Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Summer/Fall 2017
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Summer/Fall 2017 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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FAMILY FUN<br />
top<br />
Experience the<br />
10<br />
Kay Rosaire’s<br />
JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
Adventures<br />
and Activities<br />
Family vacations wouldn’t be complete without<br />
fun, educational, and exciting activities you can<br />
all enjoy together. There is no better place for a<br />
‘playcation’ than in Southwest Florida!<br />
While the beach or pool may hold the most<br />
interest for you and your kids, exploring the<br />
area’s other family-friendly options will be equally<br />
rewarding. You’ll find the region provides pint-sized fun, ideal for every family<br />
member. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring at a zoo, museum, or sanctuary<br />
and learn about alligators, exotic birds, marine life, and more. Take a fun filled<br />
trip to an arcade or challenge your kids to an exciting round of miniature golf. No<br />
matter what you’re looking to do with the kids, the <strong>Sarasota</strong> area promises miles<br />
of smiles for the entire family.<br />
Check It Out<br />
Not To Be Missed<br />
Visit our Events Calendar at <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com for<br />
additional things to do while you visit the area.<br />
Whether you are here for a couple of days, a<br />
week, or more than a month you’ll find<br />
information about <strong>Sarasota</strong> and Venice area<br />
events, exhibits, concerts, holiday festivities,<br />
art shows, and more.<br />
Visit <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com for <strong>Sarasota</strong> and<br />
Venice area events information.<br />
22 SUMMER | FALL <strong>2017</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com<br />
Coupon<br />
ELIZABETH BARNETT<br />
A to Z Baby, Beach & Bike Rentals<br />
1508 Stickney Point Road, Siesta Key<br />
888.503.2869 • RentFromAtoZ.com<br />
Ideal when traveling with little ones.<br />
Featuring more than 85 items, they have<br />
the area’s largest selection of clean, quality,<br />
and well-maintained baby equipment,<br />
beach supplies, and children’s bikes. With<br />
locations in <strong>Sarasota</strong>, Venice, and St. Pete,<br />
A to Z serves Florida’s entire Suncoast with<br />
fast free delivery or 24-hour self-service.<br />
Visit their website for easy online ordering.<br />
Children’s Rainforest Garden<br />
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens<br />
900 S. Palm Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.366.5731 • Selby.org<br />
A tropical jungle environment where kids<br />
can freely explore and play. Features a 12’<br />
waterfall, swinging bridges, field research<br />
stations to inspire curious minds, caves for<br />
exploring, and an adventure trail in addition<br />
to an Amazon village with an amphitheater.<br />
Single entry/exit assures that no child can<br />
enter or exit without parental supervision.<br />
Duffy Electric Boat Rentals<br />
Crow’s Nest Marina<br />
1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice<br />
941.484.7661 • CrowsNest-Venice.com<br />
Easy to operate and quiet 18’ boats can<br />
accommodate up to eight adults, and are<br />
the perfect way for families to explore<br />
Venice’s waterways. Boats feature full<br />
canopy tops, full window enclosures, and<br />
satellite radio. Bring your own food and<br />
beverages or pre-order from the Crow’s<br />
Nest restaurant. Open daily from 8 a.m.<br />
to 6 p.m. Reservations are recommended.<br />
Escape Countdown<br />
6525 S. Tamiami Trail, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.202.5288 • EscapeCountdown.com<br />
Offers fun and challenging 60-minute<br />
interactive escape game experiences for<br />
the entire family. <strong>Do</strong> some time, fall down<br />
the rabbit hole, take your partner on a<br />
romantic date in Paris, or avoid being<br />
caught in a Category 5 hurricane. Work<br />
together to solve the puzzle with<br />
observational, team building, and<br />
critical thinking skills to escape before<br />
time is up. Open daily.<br />
Evie’s Family Fun Center<br />
4735 Bee Ridge Road, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.377.0990 • EviesOnline.com<br />
Fun options for the entire family. Features<br />
