Some of the best parts of Sarasota and Manatee aren’t in the guidebooks. Our editors combed through magazine archives and memories and talked to expert insiders to come up with a list of 97 myths, secret spots and tips everyone should know. From the legend of Sara de Soto (emphasis on legend) to the best place to drop your kayak to restaurants so tiny they’re not even online, here’s how to experience our region like a local.

Myths, Legends and Lore

Get to Know the Tall Tale of Sara de Soto

If you hear it once, you’ll hear it a thousand times: Sarasota is named for Sara de Soto, the daughter of famed conquistador Hernando de Soto. The fable recounts a forbidden romance between Sara and Seminole chief ChiChi Okobee. Sara dies, and she is buried in Sarasota Bay. To guard her grave, ChiChi and his warriors drown themselves, where their spirits not only protect Sara but also our coast from hurricanes. Still, while Sara’s existence has been debunked—de Soto didn’t actually have a daughter, and Seminole spirits certainly haven’t protected our area from hurricanes—she helped put Sarasota on the map. In 1916, local leaders created an annual Sara de Soto Pageant to promote the city and entice visitors, investors and prospective residents, and the pageant lasted until 1957.

Honor Veterans at Five Points

Take the Five Points roundabout slowly enough, and you’ll spot a curious inscription on the bricks surrounding the base of the flagpole that might leave you wondering, “Who, me?” That inscription is “Welcome Buddies,” and it was originally a welcome home greeting painted on Main Street in 1919, coinciding with a large Armistice Day parade. In 2010, the historic greeting returned in its current, more permanent form, still honoring the more than 36,000 veterans living here.

A Forgotten Fort

Behind the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium is an odd little concrete structure with a rounded top that looks out of place. It’s called Fort Juan Ortiz and is a section of a replica of a Spanish fort, named after explorer Hernando de Soto’s translator. It was built as part of a historical weapons museum in 1948 by late Sarasota citizen Karl Bickel and included cannons from different wars, artillery, a French railway car and a tank. The museum disappeared in the 1970s when the auditorium was remodeled, leaving only the gunner’s bunker. The auditorium location is again under construction, but you can still see that lonely gunner’s station around the back.  801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

The Opera Imp Watches Over All  

Perched on an alcove at the entrance of the Sarasota Opera House is a mysterious imp created in 1991 by Ringling School of Art and Design teacher Ethelia M. Patmagrian. The original imp statue that presided over the opera house was called “satanic and vulgar” and destroyed in the late ’70s, so Patmagrian used old photos to create its successor. We think her opera imp looks harmless and pensive as it watches over patrons entering the 100-year-old building. It’s an endearing example of Sarasota quirk. 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, sarasotaopera.org

Florida’s Skunk Ape Stalks Myakka

Every wild space in Florida lays claim to the legendary Skunk Ape, Florida’s take on Bigfoot. Named for its nauseating stench, the Skunk Ape, which is allegedly 7 feet tall, sure gets around, including in our own back yard at Myakka River State Park. At least, that’s what park rangers have reported. Honest.

Savvy Spots

You Can Enter the Vortex—or  Not—on Siesta Key

According to local lore, Siesta Key’s famously powdery beach is more than just easy on the feet. Believers claim the unique, 99 percent quartz sand makes the site a vortex—a concentration of energy said to promote healing, clarity and peace. Still, whether because of those quartz crystals or just plain old toes-in-the-sand therapy, it’s hard to deny the pull.

