January

How to play it safe when you visit Sarasota Couny's various beaches

Sarasota County’s beautiful beaches bring lots of visitors to our shores. To help ensure that you stay safe while having fun in the sun, here are some important rules and recommendations to follow for a restful and relaxing beach day.

Start Smart

Whether you have only a few hours or a few days, Myakka River State Park offers the perfect adventure.

Treasures exist inside the Southwest Florida city of North Port, Florida.

Imagine an enchanted evening of southern tropical charm under the banyan trees at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Maybe it's the romantic and classic setting of The Ringling, Ca' d'Zan and The Powel Crosley Estate.

It's a blissful day on Siesta Key. I am at the intersection of "beach" and "ocean" avenues, and debating which path I want to take to one of the best beaches in the U.S. (and the world!).

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.

Sometimes, we all just need to escape...

Enjoy some arts and culture at these six local spots

In the mood to do a little museum hopping? There’s lots to see and experience in the area, from artwork both serious and lighthearted to cool fossils and artifacts from long ago.

A trek through the mangrove tunnels of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach Nature Park gives kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders unique routes for exploring a unique ecosystem

"Aaah! I almost just bit it! I was dodging that branch and almost fell right off!" Cue incessant giggling, leading to further instability. I wish I could say it was one of my kids who claimed this prime example of agility and grace, but, alas, it was I.

Fear not, I stayed upright, saving myself and my son from a plummet into a foot and a half of crystal clear 87 degree water. Phew!