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When John Hamilton Gillespie arrived in Sarasota from Scotland in 1885 he was keen to develop a new home in America, which would include his beloved game of golf. By 1886 he had laid out two new golf holes (eventually to be 18 holes) that would be played upon the ground that is currently near Sarasota’s downtown Main Street.
Vacation and training for a race tend to pair together about as well as oil and water. Too often, "training" on vacation means running loops around the small park next to the hotel, or laboriously dull treadmill jogging.
Why let Sarasota's beautiful weather and sunshine go to waste because of a budget vacation? While fun isn't always wallet-friendly, free vacations aren't impossible. So splurge on the hotel, or even the airfare, because you can experience all of those (not quite) free vacations anytime of year. Also, vacations aren't just for visitors anymore. Yes, even us Sarasotans enjoy a vacation every now and then ... but why break the bank when paradise is right outside our front doors?
Mention polo and most people conjure up images of Prince Charles, wealthy aristocrats and fine-bloodline ponies. The common folk tend to associate polo with the rich jet-setting life played out in the international media. Not here in Sarasota. But for the beauty of the sport, champagne swilling and divot stomping, the atmosphere bears little resemblance to that in the movie Pretty Woman.
Dress in finery and don your chapeau if you like, or come as you are and bring the kids. Dogs on leashes are welcomed as well.
Beyond Sarasota County's beautiful beaches, shopping, dining and cultural amenities there is something else to make your visit special. Get a glimpse of Florida's "natural" side and its authentic beauty in our state parks.
It's a picture-perfect morning on Southwest Florida's Venice beach, as the cloudless royal blue sky meets the far-off horizon. The emerald-green Gulf of Mexico gently laps onto the sandy shoreline, and a few barefooted beachcombers are off in the distance, searching for the discarded teeth of the ocean’s infamous hunters.
The Florida Gulf Coast is a paradise for fish. Freshwater streams and rivers flow from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County into a bay protected by the barrier islands. It’s a perfect-sized estuary teeming with a diverse wildlife ecosystem of birds, fish and mammals.
Sometimes the strange, dimly lit bar next to a rustic hotel can be a turn out to be a fun adventure of cheap, strong drinks and peculiar characters serving a tall tale. Check out our list of some of the area's best local hangouts to splash into.
Sometimes, you want to go where everybody knows your … team. College football season is upon us again, and if you're searching for a spot to cheer on your alma mater, look no further. Wherever your allegiance lies, we've put together a list of official watch parties, sports bars and hangouts that will help you celebrate game day in style.