Sarasota County South - North Port/Venice

Location: Sarasota and her string of eight islands are tucked into the Gulf coast of Southwest Florida, 60 miles south of Tampa and 75 north of Fort Myers.   Sarasota County encompasses nearly 40 miles of shoreline and include the City of Sarasota, Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Manasota Key, Siesta Key, Casey Key, City of Englewood, Nokomis, City of North Port, Osprey, and the City of Venice.

Arts and Culture :  The epicenter of culture on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota County is home to the West Coast’s professional ballet, the Sarasota Ballet, the Sarasota Opera, the Sarasota Orchestra, The Ringling and numerous professional and community theaters and dance troupes.  A prevalent visual arts scene rounds out the area’s arts and culture.   

Eco-Adventures  : Two state parks, Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park, in Sarasota County offer bountiful opportunities to commune with nature. Camping, kayaking and hiking can be enjoyed throughout the County.  The City of Venice was named a Bicycle Friendly Community and the Legacy Trail, a 10-mile long rails-to-trails project begins in Venice. Sarasota County is a Runner Friendly Community and offers several 5K’s and half-marathons throughout the year. 

Sarasota’s Circus Heritage:  Thanks to the legacy of circus magnate John Ringling, Sarasota is known as the “Circus Capital of the World,” with many offerings designed to honor the past, present, and future of the circus. The Ringling, the Circus Arts Conservatory, home to Circus Sarasota, the Sailor Circus and youth and adult training classes, and the Circus Ring of Fame on St. Armands Circle are examples of the circus’s lasting impression on the area.

Dining:  Every summer, Sarasota hosts “Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week,” giving patrons the opportunity to taste Sarasota’s diverse culinary excellence at a bargain prices.  Visitwww.savorsarasota.org for more information.

The City of Sarasota has one of the highest concentration of 21 Zagat-rated restaurants in the state of Florida. The Amish community of Pinecraft offers comfort food favorites and their homemade pies are legendary.