Coming to visit soon! Yay! (Miami, Orlando: hotel, neighborhoods, to buy)

[oopsydaisy]

Hello again my friendly Sarasota buddies.

Couple of quick questions that I've had a hard time figuring out through websites and google.

What area of Sarasota is safest to live in without having to be a millionaire?

What types of festivals, lawn fetes, county fairs, carnivals does Sarasota have?

How about Bingo (don't laugh... ) or bowling?

Horse races? Casinos?

How long by car does it take to drive to Orlando from say west Sarasota?

How long to places like Miami or Jupiter? I've got a visual on my map and the miles, but how long does it really take?

Is there a boardwalk or pier that stands out more?

Is there a dog friendly (an itsy-bitsy one) beach? A barkery? Do any of the stores allow you to bring a dog in (say one of the boutiques) or a restaurant where your dog is allowed to sit outside with you?

Any place where one can have a fire on the beach?

Thanks so much!

[Oobie119]

Hello again my friendly Sarasota buddies. Well, hello there and welcome! I'll do my best to help ya out--

Couple of quick questions that I've had a hard time figuring out through websites and google.

What area of Sarasota is safest to live in without having to be a millionaire? There are many, it depends what your price range is, schools and proximity to the beach. If you provide us with more details we can give you some neighborhoods that will suit your needs. I think Palmer Ranch is a given..

What types of festivals, lawn fetes, county fairs, carnivals does Sarasota have? Not sure about carnivals- but the county fair is every year, end of April I think. There is also the St Patricks festival downtown, Im sure they are out there, Im just not sure when! The Fourth of July always brings the Boat show on the beach which is packed but fun! Main Street in Lakewood Ranch always has festivities on Fridays and sporatically throughout the year..

How about Bingo (don't laugh... ) or bowling? There are a few lanes for bowling around, most have leagues and Cosmic bowling..not sure about Bingo but check local churches : )

Horse races? Casinos? Seminole hotel/Casino is the one we always go to and Horse races are right by the airport--Not sure what the name of it is though, sorry!

How long by car does it take to drive to Orlando from say west Sarasota? a trip to Disney takes us about an hour and a half or so--give or take depending on traffic, what day it is and what time haha

How long to places like Miami or Jupiter? I've got a visual on my map and the miles, but how long does it really take? Ive never been to either, but Im thinking to Miami it's about a 5 hour drive- I know it's a drive and Im totally guessing.

Is there a boardwalk or pier that stands out more? No boardwalk or pier that I know of, I live in Bradenton but am usually in Sarasota- Siesta Key is probably the most fun area though- they have the drum circle and other things that tend to attract all the people. Next to beaches, they have shops, and fun dining. The Circle (St Armands Circle) is a pretty fun place too, they have small festivals and such.

Is there a dog friendly (an itsy-bitsy one) beach? A barkery? Do any of the stores allow you to bring a dog in (say one of the boutiques) or a restausrant where your dog is allowed to sit outside with you? Not sure about dog friendly beaches in the area, but Bayfront Park by Marina jacks is always a fun place for you and your pooch- tons of people basking in the sun on blankets with their dogs, playing frisbee, walking or just relaxing on benches people watching, I know there is another out there, i know most of the popular places-Im sure there are some more local hidden finds out there..dining out doors in St Armands I have seen people with thier small dogs, not sure if it's a rule or coincidence..

Any place where one can have a fire on the beach?
to my knowledge, most of the beaches do NOT allow open fires. Id actually like to know of one where its allowed also, perhaps with a permit?? hmmm
Hope this was helpful-- Im not an expert so I may have missed somethings but Im sure you'll get plenty of responses..

[gypsychic]

Oobie gave you lots of good info - I will try to add a little.

When you say "barkery" do you mean a dog bakery? If so, there are a couple - one right on Main St. downtown, and another in Southside Village. Sarasota is a VERY dog-friendly town! You will see a lot of restaurants in downtown or St. Armand's with people dining outside with their pooches.

BINGO - there is a bingo hall up on Tamiami Trail on the southside of Bradenton ( a few miles north of SRQ airport).


BOWLING - There is a nice bowling alley just east of downtown (Sarasota Lanes), and one on the south Trail.

FESTIVALS - Sarasota has loads of festivals and events at different times of year. This is an arts town, so many arts festivals, 4th of July boat races, the County Fair (this is great, we went this year and LOVED IT) There is so much going on in the area all the time it would be difficult to list it all. There are websites which give calendars of what's going on, or Creative Loafing entertainment news paper, and Sarasota Magazine.

I don't know of any horse races around here, but the Kennel Club is up by the airport ( I think that is what Oobie meant) it's greyhound racing.

No boardwalks, but be sure to visit Anna Maria Island - Bradenton Beach is a great little funky Florida beach town, with a pier on historic Bridge Street, and a lot of neat restaurants and beach shoppes - it's a totally different vibe from Siesta and a real fun place to go.

Hope you enjoy your visit and that this helps a little!

[oopsydaisy]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Oobie gave you lots of good info - I will try to add a little.

When you say "barkery" do you mean a dog bakery? If so, there are a couple - one right on Main St. downtown, and another in Southside Village. Sarasota is a VERY dog-friendly town! You will see a lot of restaurants in downtown or St. Armand's with people dining outside with their pooches.

BINGO - there is a bingo hall up on Tamiami Trail on the southside of Bradenton ( a few miles north of SRQ airport).


