Sarasota: Pieces of Paradise
The Visit Sarasota website covers all the see-and-do basics, but in our quest to make each of your visits memorable we also publish monthly "Pieces of Paradise" (POP) newsletters to share what’s happening and happy-ning in the Sarasota area.
Selby Gardens
POP November 2021
Selby Gardens has been the subject of much debate the past few years. What's the hub-bub about? The desirable waterfront location, nestled among historic homes near the heart of downtown Sarasota, isn't without its drawbacks.
Ghost Tour
POP October 2021
Sarasota County celebrated its Centennial Anniversary this summer. With one hundred plus years of history under its belt, we thought this Halloween season would be a perfect time to delve into the county's spooky past. A quick internet search for "Sarasota ghost tours" yielded several results. We ended up on the Ghosts and Gruesomes Walking Tour.
Sarasota Art Museum
POP September 2021
Eighty-five years ago Circus Master John Ringling gifted his personal art museum to the State of Florida, and we'd venture a guess that since that time it has been Sarasota's primary art establishment. We do love it! But a handful of years ago renovations began on the nearly 100-year-old (vacant) Sarasota High School building at 1001 South Tamiami Trail. We would frequently drive by the construction zone in anticipation.
Accolade Season
POP August 2021
With the end of summer break rapidly approaching, our last four weeks meant squeezing in some escape time before the back to school bustle. We were fortunate to join our extended family for a week of exploration in Milwaukee (sidenote: have you checked out the list of destinations that fly direct from SRQ Airport? It's great and it's growing!), and...
Florida Studio Theatre and
The Roof Bar & Eats
POP June 2021
Sarasota is bursting with theatrical venues, many of which are represented through the Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance. Several years ago we received a wonderful introduction to a number of them through a program called Culture Collective. While it would be tough for us to choose a favorite venue, Florida Studio Theatre offers something for everyone.
Warm Mineral Springs and Snook Haven
POP May 2021
This photo reminds us of a Georges Seurat painting (Bathing at Asnieres? Bathers in the Water?), and what could be a more idyllic version of paradise than that? True, Warm Mineral Springs may not fulfill visions of warmth and luxury... but it most definitely contributes a unique experience to adventurist repertoires.
Mote Aquarium and Lido Beach
POP April 2021
Sarasota's aquarium didn't make it on Travel Channel's list of Best U.S. Aquariums - and that's just fine by us! (If you're looking for more "wow" factor, the nearby Florida Aquarium in Tampa is on the list.) What we love most about this piece of paradise is that the full name of the facility - Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - honors its core purpose: using science to "help our oceans heal, thrive, and continue to be havens of sustainable life, life-improving science, and life-giving solutions."
Ringling Causeway and Its Parks
POP March 2021
John Ringling is credited with bringing the circus to Sarasota (thank you Circus Arts Conservatory for keeping the local circus alive!) and elite society to the Ca d'Zan. Did you know he also built and donated the first bridge from the mainland to Bird Key?
POP February 2021
If you've ever wondered if February temperatures in Southwest Florida are ideal for wading waist-deep in swift river, the answer is no. No, they are not. Nevertheless, we made a birthday promise to our son months ago that when the water was high enough, we would take our "future paleontologist" to mine for fossils in the Peace River. (Ben says the temperature wasn't terrible...)
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