Last week, I flew down to visit family living in Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota sits on the Gulf Coast about an hour south of Tampa.
While I spent only a few days in Florida, I made the most of my time with overcast and often dreary weather.
Marina Jack II Dinner Cruise is a fun and relaxing way to see the bay area. The cruise departs at 7pm and returns at 9pm. They offer steak, salmon, a variety of vegetables, a garden salad, and three types of cakes. There was plenty of food for everyone and we Although the weather was relatively cloudy, the sunset was still impressive. More information about their tours and ticket prices can be found on their website.
Siesta Key beaches are expansive quartz white sand beaches that are globally rated. Unfortunately I couldn’t visit the beach while on my most recent trip due to an overgrowth of bacteria in the water.
Siesta Key Rum Distillery is a small scale yet operation that creates an impressive amount of award-winning rums. While the tour and tastings are free, you will likely need to book in advance.
My favorites were the Coconut Rum and the Coffee Rum. It’s around 75% alcohol, so go easy. This distillery is incredible and well worth a visit. Their tastings and rums change throughout the year based upon their experimentation with ingredients and the seasons. While visiting, don’t forget to buy a piece of their coffee rum cake!
St. Armand’s Circle is a cute downtown-esque area with a variety of boutiques, gift shops, restaurants and bars to explore. Many of the restaurants and bars have outdoor seating areas. It’s nearby Lido Beach and the Unconditional Surrender Sculpture.
