divided into five districts: Towles Court, Burns
Court, the Historic Palm Avenue District,
Gillespie Park and the Rosemary District. All are
within walking distance of Main Street.
It’s easy to spend an entire day in less than a
one-mile radius in Burns Court: fill up on lunch
at Nancy’s Bar-B-Q, explore the antique shops
and worldly boutiques, embark on a thrifty treasure
hunt for one-of-a-kind finds at the Women’s
Exchange, and catch an indie flick at Burns Court
Cinema before sitting down to a southern seafood
dinner at Owen’s Fish Camp.
Palm Avenue, Sarasota’s fine arts “gallery
row,” hosts a monthly “First Friday” art walk with
extended gallery hours. Visit the Towles Court
Artist Colony on third Fridays to mingle with resident
artists in their colorful 1920s cottage studios
and galleries, or visit the Historic Downtown
Village at Gillespie Park for fourth Friday
celebrations featuring live music, light
bites, and shopping after sundown.
North of downtown, the Rosemary District
carries a rich heritage as Sarasota’s first black settlement,
with a history dating to the 1890s. Today,
the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, along with
South of downtown, next to Sarasota
Memorial Hospital, is Southside Village, a collection
of local restaurants, shops and salons,
including include Morton’s Gourmet Market,
Gecko’s Grill & Pub and Libby’s Café + Bar.
Lido Key and St. Armands Circle
ust across the John Ringling Causeway
is the cosmopolitan leisure and luxury
of St. Armands Circle and Lido Key.
Sarasota’s most iconic shopping district,
the palm-tree-lined St. Armands
Circle is sometimes referred to as
“Sarasota’s Rodeo Drive” for its highend
retail, sophisticated spas, boutiques
and Zagat-rated al fresco dining.
In neighborhoods such as Lido
Shores, architecture buffs will delight
in the mid-century Sarasota School of
Architecture homes, comingled with
the latest of today’s architecture.
Nature abounds to the north and west
of St. Armands Circle. To the north, enjoy
up-close sea life encounters at the world-class
aquatic research center and aquarium, Mote
Marine Aquarium, as well as the educational
avian rehab habitat Save Our Seabirds. West
of the Circle is world-famous Lido Beach,
spanning more than a mile to the south with
bay and Gulf access.
Siesta Key
For the second time in seven years, Siesta
Beach celebrated being named No. 1 beach in
the U.S. by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr.
Beach,” in 2017.
With its powder-fine white sand, sparkling
aquamarine waters and stunning sunsets, this
coastal paradise is more than waves, sand and
sun. Siesta Key Village boasts an unbeatable
beach town charm, with colorful deckside bars,
beach shops, and surf-n-turf dining. Rent a bike
and cruise through beautiful neighborhoods on
the Key to marvel at the lush landscaping.
Looking for more secluded beaches?
Blue Rooster
unique antique stores like Sarasota Architectural
Salvage and hip restaurants like the Blue Rooster,
the Mandeville Beer Garden and The Rosemary,
anchor the neighborhood.
Stop by downtown on Saturday mornings for
the Sarasota Farmers Market, which features
fresh produce, baked goods, and local items from
dozens of vendors.
10 The Official Destination Guide of Sarasota County