You Said You Would

A Popular Facebook Group Helps Sarasotans Get Outdoors

The group was founded by community leader John Annis as an accountability tool for himself and a small group of friends. Now it counts more than 1,200 members.

01/02/2026 By Megan McDonald

Gifts Galore

Our Last-Minute, Ultra-Local Holiday Gift Guide

From foodies to fashionistas, these locally made gifts are perfect for anyone on your list.

12/23/2025 By Megan McDonald

Best of Sarasota

Our 10 Most Popular Stories of 2025

Out of everything we published this year, here's what you clicked on most.

12/23/2025 By Megan McDonald

Merry and Bright

Nine Stunning Local Christmas Trees to Go See This Holiday Season

Need a break from the blue light of your computer or phone screen as we head into the holidays? Try these lights instead.

12/19/2025 By Megan McDonald Photography by Damon Powers

Flashback

Photo: Winter in Sarasota, 1940

Joseph Janney Steinmetz captures a classic "why-we-love-living-here" moment.

12/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

The New Mote

Inside the New Mote SEA

Mote’s brand-new Science and Education Aquarium (SEA) rises at Nathan Benderson Park.

12/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Dive Into Resort Life

Downtown, Beach or Golf Course, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Pampers Guests in Signature Ritz Style

Twenty-four years after it opened, the Ritz remains a place to see and be seen—and to escape.

12/01/2025 By Megan McDonald

Dive Into Resort Life

For the Ultimate in Luxurious Pampering, Look No Further Than St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

The St. Regis has brought a new level of luxury and wealth to our region—and reminded us of everything we’ve always loved about living here.

12/01/2025 By Megan McDonald

Mod Mod World

Sarasota MOD Weekend Honors a Century of Sarasota Architecture

This year's theme is "Moderns That Matter," and while a number of events are sold out, there's still plenty to see and do.

11/12/2025 By Megan McDonald

End of an Era

Good-Bye, Hart's Landing

Last year's hurricanes destroyed the iconic bait shop's docks. This week, the site was razed.

11/12/2025 By Megan McDonald

🥶🥶🥶

Updated: Warming Centers Are Opening in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

With forecasts still in the low 40s tonight, shelters will remain open for those seeking refuge from the cold.

11/11/2025 By Megan McDonald

Grounded!

The Government Shutdown Is Creating Travel Headaches Everywhere

The FAA announced today that it intends to decrease air traffic by 10 percent in 40 markets nationwide starting Friday morning, including at Tampa International. At SRQ, seven flights were delayed today.

11/06/2025 By Megan McDonald

In Fine Feather

It’s Peak Birding Season Look for These Migrating 'Lifer' Birds Making a Stop in Sarasota

At the Celery Fields and in woodland areas like Pinecraft Park, you’ll spot numerous kinds of birds, from jaw-droppingly colorful painted buntings to chicken-like soras and flashy scarlet tanagers.

11/05/2025 By Megan McDonald

Play Ball!

Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves Announce 2026 Spring Training Schedule

This spring, fans can look forward to more Spring Breakout, increased access to Orioles' practices and international matchups ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

11/05/2025 By Megan McDonald

Tropical Update

Keep Your Eyes on the Tropics, Just in Case

It's too early to tell what will happen with Tropical Storm Melissa, but it's peak hurricane season for the Suncoast.

10/23/2025 By Megan McDonald

Pier Review

Rebuilding of Anna Maria Island's City Pier to Begin Soon

Construction on the pier will begin within the next two months—with test pilings installed in the next two weeks—and the pier will be "substantially complete" by April 2026.

10/09/2025 By Megan McDonald

Water World

Mote's New Science Education Aquarium Is Open

Years in the making, the $132 million facility includes 1 million gallons of aquatic exhibitions, including sharks and stingrays, manatees, otters, penguins, a giant octopus, sharks, otters and more, plus three state-of-the-art STEM teaching labs.

10/08/2025 By Megan McDonald Videography by Joshua Bodkin

Among the Flowers

Rebecca Louise Law Explores Time, Survival and Community in Her Orchid Show Installation at Selby Gardens

The British artist’s installation has been extended through Jan. 11, 2026.

10/07/2025 By Megan McDonald

Take a Look, It's in a Book

Amy Tan Headlines Sarasota's 2025 'Off the Page' Literary Festival

You can also attend talks with Janet Evanovich and her daughter Alex, former FBI special agent Robert K. Wittman, memoirist Anabelle Tometich and Pulitzer Prize-winner Jack E. Davis,

10/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Hurricane Helene

Today Is the One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene's Landfall

Catastrophic storm surge, fierce winds and billions of dollars in damages left Sarasota and Manatee struggling to rebuild in the storm's wake.

09/26/2025 By Megan McDonald and Kim Doleatto

Sarasota Magazine

Megan McDonald