NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY BEACH, SARASOTA OFFERS A THRIVING CULTURAL LIFE
BY ALONA ABBADY MARTINEZ
POSTCARD PERFECT SARASOTA TEEMS WITH PARADISIACAL BEACHES AND EPIC SUNSETS
BUT THIS VIBRANT DESTINATION, NICKNAMED “FLORIDA’S CULTURAL COAST,” STANDS OUT
FROM THE HOLIDAY CROWD FOR ITS PASSIONATE AND DIVERSE ART LIFE.
do
Start at The Ringling, the 66-acre winter estate of John Ringling,
of circus fame. It houses the Art Museum, an impressive 31-room
gallery of Ringling and his wife Mabel’s personal collection. Ca’ d’Zan,
the couple’s Venetian mansion, the Circus Museum and Bayfront
Gardens are also on the grounds. Music aficionados will be smitten
with the Sarasota Opera, dating back to 1926 and a trolley tour with
Center for Architecture Sarasota (Thursdays only) shows off the city’s
architectural diversity, including a purple building designed by Frank
Lloyd Wrights’ son-in-law. Craving sun and sand? Siesta Key Beach,
whose sand is 99 percent pure quartz, has won countless awards.
Visit Venice Beach, “The Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” and dig up
fossilized teeth from millions of years ago.
eat
C’est La Vie starts the day with crêpes, omelets, and croissants. Lunch
calls for oyster tacos at Daiquiri Deck and drinks like “The Dead Man”
or “Electric Lemonade.” For a fancy night out, Michael’s On East serves
steaks and high end dishes like lobster and caviar. There’s also a fun
ambiance, courtesy of the piano bar. End the night at Sage SRQ’s top
floor for drinks with a stunning 360-degree views of downtown.
stay
Ovation Hotel taps into Sarasota’s love of the arts: there’s a ukulele
in each room for inspiration, art exhibits in the lobby and workshops
offered year round.
getting
there
There are daily nonstop flights from
Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Sarasota
Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
on American Airlines and United Airlines
will begin twice daily flights from Dulles
International Airport (IAD) in October 2019.
AUTUMN 2019 47 FLYWASHINGTON.COM