Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Winter/Spring 2019
At Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Winter/Spring 2019 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 Winter/Spring 2019 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.
MUST DO FAMILY FUN Coupon MARY CAROL FITZGERALD The Ringling Circus Museum 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 941.359.5700 • Ringling.org Interactive exhibits and displays showcasing circus history, including circus posters, lavish costumes, intricately painted and carved wagons, clown and performing arts memorabilia, and the world’s largest miniature circus: The Howard Bros. Circus Model. Guided Circus Museum tours are offered each day and are included with Ringling Museum admission. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m. Sarasota Jungle Gardens 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota 941.355.5305 • SarasotaJungleGardens.com This Old Florida attraction has been delighting visitors since 1939. Wildlife exhibits, acclaimed shows, and a playground surrounded by beautiful gardens and jungle trails nestled within ten lush tropical acres. Hand feed flamingoes. Pose with a parrot. Hold an alligator or pet a skunk. Enjoy lunch or refreshments at the café. Gift shop features unique and locally crafted items. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ski-A-Rees 1602 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota 941.388.1666 • SkiARees.com This is the only saltwater ski team in the US. Marvel at young adults performing spectacular water ski tricks. The one-hour show features stunts such as jump, barefoot, ballet, and pyramid. Bleacher seats or bring your own lawn chair. Free parking and concessions available. Free entertaining performances every Sunday at 2 p.m. from February 3 to May 5. Siesta Key Drum Circle Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key This popular tradition attracts big crowds of participants and onlookers for drumming and dancing on Siesta Beach. Drum Circle regulars occasionally perform with swords and fire or offer flowers to patrons; you may even see a belly dancer. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in the fun. This free event takes place each Sunday year-round about an hour before sunset. Venice Pier Fishing 1600 Harbor Drive South, Venice VeniceFishingPier.com The beach and the Pier extending 700 feet into the Gulf of Mexico is a fantastic spot to drop a line or gather to watch sunset. Fish from the Pier 24 hours a day, no license required. Papa’s Bait Shop offers live and frozen bait, coffee, treats, and more. Picnic shelters and restrooms facilities located nearby. Located at Brohard Park and Sharky’s on the Pier restaurant. Must Do Visitor Guides takes you inside and behind the scenes with featured blog articles. Discover the best tours, restaurants, and things to do on your Southwest Florida vacation. Explore Southwest Florida at MustDo.com 20 | Must Do Visitor Guides
Exciting Exhibits & Adventure Await Discover, learn, and be entertained by a diverse array of culture and arts, botanical gardens, animal parks, museums, and more. Lively arts, extraordinary history, and interactive exhibits and shows provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for hours of fun for all ages and interests. NITA ETTINGER ELIZABETH BARNETT NITA ETTINGER MustDo.com | 21
- Page 1 and 2: WINTER | SPRING 2019 SARASOTA • S
- Page 3 and 4: Exclusive Distributor Of Spektralyt
- Page 5 and 6: VOTED BEST LOCAL SHOE STORE THANK Y
- 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 on Veni
- Page 15 and 16: Watersports Cruises & Adventures So
- Page 17 and 18: Key Sailing Marina Jack, 2 Marina P
- Page 19: MUST DO FAMILY FUN Coupon Children
- Page 23 and 24: Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy 212
- Page 25 and 26: March Phillippi Farmhouse Market To
- Page 27 and 28: COUPON SAVINGS VISIT US ONLINE FOR
- Page 29 and 30: Discover & Explore NITA ETTINGER A
- Page 31 and 32: Marina Jack II Cruises 2 Marina Pla
- Page 33 and 34: MUST DO GOLF Bobby Jones Golf Club
- Page 35 and 36: Explore Beyond Sarasota DEBI PITTMA
- Page 37 and 38: The Florida Aquarium 701 Channelsid
- Page 39 and 40: Souvenirs and so Much More JENNIFER
- Page 41 and 42: 280 280 280 SIESTA KEY’S Morton
- Page 43 and 44: Fresh Florida Seafood SHUTTERSTOCK
- Page 45 and 46: 280 MUST DO DINING Coupon Alcohol D
- Page 47 and 48: Siesta Key’s Premier Waterside Re
- Page 49 and 50: MUST DO NIGHTLIFE Coupon Happy Hour
- Page 51 and 52: Over 50,000 sq-ft of Unlimited Fun!
MUST DO FAMILY FUN<br />
Coupon<br />
MARY CAROL FITZGERALD<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,<br />
lavish costumes, intricately painted and<br />
carved wagons, clown and performing<br />
arts memorabilia, and the world’s largest<br />
miniature circus: The Howard Bros.<br />
Circus Model. <strong>Guide</strong>d Circus Museum tours<br />
are offered each day and are included<br />
with Ringling Museum admission. Open<br />
daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday<br />
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<br />
jungle trails nestled within ten lush<br />
tropical acres. Hand feed flamingoes.<br />
Pose with a parrot. Hold an alligator or pet<br />
a skunk. Enjoy lunch or refreshments at the<br />
café. Gift shop features unique and locally<br />
crafted items. Open daily from 10 a.m.<br />
to 5 p.m.<br />
Ski-A-Rees<br />
1602 Ken Thompson Pkwy., <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.388.1666 • SkiARees.com<br />
This is the only saltwater ski team in the<br />
US. Marvel at young adults performing<br />
spectacular water ski tricks. The one-hour<br />
show features stunts such as jump, barefoot,<br />
ballet, and pyramid. Bleacher seats or<br />
bring your own lawn chair. Free parking and<br />
concessions available. Free entertaining<br />
performances every Sunday at 2 p.m. from<br />
February 3 to May 5.<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<br />
Sharky’s on the Pier restaurant.<br />
<strong>Must</strong> <strong>Do</strong> <strong>Visitor</strong> <strong>Guide</strong>s takes you inside and<br />
behind the scenes with featured blog articles.<br />
Discover the best tours, restaurants, and things<br />
to do on your Southwest Florida vacation.<br />
Explore Southwest Florida at <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com<br />
20 | <strong>Must</strong> <strong>Do</strong> <strong>Visitor</strong> <strong>Guide</strong>s
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