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Brilliant white beaches that stretch for miles and miles. Excellent golf courses and plenty of shopping; brings you to the west coast of Florida. Sarasota offers this and much more to all members of the family. Whether you desire relaxation or excitement, this area provides peace and tranquility or numerous attractions for people of all ages. This is the kind of vacation that dreams are made of. The memories you create will last a lifetime.

Special attractions:

*Mote Marine Laboratory

Here you can learn all about marine mammals. They offer touch pools with shark, dolphin and sea turtle exhibits. You will find lots of interesting information about the manatee. You can view working research labs and learn all there is to know about these amazing creatures.

*Sarasota Jungle Gardens

The Jungle Gardens have acres of winding trails, beautiful tropical gardens and educational bird and reptile shows. You can even feed a flamingo a snack right out of your own hand! The educational shows are entertaining and both adults and children will love the beauty and thrills of this amazing place.

*Selby Gardens

This is another wonderful exhibit of Florida's wild and exotic vegetation. Experience the indoor rain forest and learn about the poisonous dart frog. Selby Gardens will educate and give you the full experience of the natural beauty of Florida. A truly amazing experience for those who want to get up close and personal with nature.

*Beaches

Sarasota offers one of most amazing beaches in the world. Visit Siesta Key and walk on the powdery, dazzling white sand. You can rent jet skis, kayaks, or fishing equipment. Parasail along the beautiful gulf coast and see the magnificent beauty below. Relax in the sun and let your worries melt away. Build sand castles or search for unique seashells. Taking in the natural beauty of this beach will capture the essence of this vacation.

*Restaurants

-Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar offers a casual and delicious menu. Great view of the bay and if you buy a beer, you take home the glass!

-Captain Curt's Crab & Oyster Bar has a great menu and it very children friendly. Live entertainment makes this a fun and necessary place to dine.

-Turtles is another great seafood restaurant. Sitting right on the bay, it has a great charm.
Once while dining there, a couple of dolphins showed up and entertained us.

-Big Olaf Creamery will top off your day with excellent ice cream, and a variety of other treats.

*Shopping

St. Armands Circle is a must when visiting Sarasota, Florida. It is unique that it follows the entire circle with shops and unique restaurants. It is an island itself, between the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. It tends to be an expensive shopping area, but the charm and design are worth the trip, if only just to window shop.

*Golf/Fishing

For the outdoorsman, the golf and fishing are wonderful. The many choices of golf courses in Sarasota will keep you busy for days or weeks if you have the time. There is charter fishing available and the experience is worth the price.

Sarasota, Florida has its own airport and finding your way around is a breeze. There is much to do or simply relax and spend your time on the exquisite white beach.

This destination is one of the best vacation spots in the United States. You will want to visit often and who knows, maybe someday it will be your retirement home. The reason this vacation destination is so popular is that it takes the family into the realms of nature and the discovery of the outdoors; making the trip one which is remembered by the whole family.

Learn more about this author, Peggy Lindgren.
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