Sarasota
Sarasota, Florida is known as one of the best places in the country to live, work, and raise a family. This is due in large part to the city?s thriving recreational and cultural opportunities that offer something for everyone. The business scene is healthy and growing, and the city has top-quality schools and an affordable cost of living. Its rolling white-sand beaches on Florida?s Gulf Coast create an atmosphere of luxury in a friendly community. The city?s population is around 54,000, and there are a number of colleges in the area, including New College of Florida, Ringling School of Art and Design, the University of South Florida, Sarasota County Technical Institute, and Keiser College.
Sarasota Culture
The Sarasota area has a wide variety of cultural activities similar to that of a large city. Museums, theaters, symphonies, galleries, ballet, opera, and performances are just some of the major ways in which Sarasota has created a vibrant arts community. Sarasota County is known as Florida?s ?Cultural Coast?, and it is more extensive than many much larger counties. There?s the Ringling Museum of Art and the Florida State Art Museum. The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a very notable attraction. In the galleries and museums, visitors can see everything from Asian art to Circus memorabilia. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall hosts a variety of performances. Other attractions include the Asolo Theatre Company, Florida West Coast Symphony, Jazz Club of Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Film Festival, and Towles Court Art Association.
Sarasota Sports and Leisure
Sarasota?s climate offers year-round opportunities for everyone to enjoy the recreational activities they love. The city has 35 miles of waterfront and 13 public beaches, allowing residents to enjoy such activities as boating, canoeing, fishing, swimming, or walking. Sarasota is also the perfect place to live for golf. There are more than 60 public and private golf courses, and nine of the Florida Golf News top 20 courses are in Sarasota County. And four of the local courses are in the top 100 in the state. Shopping is also a sport in Sarasota, with everything available from one-of-a-kind items to original artwork to antiques. And for spectator sports, residents can watch biking, tennis, baseball, football, polo, and ice hockey.
Sarasota Outdoors
Natural beauty is an everyday affair in Sarasota, where kayaking or canoeing through tunnels of mangroves or checking out marine life on a bay cruise is par for the course. Windsurfing, parasailing, and fishing are huge here, and there are plenty of places to go to participate in these types of activities. South Lido Park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Brushy Bayou, and it offers endless beach combing an nature trails.
Sarasota at Night
Sarasota has a vibrant nightlife scene that offers something for just about anyone who wants to have fun at night. There?s Captain Curt?s Back Room, a sports bar and lounge with a friendly atmosphere, live music, karaoke, seafood, ribs, and satellite TV. Sunset Entertainment Cruises allow visitors the chance to enjoy their evening on a romantic cruise on Sarasota Bay featuring live island-style music and dancing. Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key is one of the hottest spots in the city for meeting new people in a friendly atmosphere.
