Siesta
Key is a barrier island, eight miles
long, just offshore of Sarasota,
directly on the Gulf of Mexico. It
has some of the world’s finest white
sand beaches, with unique
restaurants, resorts, shopping and
nightlife.
Sail aboard a 41-ft sailing vessel
past celebrities' homes, the new
Ringling Causeway bridge and view
the Sarasota skyline. Choose from
fishing charters, boat or jet-ski
rentals. Hire a bike, a surrey, a
motor-scooter, or take a kayak
eco-tour. Go para-sailing. Or just
keep fit in a gym with daily, weekly
or monthly rates. Take in a glorious
sunset and dine out in a wide choice
of bars and restaurants.
The
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in
Sarasota, Florida is perhaps best
known for its living collection of
more than 6,000 orchids.
The 9.5-acre bay front property is
an open-air and under-glass museum
of more than 20,000 colourful
plants. Throughout the grounds of
the historic Selby estate are many
distinct garden areas, including the
Tropical Display House with its lush
rain forest atmosphere, the towering
Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove,
Cactus and Succulent Garden and
Cycad Collection. Also on the
grounds is the former Christy Payne
Mansion, a unique example of
eclectic Southern Colonial
architecture. The Mansion, on the
National Register of Historic
Places, is the home to ever-changing
botanical art and photography
exhibits.
Children will delight in our indoor
“rainforest,” brilliant dart frog
collection, and our gardens abundant
with tropical flora and fauna.
From
its humble beginnings in tiny shed
in a small Florida town, Mote Marine
Laboratory has expanded to include a
10.5-acre campus in Sarasota.
From the original focus on sharks,
Mote research has expanded to
include seven major areas of
concentration, organized into seven
research centres, and operates a
public aquarium that serves nearly
400,000 visitors a year.
Historic
Spanish Point. Discover a
fascinating 30-acre museum
overlooking beautiful Little
Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida.
Experience prehistory by stepping
inside 'A Window to the Past', an
archaeology exhibition about the
gulf coast region’s earliest people.
Be surrounded by a 15 foot high
prehistoric shell mound called a
midden.
Explore Florida’s pioneer life by
touring a home built in 1901, a
citrus packing house to learn about
the produce of the Webb homestead,
and the charming Mary’s Chapel where
many couples have been married in
the past and today.
Reflect on the early 1900s as you
stroll through formal gardens
created by Mrs. Potter Palmer as
part of her winter estate. Interact
with a working maritime heritage
boatyard and take seasonal
excursions on Magic, a reproduction
of a 1906 motor launch.
Enjoy shaded nature trails through
native plant communities and
stunning views of Little Sarasota
Bay from large boardwalks. Relax in
a dazzling Butterfly Garden which
boasts blooms year-round. Bring a
picnic lunch and dine under the
graceful branches of a large
majestic Southern Magnolia.
Located
on a 66-acre estate on Sarasota Bay,
The John and Mable Ringling Museum
of Art was established in 1927 and
is now recognised as the official
State Art Museum of Florida,
offering 21 galleries of European
paintings as well as Cypriot
antiquities, Asian Art, American
paintings, and contemporary art.
The estate features the spectacular
Cà d'Zan ("House of John"), a
waterfront mansion that was restored
in 2002. The Circus Museums,
including the Tibbals Learning
Centre, display the world's largest
miniature circus, costumes, wagons,
performance equipment, and other
artefacts chronicling the history of
the Circus. The estate also features
Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden,
completed in 1913, and beautifully
landscaped grounds overlooking
Sarasota Bay.
The Museum offers numerous cultural
and educational programs, including
courtyard concerts, "Third Thursday"
socials on Cà d’Zan's terrace,
lectures, workshops, children’s
programs, teacher training sessions,
and public tours. The Museum also
houses an art conservation
laboratory, a 65,000 volume art
library, and archives.
Included on the estate are the
Treviso Restaurant, Banyan Café, two
gift shops, and acres of parkland
and gardens with banyan and palm
trees among the wide variety of
native and exotic plants.
Sarasota
Jungle Gardens is one of the oldest
continuously operating attractions
in the State of Florida. Opened to
the public in 1940, the “Gardens”
has retained its old Florida charm
and very little has changed over the
past sixty-eight years.
The Gardens feature 10 acres of lush
tropical vegetation, winding jungle
trails and entertaining, educational
bird and reptile shows twice daily.
The “Kiddie Jungle” features a tree
house, haunted tree, tiger swings,
slide and a custom wooden train for
the children to play on. The
Flamingo Café serves delicious
sandwiches, ice cream and snacks, or
you can bring your own picnic lunch
and dine alfresco on one of the many
picnic tables that are available!
Your visit isn’t complete without
feeding our “free roaming” American
Flamingos!
The
Sarasota Classic Car Museum opened
its doors to the public in February
of 1953. Although the museum has
changed ownership over the years it
has operated continuously and now
enjoys the recognition of being one
of the oldest car museums in the
world. It features a “living”
collection of over 100 automobiles,
spanning over a century of
manufacturing. We have John Lennon’s
Mercedes Roadster, Paul McCartney's
Mini Cooper and a dragster belonging
to Don Garlits among our favourite
treasures.
In addition to our extensive auto
display, the Museum also has an
Antique Game Arcade we invite
everyone to enjoy. The games are
operational and cost just a few
cents to play. Smaller exhibits can
be found throughout the Museum and
Gift shop, also, such as the Antique
Camera and Photograph Display.
C.B.’s
Saltwater Outfitters has been a
Sarasota institution since 1959.
Located on beautiful Siesta Key,
C.B.’s offers exciting opportunities
for fishing anglers of all levels.
From Charters fishing to boat
rentals for touring our beautiful
Sarasota bays and miles of
inter-coastal waterways.
C.B.’s features a full line of ORVIS
endorsed outfitters clothing, and
guide service. A wide variety of
fishing equipment, outdoor clothing,
tackle, live and frozen bait, boat
rentals, Florida fishing licenses,
beach gear, soda, beer, snacks, and
ice.
Sarasota
Bay Explorers Eco-Tours
Looking for an exciting, hands-on,
educational and FUN experience on
the water? We've got it!
We are located in beautiful
Sarasota, and work in conjunction
with Mote Marine Laboratory to
provide interactive marine science
boat trips for both public and
private use. We offer several types
of eco-tours including our renowned
Sea Life Encounter Cruise, Guided
Kayak Tours, Nature Safari and
private charters aboard the Miss
Explorer.
Welcome
aboard the Marina Jack II!
Sarasota’s newest and most luxurious
dinner boat. Join us for a relaxing
cruise through the inter-coastal
waters and the Gulf of Mexico and
enjoy delicious dining, outstanding
views, and world class service. Our
air conditioned salons and open air
outside deck will provide you with
the best way to enjoy the waters of
the Gulf of Mexico. On the Marina
Jack II every seat is a window seat!
What better way to enjoy water-front
dining than to be on the water! Each
day you can choose from a lunch
buffet featuring Grilled Chicken
Alfredo and Catch of the Day or our
Captain Jack’s Prime Rib & Special
Entree dinner buffet. While dining,
enjoy playful dolphins, warm
sunshine, and relaxing breezes.
Myakka Safari Tours: Sarasota's
Largest Attraction!
Come aboard the "Gator Gal", the
world's largest enclosed airboat,
and explore the 29,000 acre Myakka
River State Park.
Open 7 days a week. 14 miles east of
US-41 on State Road 72.
For information call: 941-365-0100