Looking to see more on your next vacation, to do more for less? Consider Sarasota, particularly this time of year. Here are some suggestions from Visit Sarasota County, some free or cheap things to do down on gorgeous Gulf Coast.
- Explore the soothing expanse of Siesta Beach, the best in the country according to Dr. Beach. The beaches of Venice are fascinating too and famous for their sharks’ teeth.
- Time your trip right and take in some free art and live music. Weekends are the time, and either the first Friday Palm Avenue Art Walks or the third Friday Towles Court Art Walks are the venues.
- Primitive camp at Myakka State Park for a pittance: $5 per person. These sites are miles from the trailhead, but that’s part of the lure. The hiking is for the hale and hearty.
- Swim in Lido Pool for but a couple of bucks. That’s the price for kids under 12, and folks 55 and older. Others get in for $4. Visit Sarasota County calls Lido Pool “a hidden gem.”
- Kick back and enjoy an inexpensive, but delicious, happy hour. Pacific Rim restaurant’s happy hour runs form 4:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Cocktails and delicious small plates are $4, sushi $3.
- Make it a Monday at the museum. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is gratis Mondays from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
- Make tracks to the Farmers Market downtown. It’s open every Saturday morning. Sunday mornings find Siesta Key hosting stalls full of fresh produce and fruit.
- Window shop in downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. Explore the bounteous boutiques. This is an aspirational art, where looking trumps buying every time.
(Image: GoodNCrazy)
