Why choose Sarasota, Florida?
When I think of Florida, I don’t picture Disney. I envision walking across powder white sand collecting shells and shark teeth on the gulf coast. We spend our days doing an excursion for half of the day and enjoying the sunshine at the beach or by the pool for the other half. It really is the perfect vacation scenario and our town of choice in Florida is Sarasota. It has diverse dining, cute boutique shopping, bustling arts and culture, and some of the best beaches in the US.
Where do you fly in?
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Tampa International Airport (It is usually cheaper to fly here.) (1 hour drive)
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (1 hour 15-minute drive)
CLICK HERE TO FIND SOME GREAT FLIGHTS
Here is our itinerary for 5 full days in paradise:
DAY 1
Mote Marine Laboratory
Spend the morning at our favorite place in Sarasota! The best thing about this aquarium is the fact that it’s a working research facility. You’ll love meeting our two favorite manatee…Hugh and Buffett. Also, say hello to our pal Hang Tough, a blind green turtle that lives at Mote because he couldn’t survive in the wild. The aquarium is filled with fish, sharks, eels, otters, crocs, ands more.
Siesta Beach
After lunch, head on over to Siesta Beach, which is often rated the #1 beach in the US. And as soon as you step on the quartz crystal sand, you will realize why. This stunning beach has plenty of sand to spread out on and the water vies are incredible. Tip: There is a large parking lot.
DAY 2
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Head over to the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The landscaping is gorgeous and it is impeccably clean. It is a relaxing way to spend your morning and the kids will love exploring the gardens. Our favorite place to go to are to the 80-year-old banyan trees. There is also a peaceful koi pond.
After lunch
DAY 3
Spend another beautiful morning by the pool.
Lunch: Stop at a local market and bring some food back to your hotel. We love to eat fruit and vegetable that are not in season in New Hampshire.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Go enjoy the afternoon at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Our family loves to visit this small zoo. They get to see lots of animals like lemurs, birds, snakes, tortoises, and more. They got lots of hands-on time with the animals by being able to hold a crocodile, hold a parrot, and feed flamingos.
DAY 4
You are in Florida for the sunshine so enjoy the morning by the pool.
Lunch: Eat an easy lunch by the pool.
Dolphin Tour
Time to get out on the water. Take a dolphin tour from Siesta Keys Watersports . Not only do you get to see beautiful dolphins, but you also get to see a coastal view of Sarasota. Hopefully you will be able to watch them jumping through the air, like we did.
DAY 5
St. Armands Circle
If you’re like me, you can’t leave a vacation without doing some shopping. This bustling area has great shopping…from high end shops to cliché souvenir shops. There is also a wide variety of restaurants. Tip: They charge for parking in this area, but it is pretty cheap. If you can’t find a spot in the circle, try some side streets.
Lunch: If you feel like having some delicious seafood, walk on over to Crab & Fin.
After lunch, head over to Lido Beach for another fun beach afternoon. One of our favorite things to do at Lido beach is walking the gorgeous sand to find the perfect shells.
What tours can you take in Sarasota?
Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour
Electric Bike Siesta Key Sunset Tour
City Sightseeing Tour of Sarasota
Dolphin Sightseeing Tikibar Hopping Boat Tour
Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota
Paddleboard Tour Through Lido Mangrove Tunnels
LOOKING FOR MORE TO DO? HOW ABOUT…
Big Cat Habitat. If you love lions and tigers, you will really enjoy this place. It is a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and native wildlife. They also have birds, tortoises, primates, and a petting zoo.
Visit the Unconditional Surrender Statue, which is a US Navy sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWll.
See a Baltimore Orioles game at Ed Smith Stadium.
Do a tasting or a tour at Siesta Key Rum.
BEST PLACE TO STAY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA
HOTEL INDIGO: We had a lovely time staying at the Hotel Indigo. Read all about our experience here.
AMAZING RESTAURANTS IN SARASOTA
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill
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