June

Florida has much to offer at its farmer’s markets including fresh produce of all sorts of colors, shapes and flavors.

Summertime in Florida offers an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Visiting farmer’s markets this time of year is a culinary treat with all the colors, shapes and smells of beautiful, fresh produce.  When something is in-season it’s at its peak in terms of freshness and flavor, so those are the first things I reach for when planning my meals.  Here a few that are in season through most of the summer, so keep an eye out for them!  

Your basecamp for eco-adventures and starry nights in South Sarasota County starts here. 

Adventure awaits beyond the shoreline. Find your wild on an overnight nature escape in some of our less-traveled, less-developed, lesser-known areas. 

Sand and saltwater free, bring your kids to these splash areas and playgrounds to give them a day filled with refreshing fun and laughter.

Simmer down your summer and head to one of our family-friendly parks with water features for your kids—without the entrance fee of waterparks and aquatic facilities. Splash pads are a great way to keep your little ones refreshed and entertained during the hot summer months.

The new Englewood Beach Waterfest celebrates the community's coastal connections

Englewood has long drawn folks interested in fishing, boating, and water recreation opportunities. A new festival, Englewood Beach Waterfest, will celebrate the community's liquid assets with activities ranging from educational exhibits to powerboat racing.

Find out everything you want to know about our little coastal city of SRQ.

 Lynn Hobeck Bates, APR  |  Communications Manager

After you’ve hit the beach, try these other spots where you can cool off and splash around

When you want to make a splash in Sarasota County, our beaches are always a great place to start. But beyond the sandy shoreline you’ll find lots of other places where you can dip your toes or dive right in for some watery fun.

Enjoy some juicy tomatoes this summer while in Sarasota

During summer, many of us savor lighter, fresher meals – including salads and garden vegetables. Especially delicious are slices of vine ripe tomatoes. Luckily local restaurants incorporate fresh summer tomato dishes into their menus to celebrate the season. We’ve compiled some ideas on where to enjoy these garden-fresh delicacies, and have added a special bonus recipe to try while you are here.

You can browse / download the PDF archive of past Tourism University presentations using the links below.

Sarasota County hosts the highest density of loggerhead sea turtle nests in the Gulf. Here's what you need to know about sharing our beaches with these cute critters.

If you head to Sarasota County’s beaches this time of year, you might find you’re not the only one settling in on the sand—and that you have company of the non-human kind.