Category:

Sarasota

Cities of Florida Restaurants Sarasota Travel

Taste the Fusion of England Seafood Cuisine

The Lucky Pelican is a local fish house serving fresh seafood with a New England twist to them. Customers can enjoy fish and chips – England style or choose between the various calamari, scallops, oyster and fish meals on the menu. The restaurant’s ambience is generally lively and the interior is kept bright and open. Lucky Pelican offers both indoor and outdoor dining experiences to diners.

The serving sizes are generous, Items popular on the Lucky Pelican menu include the mahi mahi sandwich, the roasted oysters, the fish tacos and the blackened salmon served with charred cauliflowers and potatoes. The key lime pie on the dessert’s menu is also popular. Customers can order complementing beer and cocktails with their meals. Lucky Pelican also serves a separate kids’ menu and daily fish specials.

At the Lucky Pelican, their chefs put their New England culinary flare into their lunch and dinner selections. Finding new ways to bring out the sweetest flavors from the sea daily, the area’s only local raw bar does not disappoint. Their chefs have the largest selection of fish at their disposal and put all the flavor into their famous Fish Tacos, freshly shucked Lobster Roll and a house favorite twist on the New England Clam Bake. The Lucky Pelican also serves some favorites like sweet potato fries to delight every taste bud.

Photo Credit: http://luckypelicanbistro.com/

Cities of Florida Restaurants Sarasota Travel

Who`s Down for Some Crab & Fin?

Sarasota’s celebrated Crab & Fin, located in beautiful St. Armand’s Circle has been a favorite of locals and visitors for years, showcasing the freshest in local seafood, as well as freshly caught fish flown in from the cleanest waters elsewhere. Crab & Fin typically features freshly shucked oysters from at least six locales daily, typically including favorites such as Blue Points, Rhode Island, Cape Cod, Prince Edward Island, Washington State, and British Columbia, among others! The food is so fresh and market-driven that the extensive menus are printed daily! Talk about fresh!

Serving Sarasota since 1978, they are proud to be part of the excitement that is St. Armand’s Circle. Whether you are window shopping at one of the world class shops on the circle or are looking for a special place to dine on the best seafood the world has to offer, the Crab & Fin is the perfect destination.

Crab & Fin is known for the best oyster selection in the Sarasota area, featuring 5-6 varieties from both Atlantic and Pacific coasts each day, as well as sampler platters so diners can try them all! On a recent visit, there were two from Prince Edward Island, two from Maine, one from Rhode Island, and one from Washington State.

They literally search all over the world to find the freshest and most unique seafood available. All of our fish arrives each day by air, and is cut from whole fish in house.

Preparing each meal from scratch is something they take great pride in. Your taste buds will surely notice the difference when tasting our fresh, homemade pasta and bread, made in their kitchen. It is their pleasure to make your experience delicious and memorable.

Whether you live in the Sarasota area or visiting, Crab & Fin is not to be missed–in nice weather.

Photo Credit: http://srqreviews.com

Attractions Cities of Florida Sarasota Travel

A Good Place to Stroll in Sarasota

Sarasota is host to a number of local attractions, many perfectly-sized for a fun field trip with the entire family including young children and grandparents, too. Located just a few moments from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and the world-renowned Ringling Museum, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a true “Old Florida” attraction. Established in 1939, this tropical oasis is home to Florida alligators, tortoises, dozens of snakes in the Reptile House, parrots, macaws, cockatoos, lemurs, monkeys and flamingos.

Founded in 1939, it is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions in the state. The gardens started with 10 acres of land which were planted with thousands of tropical flowers and trees from all over the world. In the 1970s, the first Exotic Bird Show was created and featured cockatoos and macaws.

The Gardens is a nonprofit organization which acts as a sanctuary for a variety of exotic animals and plants, some of which have been rescued. Here you will find a variety of quaint nature trails, beautiful lake views, dozens of exotic wildlife species, and a few interactive wildlife shows.

The trails here are clean and well-maintained, and also not too long, so everyone can enjoy a healthy, moderate walk in a desirable shady environment. As you navigate the grounds, you will pass a variety of interesting exhibits. Among-st them is the free roaming flamingos, this is one of the few areas where you can see them strolling around at their leisure. You can also feed them, although they seemed to be pretty irritated, likely due to the fact that people feed them on end all day long. The flamingos are absolutely gorgeous!

By visiting Sarasota Jungle Gardens, you will be able to enjoy a leisurely walk around the beautifully landscaped grounds, get in a little exercise, and enjoy an up-close view of some truly beautiful exotic species.

Photo Credit: http://floridaattractions.com

Attractions Cities of Florida Sarasota Travel

An Alligator Parade!

The Myakka River, flows through miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. In my opinion this is one of the best outdoor family experiences in Florida. The rangers at the station are very helpful and they have brochures available that literally plan your day.

