So my girlfriend just booked a trip to Sarasota Florida for March 10th through the 14th. I’ve never given Sarasota much consideration so I’m looking for vacation advice. Eating, drinking, fishing, whatever there is to do in Sarasota, tell me about it. We’ve only got those four days and I’d like to make them all count. What’s the weather like this time of year?
do not miss a tour at the Ringling Estate: http://www.ringling.org/ Also a trip to saint Armand’s Key for the shopping and a great beach would be fun too.
Why Sarasota?
Seconded. Why Sarasota, for God’s sake?
Thirded. Is there something cool there I don’t know about?
Actually, I kind of like Sarasota, but probably would not pick it for a vacation. There are some cool restaurants and places, in St. Armonds Circle (very pricey) but also in an area that is right near there and not so pricey. Beyond the Ringling Museum I’m not sure there’s a lot of stuff to do. Of course they also have beaches and water and what not. There are the nice islands just north of there along Bradenton (Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach) if you want to do the wealthy beach bum thing. My extended family have a timeshare there that we used last summer. The water seemed a bit nicer and cleaner than Clearwater, which gets a lot more traffic.
That time of year the beach might be a bit cool for us natives, but it could work for you. Take walks, watch sunsets, dress in loud shirts, eat fried foods and drink margaritas.
The "why?’ questions are freaking me out a bit, but this is it in a nutshell. We have the vacation approved (which proves exceedingly hard for us at times to do at the same time) and found a nice deal on hotel and airfare so our 5 days will only be running two people around a grand round trip. That gives us more money to spend doing what **ShibbOleth ** mentions. If you’ve never been to Illinois this time of year, let me tell you…it’s fucking cold. -15 or so these days with the wind, so any change of pace and warmer weather is a welcome idea. So it’s my 30th birthday, we have the time, we found the deal and we want to go.
I know we want to rent a car and hit the Dali museum in St. Petersburg, but mostly we want to eat, drink and be near the ocean. Pricey doesn’t bother us, sand and water and sun are at a premium and the ability to get in a little fishing wouldn’t hurt either. These things are all available in Sarasota, yes? We’re easy people, and my girlfriend and I can amuse ourselves to no end if we were in our coat closet so I guess all we need are some good recomendations for food, booze, and whatever else there is. Is the circus museum really worth it?
If you like plants/flowers, Sarasota has Selby Botanical Gardens and Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
If you fish and other swimmy things, there’s Mote Marine Lab
Sarasota isn’t too far from St. Pete and Tampa so you can always check out the sites around here.
Don’t be afraid of the “why” questions - Sarasota isn’t that bad, it’s just filled with a) tourists and b) folks who have one foot in the grave. 
Seriously, St. Armand’s is a great place for shopping, if you don’t mind the tourist markup. Lots of nifty little shops - some chains, and several good local-artist boutiques. (Also a tobacconist that I just love love love - they’re well-stocked and the staff is always really helpful.) The Ringling Museum is actually much more art than circus, and it’s got some really good exhibitions going on. The grounds are also very pretty, if you want to just chill out and enjoy the landscaping.
Temps right now are in the 70s during the day - so maybe slightly chillier than you’d normally expect at the beach (especially with wind) but by no means uncomfortable. It gets fairly cool at night - sometimes down into the 50s, even this late in the year, so bring a light jacket and long pants if you’re going to be going out at night. Flipflops and sandals are de rigeur, though, especially if you’re a pasty white snowbird. 
For food - Lido and Siesta Key are full of little places that are awesome. It’s really quite hard to get lost on the barrier keys, as there’s generally only one main road and only one way on and off the island, so you’re safe to wander around and see what looks good. There’s as much seafood as you would imagine, and a fair variety of steak places that are decent.
For drinking - go to Ybor City in Tampa. Realistically, there aren’t any amazing bars down here, but lots of places offer a full bar and a host of weird, impress-the-yokels-with-our-urbanity type cocktails. If you’re coffee drinkers, try Latitude 23.5 - they roast their own and do a hell of a job. If you’re tea drinkers, it’s worth the trek up to Tampa just to go to Kaleisia; they have a Wall of Tea that will knock your socks off, and you can get it loose by the oz for very reasonable prices.
My email is in my profile - the boys and I are right north in Bradenton (the next little town north), and would be happy to show you around, if you want. 
Sarasota ain’t all that bad. It’s really quite pretty, if a little artificial looking in the newer parts, not unlike lots of Florida.
I’ve got a friend who lives on Siesta Key and I thought it was quite nice. There’s tons of cool bars. Siesta Beach got voted nicest sand or top 10 nicest U.S. beaches or both or something like that several years ago. There’s a sea turtle nesting spot that’s pretty neat, just don’t disturb them. You can rent a cruiser bike and go bar hopping or ride the length of it. I went kayaking on the intercoastal waterway which was really great. There are lots of little mangrove islands that you can explore
I have heard really great things about it and I’m pissed that I didn’t go when I had the chance.
Unfortunately, the porno theater where Peewee Herman got busted is no longer open.
I used to volunteer at the Mote Marine Aquarium’s Whale and Dolphin Hospital. So I definitey second the advice to check that place out. It’s not far from one of their beaches and a nice little night spot.
Driving to St Pete wont even take an hour, and you’ll get to cross the Sunshine Skyway.
Have fun!
Yes, it’s a short trip to St. Pete, you’ve got to come up here. Driving over the Skyway is quite awesome, you (or rather, your passenger) will have a spectacular view.
We’ve got the Dali museum, the other art museum (what the hell is it called?), the Florida International Museum, the Holocaust Museum, and Sunken Gardens. I’d say you’d definitely have to spend a day in St. Pete.