Endless Vacation: 20 Must-Do's

World-Class Caviar
Mote Marine Laboratory, known to scientists around the world, is now making a name for itself with gastronomes. Mote is producing caviar in a way that’s both economically and environmentally responsible, raising the sturgeon indoors as part of an extensive fish-farming project. Gastronomes compare the smooth Mote caviar ($123 per ounce) to that of the Caspian Sea ossetra, which goes for upwards of $200 per ounce. Try it locally on the deviled eggs at Libby’s Café + Bar. Available at Morton’s Market, 1924 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota, (941) 955-9856. Or order the “Royal Siberian Caviar” online from petrossian.com.

Take the Long Way No matter where you're headed, when you drive the 11-mile stretch of Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key, the journey is as beautiful as the destination. The long, narrow island, which has no bridge connecting it directly to the mainland, provides a constant slideshow of quintessential Sarasota imagery alongside the two-lane road: a rolling, meticulously landscaped expanse of golf course, grand condominium towers, modest ’50s bungalows, and foliage of the greenest greens against the bluest sky you’ve ever seen. As you move north, to your left, the wide open Gulf of Mexico abuts the road; to your right, an island trailer park enjoys the best view in town. Make a plan for dinner on Anna Maria after shopping on St. Armands. It’s worth the drive.

Lions and Tigers and Bears—Oh, My!
Kids will love the homey atmosphere and the up-close-and-personal encounters with retired circus lions, tigers, bears, chimpanzees and other rescued animals at the Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary on Palmer Boulevard. Director Kay Rosaire, who comes from a family that’s been involved in the circus for generations, runs the place as a labor of love. And because the big cats have big appetites, there’s a fun way you can contribute to the nonprofit: They love it when people bring them raw meat. Weekend shows run through mid-May. 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, (941) 371-6377; bigcathabitat.org

Tennis Phenoms
See the next Grand Slam tennis champs before they sign their endorsement deals. The Eddie Herr tennis tournament at Bradenton’s IMG Academies, held every December, has showcased such stars as Anna Kournikova and Andy Roddick right before they went pro, and it’s open to the public. The 300-acre IMG campus annually trains more than 12,000 athletes from 80 countries in everything from tennis to baseball and soccer. The Eddie Herr tournament (Nov. 27 through Dec. 6 in 2009) is one of the few opportunities for the public to experience the campus and see those young athletes up close. 5500 34th St. W., Bradenton, (941) 727-0303.

Mai Tai Mystique
The 40-year-old  Bahi Hut cocktail lounge is a piece of Sarasota history. The smoky interior screams ’60s lounge, with dark wood and stone walls, mod hanging lights and red tabletop votives. Mai tais are the signature drink, but they’re limited to two per customer: The super-strong secret recipe has a deceptive fruitiness (its sibling, the Sneaky Tiki, packs less punch). But the Bahi’s biggest kick comes from its eclectic clientele: actors and stagehands from the nearby Asolo Rep, high-minded college students, hip-hop 20-somethings and the after-theater crowd. Consider it Sarasota uncensored. 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 355-5141. Adjacent to the Golden Host Resort.

Mucho Caliente The newest addition to Sarasota’s nightlife is the Pisco Lounge in the Peruvian-themed Selva Grill on Main Street. Go on Thursday or Friday night—fashionably late, of course—when the bar sizzles with the city’s cool crowd in their William Rast jeans and Jimmy Choo shoes. Make friends over pisco sours and a plate of anticuchos, and who knows? You may find yourself hatching plans for Sarasota’s next big thing. 1345 Main St., Sarasota. (941) 362-4427; selvagrill.com