June

Soaring above stunning waters on a parasailing excursion brings excitement and scenic delights to your vacation along Florida's Gulf Coast.

Connect with the sky in a calming, take-it-all-in kind of way with parasailing. It is a fairly passive activity that combines a little adventure with a whole lot of tranquility.  This is one experience that does not require athletic skills, stamina or competitive streaks, as it is simply a gentle, soul-warming way to see Sarasota County.

Grabbing a blanket and packing some PB&Js makes for a simple beach picnic, but what if you want to get a little more creative?

Your dream picnic can be just as magical as the ones you see on TV. Sarasota's scenery makes it simple. Enjoy a long picnic lunch in the sunshine or a quiet picnic dinner at sunset. All you need to do is make a few preparations along the way.

Find the best dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks and beaches in Sarasota with your furry companion.

Traveling with pets is easy to do in Sarasota. From pet-friendly resorts and paw parks to patio dining and farmers markets, Sarasota offers many ways to experience Florida's Gulf Coast without leaving your four-legged friend behind. Use this guide to find the best places to stay, play and relax with your pet.

In search of coastal cuisine, cultural attractions, and enough sunshine to cure their lingering polar-vortex blues, a couple heads south for a week in Florida's cultural capital.

Key West is colorful and Miami is flashy, but when it came to planning a weeklong Florida vacation, my boyfriend and I didn't hesitate: Sarasota was our destination.

Venice, Florida, abounds with biking opportunities from the novice to the pro, training wheels to speed bikes, and everything in between

Sarasota County is centrally located on Florida’s Gulf Coast and has sunshine and blue skies year-round, making anytime of the year favorable to say, “I do.”

No matter the season, the weather is always a treat in Sarasota.

There's a reason Southwest Florida is known as the Sunshine Coast. With endless summer vibes, the odds are in your favor that the weather will be vacation-worthy no matter what time of year you're able to come. 

Runners rejoice — you can take your vacation without having to pause your training. Sarasota County is an excellent Florida Gulf Coast destination and a Runner Friendly Community, as chosen by the Road Runner Club of America.

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.

While visiting Sarasota County, be sure to enjoy these activities – whether rain or shine!

The old adage is "April showers bring May flowers," but in Sarasota, an area celebrated for its year-round sunshine and inviting beaches, rainy days can feel like a drag. However, even the grayest clouds have a silver lining. When spring showers and summer thunderstorms put a damper on your beach days, don't let the stir-crazy blues get the best of you and your family.