Sarasota: land of few practical stores
by sarahjayn
As someone who worked in the Sarasota / Bradenton airport for years, trust me when I say this: If your flying directly in, you do NOT want to check your bags. Even though it's freakishly sunny 80% of the time, it can be horrible when it does rain. Bring a slicker. Other than that, it's sandals, shorts, bathing suits, and sunglasses. Don't worry about looking too tacky or touristy. It's "the look" here to be spotted in a palm-tree ladden swim suit with pink and blue flip-flops on. If you are trying to live a life free from poisons normally found in bug spray / sunscreen, I'd suggest bringing some from home. Organic / homeopathic products are very, very hard to find in Sarasota. If you do find them, they cost . . . a lot. Both are totally necessary. Photo equipment, like everything else here, is crazy pricey. I'd stock up in Boise - or where ever you come from - where the prices are normal, if I were you. Camping stores are not too plentiful here, either. Myakka River Outpost (inside the State Park) can rent you most anything, but if you are flying down here to camp, I'd bring my own supplies. Everything on the islands is totally overpriced. If you forget something, it's very worth it to trek back to the mainland and buy it there.
Great Brunch
by geekgrrl about The First Watch
This was a pleasant dinner type restaurant where we went for brunch. The service was excellent and so was the food. I had the breakfast scramble which I truly enjoyed - scrambled eggs on a croissant with hollandaise sauce! The rest of my party was equally satisfied with their choices.
Margaritas and Mexican Food
by sarahjayn about Two Senoritas
There are two locations for Two Senoritas in Sarasota. Both of them are pretty good, but I prefer the downtown one. It just has more character.
Anyway, Two Senoritas is really good Mexican food - single-handedly they save the "Mexican Food" reputation from the depths of Taco Bell Hell. The food is fresh and the service is great.
Eels in Mote & Mote Marine Lab
by eugini2001
Eels,pufferfish,sea horses & jelly fish & of course corals are so ...amazing!Just look at this fat fish! Research is at the heart of MA & Mote Marine Lab.You can peek in Lab's window to see what's going on in it.As for us we saw some fish hatching out of the egg,it looked like stingray & egg was the same size as a dove's one!
Ringling Musemum of Arts
by tampa_shawn
The Ringling's of the famous Ringling Brothers Circus created this wonderful museum.
It is a beautiful museum located on a 66-acre estate. It has been recognized as the official State Art Museum of Florida. It is a truly amazing place and filled to the brim with priceless things
The estate has three main parts
1) Art museum with 21 galleries of European paintings, Cypriot antiquities, Asian Art, American paintings, and contemporary art. A must see for art lovers although I doubt children will love it.
2) The recently renovated C? d'Zan ("House of John"). Stunning mansion completed in 1913 -
The estate itself sits on the Sarasota Bay and is a wonderful place for a picnic. Be sure to take a stroll through the landscaped grounds including the Rose Garden
3) The Circus Museum displays costumes, wagons, performance equipment, and other artifacts chronicling the history of the Circus. Fun for everyone, but the children will love it.
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ca d'zan
TSHIRT DRESS FROM EXIT ART
parasailing in siesta key
Pier at Anna Maria Island
