Shopping

Visitors come to the Sarasota area for a variety of reasons – the award-winning beaches, world-class restaurants, top-notch arts and culture – or just to relax. But almost everyone makes time to shop, whether it’s to have a keepsake from their wonderful vacation or to appease someone who was left at home.

If you don’t know where to begin to find unique mementos, don’t worry. We’ve done some of the legwork for you.

You’ve booked your flights and lined up a place to stay during your Sarasota summer vacation. But what should you pack to wear? Unless you’re planning to spend every moment in a swimsuit, read these expert tips on how to dress like a Floridian

If you’ve scheduled a summer visit to Sarasota, your swimsuits may already be in the suitcase. But what should you pack for the times you’re not basking on the beach or lounging by the pool? When you’re shopping, dining or visiting an attraction, think light fabrics, casual vibes and layers.

There’s no better place to spend time with your sweetheart than sunny Sarasota! How can you say “I love you” during your stay? Let us count the ways…

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, wooing a Valentine, or scheming to surprise your partner "just because" — Sarasota is a great place to plan out a unique and thoughtful date that'll charm your darlin'.

Make a Map to Your Heart

Here’s how to spend an entire day – morning ‘til night – in the hip and growing neighborhood on the fringes of downtown Sarasota.

Few neighborhoods in Sarasota have seen a rapid overhaul the likes of the Rosemary District. Once a small, quiet offshoot of downtown, the Rosemary District has seen huge growth of new businesses, new public art, revitalized parks, and infrastructural updates over the past 10 years—bringing in a vibrant food, arts, and social scene with plenty of selections for everyone’s preferences.

Want to learn how to weave with recycled materials? How about trying your hand at a fun painting technique called ‘acrylic pour’? Or learn how to use chalk paint? Or take classes to play the ukulele?

Maybe you’re looking for hand-crafted soap, felt flowers, essential oils, vintage clothes, a beautifully rendered fish mount, local honey, intuitive readings, or hand-made jewelry?

For those who yearn for unique, expert and sometimes quirky small business experiences, the budding sector of Limelight District on the fringes of downtown Sarasota more than delivers. 

Anchored in an edgy creative arts scene that includes mouth-watering eats, hand-crafted treats and local hotspots with distinct services, there’s always something fun and interesting going on in the Limelight District.  

This Sarasota neighborhood near Siesta Key is a local favorite full of surprises and international culture

Gulf Gate is a hidden jewel in south Sarasota with a unique collection of restaurants and shops that celebrate global traditions. In one day, visitors can travel from Mexico to Sweden, Poland to England, Korea to Hungary, and many places in between. Teeming with small businesses, Gulf Gate is an amazing way to travel the world without leaving Sarasota County.

We asked members of the Sarasota County tourism industry to share some of the additional policies and procedures they've added for customers in response to the pandemic.

Learn more about these Black-owned restaurants, tours and other businesses on Florida's Gulf Coast

Chaz 51 Steakhouse

Chaz 51 Steakhouse is a foodie destination offering high-end cuisine to challenge even those with the most discerning tastes. The selections prepared by owner Chef Charles Amherst seek to excite the palate with his combination of Southern hospitality and fine dining, including scrumptious surf & turf entrees that have made this Venice restaurant a community jewel.