Sarasota, Florida has a reputation as the Grand Dame of the Gulf Coast, due in part to its history as a winter home to many wealthy notables of the 19th-20th century. Bask in the glorious weather of this chic resort town, while enjoying one of the many Sarasota waterfront vacation rentals. If you’re looking for vacation rentals in this culturally rich city framed by sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, you’re not alone. A recent market study reveals nearly 51% of travelers looking for a place to stay researched online rental options in the area. Blending some of Florida’s most significant cultural attractions with spectacular barrier islands, the area is a wonderland of blindingly white sands, turquoise waters, and upscale shopping and dining. Encompassing areas like Lido Key, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key, the settings for Sarasota are picturesque and easily accessible to all beaches and attractions in the area.
Things to Do
The cultural menu features a professional symphony, opera, ballet, 10 live performance theaters, and more than 30 art galleries. When it’s time to grab the sunscreen and head for the sands, there are more than 35 miles of beach in the area.
Dominating the city's cultural attractions scene is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, an expansive estate of magnificently landscaped grounds and gardens created by the noted circus impresario. The complex immerses you in a world of opulence, spectacular art works, and circus memorabilia with the Ca d’Zan Mansion, Circus Museums, Museum of Art, and Asolo Theater. Nature lovers visiting the area gravitate to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in St. Armands Circle, where sea turtles, manatees, and sharks are on display, the Crowley Museum and Nature Center, a verdant, 190-acre wildlife sanctuary, and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a lush, 11-acre bay-front setting with more than 20,000 plants highlighted by 6,000 orchids.
Climate
Like most of this area of Florida, Sarasota is warm year round. It might freeze 1-2 nights out of the year, but for the most part, temps are tropical. Summers bring high humidity and afternoon showers. Temps hover around the low nineties on the coast. Storms are localized and brief. One side of the street can have a downpour where a mile away will be dry. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, but most warnings occur during late August and into September. Budget-minded travelers appreciate the value in Sarasota waterfront vacation rentals during this time in an otherwise pricey city.
Food
Sarasota is also known for its culinary scene, particularly around St. Armands Circle, a trendy shopping and dining area in downtown Sarasota. During the winter months, one tour operator offers a moveable feast – a walking and sampling tour of local restaurants.
Shopping
Sarasota offers some of the most lavish stores in the area. Not only is there the high-end shopping experience of St. Armands Circle, but the new
Mall at University Town Center is a fashion and dining destination in its own right. With over 100 stores and distinctive restaurants, it’s a great way to spend a little time out of the sun.
Events
Sarasota is busy year round. In April, the Sarasota Film Festival is held, where independent film makers, actors, and directors converge on the town to showcase 200 hundred films over this ten-day event. Also in April is the Siesta Fiesta in nearby Siesta Key. The Ringling Museum has rotating exhibits and classes, and the theater season runs year round with numerous theaters in town. The Baltimore Oriole’s Spring Training is in Sarasota. There are a number of festivals throughout the year as well, from architecture to medieval fairs and sand sculpture to the holiday Snow Fest in December.
Sarasota is a chic vacation spot on the Gulf of Mexico, yet even with the large draws of its beaches, boating, beautiful Sarasota waterfront vacation rentals, and white powder sand, it’s the arts and culture scene that make it one of the unique gems of the Gulf Coast. It’s a town built on performance, and it puts on a rather good one.
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