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We have planned a 2 family Siesta Key reunion vacation for August

Any not-to-be-missed spots?

Thanks

Lisa

Daiquiri Deck, day and night, good food and drinks
Siesta Key Oyster Bar, good food and drinks, nightly entertainment.
In that same small area there is a wine bar with good local entertainment, forgot the name but the only wine bar I think.
If you like to walk or jog you will have miles of flat hard sandy beach to do it. Google Siesta Key sand, it's the same sand as Destin and only exist in Florida in these two places. As pretty as any in the carribean.

Sounds great! Thank you

The sand looks lovely and I guess we are only a couple of blocks from the main strip? So we should be able to get everywhere easily. Either of those places on the water or anywhere with a great dockside or beach location?

Lisa

Unfortunately, none of the restaurants in Siesta village are on the water. Further south of the island there are a few restaurants on the water, Turtles and Ophelia's. Many places for casual eating: Daiquiri Deck, Siesta Key Oyster Bar, Hub,Gilligans, Pizza Pi, etc. For breakfast there is Village Cafe, Broken Egg and Sunrise Cafe. The beach is the best around with fabulous sunsets. There are many other good restaurants on the mainland.

Thanks rfrimmel!

We always like to have some meals on a waterfront deck!

Looking forward to the sunsets too!

Lisa

You might want to consider going over to O'leary's and Marina Jacks in downtown Sarasota for waterfront dining. Also Old Salty Dog on City Island and Chart House on south Longboat Key are worth the drive for waterfront dining.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions!

I'll let you know where we ended up!

Lisa

So the week in Siesta Key was wonderful!!!

Stayed about a block from the beach in a beautiful home. The beach is so white and soft. Sand is like nowhere else I have been.

The village is a lot of fun. Compact but yet lots to do. Had meals at Gilligans, Turtles, and the best at The Cottage!

Heard a great reggae band at the Boatyard and a great margarita!

Would recommend Siesta Key for families and couples. Nightlife is great but you can keep it low key if you wanted.

Lisa

The Columbia Restaurant in St. Armands Circle is an excellent place for Spanish and Cuban food. It is not a hole in the while like so many of the restaurants of this type, but fine dining in a lovely atmosphere.

It is still owned by the original family who has, I think, 5 Columbia Restaurants in various locations in Florida. The two others we've been to are in St. Augustine and Celebration. The one in Celebration is our favorite restaurant in the Orlando area.
Sue

Regretfully we never got off the key! Want to visit St. Armands Circle though - have heard great things about it.

Guess we will have an excuse to go back!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Sarasota is a great place to visit...great Botanical Gardens, Ringling Museum and Home, all the beaches on Siesta, Lido, and LongBoat. The marina downtown is a great place to walk and watch the sunset and people. Eateries are all over and it's hard to find any place that isn't good. Glad you enjoyed Siesta Key... I grew up on that wonderful Key (Palm Island) just a stones throw from that beautiful beach before all the condos and high rises were all built up. Siesta Key Village was indeed a quaint village with an awesome sundry that no longer exists... progress does change things, but Siesta Key will remain forever young and beautiful!

Sarasota sounds right up my alley too!

I really would like to get to many coastal communities in Florida. Would like to spend some time during our cold winters here somewhere else. Somewhere warm.

Planning on renting around Florida each year until we find a spot we might want to settle and buy in.

Honestly, if you want to buy in Florida, I would recommend doing it SOON. The real estate market TOTALLY tanked here a few years ago, but is slowly coming back. Bargains still exist here, but eventually the prices will go back to close to where they were, especially if you're looking for someplace close to the coast..

I heard that Carol. Timing just seems to be against us. Still have to work for a little longer <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Lisa

You could try to buy something and rent it out for a few years..

I just wish I knew where I wanted to buy....

East vs West coast? Keys? Panhandle?

Just not sure yet - that means I need to vacation more <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I think the Gulf side is the best because you have magnificent sunsets and the water is so beautiful. The Atlantic side, the water isn't nearly as pretty. Panhandle, it can get downright nippy in the winter. And the Keys are probably the most expensive, but most susceptible to hurricanes, and not as good QUICK access to high level medical care.

The gulf side has red tide and jellyfish, the Atlantic side has magnificent sunrises and the water is so beautiful. Sea turtles prefer the Atlantic for their nests. Just kidding Carol, it's all good! 9 months plus from NY, loving it all.

Sunrises?? Who the heck sees sunrises?? Not me!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Carol,
The water is spectacular here! We live on the Bay and see manatees, dolphins, stingrays all sorts of wildlife.
And the moon rising over Miami Beach is gorgeous.
East coast is great!
cheers
irina

OK, guess I should have said central Florida Atlantic coast! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

that's better. LOL