Master the Universe at Bishop Planetarium or a Local Astronomy Club

You don’t need your own telescope—or ’shrooms—to appreciate the awesomeness of the universe. Just head to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton for the Friday and Saturday “Eyes on the Sky” live planetarium shows at 2:30 p.m. You can get out of the heat and get a guided tour of our local night skies. 201 10th St W, Bradenton, (941) 746-4131, bishopscience.org

Amateurs can also discover Suncoast Stargazers and The Local Group of Deep Sky Observers. Both groups of astronomy enthusiasts host events—Stargazers call them “Star Parties”—and members bring their humongous telescopes to public places. You might see the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. suncoaststargazers.com/starbase and The Local Group of Deep Sky Observers’ Facebook page 

Save Our Seabirds on City Island

Tucked behind foliage on City Island on the south end of Longboat Key, Save Our Seabirds is a peaceful, three-acre refuge where injured birds are brought for rehabilitation and release. Many can’t be released, and visitors strolling the shady paths can see—and hear—up to 100 owls, raptors, seabirds and songbirds in roomy, screened enclosures. This is free, folks, but donations are welcome, and there’s a gift shop where proceeds benefit the birds. It’s open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Insider tip: After your visit, grab a hot dog or grouper sandwich at nearby Old Salty Dog. 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, saveourseabirds.org

Get Your Fix of Pioneer History at Crowley Nature Museum

This 191-acre farmstead, established in 1878 in Old Miakka, includes the 1889-built Tatum House, considered one of the oldest examples of rural architecture in Sarasota still standing; a museum (blissfully air-conditioned) filled with period tools, toys and accessories (like a cool silk-plush top hat and an 1889 American flag with 42 stars); and boardwalk nature trails that take you through five of Southwest Florida’s ecosystems. There’s an observation tower, too, a great spot for birders. 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, crowleyfl.org

Climb the Celery Fields

What do you do with a million cubic yards of arsenic-laden soil left behind by decades of pesticide use? If you’re Sarasota County, you turn it into a cherished landmark “hill” in the flattest state there is. The seven-story-ish observation mound is at Celery Fields (which takes its name from the vegetable grown there for roughly 70 years, until 1995), and is now our area’s largest and most critical stormwater project. It’s also a great hangout spot and a training ground for hikers en route to hillier terrain. The site is also home to more than 250 bird species as well as otters, alligators and rabbits. 6799 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota, sarasotaaudubon.org/the-celery-fields

Feel Like a Kid Again at the Sarasota Children’s Garden

A hidden, magical 2 ½-acre space of greenery just north of downtown Sarasota, the Sarasota Children’s Garden is all about leaving the digital world behind and exploring nature through enchanting gardens with fairies, friendly monsters and butterflies. Kids can make believe, dress up and find a book in the sweet and tiny Snow White library, too. 1670 10th Way, Sarasota, (941) 330-1711, sarasotachildrensgarden.com

Relax at a Labyrinth

Labyrinths are ancient tools designed to foster contemplation and encourage spiritual transformation; exploring them can feel like a walking meditation. Look for them locally at St. Boniface on Siesta Key, Unity of Sarasota on Proctor Road, Church of the Trinity Metropolitan Church on Lockwood Ridge Road, Pine Shores Presbyterian Church in south Sarasota, St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church off S.R. 72, and a tiny one behind the Kanaya condos on Orange Avenue in downtown Sarasota—find it on a sidewalk in an alley outside the building in Laurel Park.

Get Happy at Ananda Farm

“Ananda” means happiness in Sanskrit, and you’ll experience plenty of it on your visit to Ananda Farm. The 30-acre farm on Terra Ceia Island near the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge connects sustainability and community, offering weekly live music, U-pick experiences, farm-grown food, and all sorts of activities for children, from gem mining to jumping pillows. 579 Ken Hubbard Road, Terra Ceia, anandafarm.com

Look Up at the Turrell Skyspace

OK, no James Turrell installation is ever really a secret, but indulge us. Turrell’s Skyspace at The Ringling, Joseph’s Coat, is tucked into a room in the Searing wing of the museum's courtyard, where a 24-foot aperture in the ceiling and an intricate system of LED lights conspire to change the color of the space—and therefore the way visitors experience the room, the museum and the sky itself. The number of people in the space is limited, so it’s never overcrowded. It’s easy to see why Turrell is known as the “master of light.” 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, ringling.org 

Experience the Magic of Bioluminescence

Wait for the summer sun to dip below the Gulf for proof that our natural wonders don’t stop at pastel sunsets and sugar-sand beaches. From July through September, the shallows bloom with bioluminescence as trillions of dinoflagellates transform the water into a submerged starry sky. During this ephemeral, unpredictable phenomenon, every wading step leaves a glowing blue-green wake, and every darting fish becomes an emerald meteor. It’s one of those seasonal specialties that makes Sarasota feel a bit like magic.

