Help please. I'm coming to Sarasota

[slave-of-rock]

I am coming to Sarasota from 7/21 - 7/30 and was looking from some stores to go to. I am 18 years old and I am also looking for some cool places to go to instead of the normal tourist attractions. If anyone could help me with things before I get that would be great. Thanks for the help in advanced.
-Kyle Kaszniak (I am from Chicago BTW)

 

[tangwang]

The Mote Marine Aquarium is pretty descent, IMO.... Not sure about reef shops though.




Matt

 

[slave-of-rock]

I saw that online and was wondering about that. I'll be shure to check it out. Any idea how much it cost to get in?

 

[tangwang]

I think its like 15 bucks for adults



Matt

 

[Gimplar]

Well, Florida aquarium is always nice to visit. But if you're going to come to the tampa area and you're looking for nature type places, theres a nice canoe trail in Weedon Island in Saint Petersburg. Beaches are always a good place to visit if you're sick fo the cold weather. Pass a Grille beach, located in southern St petersburg is my favorite local beach. Plenty of Ladies and the Don Cezar (Sp) is world reknown and has been on the travel channel. And there are several different beaches you could visit while you're down there. It's basically one large Isle with lots of tourist shops and local private owned buisnesses, such as surf shops and stuff like that.

But if you're going to be in sarasota, i would seriously visit Venice Beach which is known for their black beaches and their fossils/sharkteeth which can be found on shore. It's also a great place to go skimboarding.


Are you actually looking to buy some stuff or just shops to look at? If you're just looking for shops, the official reef club has a list of local fish stores. But if you're goingt o buy stuff... nm Mods arnt to happy about us talking about personal opinions on Local fish stores, so ill leave it up to you.

Anyways, Welcome to Florida, hope you have fun and if you want suggestions on good places to eat, sites, LFS's, just PM me and ill be more then happy to talk your ear off.

 

[slave-of-rock]

I am actually staying on Venice Beach, my aunt owns a condo complex there so the place that we get is right on the beach . We have been there before (when I was around 10, so much different interests back then) and now were going again. Thanks a bunch for the help.
-Kyle Kaz

 

[BankerJohn]

Seeing that you posted at 3 something in the morning, I'm guessing you are a night person. Add to it your avatar, and I'm guessing a lover of music too. For a killer trip, don't miss the Bishop Planetarium, http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/planetarium/default.html

Call ahead and make plans to attend a laser light show set to a musical soundtrack. THey have a KILLER sound system!!!

 

[BankerJohn]

On the Bishop Planetarium, take note that the shows often sell out. You will want to call ahead to make reservations. Here is some more comments on it:

"A state-of-the-science, all digital full dome planetarium/theater. Features astronomy presentations, sound and light shows and wide-screen large format programming. Unique venue for live musical events, lectures, corporate training and a variety of private gatherings. Complemented by magnificently finished lobby/reception area, affording unique ambience for public and private occasions.

The ROCK HALL OF FAME show is an intense and revolutionary entertainment program which brings down the house with song hits from some of the most popular bands in the history of Rock and Roll. Songs from Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Jimi Henrix, The Doors, Metallica, and others are choreographed."

 

[Acolin]

Sarasota tour

Our local guest tour for Sarasota always includes a tour of Mote Marine (be sure to see the shark video), the Bird Man rescue sanctuary next door, Mote’s dolphin exhibit across the street, ending with a grouper sandwich and beer by the bridge at the Salty Dog on the water (preferably at sunset). Mote offers a harbor tour, which gets you out on the bay. They stop at an island and circle the bird sanctuaries. They dredge the bottom and explain all of the small animals they find amidst the grasses.

For people who like to goggle at expensive things, St. Armand’s Circle is on the way to Mote Marine and attracts some of the wealthiest people in the area. The perfume shop is a bargain. You can get the essentials oils used for the most expensive perfumes for a fraction of the price.

However, Siesta Key Beach is the only cool, sugar powder-soft, quartz sand in the US! The other one is the famous Spanish Riviera. Walk this wide, flat beach with thousands of people in the morning or gather for the drum circle at dusk on Sunday. Plan on crowded traffic on the island and parking a block or two away.

You can kayak up close to the gators (might not be sunning themselves in the summer) at Myakka State Park outside of out of Sarasota and take a tour boat ride.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa (MOSI) is small for such a large metropolis, but it has an incredible Bodies exhibit there now, an IMAX theater and a small planetarium. Plus, it is down the street from the small Lowry Zoo and the popular Busch Gardens theme park.

If a day in Tampa is on the agenda, the Florida Aquarium is a smaller version of the wonderful Tennessee aquarium (showing a more complete picture of all of nature, not just the fish). The best deal includes their harbor tour (bound to see some dolphins) and “behind the scenes” tour, about $35 each.

Otherwise, I would drive about 3-4 hours over Alligator Alley to Key Largo and see the hard coral reef there (the only ones in mainland US). There are glass bottom boats, SNUBA, snorkeling and SCUBA tours there.