a challenging western-themed 18-hole<br />
waterfall adventure mini-golf course,<br />
pizzeria, ice cream parlor, and arcade with<br />
pool table and air hockey. Golfers of all ages<br />
can improve their game at the 60-station<br />
driving range, and chipping and putting<br />
greens. Watch your favorite team in the<br />
sports tavern with food, bar, and 31 TVs.<br />
Livingston’s Amusements<br />
5947 Clark Center Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.925.7665 • LivingstonsAmusements.com<br />
Over 50,000 square-feet of state-of-theart<br />
fun. Get behind the wheel of a NasKart<br />
miniature NASCAR race car at the indoor<br />
go-kart track. Feel the adrenaline rush of<br />
PhazerZone Extreme Bazookaball simulated<br />
combat game. Offers arcade games, Spin<br />
Zone bumper cars, billiards, and one of<br />
Florida’s largest prize centers. The restaurant<br />
features great homemade pizza and other<br />
snacks. Smoke free for your enjoyment.<br />
The Ringling Circus Museum<br />
5401 Bay Shore Road, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.359.5700 • Ringling.org<br />
Interactive exhibits and displays showcasing<br />
circus history, including circus posters, lavish<br />
costumes, intricately painted and carved<br />
wagons, clown and performing arts<br />
memorabilia, and the world’s largest<br />
miniature circus: The Howard Bros. Circus<br />
Model. <strong>Guide</strong>d Circus Museum tours are<br />
offered each day and are included with<br />
Ringling Museum admission. Open daily<br />
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m.<br />
<strong>Sarasota</strong> Jungle Gardens<br />
3701 Bay Shore Road, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.355.5305 • <strong>Sarasota</strong>JungleGardens.com<br />
This Old Florida attraction has been<br />
delighting visitors since 1939. Wildlife<br />
exhibits, acclaimed shows, and a playground<br />
surrounded by beautiful gardens and jungle<br />
trails nestled within ten lush tropical acres.<br />
Hand feed flamingoes. Pose with a parrot.<br />
Hold an alligator or pet a skunk. Enjoy lunch<br />
or refreshments at the café. Gift shop<br />
features unique and locally crafted items.<br />
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Siesta Key Drum Circle<br />
Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key<br />
This popular tradition attracts big crowds<br />
of participants and onlookers for drumming<br />
and dancing on Siesta Beach. Drum Circle<br />
regulars occasionally perform with swords<br />
and fire or offer flowers to patrons; you<br />
may even see a belly dancer. Everyone is<br />
welcome and encouraged to join in the fun.<br />
This free event takes place each Sunday<br />
year-round about an hour before sunset.<br />
Venice Pier Fishing<br />
1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice<br />
VeniceFishingPier.com<br />
The beach and the Pier extending 700 feet<br />
into the Gulf of Mexico is a fantastic spot<br />
to drop a line or gather to watch sunset.<br />
Fish from the Pier 24 hours a day, no license<br />
required. Papa’s Bait Shop offers live and<br />
frozen bait, coffee, treats, and more. Picnic<br />
shelters and restrooms facilities located<br />
nearby. Located at Brohard Park and Sharky’s<br />
on the Pier restaurant.<br />
Respect • Love • Sanctuary for Life<br />
See Animals in Action<br />
Experience the most exciting,<br />
interactive, educational animal<br />
adventure in Florida.<br />
Exotic animal encounters<br />
A safe permanent home for African<br />
Lions, Tigers, Bears, Primates, Exotic<br />
Birds, and over 30 unique species of<br />
exotic and domestic animals.<br />
Open Rain or Shine<br />
PLEASE CALL AHEAD OR VISIT OUR<br />
WEBSITE FOR CURRENT SCHEDULING<br />
of our animal Training demonstrations<br />
and open visiting hours<br />
Including a<br />
charming<br />
Petting Zoo!<br />
$18.00 adults<br />
$8.00 children (ages 2-12)<br />
Free Parking<br />
7101 Palmer Blvd., <strong>Sarasota</strong>, FL 34240 • (941) 371-6377<br />
www.bigcathabitat.org 501(c)3 CH18749<br />
KIDS LOVE US!<br />
3701 Bay Shore Road<br />
<strong>Sarasota</strong>, FL 34234<br />
Air<br />
Conditioned<br />
Arena!<br />
Hold a parrot, touch an<br />
alligator, feed free-roaming<br />
flamingos and explore acres<br />
of jungle paradise!.<br />
941-355-5305<br />
sarasotajunglegardens.com
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