You can enjoy various activities from wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Myakka Lake, or a stroll along the canopy walkway. The park´s river and two lakes provide boating, freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Kayaking is very enjoyable – lots of alligators, herons, egrets, white pelicans if you are lucky, ospreys, bald eagles, ibis, and maybe even some wild boars.

If this is your first time in the park then the Canopy Walk is a must-do. Canopy Walkways are fairly rare, so when you have the chance to walk on one you should take it! If you’re up for a little bit of a climb definitely be sure to make your way to the top of the observation tower on the end of the Canopy Walk…the views are amazing! For better views either bring binoculars or use their coin-operated viewer at the top. I’m pretty sure we saw the Skyway Bridge way off in the distance once!

For those that are looking for a longer hike and backpacking experience I have to recommend checking out the Myakka Hiking Trail. It’s maintained by volunteers from the Florida Trail Association – Suncoast Chapter. This trail makes a 38.9 mile loop through the park. You will experience everything from hammocks, to prairies, to grasslands, and more.

I could go on and on about this park! There’s so much to do here! Bicycling, fishing, bird watching, geocaching, wildlife, kayaking, concerts, bird walk, the nature center, animals, campfire programs, camping, gift shop, concession stand…too much to list!

Photo Credit: http://hikeitflorida.com/

Attractions Cities of Florida Sarasota Travel

The Garden of Eve in Florida

If you are planning to visit a botanical garden in Florida, choose Selby, which has the world’s largest scientific collection of orchids and bromeliads, more than 20,000 species. Selby’s genteel outdoor gardens are exceptionally well landscaped and relaxing, with 80-year-old banyan trees, koi ponds and splendid bay views. Art exhibits, a cafe and an enticing plant shop complete the experience.

Located in Sarasota, Selby is just a short drive away from some other well-known gardens – including the private homes of plant aficionados Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Mable Ringling (wife of circus man John). And if you’re a true plant nerd, this may be the strongest argument that you’ll need to hear.

A popular tourist attraction on the Suncoast called Selby`s is gaining national attention. As a matter of fact, USA Today ranks Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota as the number one botanical garden to visit this spring.

The newspaper recently published an article that states there are nearly 600 public and botanical gardens nationwide, according to the American Public Gardens Association. It describes Selby Gardens as a tropical oasis filled with rare and beautiful plants on the Sarasota bayfront. Open 364 days per year, the gardens encompass 15 acres and 12 buildings, including a tropical and subtropical bamboo garden, koi pond, fern garden and a wooden boardwalk through a mangrove forest. No other botanical garden in Florida made this list on USA Today.

It’s a fantastic blend of Florida’s native plants, and tropical gardens focused on sensory experiences. The outer edges of the garden serve as a small-scale nature preserve, while the inner areas showcase unusual specimens and thoughtful design.

Photo Credit: http://www.tandemconstruction.com

Cities of Florida Sarasota Travel

The Birthplace of Circus

When circus maestro John Ringling decided to settle in Sarasota with his wife, Mable, they decided they needed an art museum on their property to house their considerable collection. It took two years to build the Ringling Museum, which opened in 1927. Today, the museum’s holdings represent works both Western and non-Western, spanning ancient times to the 21st century. The museum has become a cultural touchstone for the Sarasota area and the Gulf Coast, including within its purview everything from a Circus Museum to a high-concept playspace, a historic theater and acre upon acre of waterfront gardens.

Synonymous with the must-be-seen-to-be-believed type of entertainment, the name Ringling conjures up images of exotic animals and unique performances. Creating this special allure was John and Mable Ringling, who had a passion for art. This museum is now one of the top attraction here in Sarasota. Visitors will find a fine art museum with 21 galleries of American, Asian, European, and Contemporary art, all maintained by Florida State University. In addition to a world-renowned collection of artwork, visitors will also be enthralled with the Circus Museum where visitors can walk the wire, squeeze into a clown car, and explore memorabilia dedicated to the “Greatest Show on Earth.

The Ringling Museum is divided into two areas; the Circus Museum and the Ringling Museum of Art. but both located on the same estate, with their own selection of buildings and displays.

The Ringling Museum of Art is a diverse and eclectic collection. Some people think that it celebrates the very famous Ringling Circus, but that is a separate museum entirely (also on the grounds and within walking distance). This museum includes exhibitions from around the world, has multiple levels, and has continued to expand in the preceding years.

In the Ringling Circus Museum, clown cars, photos, memorabilia, prints, wardrobes, props, art, the railroad car on which the Ringling family used to travel the country, and other fascinating Ringling circus memorabilia can be seen.

The two combined museums contain a remarkable art collection that celebrates a history of family, art, and creativity in Sarasota. The Circus Museum largely showcases Ringling circus memorabilia while the Ringling Museum of Art is a mix of many genres of art across the world and through many eras.

