Things to Do within a Short Drive of Siesta Key

Mote Aquarium is another one of the activities to save for a cold or even a rainy (light rain) day. Inside are a couple of dozen aquariums with representative sea life from around the southwest Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Outside are the sharks, dolphins, matinee and stingray tanks. Also on the grounds is a rescue center for injured birds. A great place to see up close and personal birds of all kinds from the area.

The place to go if all you want to do is shop, eat and drink (and beach it too, since Lido Beach is close by). St. Armand's Circle has a collection of fine shops and fine dining to rival that of Worth Avenue and Rodeo Drive - but with a casual flair that the others lack. Promenading about the circle is a great way to spend an afternoon. Start with lunch from anyone of a bunch of restaurants, and then begin your journey about the circle. Park benches are kindly placed for those accompanying others who are shopping. And if that get's dull, well there is a pub not too many steps away.

There are lot's of places to go in Sarasota, but the place we always seem to get back to at least once is Marina Jacks. As the photo suggests, the place is huge. But it is really a collection of different drinking and dining experiences all under one roof. Our favorite is to grab a beer and maybe a bite on the pier side tables. If the weather is a little iffy, or there is a game on TV you must watch, under the roof is an open air bar as well as tables. Or head inside for bar and grill dining on one side, and fine dining on the other. Get bored with that, you can always take a sunset dining cruise which leaves right from the docks in front of the restaurant. Valet parking is also very convenient in the difficult to park Marina area.

Located in the Marina area, O'Leary's is a great place to grab a bite for lunch - literally. You head indoors, where you order food at the cash register. They hand you a pager, and you head outside to grab a bayside side table. When the pager goes off, head in to the grill window and grab your meal. Great views of the bay, boats and birds. Little tip, if there is a cold wind coming from the North, head to O'Leary's. The building blocks the wind, but is open to the sunshine.

In the same area as Marina Jacks, O'Leary's and LeBarge Cruises, is the Bayfront Park. Stroll out past the docks, boats and yachts, to the very point of the park which features sculptured dolphins dancing in fountain. You almost feel like you have left land and have headed out to sea. The park itself features a plethora of wild life, joggers, playgrounds for the kids and of course beautiful views of Sarasota Bay and environs.

Starting with the Ringling Circus making Sarasota its Winter home decades ago, the Circus Arts are significant to the culture and identify of Sarasota. Circus Sarasota is not only keeping that tradition alive, but thriving. In the Winter and Spring, the Sailor Circus performs. These are kids 8 to 18. They are not to be missed. Professional artists get their chance to amaze during multiple events throughout the year.