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A Guide to the Top Siesta Key Attractions for Your Beach Vacation Itinerary
A Siesta Key vacation is unlike any other ordinary beach getaway. Nestled on the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Sarasota, Siesta Key offers the best of a small beach town and a lively city with a great collection of delicious bars and restaurants, shopping, indoor attractions, and outdoor adventures. No matter what you hope to enjoy and experience during a beach trip, the local experts here at Best Western Siesta Key are sharing a few recommendations to add to your vacation itinerary.
Relax On Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Beach is the largest of the three beaches on Siesta Key and the most popular. With its white quartz sand and relaxing, warm turquoise waters, you can easily spend an entire day in the sun and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Be sure to pack lots of sunscreen and your beach umbrella! To secure a convenient parking spot and the best place to set up on the sand, we recommend arriving before 10 AM.
Kayak Through Mangroves
If you love kayaking or marveling over the wonders of Mother Nature, then you will love exploring the natural mangrove tunnels throughout Sarasota Bay. Kayak rentals on South Lido are easy and affordable, and you can even join a tour group with a guide. From paddling along magnificently exposed root systems to spying dolphins, manatees, and other fantastic marine wildlife, this is a Sarasota “must-do.”
Join the Siesta Key Drum Circle
Case away the “Sunday Blues” during the weekly Siesta Key Drum Circle. Each Sunday evening, just before sunset, Siesta Key Beach becomes a vibrant and energetic community. With upbeat drumming, dancing, and twirling, this event is perfect for all ages. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and excitement and marvel over the brilliant sky as hues of yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and blue combine to create a spectacular sunset.
Try Parasailing or Jet Skiing
High adventure beach activities are always a thrill for teens and adults who might have difficulty sitting still while sunbathing or floating in the water. There is no better place to parasail and glide through the air than Siesta Key. The boat ride is enough to feel the wind rush through your hair and get a tour of the Sarasota waterways, but experiencing the area from a bird’s eye view is priceless. Jet skiing, of course, is exhilarating. Racing through the water with friends and family will certainly garner laughter and memories.
Visit Indoor Attractions
While Florida is nicknamed “the sunshine state,” thunderstorms are no stranger to Siesta Key and the Gulf Coast. However, Sarasota has so much to offer that even if you aren’t trying to stay dry or need to take refuge in air conditioning, The Ringling Museum and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium should make their way onto your itinerary. You can easily spend two days strolling through The Ringling Museum of Art, learning about the circus, and touring the famous Ca’ D’Zan. Mote Marine offers an up close and personal look at your favorite aquatic life, from otters and sharks to sea turtles and manatees, and even VR experiences.
With a great variety of things to do and see, Sarasota and Siesta Key is an ideal vacation destination for travelers of all ages. Whether you are planning a getaway with family, friends, or a partner, Best Western Siesta Key is a fantastic place for you to call your “home away from home.”