Both are worthy of at least one or more trips. So, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse of fascinating American circus history!

Photo Credit: www.tropicalbreezeresort.com

Cities of Florida Florida Sarasota Travel

Travel The Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida, may not be either Disney World or Miami, but it is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, as well as serviceable art museums and a fascinating marine aquarium. It’s a great place to spend your next vacation. Siesta Key and Longboat Key, while pricey, have miles of award-winning beaches, along with plenty of beach activities: boating, dining, and playing. Every Saturday night, the drum circle occurs at Siesta Key. This is a gathering on the beach of musicians, poets, and drummers, and it’s famous in Sarasota – a great thing to go to for those looking for something to do “off the beaten path.”

Photo credit: sarasotacarmuseum.org

At the intersection of 41 and University Parkway sits the Classic Car Museum, a treasure trove of antique automobiles and other Americana, such as arcade games and posters. This is a great place to spend a rainy day as it’s mostly inside. Practically across the street from the Classic Car Museum is the Ringling Museum of Art, an ever-growing museum complex funded by circus magnate John Ringling’s estate. His house, C’adz’an, has recently been restored and is pen to the public.

The museum is much bigger than it looks, and the rotating exhibits change several times a year – this is a Sarasota “must-see.” Down the street from the Ringling Museum lies the Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a botanical zoo in which one can feed pelicans and flamingoes, sit among exotic plants, or pose for a photo with several parrots perched on your shoulder. Further south along US 41, you will find the Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine aquarium. It’s more “scientific” than the nearby marine aquarium in Tampa, but it also manages to be quite family-friendly, and Snooty, the resident manatee- has been delighting visitors for decades.

Across the parking lot is the Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary, which takes in lost, injured, or abandoned birds and rehabilitates them. Any aspiring birdwatchers will find a visit to this small charity really heartwarming.
For a small city, Sarasota offers a surprising amount of ethnic restaurants. For example, Tropical Thai on Main Street offers lovely and decently-priced meals. Mickey’s on Pineapple Ave is another great choice, offering “fusion” American – Italian cuisine, a friendly staff, lots of vegetarian options, and live music on weekends.

Sarasota is a small city, but the possibilities are vast, and this article has only just begun to scratch the surface. Hopefully it will get you started and pointed in the right direction for your visit!

Attractions Attractions Attractions Cities of Florida Florida Lakeland Miami Orlando Sarasota Tampa Travel West Palm Beach

Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

Here are Some Great Ways to Discover Florida.

# 1. Fun and Adventure

With over 34 million visitors each year, Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of the world. But if you are after more fun and adventure after visiting the theme parks at Disneyworld, Universal Orlando Resort and Seaworld, you should try the sensational Busch Gardens in Tampa, the world famous Daytona International Speedway and exploring the Everglades national park.

Don’t Miss Florida’s largest and fastest roller coaster…

Prepare for the thrill of your life on Sheikra, Florida’s tallest roller coaster and the world’s tallest dive coaster. 70mph of pure adrenaline-pumping excitement. Travel 200 feet up and then plunge to the depths of an underground tunnel, with water!

Don’t Miss Bush Gardens Zoo…

With over 2600 animals, the zoo at Busch Gardens is one of America’s top zoos

# 2. Culture

Look beyond the more obvious tourist attractions and you will be surprised at what you find.
There is an abundance of architecture, museums, forts, art galleries.

Don’t Miss Historic Wrecks…

Pensacola has fascinating wrecks to explore. This includes the 500-foot World War 1 battleship USS Massachusetts, the Russian freighter San Pablo and an A-7 Corsair aircraft that fell off the deck of the USS Lexington.

Don’t Miss Art Deco Buildings…

photo credit: http://miamiandbeaches.com

Take a stroll down Ocean Drive, Miami, and enjoy South Beach’s Art deco buildings. Painted pink, lavender and turquoise, they line the palm-fringed walkway.

Don’t Miss a Driving Tour…

If you have a car whilst visiting Miami, do yourself a favour, and take a driving tour of Coral gables. Coral Gables Driving Tour isn’t just one of the country’s richest neighbourhoods, it’s a separate city within Greater Miami. Known as ‘The City Beautiful’ for good reason, its elegant homes line winding avenues shaded by banyans and live oaks. This driving tour winds its way along the lush peaceful lanes and is both relaxing and cultural.

Along the tour are these beautiful sights:

1. The Granada Entrance – a replica of the gate to Granada in Spain.
2. The Country Club Prado Entrance – complete with ornamental pillars.
3. Alhambra water Tower – built in 1925.
4. Coral Way – lined by live oaks and Spanish-style houses.
5. Venetian Pool – a beautiful public swimming pool.
6. Coral Gables Congregational Church – built in Spanish Baroque style.
7. Biltmore Hotel – one of the most stunning hotels in the country, beautifully restored to its 1920s century grandeur.
8. The Lowe Art Museum – contains European and Native American Art.
9. French City Village – one of several international villages built to add variety to the city.
10. Dutch South African Village.
11. French Country Village.
12. Chinese Village.
13. French Normandy Village.
14. Coral Gables City Hall
15. Miracle Mile – the district’s most important shopping street.

