Sarasota, Florida, a jewel on the Gulf Coast, promises an enchanting week-long escape filled with vibrant cultural experiences, sun-drenched beaches, and diverse culinary delights. Nestled between the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the lush landscapes of Southwest Florida, Sarasota beckons with its unique blend of coastal charm and urban sophistication. Whether you’re exploring the artistic treasures of The Ringling Museum, lounging on the powdery sands of Siesta Key, or savoring fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant, each day in Sarasota offers a new adventure and a chance to discover the heart of this captivating city. Get ready to immerse yourself in “7 Unforgettable Days in Sarasota,” where every moment is a cherished memory in the making.
Day 1: Siesta Key Adventures
Morning:
•Breakfast: Start your day at Another Broken Egg in Siesta Village. This charming eatery offers a variety of delicious breakfast options, perfect for fueling up for the day.
•Beach Time: Head to Siesta Public Beach or (even better!) Sunset Point at North Siesta Beach, a quieter spot ideal for relaxing and only steps from my recommended, Tropical Breeze Resorts, boasting classic bungalows and steps to the beach & Siesta Village. The soft, white sand and turquoise waters are perfect for building sandcastles or simply soaking in the sun.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Swing back to Siesta Key Village and choose from Gilligan’s, The Old Salty Dog, or Flavio’s Brick Oven Pizza & Bar for a delightful meal.
•Explore the Village: Spend some time exploring the local shops for unique souvenirs.
•Electric Beach Bike Ride: Rent electric bikes from Robin Hood Rentals and cruise along Siesta Beach. Make sure to check out Point of Rocks, a popular snorkeling spot at the south end where you’ll think you were transported to a different area, featuring massive limestone formations and a rocky shoreline.
Evening:
•Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at Siesta Key Summer House, known for its fresh seafood and tropical ambiance.
•Stroll and Relax: End the day with a relaxed walk along the beach, enjoying the sound of the waves and the cool evening breeze.
Day 2: Discovering Lido Key
Morning:
•Breakfast: Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the Blue Dolphin Cafe on St. Armands Circle. This spot is a favorite for its cozy atmosphere and delicious breakfast fare.
•St. Armands Circle: After breakfast, take a leisurely walk around the Circle to explore the unique shops and beautiful sculptures.
Late Morning:
•Kayak Tour: Head over to South Lido Key for a scheduled kayak tour among the mangrove tunnels with Kayaking SRQ or Lido Key Mangrove Kayak Tours at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach Nature Park. By the way, watch out for those tiny crabs that enjoy falling off the mangroves into your hair. Wear a cap. This is a great way to experience Florida’s unique ecosystem and spot wildlife like manatees and dolphins.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Have lunch at Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar with a view of St. Armands Circle.
•Beach Time: Spend the afternoon at Lido Beach. If you prefer a quieter setting, drive to the south end of Lido Beach for a more serene experience.
Evening:
•Dinner: Choose from Columbia Restaurant, Crab & Fin, or Venezia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle. Each offers a unique dining experience ranging from Spanish cuisine to fresh seafood.
•Night Stroll: Enjoy a stroll around St. Armands Circle taking in the vibrant nightlife and perhaps indulging in some ice cream from Kilwin’s.
Day 3: Sarasota's Hidden Gems
Morning:
•Breakfast: Visit Toasted Mango Cafe in The Rosemary District for a locally beloved breakfast.
•Sarasota Jungle Gardens: Spend the morning exploring Sarasota Jungle Gardens. This family-owned attraction is home to exotic animals and offers interactive experiences like feeding flamingos and holding a parrot.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Grab lunch at Food+Beer in The Rosemary District or try The Spice Station for a flavorful meal.
•Explore Downtown: Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Sarasota. Visit the art galleries, boutiques, and historic sites.
Evening:
•Dinner: Head to The Westin Rooftop Bar for dinner, drinks, and a stunning sunset view over Sarasota.
•Night Out: Enjoy an evening in downtown Sarasota, perhaps catching a live performance or simply strolling along the picturesque streets.
Day 4: The Ringling & More
Morning:
•Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your resort or a nearby café before heading out.
•The Ringling: Spend the day at The Ringling. Explore the courtyard art galleries featuring the inimitable Statue of David, the circus museum boasting the world’s largest miniature Barnum & Bailey Big Top circus, the Ca’d’Zan mansion (i.e. John & Mable Ringling’s stunning winter home with amazing stories about its construction, decline, and resurrection. Are you aware this very Ca’ d’Zan had fallen in such disrepair, it was used in the 1998 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” the backdrop for Miss Havisham’s broken castle? Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the finely manicured grounds, enjoying Mable’s rose gardens, banyan trees, ponds with fountains nestled among winding sidewalks, and enjoy the stunning views of Sarasota Bay.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Have lunch at The Banyan Cafe or The Ringling Grillroom on the grounds of The Ringling.
•Discover Sarasota Tours: After lunch, relax on a sightseeing tour with Discover Sarasota Tours. These tours provide a great overview of the city’s history and hidden gems including their popular City Sightseeing Tour, Haunted Sarasota Tour, or their City Secrets of Sarasota tour.
Evening:
•Dinner: Head back to Siesta Key for a daiquiri at The Daiquiri Deck. For dinner, choose Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar or Siesta Key Oyster Bar.