Preen with Peacocks in Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores

Move over, flamingos. There’s a much more regal avian icon taking top spot in lawns across town. Wander through the Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores neighborhood, and you’re sure to spot one of the roughly two dozen peafowl that perch on roofs, cars and fences like they pay property taxes. Populations were once plentiful in areas like Longboat Village, but resident-requested efforts to remove peahens have left a lonely bachelor group of fewer than 10 to prowl the streets. (Even in Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores, the birds lean more pet than pest, turning passersby into impromptu paparazzi.) Take an early morning walk to catch the moment they descend en masse from their treetop slumbers, floating down to begin their daily patrol of the pavement.

Ponder a Peace Pole

Nestled into parks, campuses and quiet corners around town, slender white poles rise with a simple inscription, sometimes in dozens of languages: “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” From their origin in postwar Japan, these Peace Poles have become a global symbol, settling into our local scenery with the unassuming grace that philosopher-turned-peace-activist Masahisa Goi, who birthed the idea, intended. Purchased and installed by local individuals and groups, they can be found everywhere from Warm Mineral Springs Park and Myakka River State Park to New College of Florida and Lido Key, offering a moment of hopeful stillness in an increasingly hectic and polarized world. worldpeace.org/peace-pole-map-2 

Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Fairy Doors

Tucked into the baseboards of Main Street businesses, or hidden along the posh storefronts of St. Armands Circle, look for dozens of whimsical, palm-sized "fairy doors" that will turn your standard stroll into a scavenger hunt. Some of the fairy doors were painted about eight years ago by Joan Love, a retired schoolteacher, but the others? Only the fairies know.

Parakeets

From Celery Fields to Siesta Key, you’ll sometimes find yourself in the middle
of a whole bunch of squawking that makes you wonder, “How close by is Jungle Gardens?” Look up, and you’ll see the neon culprits—flashy (and noisy) monk and nanday parakeets flitting between power lines and palms, the result of decades-old escapes, releases and our famously forgiving climate. They’re not native, but they’ve made themselves at home, adding color and chaos wherever they roam. (A new mural on the corner of 10th Street and Osprey Avenue is an ode to these not-so-snowbirds.)

Explore Our Hidden Parks

Beyond Sarasota’s popular and beloved marquee parks exist pockets of similar refuge operating on a much quieter scale.

Joan M. Durante Community Park

The kind of place you think you’ll “do” in 20 minutes—until you don’t. What appears modest at first unfolds into 32 acres of wetlands, dunes and coastal hammock, with shell trails and mangrove boardwalks that stretch a quick stroll into a lingering wander. There’s a lake by the entrance, a broad pergola, a flower garden, a playground and a winding reveal of the diversity of our region’s coastal ecosystems that’s enough to keep you occupied for hours.

Palma Sola Botanical Park

Farther north, in Bradenton, Palma Sola Botanical Park occupies what was once the Manatee County Nursery. Its 10 frost-resistant acres benefit from a rare, protected microclimate, nurturing unusual palms, flowering trees and an exotic fruit grove maintained by the Manatee Rare Fruit Council. Photographers and plein air painters may be its most loyal regulars.

Manatee Village Historical Park

Nearby, Manatee Village Historical Park feels less like a park and more like a living storybook. Spread across nearly four shaded acres, it’s an open-air museum preserving the pioneer spirit of early Manatee. You can wander under the ancient oaks to explore the collection of original and replica structures (from a blacksmith shop to a general store), stroll the oldest local burying grounds, and meet Old Cabbage Head, the resident 1913 steam engine.