Other Bits of Culture:

– Hemingway’s House in Key West, where the novelist lived from 1931-1940.

– Little Havana in Miami – 3.5 square miles of Cuban culture and life.

– The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Museum (Sarasota).

– Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island – a charming Victorian resort.

– Salvador Dali Museum, St Petersburg.

Cities of Florida Florida Sarasota Tampa Travel West Palm Beach

Skip The Hotel– Next Time Choose A Florida Vacation Rental

Why should you choose a Florida vacation rental the next time you’re planning a trip away from home? Because there’s nothing better than waking up to the sounds of seagulls and the breathtaking views found only along the white, powdery beaches of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coastline. That is, of course, unless you’d rather dance into the wee hours of the morning at Miami’s hottest nightclubs and view some of the finest anatomy you’ve ever seen (even some that money can buy)! Either way, the view you’ll get of this popular tourist destination is guaranteed to be better if you see it from one of the many Florida vacation rentals that are available year-round.

Whether you visit Panama City or Destin in the panhandle, Miami or the Florida Keys in the south, or somewhere in between like the pristine beaches of Clearwater, you need not settle for a hotel when you can enjoy all the comforts of home – plus a view more spectacular than you’ve probably ever seen before – simply by choosing to stay in a Florida vacation rental.

Perhaps you prefer the solitude and roominess of a beachfront home. Or maybe you prefer to be surrounded by all the amenities that only condo life offers. And even if you prefer something in between such as a villa, town home, duplex, or triplex you’ll have no problem locating the perfect accommodations. And with rates that are comparable to what you’ll pay for an ordinary hotel room, choosing a Florida vacation rental makes financial sense, too.

Yes, there’s a Florida vacation rental that’s just right for you. The trouble is, you’ll likely be so comfortable that you won’t want to leave. And that’s okay. Florida is the one state that will beckon you back with open arms year after year!

Cities of Florida Sarasota

Real Estate in Sarasota

Sarasota is on the Gulf Coast of Florida, overlooking a bay with an abundance of white sandy beaches. The place is considered a perfect vacation spot, and there is an array of facilities that cater to a vacationer or a retiree’s needs. Sarasota generally makes it to the list of America’s best places to live, work and raise a family. The city’s clean air, sparkling beaches and sunny climate have made it world-famous as a center for the good life.

The areas’ vibrant recreational and cultural scene offers activities for every taste and budget. The city offers a good balance of big-city amenities and small town ease of living. Business owners and employees enjoy not only the good life but a thriving business climate. Along with it’s top-rated schools, talented workforce and affordable cost of living, these factors make Sarasota home to some of the most successful and productive companies in the country.

Sarasota Is a Property Treasure Trove

Sarasota is usually noted a real estate hot spot, where prime real estate is in demand. The weather is more attractive than almost anywhere else in the Americas, and this fills in especially for people with a lot leisure time to work on. Currently, the housing market is being gobbled up by vacationers, retirees, and young families who are making their way to areas like Sarasota in large numbers. Sarasota, along with its neighbors to the north and south, Manatee County and Charlotte County, has the 7th largest market in Florida, and it’s also Florida’s third-largest growing market.

With over 600,000 people, the Sarasota/Manatee/Charlotte area is one of the largest, most affluent markets in the state. In the last 5 years, the area has grown 4 times faster than the national average. The per capita retail sales are almost 20% above the national average. It has a strong base of retirement age people; however, the fastest-growing segment of the market is middle-aged adults and their children. It has approximately 1/4 of the population of the Tampa/St. Petersburg area so there’s still a lot of room for development.

At present, the average median price for single-room units is $187,000; 2-bedroom units cost around $253,000, 3-bedroom homes cost $370,000 and a 4-bedroom house would run from $405,000 upwards. Currently, there is a lot of movement in buying and selling single-family homes. The good news for buyers is that there is an abundance of properties to choose from, home prices are adjusted, and interest rates are still historically low, which makes home- sellers a more motivated bunch.

For prospective home-seekers, after searching for a lot of houses to purchase, it is time to choose which type of property suits fits your qualifications, as well as your tastes and comfort patterns. You could choose from a number of sea-side apartments, mid-town condos and housing units, or get a large estate. You could choose to buy seaside homes from Longboat Key to Casey Key, as well as investing in properties in South, Central and Downtown Sarasota. As soon as you pick out the property you want to purchase, confer with local agents on what appropriate payment terms are best suited for you.