Rachelle's Guidebook
Local attractions
Siesta Key has been voted the #1 beach in the US numerous times. It is known for its gorgeous white sand.
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Siesta Beach
Siesta Key has been voted the #1 beach in the US numerous times. It is known for its gorgeous white sand.
Lido Key is another great beach. And you can spend time on Saint Armand’s Circle while you’re out there.
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Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLido Key is another great beach. And you can spend time on Saint Armand’s Circle while you’re out there.
If you want to do the beach, but don’t want to deal with quite so many people, this spot on Siesta Key is the place for you.
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Turtle Beach
If you want to do the beach, but don’t want to deal with quite so many people, this spot on Siesta Key is the place for you.
My personal favorite beach. It’s a little more wild and over grown and not a full of people. It’s also a great place to find seashells
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South Lido Key Beach Park on the Gulf
Benjamin Franklin DriveMy personal favorite beach. It’s a little more wild and over grown and not a full of people. It’s also a great place to find seashells
Jungle Gardens is sort of like a small tropical zoo. It’s so fun to see all of the animals up close. A real highlight is being able to feed the uncaged flamingos.
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Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdJungle Gardens is sort of like a small tropical zoo. It’s so fun to see all of the animals up close. A real highlight is being able to feed the uncaged flamingos.
I love Marie Shelby so much I had a pass for awhile. It not only offer a peaceful botanical experience, it offers a different view of Sarasota Bay. They also have a cute coffee shop and often have a food truck there, so it would be a fun breakfast or lunch spot.
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Marie Selby Botaniska Trädgårdar
1534 Mound StI love Marie Shelby so much I had a pass for awhile. It not only offer a peaceful botanical experience, it offers a different view of Sarasota Bay. They also have a cute coffee shop and often have a food truck there, so it would be a fun breakfast or lunch spot.
This is the winter house of John Ringling and it is gorgeous! I love to go just to walk the grounds and around the outside of the house, however the house is used as an art museum and it is quite lovely. There is also a circus museum on the property that is quite interesting as well.
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The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdThis is the winter house of John Ringling and it is gorgeous! I love to go just to walk the grounds and around the outside of the house, however the house is used as an art museum and it is quite lovely. There is also a circus museum on the property that is quite interesting as well.
Mote Marine is such a fun, little aquarium.
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Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyMote Marine is such a fun, little aquarium.
This is a bird sanctuary for birds that have been injured in some way. This is a fun way to see birds up close and to learn more about them.
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Save Our Seabirds
1708 Ken Thompson PkwyThis is a bird sanctuary for birds that have been injured in some way. This is a fun way to see birds up close and to learn more about them.
Another place to see some animals. This one focuses more on big cats.
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Big Cat Habitat och Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer BlvdAnother place to see some animals. This one focuses more on big cats.
This beautiful horse show is a fun, non-beach family activity
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Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions
32755 Singletary RdThis beautiful horse show is a fun, non-beach family activity
Sarasota Ski A Rees
1602 Ken Thompson PkwyThis is a fun, free ski show
Shopping
St. Armand’s Circle has some amazing shopping. It’s really fun to walk around and check everything out. Make sure you get some gelato from Settimi’s
Siesta Village has so many cute shops and amazing restaurants…you’ll for sure want to go explore.
Siesta Village Plaza
5128 Ocean BoulevardSiesta Village has so many cute shops and amazing restaurants…you’ll for sure want to go explore.
Saint Armands Circle
Saint Armands CircleDetwiler’s is a locally owned (I go to church with them) grocery store. They have an amazing selection of fresh produce. They also have an amazing seafood counter and bakery. So much amazing food!
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Detwiler’S Farm Market
2881 Clark RdDetwiler’s is a locally owned (I go to church with them) grocery store. They have an amazing selection of fresh produce. They also have an amazing seafood counter and bakery. So much amazing food!
This mall is huge and has so many options. There is a lot of other shopping around the mall as well.
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The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrThis mall is huge and has so many options. There is a lot of other shopping around the mall as well.