BOWLING - There is a nice bowling alley just east of downtown (Sarasota Lanes), and one on the south Trail.

FESTIVALS - Sarasota has loads of festivals and events at different times of year. This is an arts town, so many arts festivals, 4th of July boat races, the County Fair (this is great, we went this year and LOVED IT) There is so much going on in the area all the time it would be difficult to list it all. There are websites which give calendars of what's going on, or Creative Loafing entertainment news paper, and Sarasota Magazine.

I don't know of any horse races around here, but the Kennel Club is up by the airport ( I think that is what Oobie meant) it's greyhound racing.

No boardwalks, but be sure to visit Anna Maria Island - Bradenton Beach is a great little funky Florida beach town, with a pier on historic Bridge Street, and a lot of neat restaurants and beach shoppes - it's a totally different vibe from Siesta and a real fun place to go.

Hope you enjoy your visit and that this helps a little!

Oobie119 and Gypsychic, THANK YOU!
I've written down everything you two have said.

I was talking about a dog bakery. Ha ha ha. Around here it's the ONLY place one can go with a dog. And because the weather is not very sunny and warm, there aren't many places where one can bring their dog along to sit outside at a restaurant.

The funny thing about the housing is that when I first started looking, I thought to myself, oh man I'll be able to buy a freaking CASTLE for the amount of money we'll be able to spend. (up to 800K - tops)
But, that is not a reality!
WOW! Is everybody RICH in Sarasota??? LOL

But we're coming down in a couple of weeks anyway. I used to live in Scottsdale, AZ and LOVED it. If it weren't in another time zone, I'd probably move back.

But I grew up going to Florida (mainly Miami and the Keys) and I'm a beach person. Arizona was GORGEOUS! But talk about sunny weather - there was hardly a cloud inthe sky. EVER. No really - NEVER. It was so sunny and it barely rained that in the summer months one could not even go outside for more than a few minutes.
Believe it or not, I like the humidity! I'd rather have humidity over dry air any day. That's my opinion from having lived in both types of climate.

Thanks so much for helping me out.
I dont want this thread go verve off base (keep th info coming!) so I'll start another to ask a different set of questions!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by oopsydaisy

Oobie119 and Gypsychic, THANK YOU!
I've written down everything you two have said.

I was talking about a dog bakery. Ha ha ha. Around here it's the ONLY place one can go with a dog. And because the weather is not very sunny and warm, there aren't many places where one can bring their dog along to sit outside at a restaurant.

The funny thing about the housing is that when I first started looking, I thought to myself, oh man I'll be able to buy a freaking CASTLE for the amount of money we'll be able to spend. (up to 800K - tops)
But, that is not a reality!
WOW! Is everybody RICH in Sarasota??? LOL

But we're coming down in a couple of weeks anyway. I used to live in Scottsdale, AZ and LOVED it. If it weren't in another time zone, I'd probably move back.

But I grew up going to Florida (mainly Miami and the Keys) and I'm a beach person. Arizona was GORGEOUS! But talk about sunny weather - there was hardly a cloud inthe sky. EVER. No really - NEVER. It was so sunny and it barely rained that in the summer months one could not even go outside for more than a few minutes.
Believe it or not, I like the humidity! I'd rather have humidity over dry air any day. That's my opinion from having lived in both types of climate.

Thanks so much for helping me out.
I dont want this thread go verve off base (keep th info coming!) so I'll start another to ask a different set of questions!

Gypsy and oobie have covered things pretty well

Just wanted to add a few things. I took my dogs to Brohard Beach (http://www.venicegov.com/Park_links/paw.htm - broken link) in Venice last week and found a wonderful restaurant to bring your dogs.

Home They have a patio area and they are fabulous with your four legged friends. When we went they brought out buckets of ice water for each dog. Then you can get grilled chicken for the dogs for $1.50. They have it all fenced in so you can let the dogs off the leashes.

The people food is great as well

There's also a dog bakery in Southside Village: http://www.woofgangbakery.com/locati...ota-osprey.asp and many of the downtown restaurants offer outside doggie dining. Here's an article that you might find interesting: http://florida-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/travel_guide_to_sarasota (broken link)

[oopsydaisy]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Gypsy and oobie have covered things pretty well

Just wanted to add a few things. I took my dogs to Brohard Beach (http://www.venicegov.com/Park_links/paw.htm - broken link) in Venice last week and found a wonderful restaurant to bring your dogs.

Home They have a patio area and they are fabulous with your four legged friends. When we went they brought out buckets of ice water for each dog. Then you can get grilled chicken for the dogs for $1.50. They have it all fenced in so you can let the dogs off the leashes.

The people food is great as well

There's also a dog bakery in Southside Village: Pet Franchise : WOOF GANG BAKERY : Sarasota and many of the downtown restaurants offer outside doggie dining. Here's an article that you might find interesting: Travel Guide to Sarasota: Bringing a Dog to Florida's Cultural Coast (http://florida-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/travel_guide_to_sarasota - broken link)

Thank you! That is so helpful! I have a tiny little dog that I take everywhere with me! I can't wait to go to "home" I think that is one of the places I need to put on our must visit list!

Whee! I'm very excited!

[Sabal77]

Just about any restaurant with outdoor seating will allow you to bring a dog. Of course there are some exceptions.

[oopsydaisy]

Originally Posted by whitesandbeachbum

Just about any restaurant with outdoor seating will allow you to bring a dog. Of course there are some exceptions.

That sort of attitude is very important to me.