Survival Tips

Stay Safe on the Water

If you’re boating in Sarasota, avoid crowded weekends and holidays, especially Memorial Day and July 4. And if you’re renting a boat, be honest about whether you know how to operate a motorized vessel in our waters. Tip: Take a boating safety course. Plenty are offered locally. Your fellow boaters—and our plentiful marine life—will thank you.

Take a Local Shortcut

Honore Avenue is a great in-town alternative to I-75 and U.S. 41, stretching from north of University Parkway to Laurel Road in Nokomis. Fewer lights and lanes, less commercial clutter and more trees will calm you down.

Don’t Sweat Palmetto Bugs

If you see one of those 2-inch brown palmetto bugs, also known as cockroaches, it doesn’t usually indicate an infestation and it won’t kill you. Yes, they’re huge, but this particular species lives outdoors, and if they’re in your house, they’re just looking for water on a hot day. Or maybe a glass of sweet tea.

Get Major Perks by Volunteering for Arts Organizations

Want prime viewing of The Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera and other high-end entertainment around town? Volunteer ushering is a great opportunity to see the best shows—especially the sell-outs—gratis. All that’s required is helping guests to their seats, then settling in to enjoy the show from set-aside seating. Visit each organization’s website for details.

Take the Trolley

Breeze, Sarasota’s public transit system, is more than a standard bus service. Breeze’s Bay Runner trolley offers multiple stops from downtown Sarasota to Lido Key, making the loop every 20 to 30 minutes, and is a killer way to avoid parking mishaps at the beach. Another Breeze perk? The Breeze OnDemand car service will pick you up and drop you off wherever you’d like to go if you’re within the downtown, Lido Key and Longboat Key vicinity, or if you’re in Venice, Englewood or North Port. scgov.net/government/breeze-transit 

Shell to Your Heart’s Content

Avid shellers flock to south Siesta Key and South Lido for the very best shelling around, if they can find parking. Head down to Venice and Englewood if shark teeth are more your game. No matter what sea treasure you’re searching for, we’ve got a beach for that.

Drop in at Vamo Boat Ramp

If you have a small vessel, like a kayak, paddleboard or skiff, the Vamo boat ramp is the best place to drop in, with ample parking and quick access to Midnight Pass, just across the Intracoastal Waterway. If you’re not too exhausted after your paddle, set aside a few minutes to walk around the ’hood, where beautiful Spanish-style homes dot the streets. 1690 Vamo Drive, Sarasota

Use Roundabouts Properly (We Beg You)

There are three simple rules for the more than 75 roundabouts in Sarasota County: 1. Slow down 2. Look left 3. Don’t be a jerk! (And please yield to oncoming traffic.)

Beaching It

Where to Find Quieter Beaches

The really cool, less crowded beaches are in central and south county. While only accessible by foot or boat, Midnight Pass Beach is worth the walk, paddle or boat ride. Sea turtles have known this for thousands of years, and they return every year to build their nests at this beautiful Gulf beach at the south tip of Siesta Key. Another local favorite is the dark-sand Caspersen Beach in Venice. It’s only accessible by foot until the road is repaired, but snag a parking spot at the adjoining South Brohard Park and take a quick stroll down the now sand-covered road. If you want to see how Sarasota shores looked before Europeans arrived, this is the spot.

How to Park on Longboat Key

Exclusive Longboat Key doesn’t make it easy to visit its 12 miles of shoreline. While there are 12 public beach access points, parking is (intentionally, most locals think) limited or inconvenient. But it’s not impossible. Even if the large digital traffic sign at the south end of the island announces, “No Available Beach Parking,” it’s worth investigating the few lots available. If you’re nervous, you can always keep heading north to Coquina Beach at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island.

