shelleyk

We will be in Sarasota for 2 weeks in March. We were there for 2 days last year and visited the Ringling Circus Museum and Fort Desota National Park in Bradenton. We loved both, particularly the latter for the beautiful walking paths through dense jungle like scenery. Are there any similar places where we could walk, see nice natural flora and fauna, and spend some time away from crowds. We also like interesting museums, good restaurants (though not necessarily high end) . .

We will also be in Miami for 3 days and plan to go to the Everglades for one of those days. Any recommendations for a nearby basic, but good motel, near Shark Valley would be appreciated..

Fra_Diavolo

Near Sarasota try the Myacca River State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/mya...er/default.cfm

In Sarasota the Selby Botanical Gardens offer an introduction to the local flora.
http://www.selby.org

Lido Key is less developed than some of the others. The beach is a little wilder. http://www.fun-florida-getaways.com/south-lido-park.cfm

dhack

Going in March, there is very little chance you will get away from the crowds. I love Sarasota and highly recommend it as a place to visit, but it will be really crowded from January - April. Drive up to Anna Maria Island to have breakfast at the beach (don't know the name of the place, but someone from your hotel should be able to help you). Visit Marie Selby Gardens. Check out The Pelican Man on Longboat. Near The Pelican Man is a place where they have water ski shows - no cost. You could also go to Venice Beach and hunt for shark's teeth.

For restaurants, I love Marina Jack. There is an upstairs higher-priced restaurant and a more low-key restaurant on the main level. Phillipi Creek is a favorite. Check out Captain Curt's on Siesta. A fabulous place in Gulf Gate is Mama Mia's - it's really small, so be sure to call for a reservation. The Beach House is also very popular. At St. Armand's, I love the Columbia and Cafe L'Europe. Spending a day at Siesta Key Beach? Get sandwiches from Anna's Deli - several locations. The best breakfast place is The Broken Egg, although I think they have recently had a name change and now it's something like Broken Egg Too. Dick Vitale frequents the one at Siesta Key.

Sarasota has tons of great restaurants - it just depends on what you like to eat and how much you want to spend.

NewbE

I suggest a visit to Mote Marine:
www.mote.org
Interesting research lab and aquarium, plus it's a little-known fact that you can buy their sustainable caviar.

shelleyk

Thank you all for your replies and links. I will research them, as we are not "beach people", except for walking on the beach. We are active at home and like to remain active on vacation.

dhack-I am not a big fan of crowds and I know what you mean about it being crowded in March. But when we were at Fort Desoto National Historical Park, there were hardly any people on the walking trails and only about 10 cars in the parking lot. I was wondering if there was another "hidden gem" park with walking trails where we might avoid the crowds. If not, is there any shaded park where we could walk with the crowds? lol

NewbE

Would you consider driving to Tampa for the day?

AAFrequentFlyer

Are there any similar places where we could walk, see nice NATURAL flora and fauna, and spend some time away from crowds.

http://historicspanishpoint.org/

shelleyk

NewbE- We would consider a day trip to see something of interest to us, either north to Tampa or south toward Fort Meyers, as long as it was less than 1.5 hours each way.

AA-Thanks for the link.

NewbE

Well, Tampa has the Tampa History Museum (limited in scope and small but very well done), the Tampa Museum of Art, an Aquarium, the historic Cuban and Italian neighborhood of Ybor City, a walkable neighborhood of restored bungalows,and nationally-ranked craft beer (Cigar City and others, if you're interested), and restaurants (The Refinery, Bern's Steakhouse, and more that I could suggest). I think you could pass a happy and active day.

St. Petersburg has an excellent art museum, as well as a museum devoted to Chihuly glass, a walkable downtown/waterfront neighborhood, and, again, great craft beer and many good restaurants. It would also make a great day trip for you. (If you go on a Saturday, the farmer's market is excellent.)

LindainOhio

Robinson Preserve on Anna Maria Island is wonderful. It's an easy paddle on kayaks through the mangroves and along the waterways and lake. Protected, and a good place to try kayaking if you are a beginner kayaker. You can also walk or ride bikes on the trails that you can access from Manatee Blvd. We unfortunately discovered it on our last day there.

shelleyk

Lindain Ohio-Thanks for the Robinson Preserve suggestion. Do you know if they rent kayaks there, or do people need to bring their own (which we cannot do).

NewbE-Thanks for the Tampa and St. Pete suggestions.

Cadgirl

I'd recommend Tarpon Springs near Tampa. I will also second the recommendations above for Mote Aquarium and Myakka River State Park. Right next to Mote is a really neat little bird sanctuary called Save our Seabirds.

With regard to dining, my favorite meal in Sarasota in the last few years was at The Old Salty Dog, which I believe is also very close to Mote. Just lovely to sit outside and watch the dolphins while you know it's 15 degrees at home in Chicago...

wintersp

North of Sarasota, is Ft DeSoto State Park. Not the same as the one in Bradenton. I understand they rent kayaks there. I know the park well, I just don't kayak but I read that they rent them. It a fisherman's destination for sure. It is across the Sunshine Skyway in Tierra Verde. It is well located in Tampa Bay to afford many nooks and crannies in the mangroves around the island as well as walking trails. And it should be uncrowded particularly on a week day. And if you go to St Pete for Ft DeSoto or for other attractions, there is a small hidden park that is great for walking and observing alligators in their natural inhabitant. It is Sawgrass Park.

NewbE

I second the idea of Tarpon Springs, it's a unique community that makes for a great day trip. I also like the idea of kayaking--excellent way to get away from people for a while!