Arts
& Entertainment
TOWLES
COURT ARTIST COLONY
Between Osprey Avenue and U.S. 301
LONGBOAT KEY ADULT EDUCATION
CENTER
6830Longboat Dr. S.
Longboat Key, FL
383-8811
LONGBOAT
KEY ARTS CENTER
6860 Longboat Dr. S.
Longboat Key, FL
924-5770
Established in 1952, The Longboat Key Center for the Arts
provides instructional classes and workshops in the visual arts, regularly
changing art exhibitions in three separate galleries, and special events focused
on the performing arts, i.e. a variety of musical programs, to the greater
Longboat Key-Sarasota-Manatee counties area of Southwest Florida.
MANATEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SOUTH CAMPUS
8000 S. Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL
493-3504 x2643
RINGLING SCHOOL OF ART AND
DESIGN
2700 N. Tamiami Trail
351-5100
SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Adult and Community Education
1970 Landings Blvd. Suite 101
361-6590
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
AT SARASOTA/NEW COLLEGE
5700 N. Tamiami Trail
359-4200
VENICE ART CENTER
390 S. Nokomis Ave.
Venice, FL
485-7136
SARASOTA
BAY EXPLORERS
Mote Marine Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
388-4200
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Tue. - Fri.
DON PEDRO ISLAND STATE RECREATION
AREA
Don Pedro Island is part of an extensive chain of barrier islands
extending along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Located in Charlotte
County between Knight Island and Little Gasparilla Island, Don
Pedro Island has approximately one mile of beach that has been
acquired for use as a state recreation area.
Cape Haze, FL
964-0375
The Lieberman Gallery
1991 Main Street, Suite 244
Sarasota, FL
388-1530
The Lieberman Gallery is a non-profit
art "viewing" center dedicated to exhibiting contemporary and
challenging works by artists living and working in Sarasota and Manatee
counties. Don't miss the monthly artists' receptions, which are known to
be fun and informative. Lieberman Gallery hours: 9AM to 9PM daily. Free.
THE
RINGLING MUSEUM OF ART
5401 Bay Shore Road
355-5101
PELICAN MAN'S BIRD SANCTUARY
The Pelican Man's Sanctuary is an open air home and rehabilitation center to
dozens of different species of Florida birds. A hardworking staff, plus 300 bird
loving volunteers rescue and rehabilitate thousands of injured birds and other
wildlife each year.
Ken Thompson Pkwy, City Island
388-4444
10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Daily
G.
WIZ - GULFCOAST
WONDER & IMAGINATION ZONE
1001 Blvd. of the Arts
Sarasota, FL
906-1851
Imagine a place of wonder, excitement, discovery and learning.
Imagine a place filled with new ideas and experiences,
a world where science comes alive.
Imagine the mysteries of the world unfolding before your very eyes.
This is the Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone.
MOSI
- MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
4801 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL
813-987-6100
Includes the IMAX Dome Theater, Saunders Planetarium and many educational
exhibits.
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ANNA MARIA ISLAND MUSEUM
402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria Island
Bradenton, FL
778-0492
10 A.M. - 1 P.M. Tue. Wed. Thur. and Sun.
ART
CENTER SARASOTA
707 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL
941-365-2032
SARASOTA
CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM
5500 Tamiami Trail North
355-6228
9 AM - 6 PM Daily - Closed Christmas Day
LEBARGE TROPICAL
CRUISES
U.S. 41 at Marina Jack's
366-6116
SARASOTA
JUNGLE GARDENS
3701 Bay Shore Road
355-5303
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Daily
SARASOTA KENNEL CLUB
Greyhound Racing Jan. 3 - April 19
5400 Old Bradenton Rd.
355-7744
SARASOTA POLO CLUB
Games 1PM Every Sunday December - March
8201 Polo Club Lane
359-0000
THE
CIRCUS GALLERIES AT THE RINGLING MUSEUM
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota.
359-5700
Costumes, posters and other circus memorabilia recall the days of the
greatest shows on earth and Sarasota's circus legacy. Open daily
DeSOTO MUSEUM
201 10th St. West
Bradenton, FL
747-1998
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. Tue. - Fri.
ANN
MARBUT ENVIRONMENTAL LIBRARY
The Ann Marbut Environmental Library is an American national treasure. It is one
of three environmental public libraries located in the United States.
7112 Curtiss Avenue
Sarasota, FL
316-1242
Sarasota Audubon Society
P.O. Box 15423
Sarasota, Florida 34277-1423
Venice Area Audubon Society
P.O. Box 1381
Venice, Florida 34284-1381
MOTE
MARINE LABORATORY (Mote Aquarium)
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
City Island
941-388-2451
Get up close and personal with local sea creatures at Mote Aquarium. The
Aquarium is home to more than 200 varieties of fish and invertebrates of the
sea. Visit Hugh and Buffett, two West Indian manatees, along with several sea
turtles at the Marine Mammal Center. Join the interactive marine adventure in
our new Immersion Theater and become a shark in the Sea Cinema.
