Startle

Since Florida is a warm-weather destination, there’s really no bad time to visit Sarasota. Although there’s been little activity in recent years, hurricane season runs from June to November. If you decide to go during that time, just be prepared and pay attention to weather reports. The peak season for the northern half of the state tends to be the hot summer, while the southern part of Florida sees most of its tourists in the winter. If you travel to the state during the fall, you’ll avoid the horrific heat and most of the tourists have gone home by then.

Tourism is the main industry in Sarasota — and that has been true since the days before a single house was built, when anglers used to pitch tents on the beach. The standard Florida attractions of beaches, fishing, golf and sunbathing are available here, and the city has more than earned its claim as “the cradle of golf” since the first Florida course was laid out in 1886 by Col. J. Hamilton Gillespie. Visit Sarasota Jungle gardens, Sarasota Art Gallery and the Ringing Museum of Art and Ringling Residence. If you stay at the Four-Star Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota—and we suggest that you do—be sure to hit up their pampering spa.

1. Jungle Gardens: At Sarasota Jungle Gardens, tropical birds frolic in a jungle paradise featuring more than 5,000 varieties of plants, wild jungle trails and even formal gardens. Flamingos, swans, peacocks and pelicans roam free. Take a break from the animal action at the Flamingo Caf�, which serves delicious sandwiches, ice cream and snacks.

2. Art Gallery: An Italian Renaissance-style villa houses Sarasota Art Gallery, which was created by local crafters with shiploads of columns, doorways, roof sculptures and marble collected in Italy by John Ringling. The gallery features one of the most distinguished collections of Baroque art in the Western Hemisphere. There is also contemporary art, a Rubens collection and sculpture garden in courtyard.

3. Ringling Museum: The “Ringling” of this museum’s name is courtesy of John Ringling, the man responsible for uniting the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses into the “Greatest Show on Earth.” In the Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, you’ll find big-top memorabilia, including performers’ costumes and retro circus posters. But the 66-acre Ringling estate isn’t just a freak show. It’s a cultural complex that features the family’s elaborate Venetian Gothic mansion, an art museum filled with works from Old Masters like El Greco, a sculpture courtyard and a rose garden.

4. Members Spa Club: The Four-Star Ritz-Carlton Members Spa Club, Sarasota, for use only by guests of the resort and members of the Ritz-Carlton Members Club, combines state-of-the-art design with European techniques. More than 100 treatments make up the comprehensive menu; but massages, masks, scrubs and body treatments are the specialties. Hand and foot treatments go beyond the basic manicure or pedicure to include citrus anti-aging manis and mineral powder pedis. Salon services include hair care and styling, as well as makeup application and lessons.

For the uninitiated, Florida is known for its theme parks — the weather and the sheer amount of travelers make it an ideal location. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Islands of Adventure: You’ll find countless rides at Islands of Adventure, but the hottest attraction is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The park, dedicated to the bespectacled boy-wizard, brings the magic with rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which sends you through Hogwarts and then soaring above the castle grounds.

2. Universal Studios: You might catch some big-name stars shooting a flick at Universal Studios, the largest working film and TV studio outside of Hollywood. Even if you don’t, you’ll be too busy on blockbuster-themed rides like Back to the Future and Jaws to notice.

3. Wet ’N Wild: Be prepared to get soaked and have your adrenalin pumping at the country’s top water park, Wet ’N Wild. Shoot down a slide with a 250-foot vertical drop in Der Stuka or battle the cyclone-like ride, the Storm. Kids even have their own park with mini-sized versions of the adult rides.

There’s no shortage of delicious fresh seafood in Florida and the Tampa Bay area is no exception. The Lobster Pot, the Maritana Grille, Michael’s on East and Rusty Pelican offer especially tasty fish. Here are the restaurants with the best seafood in the Tampa Bay area:

1. Lobster Pot: If you couldn’t tell from its name, the Lobster Pot is known for its succulent lobster. Lobster tails, whole lobster and lobster bisque are all the rage here. Whether or not you order an entr�e with the crustacean, every dinner comes with a free cocktail or glass of wine.

