Have you ever traveled to Sarasota, Florida? It is a fun destination, especially for small groups of travelers. Sarasota is conveniently located, and there are some excellent attractions for families or a group of friends getting away for a weekend. Think about Sarasota for a girlfriend getaway. I think you would have a blast if you enjoy a low-key beach coastal destination with good food, lots of sun, and great opportunities for day trips.
Here are my top 10 Sarasota attractions for your group trip:
1) Mote Marine Aquarium - If you travel to Sarasota with children, I highly recommend the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium. It is a great place for kids to get up close with local marine life, including fish, sharks, and dolphins. The manatee habitat is one of the unique experiences at the aquarium. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children, and the learning opportunity is well worth the price of admission.
2) Siesta Key - If you're traveling to Florida, chances are you want to enjoy the beaches and the sunny weather. Near Sarasota there are some great beaches for swimming, fishing, and exploring. Be sure to check out Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Lido Key. They are great places to spend your days. You can even rent vacation homes on the Keys that are a great way to take a family vacation. Siesta Key has calm waters and is a great place to bring kids.
3) Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - If you love plants, this is a really cool place to visit. Selby Botanical Gardens specializes in epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants. Their collection includes over 6,000 orchids along with many other beautiful and interesting species. The 9.5 acre gardens has a bamboo garden, banyan tree grove, and over 20,000 plants. Along with the great beauty you can see at Selby Botanical Gardens, this is a great learning opportunity for you and your group as well. There is an elevated boardwalk through a mangrove swamp, and the museum also affords some great views of Sarasota Bay.
4) Myakka River State Park - Approximately 9 miles east of Sarasota, this state park is absolutely awesome. The park eco-system offers visitors the chance to see a really unique natural environment. The park offers a boardwalk out into one of the lakes as well as treetop canopy walkway. There is hiking, fishing, camping, and airboat tours. If you travel to Sarasota with a group, this would be a very exciting place to visit with your fellow travelers.
5) Sarasota Jungle Gardens - This is definitely an "old school" Sarasota attraction, but it remains a great place to visit. The gardens opened in 1940, and they are definitely fun if you are traveling with kids. There are wildlife shows daily, and here you can see some interesting trees and plants.
6) G. Wiz Hands on Science Museum - This museum is designed for interaction. There are great exhibits that let children and adults explore science in really engaging ways. Check this place out. Let your children dismantle a radio, experiment with the Plasma Ball, learn about magnets hands-on, and find out about Florida's native wildlife. The museum has over 85 exhibits for all ages.
7) The Ringling Museum of Art - This art museum is the legacy of John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus, and his wife, Mable. The museum was established in 1927 and is located on a 66 acre estate along the bay. The museum is home to Asian art, Cypriot antiquities, American works, and a substantial contemporary art collection. The museum also houses rotating and visiting exhibitions.
8) Performing Arts - Sarasota is home to a thriving performing arts community. There is no single place you must visit, but if you come to Sarasota you should definitely consider getting tickets to a performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall or FSU's Center for the Performing Arts. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was designed by renowned architect, William Wesley Peters, who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright for over 25 years. It is a Sarasota landmark, and it would be a great place to take in a performance while you are visiting Sarasota.
9) Golf - Sarasota is a great destination if you like to golf. Sarasota is a low-key Florida town, but it would make a great place for a golf weekend. The area boasts about 30 courses and can claim four of the top 100 courses in the state of Florida. Among the great courses in this area is Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch, which is a pricy but excellent golf course. I am not an avid golfer myself, but Heron Creek is a young course that comes highly recommended.
10) Sport fishing - Sarasota is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts that enjoy wetting a line. From Sarasota you can easily fish for snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon, cobia, jack crevalle, pompano, permit, and grouper. Not every species can be caught year-round, but it seems there is always something to catch in this area. You have the choice of fishing around the mangrove swamps and flats areas, or you can book a world-class deep sea charter. This is a great sport fishing destination.
What are you waiting for? Book your Sarasota hotel today.
I enjoy museums, and the G. Wiz Hands on Science Museum seems like lots of fun as does The Ringling Museum of Art. I would definitely check those out. I love sea animals, so the Mote Marine Aquarium is a must for me and it’s surprisingly inexpensive. If you love traveling, Gourmet magazine is running a sweepstakes and you can win an instant trip for 2 to an amazing luxurious resort: http://condenast.eprize.net/gourmet/index.tbapp?affiliate_id=1v. It’s easy to enter and even if you don’t win instantly, you’ll still be entered to win a 6 night trip to a top resort. Good luck! I have the inside scoop because I work with Gourmet.
Posted by: June | May 23, 2007 at 08:04 PM