Downtown Sarasota, Florida

[Christina Archer]

Anyone love to visit Sarasota, Florida?  My husband and I just spent some time in there this summer, and were really impressed with this city.  Home of the Sarasota Opera, Van Wezel's Theater, the Ringling Museum of Art, Selby's Gardens, and some of the best restaurants we've been to in a long time, our calendar was full from beginning to the end of our trip.  We stayed in a little hotel right in downtown that was a hop, skip and a jump from everything.  If you make it to the area, check out Hotel Ranola, and see if you agree it's the coolest hotel ever.

[Sally Moe]

I hear you! Sarasota is my second favorite city (after San Francisco). The nights are magical, and there are so many wonderful restaurants. I love the beaches and the wash of lavenders and pinks they take on at sunset, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Mote Marine, Selby Gardens, St. Armand's Circle, and the charming downtown area with its shops, galleries and eateries. I would retire there if I could. I am a Ringling grad, and my time at Ringling was when I first learned to love the city, which in those days, was sleepy and quirky. It's more polished these days, but just as lovely.