2. Maritana Grille: The Maritana Grille is a favorite among seafood lovers. The ocean-plucked goodies get top billing: Pan-seared scallops come with creamy lobster risotto and osetra caviar; and the orange habanero barbecue grouper with papaya-banana ravioli.

3. Michael’s on East: Fresh, seasonal, organic ingredients create tasty dishes at the contemporary restaurant, Michael’s on East. Try the local Atlantic swordfish, the espresso-crusted yellow fin tuna or the pan- roasted bluefin crab cakes. Then stop by the piano bar for a tune and drink.

4. Rusty Pelican: Head to Rusty Pelican for fresh seafood, such as blackened swordfish, grouper, seared sesame ahi or lobster tail.

The Tampa Bay area is chock full of things to do. Travelers come for the golf, museums, shopping and even its big theme park—but don’t get so caught up with the sun that you rule out the museums. The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, Salvador Dali Museum and Sarasota Classic Car Museum are among the top museums in the area. Here are our favorites:

1. Ringling museum: At the Ringing Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, you’ll find the estate of circus maestro John Ringling, as in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Within the grounds there’s also a Circus Museum with old costumes and other big-top memorabilia. Ever since John Ringling selected Sarasota as winter quarters for his circus, the two have become synonymous. Ringling did much to develop and beautify the area and surrounding islands.

2. Dali museum: The Salvador Dali Museum is a work of art itself, with a geodesic glass shell running along the concrete façade. Inside, you’ll find the world’s largest and most highly acclaimed collection of works by surrealist master Salvador Dali.

3. Car museum: More than 100 antique rides are parked at Sarasota Classic Car Museum, the second-oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the U.S. It showcases antique, exotic, European and one-of-a-kind classics in rotating exhibits. Check out John Lennon’s ’56 Bentley.

Tourism is the main industry in Sarasota — and that has been true since the days before a single house was built, when anglers used to pitch tents on the beach. The standard Florida attractions of beaches, fishing, golf and sunbathing are available here, and the city has more than earned its claim as “the cradle of golf” since the first Florida course was laid out in 1886 by Col. J. Hamilton Gillespie. Visit Sarasota Jungle gardens, Sarasota Art Gallery and the Ringing Museum of Art and Ringling Residence. If you stay at the Four-Star Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota—and we suggest that you do—be sure to hit up their pampering spa.

1. Jungle Gardens: At Sarasota Jungle Gardens, tropical birds frolic in a jungle paradise featuring more than 5,000 varieties of plants, wild jungle trails and even formal gardens. Flamingos, swans, peacocks and pelicans roam free. Take a break from the animal action at the Flamingo Caf�, which serves delicious sandwiches, ice cream and snacks.

2. Art Gallery: An Italian Renaissance-style villa houses Sarasota Art Gallery, which was created by local crafters with shiploads of columns, doorways, roof sculptures and marble collected in Italy by John Ringling. The gallery features one of the most distinguished collections of Baroque art in the Western Hemisphere. There is also contemporary art, a Rubens collection and sculpture garden in courtyard.

3. Ringling Museum: The “Ringling” of this museum’s name is courtesy of John Ringling, the man responsible for uniting the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses into the “Greatest Show on Earth.” In the Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, you’ll find big-top memorabilia, including performers’ costumes and retro circus posters. But the 66-acre Ringling estate isn’t just a freak show. It’s a cultural complex that features the family’s elaborate Venetian Gothic mansion, an art museum filled with works from Old Masters like El Greco, a sculpture courtyard and a rose garden.

4. Members Spa Club: The Four-Star Ritz-Carlton Members Spa Club, Sarasota, for use only by guests of the resort and members of the Ritz-Carlton Members Club, combines state-of-the-art design with European techniques. More than 100 treatments make up the comprehensive menu; but massages, masks, scrubs and body treatments are the specialties. Hand and foot treatments go beyond the basic manicure or pedicure to include citrus anti-aging manis and mineral powder pedis. Salon services include hair care and styling, as well as makeup application and lessons.

