Sarasota Florida is the best place to live in the U.S. for your overall “Well-Being” according to a Gallup Well-Being Index. The Well-Being Index is comprised of the following five essential attributes of a community:

• Purpose: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals
• Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life
• Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
• Community: liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community
• Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily

With that in mind, imagine a place with a relaxing & laid-back atmosphere, with tons of activities and amenities for all tastes; a place abounding in art & culture nestled within an eclectic landscape, and you have found the paradise you were hoping existed.

Sarasota’s rich history of art & culture is thanks to a few individuals whose names you may recognize when driving around town. The first mention is Owen Burns. He was a local businessman and real estate developer in the early 20^th century. He developed and built quite a bit of downtown Sarasota and her barrier islands. Next, Bertha Palmer had a big influence in the area after she purchased around 80,000 acres in and around Sarasota, including what is still known as Palmer Ranch & Myakka State Park. A few streets around Sarasota attributed to Palmer are named Honore Ave, Lockwood Ridge Rd, Webber St., McIntosh Rd. & Tuttle Ave. Some more recognizable names are Charles & John Ringling. You may have heard about their circus that they brought to town in 1927 after investing in real estate around the area, also in the early 20^th century. You will see their names on streets, a local art college, and of course the Ringling Museum.

Ok, we don’t want to forget to mention the award-winning Siesta Key Beach, with its 99% quartz sand that is soft and cool to the touch. (ranked #1 beach in 2011 & 2017 by Dr. Beach.)

Sarasota County Destination [Video] – (Click the link to watch promo video. More videos below.)

(Blue underlined text is a weblink and if you click the text it will direct you to a web page for more information. If the weblink no longer connects you to the website please let me know.)

Sarasota offers a ton of attractions and activities for its residents to enjoy year round including:

• Festivals and Events: Thunder by the Bay, Sarasota Farmers Market, Exotic Car Festival, local Seafood Festivals, Arts and Craft Festivals, Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival, Sarasota Folk Festival, Sharks Tooth Festival in Venice, Sarasota Film Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, Sarasota Jazz and Blues Fest, Atomic Holiday Bazaar, Sarasota Chalk Festival, Ringling Museum Arts Festival, Siesta Drum Circle, Nokomis Drum Circle
• The Performing Arts: Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera House, Asolo Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, The Player Theatre, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall & The Venice Theatre.  
• Attractions: Mote Marine Aquarium, Ringling Museum of Art and Design, Saint Armand’s Circle, Nathan Benderson Aquatic Sports Park, Sarasota Polo Club, Sarasota International Cricket Club, Host of The Pentathlon World Cup, Myakka River State Park, Crowley Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Jungle Gardens, Big Cat Habitat, Ed Smith Stadium (winter home of the MLB Baltimore Orioles), CoolToday Park (winter home of the Atlanta Braves) and the world renowned Siesta Key beach (ranked #1 by Dr. Beach in 2011 & 2017) plus many, many more parks and recreation facilities.

Areas of Interest Include…

Burns Court Square – “Burns Court includes an eclectic mix of homes, businesses and buildings.”

Towles Court – “Galleries, art studios, shops, creative businesses and restaurants in a historic district”

Laurel Park – “Laurel Park Historic District is a historic district in Sarasota, Florida, United States. It is bounded by Morrill Street, Orange Avenue, Brother Geenen Way, Julia Place and Lafayette Court”

Rosemary District – “Founded in 1886 the Rosemary District is one of our older areas of Sarasota. Lots of fun shopping, dining and hanging out in this unique playground of Sarasota not to mention the cottages, condominiums, lofts that the residents of Rosemary live in!”

Village of Arts (Bradenton) – “The Village covers 36 acres (150,000 m²) and contains over 100 homes, art galleries, restaurants, workshops and studios. Area residents live alongside the artists.”

Venice Island (Venice) – “Crossing one of Venice’s bridges to the historic downtown area, known as “The Island of Venice”, instantly transports you Downtown Veniceto a place of unparalleled charm where palm tree lined avenues host an endless array of exciting things to do and see.”

Siesta Key (Sarasota) – “Located on the shores of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, across the bay from the mainland Sarasota, you might be tempted to think that Siesta Key is just a beach town with miles of “the world’s finest, whitest sand™”, but that’s not all we are, it’s just a really good start…”

Manasota Key (Englewood) – “Those in the know will not always wish to share their secret beach spots so liberally — lest they become common and crowded — but we’ll let you in on a few of Manasota Key’s secrets anyway.”

St Armands Circle – “Is an island shopping center separated from the mainland of Sarasota.”

Sharky’s on the Pier (Venice) – “Both Sharky’s and Fins at Sharky’s sit smack dab on the Gulf in the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World, it also boasts amazing sunsets, gorgeous views, and the best seafood around!”

The Mall at University Town Center – The Mall at University Town Center will be the dominant fashion shopping destination in Sarasota. The shopping center will feature many distinctive retailers not found anywhere else in the local market.  The center will include a combination of upscale fashion and lifestyle retailers as well as a selection of sit down restaurants.

Nathan Benderson Aquatic Park – Nathan Benderson Park is located in Sarasota, Florida. It is slated to become North America’s premier 2,000-meter sprint course and regatta center by 2014. Over $40 million is committed to the facility’s future development, including 2,200 meter racing lanes and straight shorelines by 2013, coaching lanes, wave attenuation, a multi-function boathouse and athlete training center, starting huts and finish towers, grand stands and a state of the art boat maintenance and testing facility. Most of these facilities will be constructed on a first of its kind “regatta island” – an Olympic Village type setting which will provide competitors the support and focus which rowing demands, and spectators a viewing and entertainment platform unparalleled at sprint courses elsewhere in the world.

Festivals Galore in Sarasota County – Mark your calendars now. Every month there is a reason to get out and celebrate in Sarasota County. From international festivals of contemporary music, dance and theatre to shark’s teeth, chalk and film festivals, and we cannot forget food and wine festivals, there is plenty of opportunity to discover something new or indulge in your favorite form of entertainment.

Sarasota County Overview [Video]

Sarasota – A Unique Destination [Video]

Aerial of Sarasota and Surrounding Keys [Video]

Sarasota County Beaches [Video]

Sarasota Life: Nature [Video]

Sarasota Chamber Of Commerce

Sarasota Visitor Guide [PDF]

Discover Natural Sarasota County [PDF]

Siesta Key [Video]

Discover Siesta Key & Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota [Video]

Area Highlights:

Downtown Sarasota

Bayfront Park/Marina Jack

LeBarge Tropical Cruise

Unconditional Surrender Statue

City Island Park/Mote Marine

The Mall at UTC

Nathan Benderson Park

St. Armands Circle

Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Drum Circle (every Sunday, about 1 hour before sunset)

Lakewood Ranch Info Center

Palmer Ranch Community

Myakka State Park

Venice Ave. (Centennial Park Parking Lot)

Sharky’s on the Pier

Historic Venice Train Depot