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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DAY TRIPS<br />
top<br />
Experience the<br />
10<br />
LEGOLAND FLORIDA<br />
Beyond<br />
<strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
An escape to one of <strong>Sarasota</strong>’s nearby<br />
day trips provides adventures for a<br />
memorable getaway. Within easy<br />
driving distance are opportunities to<br />
visit family themed parks with thrilling<br />
rides and interactive shows, as well as<br />
world-class gardens and museums. Travel an hour north and across the scenic<br />
Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Tampa/St. Pete. This easy one tank trip offers a myriad<br />
of adventures including Busch Gardens and the Dali Museum. Just a two-hour<br />
drive from <strong>Sarasota</strong> is Orlando, the theme park capital of the world! A visit with<br />
Mickey Mouse and his friends, exciting Universal Studios, a splashing good time<br />
at SeaWorld, or a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are sure to please<br />
the entire family. Be adventurous with a trip to the Everglades and Everglades<br />
National Park. You can even take a ferry ride to the southernmost point in the<br />
United States. Go out and explore. It’s easy to take a break from the sun and sand<br />
when you’re this close to some of the most exciting one-of-a-kind destinations in<br />
the country.<br />
Check It Out<br />
Edison & Ford Winter Estates<br />
<strong>Visitor</strong>s will enjoy the winter homes of Thomas<br />
Edison and Henry Ford. Explore 20 acres of<br />
historical buildings and gardens, including<br />
Edison’s Lab and Museum filled with inventions<br />
and artifacts. River Cruises and waterfront dining<br />
options are available. Audio tours available in<br />
English, German, French, and Spanish. Open<br />
daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.<br />
2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers<br />
239.334.7419 • EdisonFordWinterEstates.org<br />
Coupon<br />
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay<br />
10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa<br />
888.800.5447 • BuschGardens.com<br />
An African themed park featuring thrilling<br />
rides, a world-class zoo with more than<br />
2,700 animals, year-round live shows and<br />
entertainment, restaurants, and more.<br />
Experience the Serengeti Plain with<br />
hundreds of exotic African animals. Young<br />
children will love visiting their favorite<br />
Sesame Street friends and the kid-sized<br />
rides at Safari of Fun play land. See<br />
website for hours.<br />
Captiva Cruises<br />
11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island<br />
239.472.5300 • CaptivaCruises.com<br />
Offering scenic narrated cruises to the<br />
islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa, Boca<br />
Grande, and Cayo Costa State Park for over<br />
30 years. Captiva Cruises’ crew share their<br />
in-depth knowledge and passion for the area<br />
as you cruise through Pine Island Sound<br />
taking in the fresh sea air and abundant<br />
wildlife. Cruises depart from McCarthy’s<br />
Marina and South Seas Island Resort on<br />
Captiva Island. Reservations are required.<br />
Dali Museum<br />
One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg<br />
727.823.3767 • TheDali.org<br />
This 2,800 square foot museum houses the<br />
world’s most complete collection of works<br />
by surrealist Salvador Dali. Along with its<br />
permanent collection, the museum also<br />
features special exhibitions, usually<br />
including Dali works on loan from other<br />
museums and works by other surreal<br />
artists. <strong>Do</strong>cent guided tours are available.<br />
Fishermen’s Village<br />
1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda<br />
800.639.0020 • Fishville.com<br />
Its location on pristine Charlotte Harbor<br />
makes this a top stay and play waterfront<br />
destination. Enjoy boutiques and shops,<br />
fine dining, spacious villa vacation rentals,<br />
marina, Military Heritage Museum, live<br />
entertainment, and special events. Offers<br />
an array of water recreational activities<br />
including harbor cruises, fishing charters,<br />
and boat and kayak rentals. Open daily.<br />
The Florida Aquarium<br />
701 Channelside Drive, Tampa<br />
813.273.4000 • FLAquarium.org<br />
Explore a variety of diverse ecosystem<br />
exhibits that are home to more than<br />
20,000 aquatic plants and animals.<br />
Interactive and educational shows<br />
presented daily. Rainforest themed splash<br />
pad and outdoor play area, dive with sharks,<br />
swim with fish, and observe wild dolphins<br />
on a boat tour of Tampa Bay. Open<br />
daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed<br />
Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br />
Kennedy Space Center<br />
SR 405, Kennedy Space Center<br />
866.737.5235 • KennedySpaceCenter.com<br />
Tour launch areas, meet a veteran astronaut,<br />
see rockets, experience interactive<br />
spaceflight simulators at the U.S. Astronaut<br />
Hall of Fame, or even view a launch.<br />
Explore NASA’s launch headquarters<br />
on a guided tour, IMAX theaters, and<br />
exhibits. Tours included with admission.<br />
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Key West Express<br />
Fort Myers Beach • Marco Island • Key West<br />
888.539.4843 • KeyWestExpress.us<br />
The fast and fun way to visit the<br />
southernmost point in the USA. Explore<br />
Conk Republic’s historic sites, and the<br />
shops, bars, and restaurants on lively<br />
Duval Street. Leave in the morning and<br />
be in Key West by lunch when you travel<br />
aboard the jet-powered vessels of Key<br />
West Express. Sundeck, flat-screen TVs,<br />
full bar, and food service available. See<br />
website for ferry schedule, rates, and<br />
reservations information.<br />
LEGOLAND Florida<br />
1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven<br />
877.350.5346 • Florida.Legoland.com<br />
Discover ten different themed areas full<br />
of replicas of landmarks from all over the<br />
world, and stroll through the magnificent<br />
historic botanical gardens. Enjoy more<br />
than 50 rides, shows, and interactive<br />
experiences at this 150-acre LEGO theme<br />
park geared towards families with kids<br />
age 2-12. LEGOLAND Waterpark is open<br />
seasonally. See website for park hours.<br />
Orlando Theme Parks<br />
Walt Disney World • DisneyWorld.com<br />
Universal Studios • UniversalOrlando.com<br />
SeaWorld Orlando • SeaWorldParks.com<br />
Experience thrills, adventures, and<br />
memories to last a lifetime. Orlando is<br />
less than two hours’ drive from <strong>Sarasota</strong>.<br />
Take a day trip to Disney’s Magic Kingdom,<br />
SeaWorld, Epcot, Wizarding World<br />
of Harry Potter at Universal Studios,<br />
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the other<br />
family-friendly attractions in Orlando.<br />
Village of the Arts<br />
<strong>Do</strong>wntown Bradenton<br />
941.747.8056 • VillageOfTheArts.com<br />
This community of artists living and<br />
working together is Florida’s largest art<br />
community. Art galleries and studios,<br />
healing arts, specialty shops, bakeries,<br />
and award-winning restaurants can all<br />
be found as you wander the streets of<br />
this charming area of restored colorful<br />
cottages. Open year-round. Visit website<br />
for merchant directory, gallery hours, and<br />
special event information.<br />
Chill Out...Relax...Explore!<br />
$<br />
5.00 Off<br />
Each Adult<br />
Round Trip full fare<br />
Not valid with any other offers.<br />
Advanced online purchases only.<br />
Expires January 31, 2018. MDS<br />
888-539-4843 • keywestexpress.net<br />
THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM<br />
32 SUMMER | FALL <strong>2017</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com
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