Downtown Sarasota has now gained worldwide attention for the lifestyle it affords its residents. New construction is booming - from luxury high rise condominiums to a blend of new and refurbished homes. Downtown residents enjoy a lifestyle centered around the Arts and Culture, and are enjoying Sarasota's new growth with continually growing choices for shopping and dining only a walk away.

ATTRACTIONS

Art Center Sarasota is the hub of our Gulf Coast regions contemporary art scene. The goal of the Art Center Sarasota is to present a broad spectrum of workshops, classes and exhibitions that emphasize the work of living artists.

Towles Court is a privately owned artist colony that consists of 16 lots and 16 different owners. Towles Court is bounded by Adams Lane to the North, Morrill Street to the South, Links Avenue to the West and U.S. Highway 301 to the East. There are year 'round Third Friday Gallery Art Walks where all the lights are turned on and the galleries open their doors to the public in the evening (6-10 PM) for "Art by the Light of the Moon. at the "Stroll at Towles." There are also guided studio tours in February, March, and April which include three artist demos and lunch for groups of 12 or more.


Sarasota Opera announces its 44th Season beginning February 8, 2006 with Sarasota Opera Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi conducting Verdi's 1865 revised version of Macbeth. The company will give ten performances of the revised Macbeth and two performances of the composer's rarely performed original version as part of the company's acclaimed Verdi Cycle. The Opera House, which is located at 61 North Pineapple. The Sarasota Opera has achieved national and international status as a producer of world-class opera.


The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is affectionately known as Sarasota's "Purple Cow" due to its unique color. The hall presents a variety of stage shows from Broadway musicals to concerts by internationally known recording artists and comedians. Stars such as Pavarotti, Leonard Bernstein, Willie Nelson, Dizzy Gillespie, The Beach Boys and many more have performed at the Van Wezel.


Selby Gardens is perhaps best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. Selby's 11 bay-front acres are an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on nearly 100 scientific expeditions to tropical rainforests by the Selby Gardens' research staff. Seven greenhouses are the heart of botanical research and plant identification, for which Selby is internationally recognized.


The boat basin at Island Park offers many choices for deep sea and other fishing charters. There are private fishing charters and group charters available at the marina.

Le Barge is like a giant houseboat with a bar and dance floor on the top deck and cocktail tables inside. Entertainment is usually a solo guitar player singer performing island style music and Jimmy Buffet hits. Le Barge sails several times a day around Sarasota Bay and offers a great view of the waterfront homes and spectacular sunsets. Be sure to bring the camera. Call for schedule. Marina Jack Basin, Island Park 941-366-6116.

Just north of downtown is the Sarasota Jungle Gardens well known for their pink flamingos and performing birds. The Gardens is operated by a non-profit group and also features educational exhibits such as the "Reptile Encounter" and "Birds of the Rainforest".


GWIZ - the Gulfcoast Wonder and Imagination Zone is a hands-on science and technology center located downtown on Sarasota's beautiful bay front. However, it is not simply a museum! It offers an array of interactive, hands-on exhibits, as well as educational programs for the community.


Main Plaza - at the intersection of Rt. 301 and Main Street is an indoor mall of shops, offices, restaurants and the Hollywood 20 movie theater.

The Players Theater of Sarasota offers a variety of performances throughout the year including musicals, concerts and plays as well as a performing arts school for both children and adults. The theater is a not-for-profit organization.

Cincinnati Reds Spring Training and Sarasota Reds. Although not in downtown, Ed Smith Stadium is just a short ride from any downtown location. Enjoy major league baseball every March in Sarasota as the boys of summer are playing baseball in Sarasota every March. The minor league Boston Red Sox team plays summer baseball at Ed Smith Stadium as the Sarasota Red Sox.

A Taste of Sarasota is held on Main Street in downtown Sarasota each year. The event features food booths from local restaurants, live entertainment, arts & crafts, kid's activities and more.