Rachel’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StBeautiful garden right on the bay
Featured park in downtown Sarasota. Very busy, very beautiful, lots of happenings! Park and Restaurant
257 locals recommend
marina jacks
2 Marina PlazaFeatured park in downtown Sarasota. Very busy, very beautiful, lots of happenings! Park and Restaurant
Down town, beautiful rooftop dining, great place for drinks
32 locals recommend
Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection
1255 N Palm AveDown town, beautiful rooftop dining, great place for drinks
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Rdlocal zoo, alligators and birds
The Players Centre for Performing Arts
3501 Boulevard of the ArtsGreat local Shows
The Children's Garden
1670 10th Waylocal artist created garden play spot for children
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer Blvdlocal circus family run zoo
world class shopping, lots of shopping and dining inside and around the mall
52 locals recommend
University Town Center
257 N Cattlemen Rd world class shopping, lots of shopping and dining inside and around the mall
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyMcCurdy's Comedy Theatre
1923 Ringling BlvdSiesta Beach
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrFood scene
Walt's Fish Market Restaurant
4144 S Tamiami Trailexcellent choice in sea food, nice and casual
Bangkok Restaurant
4791 Swift Rdexcellent Asian cuisine
Detwiler’S Farm Market
2881 Clark RdNice Grocery shopping
Phillippi Estate Park
5500 S Tamiami TrailWednesday farmers market
Spice Station
1438 Boulevard of the ArtsDelicious , for dinner only, in the middle of the arts district
Bonefish Grill
8101 Cooper Creek Blvdjust one of my favorites
Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill
2390 Tamiami Trailauthentic food and great location
Siesta Key Village
County Road 789 AlternateGreat shopping and dining
Simon's Coffee House
5900 South Tamiami TrailGecko’s Grill & Pub
1900 Hillview Stgreat local restaurant also for families
Smacks Burgers & Shakes
2407 Bee Ridge Rdlocal burger and shakes, great for kids stop
local organic farm. Farm stand hrs Friday 12-7, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4
7 locals recommend
Jessica's Organic Farmstand
4180 47th Stlocal organic farm. Farm stand hrs Friday 12-7, Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4
Neighborhoods
Gulf Gate Drive
Gulf Gate Driveisland casual shopping, cafes and restaurants, and local bars
Hillview Street
Hillview StreetRestaurants and bars, great socializing
Saturday morning farmers market, theaters, dining, boutiques, art galleries and other various events and happenings
106 locals recommend
Downtown
Saturday morning farmers market, theaters, dining, boutiques, art galleries and other various events and happenings
Shopping and Dining
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirDining and shopping mecca on Lido key