Every Sunday evening, a circle forms on the beach at Siesta Key. Drummers begin, both talented local players and visitors with small percussion instruments. Belly dancers, hoop dancers and gymnasts join in. No special talent is required, just enthusiasm. Everyone is welcome to join the circle – from toddlers to retirees. When you’re in the circle, it’s almost impossible to be still! Locals do this year round, and – during tourist season – the circle grows tremendously. It’s fun, free and relaxing, so come on over when you’re in Sarasota.
Category Archives: Vacation
Sarasota Payne Skate Park
The Sarasota Payne Park skating facility is now operated by Sk8skool. In 2010, they took over operation of the skate park from the city of Sarasota. Sk8skool operates it as a not-for-profit organization. Sofia Maldonado is a New York muralist and a skater. Recently she designed a mural and worked with students from Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, Booker High School and Southeast High School to execute the design in the Payne Skate Park bowl. This new mural is a vibrant addition to a park that already has skater inspired art. Extended hours and lower rates draw local skaters. And if you’re vacationing in Sarasota, add the skateboarding at the park to your list of things to do.
Siesta Key Dig the Beach Volleyball
Siesta Key beach hosts the adults and juniors volleyball tournament on May 21-22. See them compete for cash prizes on the white sand of Siesta beach. Watch hard bodies hit the sand to the sound of house/dance music…a unique experience. Details at Dig the Beach.
Sarasota Towles Court Artwalk
The third Friday of each month, Towles Court artists open their studios to the public. From 6-10 pm, you can enjoy free music and refreshments while you stroll through this historic community of old Florida bungalows. Named one of the top ten artist’s colonies in the country by Coastal Living, Towles Court also includes galleries and open air restaurants. The artwalk is very popular with tourists during season, and locals know that off season allows for a less crowded visit. New residents arrive regularly, so if you haven’t been to the artwalk in a while, mark your calendar for the third Friday next month!
Siesta Fiesta 2011 in Siesta Key Village Sarasota
Siesta Fiesta is a 2 day event with lots of things to do and see – art, crafts, food, drinks and music. Saturday and Sunday, the main village street is shut down and filled with brightly colored paintings, sculpture, hand made clothing and jewelry. It’s a shoppers dream. Or you can just sit back with a cold drink and your choice of fiesta food and watch the people go by. This festival draws mainlanders and vacationers to the key in big numbers, so you’ll see island residents walking or riding their bikes to avoid the traffic. Held each year in April or May, check the date and come on out and enjoy Siesta Fiesta!
Siesta Key Spring Break
Siesta Key is a great place to be for Spring Break! And it’s not just a beach destination. During March and April, the island demographics change radically – from mostly snow birds to lots of students on spring break!
During the peak of the season the main beach will have up to 20,000 spring breakers on it, with another 10,000 on the remaining miles of white sand beach. The village changes from quiet and leisurely to party central as more and more students visit during their spring vacation.
And it’s not just the beach you’ll enjoy. Siesta Key village has shopping, restaurants and clubs just off the beach; so you’ll find plenty to do after a day on the sand. Walk around the village, and you’ll hear live bands and DJs playing music in several different night spots. This year 2 bikini contests are on going at two of the clubs in the village. There’s a variety of good food and drinks available within easy walking distance.
Come on out to the island. You’ll find that Siesta Key is a friendly and welcoming, and safe place to spend your spring break vacation. By the way if your not convinced yet, Siesta Key beach was voted the best beach in America.
Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting
A new annual event took Sarasota by storm in it’s inaugural year. The amazingly successful event was inspired and directed by 2 master sand sculptors – Bill Knight and Brian Wigglesworth. As experienced sand master sculptors,- unlike any other event directors could – they hit a home run first time up!
The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition brought 11 teams of master sand sculptors together to compete for cash prizes. The proceeds from the first annual event benefited Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program. In addition to the competition, the event included sand sculpting lessons, an amateur competition, live music, a vendor village and other fun family activities. We were so happy to be there to videotape the entire event.
If you weren’t there for the first year…make sure you don’t miss this year’s event. And if you don’t live here, plan a trip!
