Wintering in Siesta Key

[joeyddog]

If you are planning to buy on Siesta Key don't forget to factor in flood insurance. Also, although the Village is charming, it's very small and very tourist oriented. Any basic shopping would probably be inflated. Tho I do envy you if you are able to just walk to the beach. Just remember that right past the 2 access bridges are tons of restaurants, shopping and theaters, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Its all very close

[Sunshine Rules]

Mari,

You might also like Lido Key, St. Armands Circle area. Lido Key also has great beaches. St. Armand's Circle is well known for the upscale shops, wide variety of restaurants (including the famous Columbia restaurant) and events such as art fairs. The Circle is within walking distance from most residential areas on Lido Key. Lido Key is accessed by the Ringling Bridge from Sarasota, on the bay. While some of the restaurants on the Circle have dress codes, many are casual.

As to things to do in Sarasota, someone listed a few of the activities available but there is a long list that could be posted. What I like most about Sarasota is the diversity of things to do.

Like the symphony? We have it. Prefer jazz? We have that too. You can find all forms of art galleries and then there's the Ringling Museum. It's a beautiful building and the paintings... I could spend days there. On the same grounds as the Ringling Museum is the John Ringling home (open for tours) and the Ringling Circus museum. Both are worth taking in. We have ballet, the Asolo Theater, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, several dinner theaters, Marie Selby botanical gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, etc. Then there's the festivals, medieval fair, flower shows, offshore boat racing, etc. There's also diversity in shopping. Everything from specialty shops to upscale stores like Saks, to outlet malls, to antique stores and flea markets.

Sarasota is also situated within an hour's drive or less from Tampa and St. Pete, and we're about 3 hours from Orlando.

Hope this information is helpful in your home search.

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

One winter in Siesta and you will be spoiled rotten and not want to leave.

[Minnetonkamari]

Thanks for the information. Met a gentlemen yesterday (we were both attending dog playgroup at the Humane Society) who has a winter home in Sarasota and has been going there for parts of the winter for 25 years. He had so many great things to say. We're planning a trip for mid-March and I'm very excited.