2021

Catch your own fish and bring the clean fillets to one of these Sarasota County restaurants to have them cooked just for you

What’s better than catching your own fish and having it cooked for you, while sitting back and enjoying a cocktail?  In the Sarasota area, several restaurants are happy to do just that, and the best part is that you don’t have to clean up!  (Note: this is not an all-inclusive list, so be sure to ask your favorite/nearby restaurant if they offer the service.)

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.

Check out some special holiday deals and discounts for travelers who want to visit Sarasota County this winter season.

By Compass Rose History Experiences

Nearly four decades before Sarasota became a county, a group of Scottish immigrants landed on our white, sandy shores pursuing the promise of life in a tropical oasis with modern amenities.

But what happens when you move thousands of miles from home, and there’s no home to move into?

By Compass Rose History Experiences

In 1899, Cornelius Van Santvoord (C.V.S.) Wilson, the owner of the Manatee County Advocate, decided to move to the small village of Sarasota to start the area’s first newspaper. The year prior, C.V.S., a widow, had remarried to the young Rose Phillips. 40 years her senior, C.V.S. had a successful career in the newspaper industry and was ready to take on a new challenge.

Here are seven reasons throughout its 100-year history Sarasota County has been a desirable place for visitors to play

Through both dedicated efforts of local leaders and the unique charm of the area, this once sleepy fishing town has become an internationally known destination. Here are seven reasons throughout its 100-year history Sarasota County has been a desirable place for visitors to play:

Get some fresh air with a purpose and try one of our self-guided walking tours to help you discover some of the food, history and culture around Florida's Gulf Coast®.

Enjoy fresh air, open spaces and global cuisine throughout the day in Downtown Sarasota

What’s a better way to enjoy the vibe of a beautiful city than taking a leisurely walking tour of the main drag? Doing so while also tasting the flavors of the community! In beautiful Downtown Sarasota, begin and end your day, with fabulous French cuisine highlighted in the middle by other food from around the country.