November

Sometimes it seems as if Sarasota's sunshine gets all the credit for the city's reputation as a top leisure destination. However, Sarasota by moonlight offers a vibrant nightlife, including a plethora of Sarasota nightclubs and bars, as well as opera and theatre shows. In this city, there's plenty to do after dark - all in a casual, Florida-chic atmosphere that lets every moment feel like vacation.

Since the advent of smart phones and portable tablets, some days it feels downright impossible to escape the demands of the voicemail, text and email notifications buzzing in our pockets. From television to Twitter, the modern world can often feel like it's full of noisy distractions, but the good news is this: every tech device has a "Power Off" option—and we have the power to utilize it.

Sometimes, all we need is a place where we can unplug, escape and reboot.

There are more than 300 known species of bird that are local or migratory to Southwest Florida. One of the best locations to view many of these species is in North Port, Englewood and Venice!

From retail therapy to wildlife viewing an entire weekend could be spent without ever leaving Lido Key. The district is a historic mark left by famed circus mogul John Ringling.

Retail therapy at St. Armands Circle, wildlife viewing, gourmet dining and Gulf-side relaxation collide on the keys of Lido and Longboat. Powdery sand beckons sunbathers to dig for seashells and sand dollars. The food is deliciously diverse — from the famous 1905 Salad at Columbia Restaurant to the renowned lobster bisque at the upscale Café L’Europe.

The greater Sarasota area attracts visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy the white beaches, cultural amenities, and great restaurants. Within the city limits of Sarasota is Pinecraft, a small working neighborhood that draws some of the area's most unique and special snowbirds – members of Amish and Mennonite orders who flock to our winter haven, escaping the harsh weather of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other northern states.

Spending a Saturday morning at the Sarasota Farmers' Market has been a downtown tradition since 1979, and attendees cross county lines to take part in it.

From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year long, about 85 vendors gather along Lemon Avenue, between First Street and South Pineapple Avenue. They sell homemade pastas, apparel, jewelry, herbs and produce from local farms, as shoppers fill their canvas totes and wheelbarrows with fresh ingredients for weekend meals.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Nathan Benderson Park - a premiere rowing and recreation facility in Sarasota County. Join Michael and Travis Taaffe as they talk about their sport and what it means to have this facility in Sarasota.

Easy ways to spend a day with your family on Siesta Key — one of Sarasota County's many beach vacation destinations.

Looking for something unique to stuff those stockings? Check out Sarasota’s one-of-a-kind markets for vintage clothing, jewelry and home décor.

No sooner has the table been cleared of Thanksgiving dinner and the leftovers shuffled into tupperware containers when Black Friday deals beckon and the holiday shopping season goes full throttle.

For those whose goal is to find that truly one-of-a-kind gift, the month of December holds a treasure trove in Sarasota County, one just needs to know where to look.