Bradenton, Sarasota and the Gulf Islands
What you should know
The city of Bradenton and its Gulf islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are close to many of Sarasota’s world-class cultural attractions. The area is known for white sand beaches, and fresh, saltwater and deep-sea fishing.
Attractions
Mixon Fruit Farms can do group tours with luncheons; its gift shop sells corporate gift baskets of fruit and specialty foods. The Rosa Fiorelli Winery has tours and tastings, and indoor and outdoor banquet space. The Sarasota Classic Car Museum has indoor and outdoor event space for dinners, receptions and dances. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has meeting and event facilities in an historic mansion, a 40-seat theater, and event lawns. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is part of a complex with a state-of-the-art theater, a circus museum, event lawns and the dramatic Cà d’Zan Mansion (sail attendees to its gorgeous patio for an evening reception with music and dancing).
Group Activities
Groups can visit Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions for shows and horseback-riding lessons. Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures can organize eco-tours, and water-based, bird-watching expeditions. McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre and Humor Institute has home shows of nationally known comics; its comedians also are available to lead corporate classes, roasts or other events. The Twin Dolphin Marina is a 225-slip marina with live-aboard facilities, poolside parties and on-site dining. In Sarasota, groups can charter deep sea fishing trips or tropical dolphin-watching cruises, or take an eco-tour. Sarasota also has amazing cultural amenities, so why not take in a show at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Circus Sarasota, the Florida West Coast Symphony or Florida Studio Theatre? Opera, ballet, and local film and music festivals are other options.
Shopping
In Sarasota, St. Armand’s Circle is a shopping and dining oasis en route to the beach, with patio dining, antiques shops, galleries, and high-end clothing and specialty shops. Bradenton’s Village of the Arts is an artists’ community with several galleries and shops. The Old Main Street Market in Bradenton is an open-air market with arts and crafts, and specialty boutiques. Main Street at Lakewood Ranch has more than 30 restaurants and specialty boutiques; concerts are held the first Friday of every month, and Saturday morning farmers markets are a weekly event. Factory outlet shops are located in Ellenton; there are flea markets in Bradenton and Palmetto.
