Area Info
We will continue to update this page to provide you with information on things to do on Siesta
Key and in Sarasota. There are just so many things to do in the area, that it is hard to capture all of them!
Money Magazine has described Sarasota as "a lot of culture and
more energy than other Florida cities" and "it may be the ultimate
beach town".
We will continue to update this page to provide you with information on things to do on Siesta
Key and in Sarasota. There are just so many things to do in the area, that it is hard to capture all of them!
Money Magazine has described Sarasota as "a lot of culture and
more energy than other Florida cities" and "it may be the ultimate
beach town".
Shopping and Dining Areas
Siesta Key Village
www.siestakeyvillage.org/memberdirectory.htm
This is a fun, pedestrian-friendly area with a variety of shops and outdoor dining. One of our favorites in
The Broken Egg restaurant for breakfast or brunch. Big Olaf is a great stop for ice cream. The Village is a
lively scene at night.
St. Armand's Circle
www.starmandscircleassoc.com
This is a must visit area! There is a wide variety of shops and restaurants - many of them upscale. This is
a pedestrian-friendly area and within walking distance to Lido Beach. Plan on spending an afternoon and
evening.
Southside Village
This is the newest dining hot spots in Sarasota. It is located on South Osprey Avenue between Hyde Park
and Hillview Streets. There are a handful of hip restaurants and this is a short drive from Siesta Key.
Just South of the Stickney Point Bridge, on Midnight Pass Road (this is the main intersection outside of the
Midnight Cove Resort), there is a shopping and dining area. The northern shopping center is Crescent
Beach Shopping Center and the southern shopping center is Southbridge Mall. There are a wide variety of
options:
Siesta Key Village
www.siestakeyvillage.org/memberdirectory.htm
This is a fun, pedestrian-friendly area with a variety of shops and outdoor dining. One of our favorites in
The Broken Egg restaurant for breakfast or brunch. Big Olaf is a great stop for ice cream. The Village is a
lively scene at night.
St. Armand's Circle
www.starmandscircleassoc.com
This is a must visit area! There is a wide variety of shops and restaurants - many of them upscale. This is
a pedestrian-friendly area and within walking distance to Lido Beach. Plan on spending an afternoon and
evening.
Southside Village
This is the newest dining hot spots in Sarasota. It is located on South Osprey Avenue between Hyde Park
and Hillview Streets. There are a handful of hip restaurants and this is a short drive from Siesta Key.
Just South of the Stickney Point Bridge, on Midnight Pass Road (this is the main intersection outside of the
Midnight Cove Resort), there is a shopping and dining area. The northern shopping center is Crescent
Beach Shopping Center and the southern shopping center is Southbridge Mall. There are a wide variety of
options:
- water sports and boat rentals - Dockside Marine and CB's Saltwater Outfitters
- ice cream
- bank
- Crescent Beach Grocery (crescent Beach Shopping Center) This is a full-service grocery and has
a great selection of foods for picnics on the beach. - Davidson's Drugs
- Mail Pack Center (Southbridge Mall) for shipping, Internet, and computer time rental
- Siesta Sports Rental (Southbridge Mall)
- Albritton Citrus (Crescent Plaza) for fresh OJ and fruit
Attractions
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
www.selby.org
811 S. Palm Ave.
(941) 366-5731
This is one of the top ten botanical gardens in the country. There are many tropical plants, including the
world's most spectacular display of rare orchids.
Myakka River State Park
http://www.myakkariver.org/
Enjoy the natural beauty of Florida away from the theme parks in one of Florida's largest state parks. The
boat ride is a great way to get really close to the alligators. You can also hike and bike through the paths.
Sarasota Opera
www.sarasotaopera.org
61 N. Pineapple Ave.
(941) 366-8450
World-class opera with year-round activities
PAL Sailor Circus
2075 Bahia Vista St.
(941) 361-6350
Circus performed by locally-trained students
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bayshore Road
(941) 355-1112
The 66-acre Ringling estate includes Ca d'Zan mansion, the Ringlings' winter home, beautiful grounds
and gardens; two Circus Museums, the Historic Asolo Theater; and the amazing Museum of Art with
twenty-one galleries.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center
777 N. Tamiami Trail
(800) 826-9303
www.vanwezel.org
This landmark is set on the Sarasota bayfront and has been hosting music, dance, theater, and comedy
performances for over 35 years.
Mote Marine Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
(941) 388-4441
An aquarium featuring a 135,000 gallon shark habitat, a 27-foot long, preserved giant squid, and many
other exotic sea creatures.
G. Wiz - Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagine Zone
1001 Blvd. of the Arts
(941) 906-1851
Discover the cool side of science with 85 hands-on exhibits the whole family can explore together.
Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary
1708 Ken Thompson Parkway
(941) 388-4444
This sanctuary is home to nearly 200 rescued birds.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
3701 Bayshore Rd.
(941) 355-1112
A tropical adventure and the "true Florida jungle" that is celebrating 60 years.
Baseball Spring Training - Cincinnati Reds
Ed Smith Stadium
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/cincinnati_reds.htm
This is a great way to get up close and personal with the big leagues. You can watch the team practice,
take in a game, and possible score an autograph or two.
The Sarasota Rugby Club, aka The Exiles Sport & Social Club of Sarasota
www.exilesac.com
A competitive team with weekly matches on the pitch at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch.
Sarasota International Cricket Club
www.sarasotacricket.com
The club plays at the Polo Club and players are welcome to join the social or competitive team.