When to Leave—and Arrive—at the Beach

We’re all tempted to sit tight for sunset to watch for the green flash (which is real and caused by refraction of sunlight, by the way) as the sun slips beneath the horizon. But don’t leave right away if you’re on Lido or Siesta keys, or you’ll get stuck in traffic for at least an hour. Why not walk to St. Armands Circle after sunset for a stroll or a bite to eat before crossing the bridge? Same goes for Siesta Key, where you can walk or bike to Siesta Key Village for an hour of blissful idling. Another pro tip: If you’re hankering for a day at Siesta Beach, you’d better show up before 9 a.m. to snag a parking spot.

Entertainment

Party at a Hootenanny in Old Miakka

We’ve paved paradise, but Old Miakka still feels like Florida before the parking lots. In this pocket of ranchland and oak hammocks, cattle gates outnumber traffic lights and boots win out over business casual. Each fall, usually the first Sunday of October, for more than 40 years, Old Miakka throws a “hootenanny,” complete with live music, local vendors, and the front-porch camaraderie that never left—complete with lasso tosses and every kind of homemade pie you can imagine. It all benefits the 1914 Old Miakka Schoolhouse, a one-room relic turned community centerpiece. They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, but here they’re intent on keeping it right where it is. Mark your calendars. 15800 Wilson Road, Old Miakka, Sarasota

Go to a Free Event at The Bay

When your list of things to do in town starts feeling a little too pay-to-play, The Bay proves that some of the best experiences don’t come with a price tag—and can unfold within a stunning landscape that celebrates Sarasota’s natural environment, even in its most urban stretch. Almost everything you could want is right at your fingertips: yoga, concerts (real rocking ones, too), silent discos, bootcamp, salsa nights, mat Pilates, seasonal festivals, you name it. Even weekly movie nights are curated, with a stadium-quality screen showcasing timely classics and new releases alike. 1055 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, thebaysarasota.com

Head to the HAT

Asolo Repertory Theatre is one of the first places theatergoers look when they want professional, high-quality stage productions, but just across the street at The Ringling is the Historic Asolo Theater (HAT), the jewel-box theater built in 1798 in Asolo, Italy, and transported to Sarasota in the 1950s. This historic venue offers a more eclectic range of shows, from circus performances to fantastic world music and lectures from acclaimed authors. The onstage activity is intimate and the setting divine. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, ringling.org/historic-asolo-theater

Visit the Phillippi Crest Community Club 

In 1916, a group of New Englanders made headlines here when they announced plans to build a collection of winter homes and a community clubhouse in a neighborhood near Phillippi Creek called the Maine Colony. More than a century later, that original social club is now one of the oldest arts and culture venues in Sarasota—the gathering place of a friendly historic neighborhood also called the Maine Colony. These days, they host talented local musicians for Last Sunday Sounds, a monthly event occurring on—you guessed it—the last Sunday of each month. 2421 Burlington Lane, Sarasota

See a Show on a Smaller Stage

Sarasota and Manatee counties have a scattering of small, intimate stages where theater feels personal and a little off the grid. Urbanite Theatre’s 65-seat black-box, the Dingbat Theatre Project, Rise Above Performing Arts Centre and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe offer unique performances, while Glenridge on Palmer Ranch and SCF’s Studio for the Performing Arts keep things modest in scale. In Manatee County, Island Players, Fed’s Backyard Theatre and The Hat Theater Collective deliver cozy, community-driven shows where you’re never far from the action. Azara Ballet is known for intimate performances that blend classical technique with modern, emotionally driven choreography.

Feel the Music at Local Churches

Several Sarasota-area churches have become reliable venues for secular music and performance, and there are no bad seats in the house. Check out church websites for information. Some are free, and all welcome donations. St. Boniface Episcopal Church serves as a host site for the touring Candlelight Concerts series, where string quartets perform themed programs, from classical works to pop tributes, in a candlelit setting. First Presbyterian Church is regularly used for public chamber concerts and recitals, including performances by the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota and visiting classical ensembles. Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota on Fruitville Road present jazz concerts, theater, nationally acclaimed speakers and other community arts programs that are open to the public. First Congregational United Church of Christ has hosted Artist Series Concerts events and other ticketed chamber music performances. Siesta Key Chapel runs a seasonal community concert series featuring jazz, light classical and popular music programs.

