Sarasota - Siesta Keys Florida

Sarasota is a wealthy, cosmopolitan and easy-going town which is also a cradle of golf in Florida. The first golf course was set in 1886 and maintains its popularity even nowadays that is proved by a number higher than thirty of golf courses spread in a distance of just couple of minutes off the downtown. The town is also a home of many writers and artists, there are many worthy museums and galleries. If you think Sarasota is an outdated and boring town, you will be set right. You can meet opera fans, cheered students in cafés, bars and restaurants. The town even has connection to circus – John Ringling, the circus magnate and an art lover, chose Sarasota as his winter seat for his circus (Ringling Museum Complex, www.ringling.org). One of the main crowd-pullers are beaches of the barrier islands just a few miles off the coastline. A must-see place represents also Bayfront Park with a neat lawn near water and with an exhibition Season of Sculpture (www.sarasotaseasonofsculpture.org), that local and both national and international artists participate in. Another great place to visit is an areal of botanical garden Marie Selby (www.selby.org).

Accommodation

There are many hotel and motel chains on mainland. The closer to the beaches, the higher prices you can expect. Many of the facilities rent apartments for one week or longer stays only.

Types:

• www.bestwestern.com/goldenhostresort - the downtown
• www.cypressbb.com – the downtown
• www.alohakai.net – beach accommodation
• www.capriinternationl.com – beach accommodation, ordinary motel but cozy

Dining

Good restaurants and cafés are right within your reach. Just visit Main St.

Nightlife and entertainment

You can get the complete package of information in Convention and Visitors Bureau or on www.sarasota-arts.org. Nightlife at weekends mostly takes place on Main Street. You can experience life bar scene even in a village Siesta Key on the so-called island.

Beaches

White sand on the coastline and a few barrier islands begining at Brandenton are definitely the biggest crowd-puller. Let's mention even an island Siesta Key, Longboat and Lido Key.

Useful information at:

• www.longboatkeychamber.com – information about restaurants
• www.sarasota-arts.org music, jazz, film festivals, dance
• www.sarasotachamber.org detailed beach guide