Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida has long been referred to as "the Cultural Center of Florida." The Sarasota Ballet, The Asolo Theatre, The Sarasota Opera, The Florida West Coast Symphony, The Sarasota Film Festival, and numerous museums and theatres all add to its reputation as a community rich in cultural achievement.Modern Sarasota began under dubious circumstances. The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company advertised Sarasota in Scotland as an area of rich farmland, plentiful citrus groves, and inexpensive housing. Scottish settlers boarded steamers and came in droves thinking they were reaching a promised land. Disappointment set in when they arrived and found the area no more than a frontier camp. Many left. But one Scotsman, John Hamilton Gillespie, a lawyer and bodyguard for Queen Victoria, decided to stay and make a go of it. He did the only thing a self respecting Scot could have done: He built a golf course. The first golf course in Florida, and some say, the first one in the United States. Gillespie also built the Desoto Hotel, and marketed it to prospective investors in the area. He was rewarded for his efforts by becoming the first mayor of Sarasota in 1902.
When visiting Sarasota, you should not miss The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The 66-acre estate is the legacy of John Ringling (1866-1936), the circus owner and business magnate. The Museum of Art, recognized as the state museum of Florida, includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art, with paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Poussin and other baroque masters. In addition, the estate encompasses Cà d'Zan (meaning House of John), the recently restored 32-room Ringling mansion modeled after a Venetian palace, the Circus Museum, and the original Asolo Theater which was moved from Italy, stone by stone, and represents the only Italian Renaissance style theatre in America.
For something completely different, visit the Sarasota Classic Car Museum (SCCM). The SCCM features a "living" collection of over 100 automobiles, constantly being updated through acquisitions, exchanges with other car museums, and through donations of vehicles from collectors. The collection spans over 100 manufacturing years. Almost every letter of the alphabet is covered: Auburn, Bentley, a Cadillac station wagon (one of only 5 ever made), DeLorean, Edsel, Ferrari, etc. Vintage, classic, muscle, exotic cars...they're all here. John Lennon's Mercedes Roadster is one of the most popular of the vehicles on display.
If the shopping bug bites you, take John Ringling Drive over Sarasota Bay to Lido Key. There you will find St. Armands Circle, a European-flavored outdoor shopping area with more than 145 exclusive shops and boutiques. Several fine restaurants and ice cream parlors also line the streets. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the circle is the perfect evening treat.
Of course, Sarasota is also a perfect spot for a more active vacation. Whether you want to fish, parasail, windsurf, snorkel, scuba, or relax on a sun soaked beach, Sarasota is the place to be! And with more than 60 area golf courses, why not play a round while you're at it?
If you want to see the Gulf, but also say "hi" to Mickey, Sarasota is only about 100 miles from Disney World, Epcot, Sea World, and all the other Orlando attractions. So take a trip to Florida's cultural epicenter. Like so many others, you might come for a visit, and stay for a lifetime!