Sarasota Polo Club
www.lakewoodranch.com
Matches are played on Sundays, December through April, and spectators begin to arrive around noon for
elaborate tailgating.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
www.selby.org
811 S. Palm Ave.
(941) 366-5731
This is one of the top ten botanical gardens in the country. There are many tropical plants, including the
world's most spectacular display of rare orchids.
Myakka River State Park
http://www.myakkariver.org/
Enjoy the natural beauty of Florida away from the theme parks in one of Florida's largest state parks. The
boat ride is a great way to get really close to the alligators. You can also hike and bike through the paths.
Sarasota Opera
www.sarasotaopera.org
61 N. Pineapple Ave.
(941) 366-8450
World-class opera with year-round activities
PAL Sailor Circus
2075 Bahia Vista St.
(941) 361-6350
Circus performed by locally-trained students
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bayshore Road
(941) 355-1112
The 66-acre Ringling estate includes Ca d'Zan mansion, the Ringlings' winter home, beautiful grounds
and gardens; two Circus Museums, the Historic Asolo Theater; and the amazing Museum of Art with
twenty-one galleries.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Center
777 N. Tamiami Trail
(800) 826-9303
www.vanwezel.org
This landmark is set on the Sarasota bayfront and has been hosting music, dance, theater, and comedy
performances for over 35 years.
Mote Marine Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
(941) 388-4441
An aquarium featuring a 135,000 gallon shark habitat, a 27-foot long, preserved giant squid, and many
other exotic sea creatures.
G. Wiz - Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagine Zone
1001 Blvd. of the Arts
(941) 906-1851
Discover the cool side of science with 85 hands-on exhibits the whole family can explore together.
Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary
1708 Ken Thompson Parkway
(941) 388-4444
This sanctuary is home to nearly 200 rescued birds.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
3701 Bayshore Rd.
(941) 355-1112
A tropical adventure and the "true Florida jungle" that is celebrating 60 years.
Baseball Spring Training - Cincinnati Reds
Ed Smith Stadium
http://www.springtrainingonline.com/teams/cincinnati_reds.htm
This is a great way to get up close and personal with the big leagues. You can watch the team practice,
take in a game, and possible score an autograph or two.
The Sarasota Rugby Club, aka The Exiles Sport & Social Club of Sarasota
www.exilesac.com
A competitive team with weekly matches on the pitch at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch.
Sarasota International Cricket Club
www.sarasotacricket.com
The club plays at the Polo Club and players are welcome to join the social or competitive team.
Sarasota Polo Club
www.lakewoodranch.com
Matches are played on Sundays, December through April, and spectators begin to arrive around noon for
elaborate tailgating.
Dining
Siesta Key
St. Armand's Circle
Whole Foods Market
1451 First St.
(941) 955-8500
A natural and organic foods supermarket with many eating options, including a full hot buffet.
Bijou café
1287 First St.
(941) 366-8111
Continental
A Sarasota staple for over 15 years and a great place for a romantic dinner or pre-theater (you can walk
across the street to the Opera House)
Chart House Restaurant
201 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key
(941) 383-5593
Seafood/Steaks - Waterfront Dining
The Crow's Nest
1968 Tarpon Center Drive
Venice
(941) 484-9551
Seafood/Steaks
"Venice's Waterfront Landmark Since 1976" and it is accessible by car or boat.
Dutch Valley
6721 S. Tamiami Trail
(941) 924-1770
American
Marina Jack
2 Marina Plaza
(941) 365-4232
Seafood
Siesta Key
- The Broken Egg
Siesta Key Village
210 Avenida Medera
(941) 346-2750
Open 7:30AM to 2:30PM, 7 days
This is one of our favorite places for breakfast or brunch. Outdoor seating is available.
Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar
www.captaincurts.com
This local seafood restaurant on Siesta Key is within easy walking distance from the vacation
home. You can also get take-out to take to the beach and watch the sunset!
- City Pizza Southern Italian Restaurant
6645 Midnight Pass Rd.
Outside patio; eat-in, take-out, or delivery
This is one of our favorite places for pizza. This restaurant is a short walk from the vacation home.
- Javier's Restaurant & Wine Bar
6621 Midnight Pass Rd.
This is a great Peruvian American restaurant set in a recreation of village café in Peru. This
restaurant in a short walk from the vacation home.
St. Armand's Circle
- café L'Europe
431 St. Armand's Circle
(941) 388-4415
Continental
One of the classiest, most established places in town. This local landmark, a favorite spot for fine
dining, updates the classic fare with new twists.
Columbia
411 St. Armand's Circle
(941) 388-3987
Spanish
Whole Foods Market
1451 First St.
(941) 955-8500
A natural and organic foods supermarket with many eating options, including a full hot buffet.
Bijou café
1287 First St.
(941) 366-8111
Continental
A Sarasota staple for over 15 years and a great place for a romantic dinner or pre-theater (you can walk
across the street to the Opera House)
Chart House Restaurant
201 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key
(941) 383-5593
Seafood/Steaks - Waterfront Dining
The Crow's Nest
1968 Tarpon Center Drive
Venice
(941) 484-9551
Seafood/Steaks
"Venice's Waterfront Landmark Since 1976" and it is accessible by car or boat.
Dutch Valley
6721 S. Tamiami Trail
(941) 924-1770
American
Marina Jack
2 Marina Plaza
(941) 365-4232
Seafood
Siesta Sand Vacation Home
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