Sarasota, Florida is south of Tampa by approximately 60 miles. While inland a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota has wonderful waterfront vistas nonetheless because of its location on the large body of water known as Sarasota Bay. The population of this bayside city is a little over 55,000 with a metro area population of around 325,000. Built around the mainland rim of Sarasota Bay, it is a very pretty city up close and from a distance.

For all the features that lured you here, once you get here you'll marvel at even more, still. Sarasota is simply overflowing with charm. Among the more famous cultural centers would be Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Florida State Center for the Performing Arts which includes The Asolo Theatre Company and The Sarasota Ballet of Florida and not last or least, the Ringling Estate which includes the famous Ringling Art Museum and the Circus Museum.

Attractions in the area are not limited either. Enjoy a warm walk in the sunshine at popular Bayfront Park, a small bubble of land jutting into Sarasota Bay. Benches line the concrete walkways in the park and from any you can get a magnificent view of boats at moorings and the skyline of Sarasota. Enjoy lunch at O'Leary's indoors or out-of-doors on the deck overlooking the waterfront. Just around the corner at Marina Jacks, take advantage of the restaurants, the shopping and the boat tour of Sarasota Bay. Make reservations for the very popular sunset tour, though.

For those wishing to see the style and grace of early Sarasota, a visit to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is paramount. The Selby Estate, built on the shores of Sarasota Bay, is a wonderfully preserved collection of gardens and residences. Most famous is the Tropical Display House which showcases a collection of rare orchids and bromeliads from around the world. Paved walkways guide you on the tour of the Selby Gardens, along the waterside and to the buildings within. There are restroom and eating facilities as well as benches along the way to allow you to spend as much time here as you wish.

As good as everything is in Sarasota, there are fabled areas nearby to explore. The beaches in Siesta Key and Lido Key are some of the finest anywhere. You can also explore a half-dozen civilized barrier islands within a thirty minute drive of Sarasota. There is great shopping everywhere but world famous St. Armands Circle on Lido Key is a must visit. There are also 2 great State Parks in the area you should visit: Oscar Scherer State Park and the Myakka River State Park.

Visitors to Sarasota, Florida can tour many Southwest Florida cities by car. Just across the Ringling Causeway is Lido Key and the famous dining and shopping of St. Armands Circle as well as Mote Marine Laboratory. One can be in Siesta Key in 10 minutes and Venice in 20. Traveling north for 20-30 minutes through Longboat Key takes one to Anna Maria Island, ready to tour the little cities of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and the city of Anna Maria. A little over an hour south will find one at the gateway to SanibelCaptiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and Pine island inclu and ding Matlacha, Bokeelia and St. James City. This area can be accessed best from the Sarasota International Airport (10 minutes) or The Southwest Florida International Airport just southwest of Fort Myers (60 minutes).

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