Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Summer/Fall 2018
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 2018 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 to Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Longboat and Lido Key, Florida. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Must Do directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink while on vacation. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and coupon 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 2018 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 to Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Longboat and Lido Key, Florida. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Must Do directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink while on vacation. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and coupon savings.
Explore Beyond Sarasota COURTESY UNIVERSAL ORLANDO An escape to one of Sarasota’s nearby day trips provides adventures for a memorable getaway. Within easy driving distance are opportunities to visit family themed parks with thrilling rides and interactive shows, as well as world-class gardens and museums. Travel an hour north and across the scenic Sunshine Skyway Bridge to Tampa/St. Pete. This easy one tank trip offers a myriad of adventures including Busch Gardens and the Dali Museum. Just a two-hour drive from Sarasota is Orlando, the theme park capital of the world! A visit with Mickey Mouse and his friends, exciting Universal Studios, a splashing good time at SeaWorld, or a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter are sure to please the entire family. Be adventurous with a trip to the Everglades and Everglades National Park. You can even take a ferry ride to the southernmost point in the United States. Go out and explore. It’s easy to take a break from the sun and sand when you’re this close to some of the most exciting one-of-a-kind destinations in the country. ELIZABETH BARNETT COURTESY UNIVERSAL ORLANDO 32 | Must Do Visitor Guides
MUST DO DAY TRIPS Coupon NITA ETTINGER Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa 888.800.5447 • BuschGardens.com An African themed park featuring thrilling rides, a world-class zoo with more than 2,700 animals, year-round live shows and entertainment, restaurants, and more. Experience the Serengeti Plain with hundreds of exotic African animals. Young children will love visiting their favorite Sesame Street friends and the kid-sized rides at Safari of Fun play land. See website for hours. Captiva Cruises 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island 239.472.5300 • CaptivaCruises.com Offering scenic narrated cruises to the islands of Cabbage Key, Useppa, Boca Grande, and Cayo Costa State Park for over 30 years. Captiva Cruises’ crew share their in-depth knowledge and passion for the area as you cruise through Pine Island Sound taking in the fresh sea air and abundant wildlife. Cruises depart from McCarthy’s Marina and South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island. Reservations are required. Dali Museum One Dali Blvd., St. Petersburg 727.823.3767 • TheDali.org This 2,800 square foot museum houses the world’s most complete collection of works by surrealist Salvador Dali. Along with its permanent collection, the museum also features special exhibitions, usually including Dali works on loan from other museums and works by other surreal artists. Docent guided tours are available. Edison & Ford Winter Estates 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers 239.334.7419 • EdisonFordWinterEstates.org Visitors to Edison Ford can enjoy 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including Edison’s Botanic Lab and the Museum. The 1929 historic landscape is evident throughout the property, and the Museum has an impressive collection of inventions, artifacts, archive and special exhibits. Also features a gift shop and café. Offers a wide range of tour options. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fishermen’s Village 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda 800.639.0020 • Fishville.com Its location on pristine Charlotte Harbor makes this a top stay and play waterfront destination. Enjoy boutiques and shops, fine dining, spacious villa vacation rentals, marina, Military Heritage Museum, live entertainment, and special events. Offers an array of water recreational activities including harbor cruises, fishing charters, and boat and kayak rentals. Open daily. ONLY A SHORT DRIVE OFF I-75! Airboat & Swamp Buggy Tours Horseback Riding Adventures ENJOY THE MAJESTIC PEACE RIVER! VISIT OUR COUNTRY STORE & HOLD A BABY GATOR! 1.863.444.0693 4192 SW Adventure Way Arcadia, FL www.peacerivercharters.com MustDo.com | 33
- Page 1 and 2: SUMMER | FALL 2018 SARASOTA • SIE
- Page 3 and 4: WE MAKE VACATION FEEL EASY Explore
- Page 5 and 6: Total drinkware purchase* VOTED BES
- Page 7 and 8: PUBLISHER Dave Ettinger 941.400.537
- Page 9 and 10: Longboat Key Gulf of Mexico Drive T
- Page 11 and 12: MUST DO BEACHES Brohard Beach • P
- Page 13 and 14: Hunting for Sharks’ Teeth By: Gil
- Page 15 and 16: ELIZABETH BARNETT Watersports Cruis
- Page 17 and 18: Key Sailing Marina Jack, 2 Marina P
- Page 19 and 20: GREG WAGNER October Ringling Intern
- Page 21 and 22: MUST DO ATTRACTIONS Coupon Art Cent
- Page 23 and 24: Boredom-Defying Activities NITA ETT
- Page 25 and 26: LeBarge Tropical Cruises 2 Marina P
- Page 27 and 28: MUST DO TOURS Coupon Dolphin Watch
- Page 29 and 30: Florida Sunshine Survival Tips Ther
- Page 31: MARY CAROL FITZGERALD uncover thems
- Page 35 and 36: Top-Notch Courses SHUTTERSTOCK SHUT
- Page 37 and 38: The Preserve Golf Club 7310 Tara Pr
- Page 39 and 40: MUST DO SHOPPING Coupon Beach Bazaa
- Page 41 and 42: Truly a One-of-a-Kind Place to Shop
- Page 43 and 44: All Kinds of Yum MARY CAROL FITZGER
- Page 45 and 46: Ophelia’s on the Bay 9105 Midnigh
- Page 47 and 48: MUST DO NIGHTLIFE Coupon Happy Hour
- Page 49 and 50: COUPON SAVINGS VISIT US ONLINE FOR
- Page 51 and 52: Our Swimsuit Specialists Will Find
MUST DO DAY TRIPS<br />
Coupon<br />
NITA ETTINGER<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 />
Edison & Ford Winter Estates<br />
2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers<br />
239.334.7419 • EdisonFordWinterEstates.org<br />
<strong>Visitor</strong>s to Edison Ford can enjoy 20<br />
acres of historical buildings and gardens<br />
including Edison’s Botanic Lab and the<br />
Museum. The 1929 historic landscape is<br />
evident throughout the property, and the<br />
Museum has an impressive collection of<br />
inventions, artifacts, archive and special<br />
exhibits. Also features a gift shop and café.<br />
Offers a wide range of tour options. Open<br />
daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.<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 />
ONLY A SHORT<br />
DRIVE OFF I-75!<br />
Airboat & Swamp Buggy Tours<br />
Horseback Riding Adventures<br />
ENJOY THE MAJESTIC PEACE RIVER! VISIT OUR COUNTRY STORE & HOLD A BABY GATOR!<br />
1.863.444.0693<br />
4192 SW Adventure Way Arcadia, FL<br />
www.peacerivercharters.com<br />
<strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com | 33
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