•Nightlife: Quickly, catch a sunset at Siesta Beach before experiencing nightlife at Siesta Village, whether you prefer the lively atmosphere at Gilligan’s or the more relaxed vibe at Captain Curt’s Sniki Tiki Bar, located just off the south Siesta bridge.
Day 5: Marine Adventures & More
Morning:
•Breakfast: Start your day with a healthy breakfast at Green Zebra Cafe.
•Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Spend the morning exploring Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. It’s a wonderful place to learn about marine life and conservation efforts.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Have lunch at Tommy Bahama or ChaCha Coconuts on St. Armands Circle.
•Lido Beach: It’s beach time at Lido Beach! Pitch your umbrella, soak in the lapping waves, and enjoy the ocean breeze. Stroll to the enchanting mermaid wall at Lido’s northern tip. Lido Beach offers a quieter, more serene escape compared to the lively Siesta Beach.
Evening:
•Dinner: Enjoy a casual dinner at Venezia (Italian) and finish the evening with some ice cream from Kilwin’s. Take a leisurely walk around St. Armands Circle to enjoy the ambiance or swing over to South Lido Beach where you park & stroll to the iconic Lido Key Tiki Bar for a nightcap & sunset on the sand with your favorite tropical drink.
Day 6: Bayfront Adventures
Morning:
•Breakfast: Grab coffee from Project Coffee and head to Bayfront Park. Enjoy a morning stroll, taking in the beautiful bay views and lush greenery, surrounded by boats, banyan trees, and beautiful Sarasota Bay.
•Pontoon Boat Adventure: Rent a Starcraft 19 SVX Deck Boat or an Aloha 26 Double Decker w/ Slide from Suntex Boat Club & Rentals, located at Bayfront Park, and spend a few hours exploring Sarasota Bay for mandatory stops for water fun. It’s a great way to see the local wildlife and enjoy the water.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Enjoy lunch at Marina Jack, with a stunning view of the bay and Island Park.
•LeBarge Sightseeing Cruise: After lunch, enjoy a sightseeing cruise with LeBarge. These cruises offer a chance to see dolphins and manatees in their natural habitat while the boat captain handles the driving.
Evening:
•Dinner: Head to Owen’s Fish Camp in Burns Court for a fantastic seafood dinner. The rustic, laid-back atmosphere is perfect for ending the day on a high note.
Day 7: Myakka River State Park
Morning:
•Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast at your resort or a nearby Myakka River State Park: Spend the day exploring Myakka River State Park.
•Hike the trails, take a guided airboat tour, and enjoy the park’s natural beauty and wildlife. The park offers a glimpse into “Old Florida” with its lush landscapes and abundant wildlife.
Afternoon:
•Lunch: Pack a picnic or grab lunch at the park’s café, Pink Gator Café. If you choose the park’s cafe, enjoy lunch, dessert or a craft beer, all while immersed in the beautiful Upper Myakka Lake from the cafe’s elevated dining room. The cafe’s menu includes a fresh homemade menu, including alligator stew and seafood gumbo, sandwiches, wraps, grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, and popular sides such as onion rings, jalapeno poppers and more. The cafe also offers a dessert bar with Swamp Gator Sundaes, ice cream, cakes and pies.
•Explore More: Spend the afternoon exploring more of the park. Consider renting bikes: single bicycles, tandem bicycles, and children’s bicycles are available to rent. Myakka’s 37,000-plus acres provide a wonderful habitat for wading birds, raptors, songbirds, migratory birds, and ducks. Whether you are a professional or amateur birder, you won’t be disappointed.
•Hike to Myakka State Park’s Deep Hole, where (when the weather is dry and cool) you are guaranteed to observe hundreds, perhaps thousands of alligators (in the wild, not fenced in) crowding around the shoreline and/or gators’ beady eyes poking through the river’s waterline.
•Stop by the canopy walkway for stunning views or rent a canoe for a peaceful paddle on the river. Kids enjoy the park’s geo-caching: Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. What kid or parent doesn’t have a mobile device today? It’s an inexpensive, interactive high-tech treasure hunt that’s a great way to learn geography. Last, consider guided horseback trail ride. Myakka has 12 miles of designated horse trails.
Evening:
•Dinner: Head back to Sarasota for your final dinner. Choose a restaurant downtown Sarasota that offers a special farewell meal, perhaps Mattison’s City Grille, Duval’s (for fresh, local seafood), or Patrick’s 1481 (to list a few or many) for a lively atmosphere and delicious food.
•Final Night Stroll: End your trip with a sunset stroll Downtown, at Bayfront Park, across the Ringling Causeway, or along Lido Beach, reflecting on the wonderful memories you’ve made during your week in Sarasota.
The Magic Doesn’t End Here… 🌴
Your week in Sarasota may be coming to a close, but the memories — the fiery Gulf sunsets, the taste of fresh seafood, the laughter echoing down Siesta Village — will linger long after your flip-flops are packed away. Whether you kayaked with crabs, danced in the sand, or stood in awe beneath The Ringling’s banyan trees, you’ve only scratched the surface of what Sarasota offers.
✨ Ready to plan your perfect escape?
👉 Bookmark this itinerary.
📩 Share it with a friend who needs a sunshine fix.
📆 And when you’re ready to turn your vacation into a lifestyle, reach out — we know a few places you’ll want to call home.
Sarasota is waiting. Will you return — or stay for good? 🐚
#SarasotaLifestyle #VisitSarasota #7DaysInSarasota #PlanYourEscape #GulfCoastDreaming
