 |
  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sarasota area: Shopping, fine dining, history, beaches
By JOHN TISCHNER Suncoast News Editor
Published: May 20, 2005
White sandy beaches, tropical gulf breezes and shopping, shopping, shopping will put you in a grand mood after a visit to this beachfront community just south of the Tampa Bay area.
A short trip on Interstate 75 delivers tourists and daytime visitors to this mecca called Sarasota, home of St. Armand's Circle, where the elite shop and play.
Before you cross the causeway to this tropical vista, visit downtown Sarasota in the theater and arts district along Main Street. There you will find festivals, restaurants and the ever-popular Saturday morning Farmers' Market replete with tropical flowers, fruits and fresh vegetables.
Wander along the upscale Palm Avenue and take in the ambiance of fine art galleries, or stroll down Pineapple Avenue to visit quaint antique and collectible shops.
Caribbean-colored artist studios and galleries line Towle Court while Selby Library is home to an exciting archway aquarium filled with brilliant tropical fish. The Shelby Botanical Gardens is home to 20,000 plants, a tropical food garden and 6,000 orchids.
Take a sunset cruise from the nautical Island Park or just stroll the marina and let a fine sea spray caress your cheeks while taking in the sights. Or sit on a bench and enjoy the pleasant salt water aroma. Also on Island Park, children can splash and play among colorful sculptures of alligators and manatees in Jockey Park.
There is a trolley downtown that will take you on a scenic tour of the historic district.
A trip over the causeway will deposit you onto the famous, and one of the most popular sites on the west coast of Florida, St. Armand's Circle. Here you will find many upscale shops and restaurants, and French bakeries with delicate pastries and hot crusty breads.
John Ringling, the circus magnate, purchased St. Armand's in 1917. Today the circle bears his legacy with classic statuary from his personal art collection. It was Ringling who introduced the arts to Sarasota.
St. Armand's Circle honors the greats of the Greatest Show on Earth with the Sarasota Circus Ring of Fame.
Just to the west of St. Armand's, within walking distance, is Lido Beach, with white, sparkling, powdery sands, nature trails and picnic areas.
Siesta Key to the south of Lido Beach offers the same amenities while it's Siesta Village is called a "spirited medley of all different sides of Sarasota from candlelight dining to beach boutiques and cool daiquiris."
To the north along the beach lies Longboat Key, a quiet retreat of island luxury where the well-heeled live and play. It notes among it rich and famous visitors the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and writer Stephen King. There are fine restaurants and cafes and boutique shopping. Longboat is the site of the country's third largest charity event, The Florida Winefest and Auction.
For the history buffs there is the Historic Spanish Point on Sarasota's mainland with its 4,000-year-old shells and pottery discarded by ancient Indians, a pioneer homestead, an old chapel and historic gardens.
Sarasota is also home to Jungle Gardens, Kennel Club, Polo Club and The Springs, a warm mineral spa.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art features huge paintings by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. Ringling's Circus Museum is filled with parade wagons and other circus memorabilia.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center is home to the Florida West Coast Symphony while the Asolo Theater is this city's theatric treasure. The city also hosts the renowned Sarasota Film Festival. The Sarasota Ballet of Florida and The Sarasota Opera also call this city home.
There are more than 50 restaurants in the area and more than 30 hotels and motels.
For more information call you local travel agent or the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-800-3906. The Web site is www.sarasotafl.org.
|
 |
|
|
|