Visit the Mote Aquarium web site for tour and information on tickets.
10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Daily
CAYO COSTA STATE PARK
Cayo Costa State Park occupies most of an island which lies in a
chain of barrier islands that shelter Charlotte Harbor and Pine
Island Sound from the storms of the Gulf of Mexico. This park is
accessible only by private boat or passenger ferry services.
Boca Grande, FL
964-0375
DeSOTO
NATIONAL MEMORIAL
Commemorates 16th-century Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Led
first extensive exploration by Europeans of present southern
United States (1539-1542). Visitor center, exhibits, audiovisual
program, nature trail, living history program (December-April).
Lowest visitation insummer. Location On Tampa Bay 5 miles west of
Bradenton: 40 miles south of Tampa, off State Route 64.
792-0458
CIRCUS
SARASOTA
Continues the legacy started by legendary circus magnate John Ringling
through performances, education, and integrated arts programs.
924-7054 |
| Parks
& Recreation Areas
EGMONT KEY STATE PARK
The island of Egmont Key has unique natural and cultural histories which
have made it a valuable resource since the time settlers first arrived in
Florida. Named in honor of John Perceval, the second Earl of Egmont and
member of the Irish House of Commons in 1763, Egmont Key has had Spanish
conquistadors and nuclear submarines pass its shores as they entered Tampa
Bay.
4905 34th Street South, #5000
(813) 893-2627
FAKAHATCHEE STRAND STATE PRESERVE
The Big Cypress Swamp of southwest Florida is basically a flat, gently
sloping limestone plain. During the rainy season (June through September),
water flows slowly southward over this plain into the mangrove swamps
bordering the Gulf of Mexico. Water also flows below ground through the
porous underlying limestone. In places, limestone has dissolved, forming
elongated sloughs or channels which have accumulated deep organic soils.
These channels or sloughs have been colonized by cypress and other trees,
creating swamp forests that stand out on the horizon in contrast to the
open prairies and pinelands that occupy the sterile veneer of marl soil
which is on top of the remaining limestone. The local term for these
linear swamps is "strand."
Copeland, FL 33926
695-4593
GASPARILLA ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA
Legend has it that Gasparilla Island was named for the infamous pirate,
Jose Gaspar, who reportedly settled on the island in the 1700's with his
band of men. According to legend, Gaspar and his men used the island as a
hiding place between forays until the United States carried out a campaign
to rid the waters of their presence. Whether true or not, the legend adds
to the colorful history of the island.
Boca Grande, FL
964-0375
INDIAN MOUND PARK
Orange St.
Englewood, FL
474-3065
LAKE MANATEE STATE RECREATION AREA
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area is a perfect example of the quiet and
relaxed atmosphere that some of Florida's natural areas have to offer.
Extending along three miles of the south shore of Lake Manatee, these 556
acres were once used for farming, cattle grazing, making turpentine and
timbering. Today, the 2,400 acre reservoir that makes up Lake Manatee
supplies drinking water to Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
20007 S.R. 64
Bradenton, FL
741-3028
LITTLE MANATEE RIVER STATE
PARK
Little Manatee River
State Recreation Area is located four miles south of Sun City, off U.S.
301 on Lightfoot Road.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities at Little Manatee River State
Park including, camping, picnics, canoeing, freshwater fishing and hiking.
MYAKKA
STATE PARK & WILDERNESS PRESERVE
Over 45 square miles of woodlands, wetlands and prairie invite you to
explore by foot, bicycle, canoe or auto. The park is famous for its
abundant wildlife and quiet, scenic beauty. Be sure to stop by the visitor
center to watch the Myakka Movies and discover how the park is restoring
one of our country's rarest communities--Florida dry prairie. Spend a day
or camp overnight in the campgrounds or in one of the log cabins built by
the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Myakka "Wild and
Scenic River" flows through the western portion of the park and its
two lakes and floodplain marshes are a haven for wading birds and
waterfowl. The scenic drive winds through shady hammocks, verdant marshes
and along the Upper Myakka Lakeshore. Airboat tours, tram rides, and
ranger-led walks provide insight into one of Florida's last remaining
wildernesses.
State Road 72
361-6511
OSCAR SCHERER STATE RECREATION AREA
In 1955, Elsa Scherer Burrows bequeathed 462 acres of land to the state of
Florida for use as a park. The land was donated in memory of her father,
Oscar Scherer, an inventor who developed a process for dyeing leather for
shoes in 1872.
After a year of preparation, Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area was
opened to the public in 1956. In 1991, an additional 922 acres were
purchased as part of the P2000 initiative. This increased the parks total
acreage to 1384 acres.
U S 41 South
483-5956
Beaches
|
When
there's a storm in the Gulf of Mexico, surfers come from the other
side of Florida to surf the waves breaking on North Jetty Beach in
Nokomis. The photo to the left is while tropical storm Isidore was
churning in the Gulf pushing a lot of surf toward Venice and
Nokomis.
