Sarasota

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Girls' Weekend on Sarasota, FL

A March 2003 trip to Sarasota by Bonzai85

I had a fantastic combination 40th birthday and bachelorette weekend on Lido Key in Sarasota. I used to visit often for business, but this was my first trip just for fun. I love this area and will visit again when I can - there is so much to do and see!

  • 8 reviews

Girls' Weekend on Sarasota, FLBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Sarasota is a medium-sized city on the Gulf that has a lot to offer. A compact city center offers a variety of shops, theaters, and restaurants. The adjacent keys offer a wide variety of activities: visit Siesta Key for its beautiful beaches (watch for the kite guys flying their two-string monsters), go to St. Armands to shop, eat, and people-watch, walk the long, beautiful beach on Lido, just steps away from busy St. Armands, check out the 'money' on Long Boat, and make the drive to Anna Maria for a little sleepier locale. I first visited this area for work and fell in love with it. For a city its size, Sarasota has amazing arts - opera, ballet and many fine small theaters. Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the finest of its type, and the Ringling Museum is a unique treat.

Quick Tips:

Be sure to check out the current runs at the local theaters and special events like the annual gem and jewelry show. If you are looking for a quieter, bed-and-breakfast experience, try the Harrington House on Anna Maria Island - beautiful!

Best Way To Get Around:

You'll need a car, especially if you stay inland, to save a little money over the beachfront hotels.

Helmsley Sandcastle HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Helmsley Sandcastle"

Our room was in the older section of the Helmsley Sandcastle - I'm guessing from the 1950s. I'd call it shabby-chic. The rooms were entered from an exterior corridor off the multi-level parking garage. There is an elevator. The room had a bit of a musty smell, but not over-powering, and the furnishings were definitely somewhat 'vintage'. The shower was weak which made getting all the salt spray off a little more trying, and the bathroom itself was small. While it wasn't fancy, it was clean and the staff was very helpful. Our room overlooked the beach, and we fell asleep to the sound of the surf. For the price, it was great. We didn't make use of the pool, as we spent most of our time beachcombing, but it looked clean and well-maintained.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 22, 2005

Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel
1540 Ben Franklin Drive Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 388-2181

Barnacle Bill's Seafood on WebberBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Barnacle Bills"

Barnacle Bill's on Webber doesn't look like much - just a storefront. But the menu is a legal-size sheet of handwritten treasures - grouper in at least a dozen different ways. My favorite - grouper piccata - is to-die-for. Their chowder is rich and filled with seafood - not overloaded with potatoes like a lot of places. Appetizers and salads are nothing to write home about, but they do a FANTASTIC job on their seafood. It's worth the drive from the beach.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 22, 2005

Barnacle Bill's Seafood on Webber
5050 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34234
(941) 927-8884

Columbia RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I have to admit that as many times as I've been to Columbia, I have only had an entrée once (the paella - it's worth the wait.). Why do I go here? TAPAS! Get a table on the patio, where you can people-watch and check out the black-bean cakes served the guacamole, the artichoke hearts, and the antijitos (spicy shrimp with garlic and red pepper). I know there's more, and you should try them all. Wash them all down with the excellent champagne sangria or a nice Rioja and you've got yourself a perfect St. Armand's Circle experience. I often ate here alone while on business trips and got excellent service - not always the case for the solo diner. On some slower nights, the waitstaff often pulled up a chair to chat, since I had become somewhat of a regular.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 22, 2005

Columbia Restaurant
411 St. Armand's Circle Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 388-3987

The Blue Dolphin CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The Blue Dolphin is a great little diner on St. Armand's Circle featuring the traditional counter service as well as a few tables. The food is fantastic - fluffy omelettes and on Saturday or Sunday, this awesome melange of leftover muffins and sweets baked into a sort of bread pudding (not for the faint of heart or anyone on Atkins!). We ate here almost every morning of our stay. Fun, casual, good coffee - a real treat!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 22, 2005

The Blue Dolphin Cafe
470 John Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, Florida 34236
941-388-3566

Bangkok RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

My former boss was a Thai food fanatic so I ate here regularly on business trips from 1997 to 2002. This is one of the best Thai places I've found anywhere. I had every type of curry they offered and they were all good. Seafood items are especially well-made. For something different, try the ground chicken/green bean appetizer (Tad Mun? Not sure of the name, but check the menu), it sounds odd but is very good.

If you like your food spicy, ask for it to be made 'Thai hot' - this will usually make your forehead sweat, if that's what you like, which I do. The red tofu curry was excellent when prepared with this much heat.

Bangkok House does get busy on weekends, and if memory servers, they only took reservations for large groups. Don't let it stop you, though - we always found it worth the wait.

The decor is ornate and adds to the overall experience. The waitstaff also wears traditional dress.

Enjoy!

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 22, 2005

Bangkok Restaurant
4791 Swift Road Sarasota, Florida 34231
(941) 922-0703

Anna Maria Oyster Bar CortezBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Anna Maria Oyster Bar"

Okay, so it's a little off the beaten path, but if you want the best Key West Pink peel-n-eats in the area, drive through Long Boat Key to almost the end of Anna Maria Island to the original Anna Maria Oyster Bar. The bar is at the end of the community fishing pier, and it sways a bit when it's windy. There's no pretense there - wire hangers over the tables hold rolls of paper towels to wipe your hands. The beer is cold, and the seafood is FRESH. I've tried the peel-and-eats all over Sarasota, and I'll make the drive to this place any time. It's especially fun when there is a thunderstorm up in Tampa, since you can see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the distance. Have fun!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 23, 2005

Anna Maria Oyster Bar Cortez
6696 Cortez Rd W. Sarasota, Florida
(941) 794-5257

Mote Marine Laboratory & AquariumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Mote Marine Laboratory"

Mote Marine Laboratory is an amazing facility. Exhibits highlight the wonderful ecosystems of the Caribbean. Touch tanks allow you to get up-close and personal with a large variety of the local fauna. The manatee and sea turtle facility let you see these magnificent creatures up close. I loved this as an adult, and the kids around us were thrilled--I can't wait to bring mine down. If you ever get a day too rainy or hot for the beach, Mote Marine is just around the corner from St. Armand's Circle. Go!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Bonzai85 on June 23, 2005

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, Florida 34236
(941) 388-2451

About the Writer

Bonzai85
Bonzai85
Flossmoor, Illinois

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