 |
Sarasota |
|
|
|
|
|
Sarasota
Visitors to Sarasota come expecting beaches, and the Gulf-coast city doesn’t disappoint. What travelers aren’t always expecting, however, is the strong performing arts scene. The high-end shopping comes as a pleasant surprise, as well.
Activities and Attractions:
Sarasota is protected from the open ocean by several barrier islands. All told there are over 40 miles of sandy beaches in the area for the visitor to explore. Some are private, but all are soft and white, and the water everywhere is warm and placid.
If you care to venture out onto those calm waters, you’ll have no problem finding jet skis, sailboats, and sea kayaks to rent, as well as vessels to charter for fishing. Trophies in these waters include amberjack, grouper, and mahi mahi.
On dry land, one of the metro area’s most remarkable attractions is the world-renowned St. Armands Circle, on St. Armands Key. This exclusive shopping center is home to well over 100 galleries and boutiques tucked into a lushly landscaped enclave.
One other site that deserves an afternoon is the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts. This 32-room, ornately furnished mansion was once owned by circus magnate John Ringling. It’s now a repository for the amazing collection of European and American art he amassed in his lifetime. (There is also a museum of circus memorabilia on the grounds.)
If the Ringling Center has whetted your appetite for the performing arts, you’re in luck. The complex sponsors ballet and musical theater performances in the winter and spring. In addition, Sarasota has a downtown theater district where you can see opera and Broadway-style productions year-round.
Insider Tip:
In February and March, you can watch Major League Baseball teams practice in stadiums seating only a few thousand fans. The Cincinnati Reds hold spring training in Sarasota, and the Pittsburgh Pirates train in nearby Bradenton.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
|
|
|
|
|
|