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The Ultimate Guide to St. Armands Circle
Less than 25 minutes from Best Western Siesta Key, is St. Armands Circle. A dog-friendly and family-friendly part of town that makes for a lively night out or a pleasurable afternoon. If you are looking for a change of scenery, a little break from the beach, or simply an entertaining stroll, St. Armands is the place to be. With a great selection of eats, drinks, and sweets, in addition to extraordinary shops, and even more things to do and see, “boredom” does not exist.
Where is St. Armands Circle?
Traveling from Best Western Siesta Key to St. Armands Circle can be fairly quick and easy. From rt. 72, hop onto the Tamiami Trail and head north towards downtown Sarasota. Before hitting downtown, stay to the left, pass the Selby Botanical Gardens, continue past Bayfront Park, and make the left onto the John Ringling Causeway. As soon as you cross over the iconic Bridge to Lido Key, simply continue straight and you will be met with the entrance to St. Armands Circle. Once on the circle, you can take a parking spot on the street, head to the lot on the corner of S. Adams Drive and Monroe Dr., or take advantage of the parking garage found on the corner of N. Adams Drive and Madison Dr.
Best Restaurants in St. Armands
While there are a million and one mouthwatering and enchanting restaurants and cafes all over Sarasota, there is nothing like having a wide array all within walking distance of each other. Choose Italian cuisine at Venezia Italian Restaurant, Spanish/Cuban cuisine at Columbia Restaurant, Irish cuisine at Lynches Pub & Grub, or a little bit of everything, like French crepes and Latin-American fusion dishes at Cilantro Grill. For a taste of Florida favorites, make a dinner reservation at Shore, enjoy a casual lunch at Daiquiri Deck, or load up on seafood at Speaks Clam Bar.
Sweet Treats of St. Armands Circle
Whether you are exploring the circle with kids, friends, or out for a lovely dinner, make sure you save room for dessert and sweet treats. From Kilwins Chocolates to Le Macaron and Settimi’s Gelato to the popular Ben & Jerry’s, your sweet tooth will be well taken care of. Let your sense of smell lead you to the best-handcrafted chocolates near Siesta Key, mix and match to create a custom collection of sweet macarons, indulge in exotic ice cream flavors, and savor some creamy gelato.
What Else Does St. Armands Have to Offer?
Shopping and browsing your favorite specialty stores, like Spice & Tea exchange, Lilly Pulitzer, Tommy Bahama, Cariloha Bamboo, and the Flip Flop Shop might leave you feeling satisfied and excited. But St. Armands has more to offer than just eating and shopping. Take your kids or significant other to Arcade Monsters Lido Beach for unexpected fun and games, or book an appointment with your BFF, sister, or mother at one of the many hair salons, nail salons, or spas. To make the most of your day at St. Armands, check out the list of festivals, events, and other happenings that you might be able to catch during your visit.
After walking and sightseeing, spoiling your taste buds, and having some fun, there is nothing better than coming back to a welcoming and fresh hotel room. As you return to Best Western Siesta Key, we hope you will fill us in on how you spent your time in St. Armands and any new gems you’ve found or encountered on the circle.