Sarasota Florida Fun Family Activities
Sarasota is a splendid destination for your family vacation. Yes, Sarasota does have some of the most amazing beaches in the US, but it’s not just a beach destination. When you’re looking for other diversions, you’ll find a variety of family friendly things to do.
Check out Mote Marine Aquarium for a close up look at marine life and current research and conservation programs. The entire family will enjoy seeing over 100 species of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, manatees, seahorses and sea turtles.
Mote is open every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. on City Island, 1 mile north of St. Armand’s Circle.
For the animal lovers, the Big Cat Habitat is a sanctuary for animals right here in Sarasota. Not just tigers and lions and bears…you can also see coatimundis, a camel, birds, lemurs, tortoises and more. And don’t miss the Mia the Liger. Yes, a liger – her mother is a Bengal tiger and father is a lion!
The sanctuary is located at 7101 Palmer Blvd. The habitat opens at 12:30 five days per week, but the schedule may be changed based on the weather. So check their event calendar for current activities and prices or call them at (941) 371-6377 for all the details.
Your children will also appreciate some non-structured, imaginative play time. Make sure you plan to visit the unique Sarasota Children’s Garden and let the kids be kids. You can’t beat this whimsical spot for family fun.
These are just a few of the family friendly amusements you’ll find when you vacation in Sarasota.
Sarasota Florida Beaches Best Rated in The US
Plunge your bare feet into the pure white sand of Siesta Key beach, and you’ll understand how beach sand can be trademarked: Worlds Finest, Whitest Sand™. In fact, in the Great International White Sand Challenge, this sand was scientifically proven to be the world’s finest, whitest finest beach sand. First time visitors are amazed by the temperature of this perfect barefoot beach. The sand is 99% pure quartz, so regardless of the temperature – this incredibly soft sand never heats up!
You just can’t beat this location for a vacation. This wide, flat, crystal white beach is truly kid friendly with its gentle gulf waves. There’s a large shaded pavilion with food, changing rooms and retail shops, a number of picnic areas, tennis courts and a playground.
Dr. Beach ranks beaches using 50 criteria from softness of sand, condition and temperature of the water, slope, currents and sand and water color. He also considers amenities, lifeguards, cleanliness and competition for resources. Siesta Key Beach repeatedly ranks in the top 10 and in 2010 was ranked the #2 beach in US by Dr. Beach.
The Travel Channel describes Siesta Key beach sand as “soft and white as sugar” and rates it 5 out of 5 in swimming, sand and child friendliness. See their article on Siesta Key beach here.
And Siesta Key isn’t the only great beach in Sarasota County you’ll want to visit. Go diving or look for shark teeth in Venice or enjoy the solitude at Caspersen Beach. And if you have your best friend along – visit Brohard Paw Park and Dog beach. You can let your four legged friend off leash to play in the surf. The park is on the island of Venice at 1600 Harbor Dr. S.
All in all, we locals know how lucky we are to live near these wonderful beaches. Come on down for a vacation, the water’s fine!
Sarasota Children’s Garden
Tucked into the city of Sarasota is a fanciful two acre garden for children. Want to cultivate a child’s imagination? Just set them free in this park under a beautiful shade canopy. It’s a feast for the eyes with whimsical art, topiary animals and funky buildings.
I last visited during the annual Reading Day event and was delighted with the fun that children of all ages were having. With sculptures to climb on, a stage for performing, a pirate ship to stimulate creative play and colorful creatures around every corner – this may just the best place in Sarasota for interactive play!
The garden is open 7 days a week from 10-5. It’s also available for birthday parties and weddings as well as the weekly story time on Thursday mornings. Make a Wish foundation, All Faith’s Food Bank, and the Humane Society of Sarasota are just a few of the local organizations that benefit from special events Robin holds at The Children’s Garden annually.
The Sarasota Children’s Garden is a non-profit gem located at 1670 10th Way. The cost per child (under 13) is only $5, for kids over 13 – including adults who may feel like a kid in this fairyland – a day ticket is $10. Many locals who frequent this amazing playground take advantage of the Family Membership. It’s just $75.00 for 2 adult cards and 3 guests. Check out their special events and other details at their website.