Visitors from FLL looking for recommendations (Miami, Tampa: rent, job market, theater)

[2ForTheSea]

Hello to my neighbors to the northwest!

My husband and I are coming to visit from July 19 through July 24. We live in the Ft Lauderdale area and will be driving up. Neither of us have ever been north (other than to drive through) of Lee County on the west coast and we're excited to visit.

I guess what I want to know is what locals suggest to see/do? We work on boats and live at the beach so that kind of stuff isn't all that important to us, but we do enjoy it and plan on visiting the beach. We're in our early 40s, no kids, we enjoy the outdoors and watersports. We also enjoy a good tiki (is it a chickee there?) bar. We'll be staying in the area that's west of Tamiami and south of Stickney Point Rd. east of the bridge. What's that area like? Anything within walking distance (we are big walkers so a couple of miles is no big deal) to see or do or eat/drink?

We may even scope the area out for a move. We're getting a little burned out with the hustle and bustle of the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area and are even considering a move to Washington state.
Does anyone know how the job market for boat/yacht maintenance and repair is in your area?

Anyone feel like comparing and contrasting SRQ with FLL? We've lived in Naples and Key West as well. Any comparison to those areas?

Thanks all and really looking forward to the visit!

[Sunshine Rules]

We locals enjoy a lot of the same things the visitors do. Siesta Key village has great options for eating and drinking. Same can be said for Anna Maria island to the north of Longboat Key.

St. Armands Circle is always a popular spot, both for the restaurants and shopping plus the added bonus of being just a block from Lido beach.

The downtown bayfront is a beautiful spot to stop and take a stroll, you can also catch a sunset cruise at the marina.

Downtown Sarasota also offers quite a diverse group of restaurants -- You'll find restaurants specializing in various international cuisine, including French, German, Italian, Greek, Russian, Cubin, Latin and Japanese, among others. You can take a dinner cruise at Marina Jack, enjoy Cuban cuisine at the Columbia on St. Armands Circle or grab a brew and catch a game at the Sports Page Bar & Grille.

Mote Marine's aquarium is interesting and you get to pet "rays."

Outdoor activities include Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Spanish Point and Sarasota Jungle Gardens among our more unique attractions.

Indoor activities include ballets, plays, art galleries, to name a few. Cultural activities centered around the theater can be found at places such as the Asolo Theatre Company, Florida Studio Theatre, Island Players, Lemon Bay Playhouse, or Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, affectionately known as the "Purple Cow" due to it's unique color, presents a variety of performances, big name entertainers and theater shows throughout the year. Sarasota also has a comedy club.

The Ringling family home, museum and circus museum are worth spending an afternoon to visit. On the NE corner across from the Ringling museum is a car museum if you're into antique and classic cars. Be sure to say hi to Martin.



If you do decide to check out Anna Maria island/Holmes Beach, Bradenton beach areas to the north of Longboat Key, I can suggest riding the free trolley up and down the island to check out the area. You can rent scooters, bicycles or take a segway tour. Cortez fishing village offers options for dolphin tours or take a trip to Egmont Key state park in Tampa Bay. There are also kayak tours, you can rent jet skis or go parasailing.

[Oobie119]

You should most definitely hit Siesta Key, if not for the day for a nice stroll during sunset. You can also Check out the drum circle on the beach on Sunday evenings. I'd plan on arriving around 5ish.

St Armands is nice if you like shops, there is a killer cupcake shop, and some fun places to dine. Mote Marine is a good idea if you like marine life, but be aware it is a fairly small aquarium.

I would most certainly hit Bayfront park and walk the Bay. Lots of people biking, jogging, some really beautiful boats to drool at-then hit Olearys for a drink on the water. You can even return for dinner at Marina Jacks, watch a fabulous sunset while listening to some live entertainment. There are also some sunset cruises that begin at the bay, weather permitting of course!

Siesta Key offers the Daquiri Deck for plentiful Daquiri options, even virgin ones, and they have some delicious grouper bites - or swing by Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) for some world famous oysters!!

[2ForTheSea]

Thanks for the input. It's always good to hear from locals. I'm active on the Ft Lauderdale board and try to be as helpful as I can there.
It sounds like we're going to have a lot of fun and not enough time!

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by 2ForTheSea

It sounds like we're going to have a lot of fun and not enough time!

That's how it's been for us every time we've visited Sarasota! LOL! We always look forward to visiting again.