If you love books like I do, this Goodwill that is only books is a must visit. And it’s right around the corner from us.
Goodwill Manasota Bookstore - Sarasota
5831 Derek AveIf you love books like I do, this Goodwill that is only books is a must visit. And it’s right around the corner from us.
The Saturday morning farmer’s market that is located downtown is really fun. There’s lots of good vendors and food trucks.
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Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueThe Saturday morning farmer’s market that is located downtown is really fun. There’s lots of good vendors and food trucks.
Activities
Activities that are involve more action
If you enjoy hiking, Myakka River State Park is the best we have to offer here in Sarasota. Make sure to stop at the bridge to see if you can spot some gators, and climb the fire tower when you’re walking the trails. There is also a lot of wildlife to spot. Its fun for the whole family.
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Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72If you enjoy hiking, Myakka River State Park is the best we have to offer here in Sarasota. Make sure to stop at the bridge to see if you can spot some gators, and climb the fire tower when you’re walking the trails. There is also a lot of wildlife to spot. Its fun for the whole family.
Rent some bikes and take a ride on the trail. You can go all the way to Venice if you’d like. And there’s an entrance right around the corner from us, so you wouldn’t have far to jump on.
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Legacy Trail
Central Sarasota ParkwayRent some bikes and take a ride on the trail. You can go all the way to Venice if you’d like. And there’s an entrance right around the corner from us, so you wouldn’t have far to jump on.
Take the family out for a round of mini golf at this amazing course
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Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf
3815 N Tamiami TrailTake the family out for a round of mini golf at this amazing course
If you want to get some exercise and see some amazing views, I highly recommend walking the John Ringling Brigde.
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John Ringling Causeway
John Ringling CausewayIf you want to get some exercise and see some amazing views, I highly recommend walking the John Ringling Brigde.
Another place to get some good exercise and see some great views. It’s known as a good birding spot as well.
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Celery Fields
6893 Palmer BlvdAnother place to get some good exercise and see some great views. It’s known as a good birding spot as well.
Popstroke
195 University Town Center DriveYou can rent e-bikes from this company, but they also do guided tours that are a lot of fun.
Endless Summer E-bikes
1251 N Jefferson AveYou can rent e-bikes from this company, but they also do guided tours that are a lot of fun.
Food scene
Old Salty Dog is a Sarasota classic with amazing food. There also one on Siesta Key, but the locals prefer this spot.
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The Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson PkwyOld Salty Dog is a Sarasota classic with amazing food. There also one on Siesta Key, but the locals prefer this spot.
Fire Tacos
886 S Packinghouse RdFire Tacos is our favorite food truck in town and their tacos are amazing!
If my husband and I want seafood, we usually head to Walt’s. Amazing food, good portions and decent prices. And they really know how to fry some fish!
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Walt's Fish Market Restaurant
4144 S Tamiami TrailIf my husband and I want seafood, we usually head to Walt’s. Amazing food, good portions and decent prices. And they really know how to fry some fish!
Another great place for seafood, with a little Cajun flair thrown in. They have an outdoor waiting area that often has live music and it’s such a fun scene.
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Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtAnother great place for seafood, with a little Cajun flair thrown in. They have an outdoor waiting area that often has live music and it’s such a fun scene.
My favorite pizza joint in town. I especially love their calzones.
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Valentino Pizzeria Trattoria
4045 Clark RdMy favorite pizza joint in town. I especially love their calzones.
Another Broken Egg is probably my personal favorite place for breakfast. They’re shrimp and grits are amazing! They’re located on Siesta Key, so you could grab some breakfast and then head out to the beach.
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Another Broken Egg Cafe
140 Avenida MessinaAnother Broken Egg is probably my personal favorite place for breakfast. They’re shrimp and grits are amazing! They’re located on Siesta Key, so you could grab some breakfast and then head out to the beach.
If Amish home cooking is what you’d like, we recommend Yoder’s. Make sure to get a piece of pie.