Check Out Local Libraries

 

There’s so much going on at our public libraries. Beyond borrowing books for free plus a full roster of programming, did you know you can get free or discounted tickets to local museums and performances through the Culture Pass Program? Here’s a sampling of services. sarasotacountylibraries.org

Book a one-on-one Tech Navigator appointment for help with devices or software.

Borrow Birdwatching Backpacks with binoculars and guidebooks for a family outing.

Use the History Center’s Memory Lab to digitize photos, slides and home movies.

Take home a book club kit with multiple copies of books plus discussion guides.

Research your family tree with free access to Ancestry, HeritageQuest and Fold3.

Borrow a Launchpad tablet for kids to build digital literacy in a safe, offline setting.

Stealthy Shopping

Great Local Bookstores

Sure, you can buy a book on Amazon or go to Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million, but bookstore lovers head to tiny A Parker’s Books for rare, antiquarian books, maps and prints (it can be a little intimidating for non-bibliophiles, but take a deep breath and walk in) and to spacious Bookstore1Sarasota, with its wide selection of books, puzzles, cards and calendars and a great assortment of readings from local authors upstairs. (Sadly, Shelf Indulgence Used Book Cafe in north Sarasota is moving to Virginia in June, and Brant’s Books, a 70-year-old cozy, community bookstore, last located in the Limelight District, is on a long pause while the owner tries to find a new space.) aparkers.com, sarasotabooks.com

Embrace the Unexpected  at Sunflower Market Discount Grocery

Regulars know the rules: Come curious, buy it when you see it and never expect the same haul twice. For those worn down by rising prices in an increasingly expensive city, Sunflower Market offers a welcome reprieve. Because of product or packaging changes, overproduction or misunderstandings about best-by dates, the food that distributors can’t sell through their typical channels winds up on the shelves at Sunflower. There’s a rotating cast of staples, like meat and milk, funky imports and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bargains, making the trip a worthwhile weekly adventure. 200 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota, sunflowerdiscountmarket.com

Build Up Your Record Collection at an Indie Shop

There are a few record shops around town, but our favorite, Jerk Dog Records, matches the quirky vibe of its home in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. You’ll know you’ve found it when you spot its fire engine red exterior and salvaged sign pointing you indoors, where the ceiling sports a starburst design made from old records. No matter your music taste, this shop has a little something for everybody who enjoys that sweet vintage sound. 1119 12th St. W., Bradenton, jerkdogrecords.com 

Go Deep in Gulf Gate

The Gulf Gate commercial strip has it all in just a couple of blocks. From secret spots to dine to teeny tiny bakeries, international boutiques to junk shops and raucous service industry bars, it’s offbeat, walkable and the neighborhood to get away from the crowds while gaining access to some awesome amenities like the eatery Kolucan for laidback cuisine from Veracruz, Mexico, or Clever Cup for a jolt of Java.

Where to Get Fresh Seafood

Unless you catch your own fish, real natives know that the freshest places to buy local Gulf seafood are A.P. Bell Fish Co. Inc. (941-794-1249) and Cortez Bait & Seafood Fish Market (cortezbaitandseafood.com). You can even watch the boats come in with their catch each day.

Nab Second-Hand Treasures from Spoons to Lumber at ReStore

Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore shop on 17th Street is a cornucopia of “gently used” donations of furniture, Oriental rugs, tools, home goods and overstocked builder items of all kinds—some of remarkably high quality, in excellent shape and priced well. 2095 17th St., Sarasota, habitatsrq.org/restore

Sips and Snacks

Taste the Tropics at Siesta Key Rum

This rum is produced right here in Sarasota, and you can take a tour of Siesta Key Rum’s distillery and sample its award-winning spirits at the distillery’s onsite tiki bar. Think you’re not a rum drinker? You will be after this. 2212 Industrial Blvd., Sarasota, siestakeyrum.com

