find parking on weekends, public beach has a long distance to walk on sand to get to the coastline.
798 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Siesta Beach
Overall most popular beach spot in the area.
Pros: powdery white sand, little to no shells, turquoise clear waters, beautiful sunsets, drum circle on Sundays off the public beach.
Cons: crowded, might be hard to find parking on weekends, public beach has a long distance to walk on sand to get to the coastline.
Quieter version of Siesta Key Beach.
*Our personal favorite!!!
442 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Lido Key
400 Benjamin Franklin DrQuieter version of Siesta Key Beach.
*Our personal favorite!!!
Our top spot for catching a glimpse of dolphins and manatees feeding around an hour prior to sunset. Keep on the lookout and you will most definitely spot them!
Pros: Dolphin/manatee sightings, parking few steps from the coastline, piers to fish off of
Cons: Sand is mixed with shells, traffic can be brutal on weekends both ways since there are only two bridges off of the Anna Maria Island, both are single lanes.
*Our second beach choice in the area.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coquina Beach South Boat Ramp
1465 Gulf Dr SOur top spot for catching a glimpse of dolphins and manatees feeding around an hour prior to sunset. Keep on the lookout and you will most definitely spot them!
Pros: Dolphin/manatee sightings, parking few steps from the coastline, piers to fish off of
Cons: Sand is mixed with shells, traffic can be brutal on weekends both ways since there are only two bridges off of the Anna Maria Island, both are single lanes.
*Our second beach choice in the area.
Best, if not the only place to snorkle in the area. My advice go at high tide and early in the morning on a non windy day for best visibility.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Point Of Rocks
7132 Point of Rocks CirBest, if not the only place to snorkle in the area. My advice go at high tide and early in the morning on a non windy day for best visibility.
if you'd like to find yourself your very own and real Shark tooth, head to the beach by this pier and don't forget to get a sand sifter. 🦈🐚
68 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Venice Fishing Pier
1600 Harbor Dr Sif you'd like to find yourself your very own and real Shark tooth, head to the beach by this pier and don't forget to get a sand sifter. 🦈🐚
City Spot
Make sure to visit Kilwins for some amazing ice cream or desert, or just sit outside for some delicious fudge smells. 🤤
Lots of little artsy shops and restaurants.
Arcade Monsters is fun and has a bar. Nice neon lighting. May get crowded on weekends!
Overall, a nice sunset stroll through Sarasota's most scenic city spot, it has culture, food, crowd, and shops. What else do you need? Oh yes nature, there is a nice green park with sculptures right in the middle of St Armands. ✔✔✔
358 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirMake sure to visit Kilwins for some amazing ice cream or desert, or just sit outside for some delicious fudge smells. 🤤
Lots of little artsy shops and restaurants.
Arcade Monsters is fun and has a bar. Nice neon lighting. May get crowded on weekends!
Overall, a nice sunset stroll through Sarasota's most scenic city spot, it has culture, food, crowd, and shops. What else do you need? Oh yes nature, there is a nice green park with sculptures right in the middle of St Armands. ✔✔✔
The area is very nicely landscaped and has many shops and restaurants. Some of our favorite restaurants are Brio, Cheesecake Factory, Glory Days (boneless wings) and Yaki BBQ Sushi, but there are plenty more to choose from. If you are visiting in December make sure to drive by in the evening time for amazing holiday light displays and Christmas light shows.
326 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrThe area is very nicely landscaped and has many shops and restaurants. Some of our favorite restaurants are Brio, Cheesecake Factory, Glory Days (boneless wings) and Yaki BBQ Sushi, but there are plenty more to choose from. If you are visiting in December make sure to drive by in the evening time for amazing holiday light displays and Christmas light shows.
For a nice stroll, downtown and marina views, and there's a tiki bar/Cafe right on the water, even has sand to play with. 😊
There is also a nice shaded playground for kids and a lot of grassy lawn to run around or picnic on.
*My personal favorite spot for a picnic under old magnificent trees on a cooler day.
103 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrFor a nice stroll, downtown and marina views, and there's a tiki bar/Cafe right on the water, even has sand to play with. 😊
There is also a nice shaded playground for kids and a lot of grassy lawn to run around or picnic on.
*My personal favorite spot for a picnic under old magnificent trees on a cooler day.
Nature
Best spots to visit for nature lovers. I will include my personal choice hiking spots and natural Floridian habitat.
Best place to view gators for $6 per vehicle. Go to the first bridge on main state park road. The state park also has a trail along the myakka River where you can spot gators up close and personal in their natural habitat. The trail starts off at the northern/eastern side of the bridge.
382 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Best place to view gators for $6 per vehicle. Go to the first bridge on main state park road. The state park also has a trail along the myakka River where you can spot gators up close and personal in their natural habitat. The trail starts off at the northern/eastern side of the bridge.
Best walking loop trail on the gulf.
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Conmemorativo DeSoto
8300 Desoto Memorial HwyBest walking loop trail on the gulf.
Oscar Scherer State Park
Oscar Scherer State ParkOld Florida Wilderness.
I can go on about this place forever. To sum up:
Selfie with Flamingoes
Get Lost on a Jungle Trail
Strike a Pose with a Parrot
Pet a Goat
Feed a Turtle
Marvel at Peacocks
Meditate with Butterflies
296 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdI can go on about this place forever. To sum up:
Selfie with Flamingoes
Get Lost on a Jungle Trail
Strike a Pose with a Parrot
Pet a Goat
Feed a Turtle
Marvel at Peacocks
Meditate with Butterflies
Food Scene
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
200 Bridge Styummy seafood!
BRIO Tuscan Grille
190 University Town Center Drupscale but very delicious Italian restaurant
Yaki-Sushi·Grill·BBQ
5231 University Parkwayyummy sushi!
Vietnamese Cuisine And Sushi
3118 53rd Avenue Eastour choice for Vietnamese takeout
Sushi Hana Japanese Restaurant
4274 53rd Avenue Eastour choice for sushi takeout
if you want fresh healthy and delicious lunch and you are in the downtown area, this is a must!
SoFresh
1455 2nd Streetif you want fresh healthy and delicious lunch and you are in the downtown area, this is a must!