Beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine make Sarasota and Bradenton the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. The beauty of Sarasota's beaches stretches along the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, to the brilliant white sand and azure waters of Longboat, Lido and Siesta beaches. But there is so much more to this area than just beaches! Experience the sophistication and charm of Sarasota - it has restaurants, shopping, golfing and cultural activities. Outdoor activities are popular, including canoeing, fishing and diving, or stick to dry land with cycling and golfing. There’s a well-established cultural community, many architectural splendours, upmarket shopping and a certain obsession for circus-style entertainment!
Additional info
Distance - Approx 132 miles from Orlando international airport. 240 miles from Miami international airport.
Driving Times - 2 hours 30-min drive from Orlando. 3 hours 30 min from Miami. 1 hour from Busch Gardens and St Pete Beach.
Fun and Games
Circus Sarasota keeps alive the Big Top tradition and even high schools teach circus skills and stage annual circus events! G-Wiz Science Museum is popular with the kids, as are watery pursuits, cycling and nature walks. Bradenton is perfect for the culture vultures with its art and historical attractions. For families, it’s all about spending a day on the miles of sugar sand beaches soaking up the gorgeous Floridian sunshine.
Eating Out
Sarasota has plenty of eating options available from relaxed informal dining to something a little more up-market like the AAA Four-Diamond Awarded restaurant ‘Michael’s On East’. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Bradenton rustling up a variety of dishes. What ever food you fancy, you’ll be sure to find it here.
Evening Entertainment
Finding great music in Sarasota is easy with its many bars, jazz venues and night clubs. Why not try La Barge, where you can dance the night away on the top deck of a boat overlooking the tropical water! When the day draws to a close in Bradenton, why not head to one of the many restaurants to sample some local cuisine. After dinner, head over to a bar for a cocktail or two where many of the bars offer nightly entertainment.
Not to be Missed
The theatre and arts district in downtown Sarasota cover everything. Art galleries are rife, particularly along Main Street and Palm Avenue where trendy restaurants give the town a reputation for innovative dining. In Bradenton, don’t miss the fish from the popular City Pier, which features a full service café and where you can buy your bait to hook yourself a beauty. Inshore and offshore fishing trips are also available from many of the locals.