2024

Visit Sarasota County recognizes outgoing board members, Rick Konsavage and Ann Frescura, for their years of service. Pictured [From left to right]: John LaCivita, Vice-Chair; Rick Konsavage; Ann Frescura; and Hon. Ron Cutsinger.

Sarasota’s speakeasies are more than just hidden haunts—they’re hideaways that invite you to step off the beaten path and into a world of craft cocktails, unique atmospheres and unique experiences.

Sarasota, with its sun-drenched beaches and laid-back vibe, may seem like the perfect place for an afternoon cocktail in a breezy, open-air bar by the beach. But beneath the surface, this Gulf Coast metropolis holds a secret: a collection of hidden, or speakeasy-style, bars that are as elusive as they are enchanting. 

A deep dive into the shallow waters and changing tides of Sarasota's sneaky sandbars dotting the coastline. 

For those keen to explore Florida's Gulf Coast beauty from the deck of a boat or anchored ashore a remote (albeit, temporary) island, Sarasota’s sandbars offer an experience beyond the 40 miles of coastline. 

For the third consecutive year, Sarasota County has been awarded a Trazee Award for favorite beach town in Florida (west). Created by the team at FXExpress Publications, Inc. and Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com has been announcing their annual winners for ten years. The website offers travel information on a global scale specifically targeted toward those traveling under the age of 40.  

Sarasota's botanical gardens makes TIME Magazine's annual list of world greatest places to visit. 

Every year, TIME recognizes the world's 100 most extraordinary destinations to explore. The magazine garners nominations of noteworthy places to stay and visit across the globe from its international network of editorial contributors and correspondents—a network with a discerning eye toward the new and exciting.

Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is thrilled to announce another resounding success for the 19th Annual Savor Sarasota, held from June 1st to June 14th. Once again, this year's Savor event highlighted Sarasota's culinary scene as a must-visit for any food lover. 

The secret ingredient? An impressive 63 Visit Sarasota County member restaurants! These amazing establishments dished up an incredible selection of two-course lunch and three-course dinner prix-fixe menus, offering a dazzling array of flavors and experiences that tantalized the taste buds of nearly 15,000 diners. 

Beach Blitz Soccer Resort, with support from Visit Sarasota County, will host their first annual Beach Soccer Florida Tournament on Siesta Key Beach from July 13-14, 2024. Headquartered in Austin, TX, the traveling beach soccer tournament will debut in Sarasota County for the first time since its inception in 2002, which has since garnered a growing following of soccer players, families, and enthusiasts from around the nation to celebrate the sport. 

No need to be carb-shy in Sarasota—these French-inspired or French-owned bakeries, cafes and restaurants will transport you to a "European summer" where baguettes over bikinis rule. 

You don't need to travel all the way to Paris to enjoy French cuisine and fresh baked treats. Trade out the Eiffel Tower for the Ca'd'Zan and have your European summer dreams lived out right here on Sarasota's coastline at our many Parisian cafés. Here are some top recommended French restaurants and bakeries in the area—from Siesta Key to Longboat Key and beyond. Bon appétit!

Curious where athletes retreat to on their off-time from training and competing? These Sarasota hotspots are a good bet for local medley swimmer, Emma Weyant.

When Emma Weyant's not clocking laps in the pool or fine-tuning her stroke technique, the Sarasota native balances moments of relaxation in some of Sarasota's finest locales. And she knows just where to go to unwind before getting back to her rigorous training schedule.