Since Florida is a warm-weather destination, there’s really no bad time to visit Sarasota. Although there’s been little activity in recent years, hurricane season runs from June to November. If you decide to go during that time, just be prepared and pay attention to weather reports. The peak season for the northern half of the state tends to be the hot summer, while the southern part of Florida sees most of its tourists in the winter. If you travel to the state during the fall, you’ll avoid the horrific heat and most of the tourists have gone home by then.

There’s no shortage of delicious fresh seafood in Florida and the Tampa Bay area is no exception. The Lobster Pot, the Maritana Grille, Michael’s on East and Rusty Pelican offer especially tasty fish. Here are the restaurants with the best seafood in the Tampa Bay area:

1. Lobster Pot: If you couldn’t tell from its name, the Lobster Pot is known for its succulent lobster. Lobster tails, whole lobster and lobster bisque are all the rage here. Whether or not you order an entr�e with the crustacean, every dinner comes with a free cocktail or glass of wine.

2. Maritana Grille: The Maritana Grille is a favorite among seafood lovers. The ocean-plucked goodies get top billing: Pan-seared scallops come with creamy lobster risotto and osetra caviar; and the orange habanero barbecue grouper with papaya-banana ravioli.

3. Michael’s on East: Fresh, seasonal, organic ingredients create tasty dishes at the contemporary restaurant, Michael’s on East. Try the local Atlantic swordfish, the espresso-crusted yellow fin tuna or the pan- roasted bluefin crab cakes. Then stop by the piano bar for a tune and drink.

4. Rusty Pelican: Head to Rusty Pelican for fresh seafood, such as blackened swordfish, grouper, seared sesame ahi or lobster tail.

For the uninitiated, Florida is known for its theme parks — the weather and the sheer amount of travelers make it an ideal location. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Islands of Adventure: You’ll find countless rides at Islands of Adventure, but the hottest attraction is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The park, dedicated to the bespectacled boy-wizard, brings the magic with rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, which sends you through Hogwarts and then soaring above the castle grounds.

2. Universal Studios: You might catch some big-name stars shooting a flick at Universal Studios, the largest working film and TV studio outside of Hollywood. Even if you don’t, you’ll be too busy on blockbuster-themed rides like Back to the Future and Jaws to notice.

3. Wet ’N Wild: Be prepared to get soaked and have your adrenalin pumping at the country’s top water park, Wet ’N Wild. Shoot down a slide with a 250-foot vertical drop in Der Stuka or battle the cyclone-like ride, the Storm. Kids even have their own park with mini-sized versions of the adult rides.

The Tampa Bay area is chock full of things to do. Travelers come for the golf, museums, shopping and even its big theme park—but don’t get so caught up with the sun that you rule out the museums. The Ringling Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, Salvador Dali Museum and Sarasota Classic Car Museum are among the top museums in the area. Here are our favorites:

1. Ringling museum: At the Ringing Museum of Art and Ringling Residence, you’ll find the estate of circus maestro John Ringling, as in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Within the grounds there’s also a Circus Museum with old costumes and other big-top memorabilia. Ever since John Ringling selected Sarasota as winter quarters for his circus, the two have become synonymous. Ringling did much to develop and beautify the area and surrounding islands.

2. Dali museum: The Salvador Dali Museum is a work of art itself, with a geodesic glass shell running along the concrete façade. Inside, you’ll find the world’s largest and most highly acclaimed collection of works by surrealist master Salvador Dali.

3. Car museum: More than 100 antique rides are parked at Sarasota Classic Car Museum, the second-oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the U.S. It showcases antique, exotic, European and one-of-a-kind classics in rotating exhibits. Check out John Lennon’s ’56 Bentley.