Sarasota Bradenton Arpt

Most of the city of Sarasota is located on the mainland, but it also reaches out in a series of islands, which the native Floridians call Keys. These stretch out into Sarasota Bay and beyond into the Gulf of Mexico. These idyllic islands have grown into some of the most beautiful and exclusive resorts in the United States and are a popular place for many people to enjoy a Sarasota holiday. It is perhaps something of a surprise to learn that professional planner John Nolen purposely designed the city’s layout in 1925. Realising the beautiful bay was the city’s greatest asset, he devised a layout in which the streets followed the arch of the bay, like ripples in a pond. Those plans still remain in place today and help funnel both locals and visitors down to the beautiful waterfront along Sarasota Bay. The Keys around Sarasota, its bay and the Gulf of Mexico have helped shape the area and bestowed upon it some of the most highly prized natural attractions in the United States. The crystalline beaches are rated by many as the best in Florida and among the best anywhere in the world. The waters off the shoreline produce some of the finest sport fishing in the world while the many attractions of Tampa and central Florida, including the theme parks, are just 110 miles away, a little under two hours driving along the interstate. There is plenty to keep the visitor occupied in Sarasota, however, without having to travel those distances. Many attractions, tours and cruises take advantage of the local area and the warm waters offer a variety of experiences in the Sarasota area, from canoe rides, tropical island cruises and aquariums to eco tours and the chance to explore some of Florida’s Native American heritage on a trail.

The main attraction in Sarasota is undoubtedly the beautiful white sandy beaches. Of these, Siesta Key public beach is arguably the finest. Its beautiful sand is clean and family friendly, the water is warm and there are plenty of amenities in the area, meaning getting a drink or something to eat is easy. The beach also offers those who stay later into the evening some of the most stunning sunsets in Florida. One of the key attractions is the number of Sarasota tours available that allow the visitor to experience the city and its surroundings in a variety of innovative ways. Many of these are based around the beautiful waterfront with kayaking eco tours and sailing tours around Sarasota Bay as well as underwater tours exploring the many reefs and features of the coastline particularly popular. Fishing is also a very popular sporting activity and there are several boats that offer charters to try some of the outstanding deep sea fishing available in the region. Golf is also available, with several courses in the locality offering a variety of challenges for golfers. For those looking less for sport and more for culture, Sarasota boasts many excellent museums and other attractions, including the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the excellent and educational Myakka River State Park. With average temperatures for the year hovering at around 28 degrees C, Sarasota is the perfect year-round holiday destination. That said, the best time to go depends very much on what you plan on doing when you get there. For a beach holiday in the sun, then the summer months from June to September are the warmest, though it can be oppressively hot and it is worth remembering that this is a subtropical climate and as such, thunderstorms and torrential downpours can and do frequently occur at this time of the year. If you plan on seeing the sights in the city, or visiting attractions where a good deal of walking is required, then it is a good idea to visit when the heat is less intense. Really, visiting Sarasota at any time during the rest of the year is feasible, but the warmer, more pleasant weather is more likely around the months of April, May, October and November.