One that is highlighted with bright color, warm Gulf of Mexico waters, sand so fine it’s reminiscent of confectioners sugar and an abundance of activity... The Central West coast of Florida, namely Sarasota, Bradenton, and their beach communities realize that many travelers envision this ideal beach escape and have captured these dreams turning them into a reality for those who have had the fortune of visiting the area.

BRADENTON
The serene Gulf waters of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach, and Longboat Key are known for washing away the frenetic demands of the outside world. Beaches, parks, restaurants, and resorts all make the most of the lush native landscape that capture the Florida magic.

The main road into the islands, Gulf Drive, is one of America's most scenic byways, stretching from northern Anna Maria Island down to the southern tip of Longboat Key. A leisurely drive along this thoroughfare reveals some of the best views of the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota Bay, and Coquina Beach.

For active travelers... the local waters provide a never-ending list of options for visitors to make a splash. Outdoorsy types can rent kayaks or canoes to paddle the winding Intracoastal waterways. For those who prefer a little more action, wave runners and powerboats are available for rent at numerous spots along the shoreline.
Onshore activities are as abundant in Bradenton and surrounding area. Golfers will be thrilled to learn this sleepy beach destination is home to 20 gorgeous golf courses, 45 including the Sarasota area. Tennis buffs can hobnob at IMG's Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy that fostered the likes of Monica Seles, Andre Agassi, and Maria Sharapova.

Baseball fans will want to pay a visit to McKecknie Field, Bradenton's Field of Dreams. This 6,200-seat old-time ball park is home of the Pittsburgh Pirates spring season with games played throughout the month of March. Less than a half-hour away, the Sarasota Reds play at Ed Smith Stadium.

For those who consider shopping a sport... Anna Maria and Longboat Key are known for their specialty boutiques. Bradenton's downtown houses numerous antique shops, and bargain-hunters can score big at the Prime Outlets in nearby Ellenton.

If price is no problem, St. Armand's Circle is the place to go for a variety of exclusive shoes, clothing, gifts, and other retail options.

History buffs enjoy the DeSoto National Memorial, which commemorates Hernando DeSoto's historic landing in Florida, and the major significance his expedition holds. To see the oldest manatee living happily in captivity, swing by the South Florida Museum/Mary Louise Parker Manatee Aquarium and visit Snooty. The museum's other exhibits include featured artists, ancient artifacts, and a planetarium.

Dining out is always a pleasure and these Gulf coast communities serve up a scrumptious collection of options. For those who crave seafood, you won't be disappointed. From beach shacks offering the best crab cakes to gourmet fare at award-winning establishments, local restaurants are bound to please even the most finicky eaters.
For those staying in accommodations with kitchen facilities, it's a snap to create culinary creations with fresh fish and stone crab purchased at local markets or right off the boat in area marinas.

SARASOTA
It's the imagination of "The Greatest Show on Earth" and home to the "Finest, Whitest Sands in the World". Sarasota and Her Islands offer visitors an atmosphere of cultural indulgence and creative abundance. From the satin-soft sands of Siesta Key to the acoustic acclaims of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, travelers enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a beach side bungalow just minutes from cosmopolitan and cultural amenities that rival major metropolitan centers.

Sarasota County is more than just a pretty place; it's a pretty great place to shop. From art galleries and antiques to flea markets and outlets, Sarasota is the perfect one-stop shopping destination. At Towles Court in downtown Sarasota, you cannot only purchase original artwork, you can see the artists working on their pieces. This artist-in-residence community is situated in a collection of pastel-colored homes in a backdrop of shade trees. Every third Friday of the month, art enthusiasts can meet the artists, stroll through the square and experience "Art by the Light of the Moon", a moonlit display of masterpieces.

Just a little further south is another quaint downtown shopping area called Venice MainStreet, in downtown Venice. Boutique-style shops, outdoor cafes, and specialty stores are neatly wrapped in attractive Italian Renaissance architecture and fragrant Florida foliage.

The fine shops in St. Armands Circle are filled with stylish items for the upscale shopper. Chico's, Tommy Bahama, The White House/Black Market and Joli's of St. Armands are just a few of the fashion shops to choose from. If you're looking for jewelry, Optional Art, McCarver & Moser, Alexander Fine Jewelry and Armel Jewelers will dazzle you.

A taste of the culture... More than just the "finest, whitest, sands in the world," Sarasota and Her Islands boasts a culture as melodic as the music pouring from the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and as inspired as the rich tapestries draping the Ringling Museum. Tucked away to the South of Bradenton, Sarasota plays muse to galleries, artist colonies, and professional symphonies, ballets, and operas.

The Asolo Theatre Company, one of Sarasota's most respected, is the only theater in North America with a winter repertory season. Local theaters including the Venice Little Theater and the Apple Dinner Theater abound, as well as a host of music and dance companies including the Florida West Coast Symphony and the internationally recognized Sarasota Music Festival.

Not surprisingly, history dictates that Sarasota is known as the southern playground for the rich and famous, hailing visitors from the north by sea and bringing with them a variety of cultural indulgences, including a taste for fine cuisine. To this day, Sarasota and Her Islands remains an oasis for extraordinary dining. "Sarasota's mix of elevated culture and tropical environment draws a great number of chefs from major cities and from around the world looking to live life on the beach while retaining the amenities of a cosmopolitan lifestyle," confirms Michael Klauber, owner of Michael's on East and president of the Sarasota Originals - the first Florida Chapter of the Council of Independent Restaurants of America (CIRA).

From the U-Peel-U-Eat Shrimp at the Casey Key Fish House and the mouth-watering creme brulee at Le Parigot to the fresh out of the oven apple pies at the Amish restaurant Yoder's, travelers are greeted by an imaginative array of choices sure to please even the most discriminating of palates.
We Recommend...

Flying in and out of SRQ! Sarasota Bradenton International Airport serves more than one million passengers annually with non stop flights to destinations that include St. Louis and Miami. In addition to its new flight services a number of airlines have increased their flight schedules in and out of SRQ including Jet Blue, which has increased its flight schedule to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport, and Air Canada with service from Toronto.

One of SRQ's newest airlines include USA 3000 with service from Chicago-O'Hare, Detroit, and Cleveland.
941-359-2777 | www.srq-airport.com

A personal spa treatment! What better way to unwind and enjoy your vacation than starting it off by pampering yourself! Myotherapy Massage and Health Spa visitors are greeted with serenity and calmness from the moment they step through the door.

Promoting health and wellness through an intricate menu of services, men and women, regardless of age, will find a service to best suit their needs.

Services include massage, colon hydrotherapy, Ozone Oxygen Steam Therapy, facials, and body treatments.
941-932-3625 | www.cskiverspa.com

Don't miss a performance of the Florida West Coast Symphony, whose orchestral programs appeal to a wide range of audiences. Founded in 1949, the Florida West Coast Symphony is the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida. The Symphony's performing ensembles include the Florida West Coast Symphony and four resident chamber ensembles, with each season including approximately 75 concerts each year. The Symphony's trademark series include Masterworks, Pops, Great Escapes, and Chamber Music, with programs that run from mid November through April.
941-953-4252 | www.fwcs.org

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
941-729-9177
www.flagulfislands.com

Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau
800-552-9799
www.sarasotafl.org