Sarasota & Suncoast Updates for Snowbirds: New Attractions, Dining, and Community News

Welcome back to our Northern friends, affectionately known as snowbirds. We hope your flight back to sunny Florida was smooth and your return finds your nests in good order.  We share your delight in the fact that this year, our surroundings were spared from any hurricane damage.  But as you will also notice, some areas remain in various stages of repair and regrowth from hurricanes that hit two and three years in our past.  We appreciate your patronage and understanding as old restaurants and businesses are trying to regain their footing and new establishments are trying to get going.

So much has changed since you flew off last April and early May, leaving the humidity and heat to us to deal with.  We hope your summer, and fall were mild and lovely with all the changes that mark each.  We thought we would highlight just a few of the changes that have occurred here in your absence.  In the dead of summer, some of us retreated to the indoors where air-conditioning kept both our environments and attitudes manageable.  Some of us dove deep into Netflix and house-cleaning, organizing with Marie Kondo enthusiasm.    https://konmari.com/about-marie-kondo/ Summer hibernation is a real thing for many Floridians.

But others fully embraced the sweet-heady smells of jasmine-infused summer nights. Having bonfires in the fall imagining it felt like fall when in reality it was about a hundred and hell outside.  Battling bat-sized mosquitos with precision, all the while embracing the sweaty bang glued to your brow look.  As both types of Floridians were dealing with the summer months, the outer worlds in and around Sarasota and Venice were coming alive, preparing new adventures and businesses for locals and snowbirds alike to enjoy.  It is the best part of the calendar to spend right here in sunny Florida, and we are so happy you are back!  There is so much to admire about our ever-changing area whether you are an all-year bird or one who returns when the snow is ready to fall.   

We are highlighting just a few changes and places you may want to visit as we all enjoy winter in the sun in this beautiful paradise we call home.

Mote Relocated to a Grand Location

Mote SEA (Science, Education and Aquarium), https://mote.org/ has reopened in their new location at Nathan Benderson Park on October 8.  https://nathanbendersonpark.org/.  In addition to the state-of-the-art aquarium including a 400,000 gallon tank of Gulf of Mexico habitat, visitors can immerse themselves in other experiences like kayak excursions at the park and a variety of events held throughout the year like themed dinners and lectures. Any opportunity to learn about the renowned research Mote is a proud moment for locals who have seen Mote grow up before our eyes. https://mote.org/support/signature-events/.  The reopening has been so popular; tickets for the aquarium are sold out several days in advance at this time. 

From their website:  The 12-acre Mote SEA campus is located at Nathan Benderson Park, a nexus site for Sarasota, Manatee Counties and the entire region; Mote SEA will transform Mote’s ability to provide informal science education and enhanced levels of ocean literacy to much larger and more diverse populations from around the world. The 146,000-square-foot facility will enable individuals of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the ocean and experience a window into Mote’s globally significant marine science research and conservation initiatives.

To plan your visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, please visit https://mote.org/support/signature-events/. 

Euphemia Haye Reopened To the Joy of Islanders

Longboat Key’s long-standing Euphemia Haye reopened in June.  After an abrupt closing late spring, Euphemia Haye reopened with new owners committed to keeping the charm of this beloved Longboat restaurant destination but with a freshened flair.  To read about the history of Euphemia Haye, please visit https://www.euphemiahaye.com/about/history.  And to view their exquisite menu and for reservation details, visit https://www.euphemiahaye.com/reservations.   Euphemia Haye is located at 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. 

Waterside Place Reinvigorated with More Businesses and Restaurants

Though this fun area of Lakewood Ranch is about five years old, each year has brought new amenities, activities, and events.  If you haven’t stopped in lately, it is worth revisiting.  Every facet of this well-thought-out shopping and recreation destination reminds you to enjoy the active lifestyle Florida affords.  This year, Waterside has over a dozen eclectic restaurants to curb all of your appetites from Osteria 500 https://www.osteria500.com/, to Forked at Waterside https://www.forkedeats.com/, there are a plethora of options for great dining.  Upscale and one-of-a-kind shopping, along with interesting exercise classes, inclusive playgrounds and waterplay areas, restaurants that allow your furry friends….it is the quintessential stop for anyone looking for all-inclusive recreation.  To check out an excellent example of a vibrant neighborhood embracing outdoor Florida living, you must plan an evening or more at Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch. https://www.wildbluelwr.com/waterside-place

Photos courtesy of Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, Mote Aquarium, and Euphemia Haye Facebook pages.