A jet skiing adventure on the bay, a kayaking tour through the swamplands or a fishing excursion on the Intracoastal Waterway—these are all part of the Florida outdoor experience which, in Sarasota, is particularly unique.
A jet skiing adventure on the bay, a kayaking tour through the swamplands or a fishing excursion on the Intracoastal Waterway—these are all part of the Florida outdoor experience which, in Sarasota, is particularly unique.
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.
Florida’s Gulf coast offers many varieties of tasty fish and, as a fishing gal myself, I’ve caught my share. But even if you don’t catch them yourself, they can easily be found during their peak seasons in Sarasota fish markets, all filleted and ready to cook at home.
Sarasota is not only a haven for fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood, with many local restaurants serving the fresh catch right from the sea, but there’s also a special appetizer that is a perfect starter to your meal.
Now is when Florida’s citrus is ripening on the trees dotting the landscape with colorful orange and yellow hues, and reminding us of our state’s bounty. These reminders give us special reason to add citrus to our holiday menus.

Enjoy intimate encounters with animals of all types at Jungle Gardens, an animal menagerie and show extravaganza
Pop quiz – who's nearly 80 years old, has been to Folsom Prison, and performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 1950s? Johnny Cash? Nope. It's Frosty, the 79-year-old unicycle-riding cockatoo at Sarasota's Jungle Gardens. An animal encounter and show extravaganza, Jungle Gardens gives an up close and hands on approach to birds and reptiles, with bonus mammals thrown in for fun.
Sarasota County is a place for the muses. There's plenty of places to capture an iconic moment with a brush in a canvas in the area.
To the modern-day Monet, Sarasota is a heavenly muse.
Summer in Sarasota means different things to different people: the beach; family getaways; long, lazy afternoons escaping the heat; easy reservations at restaurants, and best of all -- a special menu of performances and festivals at the area's celebrated arts and culture venues. The temperatures may be rising, but so are the opportunities for music, opera, dance and theater lovers from around the world.
Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center
709 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-953-4252
After watching the final sliver of sun disappear below the Gulf, visitors to Sarasota County shouldn't hole up in their hotel rooms to wait for the next warm beach day. Whether you're a dance-floor devotee, a cocktail aficionado, or a live music junkie, Sarasota's nightlife will keep you up well after the sun goes down.