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Yoder's Restaurant & Amish Village
3434 Bahia Vista StIf Amish home cooking is what you’d like, we recommend Yoder’s. Make sure to get a piece of pie.
Reyna’s is our favorite place for Mexican food. I especially recommend the sopes, the street corn and the corn queso.
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Reyna's Taqueria
935 North Beneva RoadReyna’s is our favorite place for Mexican food. I especially recommend the sopes, the street corn and the corn queso.
Another favorite breakfast place. Their biscuits are SO good! They are off of the beaten path, but it’s 100% worth going.
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Buttermilk Handcrafted Food
5520 Palmer BlvdAnother favorite breakfast place. Their biscuits are SO good! They are off of the beaten path, but it’s 100% worth going.
My husband raves about these guys. Seriously, he goes for bagels every Sunday morning and sometimes in between. They’re sandwiches are also really good.
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Brooklyn Bagels & Deli
6970 S Beneva RdMy husband raves about these guys. Seriously, he goes for bagels every Sunday morning and sometimes in between. They’re sandwiches are also really good.
My second favorite breakfast spot. This little cafe is so cute and has such amazing food. The fresh baked muffins are amazing and I love the cheese blintzes.
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Fresh Start Cafe
630 S Orange AveMy second favorite breakfast spot. This little cafe is so cute and has such amazing food. The fresh baked muffins are amazing and I love the cheese blintzes.
They have the best clam chowder. They’re other food is really good as well, but we tend to go just for some chowder.
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Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar
1200 Old Stickney Point RdThey have the best clam chowder. They’re other food is really good as well, but we tend to go just for some chowder.
I love the atmosphere of this place and it’s another great seafood joint with everything freshly caught that day.
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SPEARFISH GRILLE
1265 Old Stickney Point RdI love the atmosphere of this place and it’s another great seafood joint with everything freshly caught that day.
This little food truck has such amazing ice cream!
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Ann Marie's Southern Cream
3303 Bahia Vista StThis little food truck has such amazing ice cream!
HCK Hot Chicken
My husband and I love this place! They have the best Mac n cheese!
Such a cool restaurant with fun details and amazing food. The burgers are crazy!
Ford's Garage Sarasota
Such a cool restaurant with fun details and amazing food. The burgers are crazy!
Amazing pizza. Amazing wings. Get the trifecta sauce!
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Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe
1837 Hillview StAmazing pizza. Amazing wings. Get the trifecta sauce!
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
412 Gulf of Mexico DrLobster Pot Restaurant
5157 Ocean BlvdParks
This park is great for kids. It has an amazing play ground and some nice walking trails
We love to go to Bayfront Park to watch the sunset. There is also a fun playground here for kids to enjoy.
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Bayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrWe love to go to Bayfront Park to watch the sunset. There is also a fun playground here for kids to enjoy.
This park is great for kids. They have an amazing play ground and some really nice walking trails.
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Urfer Family Park
4012 Honore AveThis park is great for kids. They have an amazing play ground and some really nice walking trails.
The Bay Sarasota
655 N Tamiami TrailCoffee
Java Dawg is my favorite place to grab a coffee. And who could not love a coffee shop in a double decker bus!?
Java Dawg Coffee
Java Dawg is my favorite place to grab a coffee. And who could not love a coffee shop in a double decker bus!?
I love this coffee shop so much. They employ special needs people, they have amazing coffee and they’re located down town.
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Rise Coffee Co. & Nye's Cream Sandwiches
1534 State StI love this coffee shop so much. They employ special needs people, they have amazing coffee and they’re located down town.
A cute little coffee shop in what used to be a post office, located in the heart of the Pinecraft Amish village. Grab breakfast or lunch at Yoder’s while your there.
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Postal 98 Cafe
1240 Yoder AveA cute little coffee shop in what used to be a post office, located in the heart of the Pinecraft Amish village. Grab breakfast or lunch at Yoder’s while your there.
Perq is a more modern style cafe with amazing coffee located close to the hospital.
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Perq Coffee Bar
1821 Hillview StPerq is a more modern style cafe with amazing coffee located close to the hospital.