Fill up on 'Cue at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse

Stottlemyer's Smokehouse is an open-air, Old Florida-style barbecue joint tucked away east of I-75, far from downtown’s usual nightlife strip. Under a thatched chickee hut, it pairs pecan-smoked barbecue with free live music most nights, making it a laid-back, off-the-beaten-path spot for food and bands in one unexpected setting. 19 East Road, Sarasota, stottlemyerssmokehouse.com 

Satisfy Soul Food Cravings at Cottonmouth

Cottonmouth Southern Soul Food sits in Bradenton’s colorful Village of the Arts, framed by painted historic cottages, quirky galleries and studios. Think a cozy converted cottage with a patio filled with live music and local artwork, giving it a backyard-club vibe that feels tucked away. 1114 12th St. W., Bradenton, cottonmouthsoul.com 

Seek Out Secret Jamaican in Newtown

Roots Jamaican Restaurant, open Wednesdays through Sundays, is so secret we only recently discovered it. Don’t bother searching for it online—you won’t find it. Just trust us and head to 1950 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Sarasota

Get Serious About Meat at Butcher’s Block

You’ll only see locals at the 17th Street Butcher’s Block, now celebrating its 59th anniversary. It’s got everything you need for dinner, including cheese, proteins, premade sides and an awesome wine selection. 3242 17th St., Sarasota,  butchersblocksarasota.com

Dive In at Dive Wine & Spirits

Dive Wine & Spirits on Clark Road offers an array of boutique brands with a staff that will help you select the best “never heard of it” spirits around. Make time to sneak into the back speakeasy, called Hive, where the area’s best bartenders will serve you something special. 2881 Clark Road, Unit 20, Sarasota, diveliquors.com   

Wine and Dine at SeaGrape Wine Co. on Thursdays

Thursday nights at SeaGrape Wine Co. are anything but a typical wine tasting. In a relaxed, creative space that feels more like a friend’s back yard than a tasting room, SeaGrape teams up with pop-up chef Mike Calvino of Spare Kitchen for sausage or fish sandwich nights. For about $30 you can try three wines, enjoy a full glass of your favorite, and chow down on a sandwich served on a homemade biscuit. 4333 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, sgwineco.com

Stuff Yourself at Alpine Steakhouse

An absolute treasure in the Sarasota dining scene, Alpine Steakhouse serves up a famous turducken—a chicken stuffed inside a duck stuffed inside a turkey—featured on national television, alongside prime steaks and a ton of German beer on tap. If you’re not in the mood to dine in, you can grab a gorgeous ribeye to grill at home. 4520 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, alpinesteak.com

Take a Bite of History at Turner’s Donuts

Whether Turner’s Donuts has the best doughnuts around can be debated, but no other doughnut place has its history. The Bradenton diner has been around since the 1960s and is famous for its potato flour spudnuts. It’s been a forever favorite late-night spot for the munchies and a first-stop destination for the working crowd that gets up at 5 a.m. Piping hot coffee, too. 902 9th Ave. W., Bradenton

Beat the Wait at Owen’s

Owen’s Fish Camp in downtown Sarasota is famous for its Old Florida feel…and wait time. Out-of-towners and natives alike line up—sometimes for more than an hour—for a coveted spot under the banyan tree. Since the restaurant doesn’t take reservations, put your name on the waitlist at the hostess stand and make your way straight through to the back yard, where you’ll find fantastic live music every night of the week, a limited menu (don’t worry, you can still order the oysters, although we’d recommend the smoked fish dip), plentiful seating, and a bar that turns the delay into the destination. Heck, you could even skip the waitlist entirely and spend the night under the stars at a wooden picnic table. 516 Burns Court, Sarasota, owenfishcamp.com

Toast to Memories Lounge

We love a dive bar, and Memories Lounge is one of the best. Its own website boasts “the style and soul of a real drinking establishment,” and that means pool, affordable drinks, karaoke and cigarettes. Strip down before you step inside your own house after a night of singing and drinking, unless you want your living room to smell like last call. 3428 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, memoriesloungesrq.com