With a blink and a sigh, the carefree days of summer have passed and we are now firmly in the midst of the holiday season. Halloween has ended, the days are growing short, and in many states, the first snowfall of the season has already occurred, making it a tiny bit easier to feel the spirit of the holidays even as cold weather inhabitants are wishing they had just a little more time in the sun! This is why a vacation to Sarasota at Thanksgiving often enters travelers’ minds, such as those unwilling to let go of summer and who are also hesitant about spending this first big holiday with cranky relatives!
And if you can imagine it, the days, although not long, stay warm reaching as high as the mid-80s and as turkeys are cooking, long walks along white sand beaches will help all that delicious food not settle into our soon to be expanding waistlines! (It’s so hard to not say yes to a second piece of pumpkin pie!) And whether you decide to prepare a Florida Beachgiving feast yourself or are looking at exploring what restaurants can do the work for you, our Rent the Keys holiday hideaways will help make this year’s celebration feel warm, cozy, and relaxing!
Take a Trip Back in Time
Although not a traditional Thanksgiving activity, the Suncoast Renaissance Festival comes to the Sarasota Fairgrounds November 18th through December 10th, open on weekends only. Raise a goblet to comely women and manly men on the weekend before or after the holiday, exploring jousting matches, playing games, and if you are a Ren Fair regular in your hometown, dressing up for the occasion! The festival harkens back to simple days and if you are choosing to go non-traditional for your turkey dinner in 2023, you can still enjoy a taste of the holiday by gnawing on the simply ginormous turkey legs sold here! Each weekend offers a different theme, with the first weekend dedicated to pirates and the weekend after Thanksgiving themed Fantasy Weekend, 2 days in which cosplay rules!
Run for your Supper!
As we just mentioned, the holidays are often responsible for more than a few extra pounds, but with a little planning, you can limit the stress on your clothing budget! Taking part in one of our favorite traditions, the Florida Turkey Trot is a great way to start your holiday, with the fun starting at 7:15 am for children and 8 am for adults. Held at Nathan Benderson Park on November 23rd, the 7:15 start time is for the Kid’s Turkey Dash, a fun run broken down in age groups for those 12 and under. Participants will receive a finisher’s medal and a tee shirt, both of which will serve as a fantastic souvenir of their turkey day getaway. The adult 5K starts promptly at 8, with runners also receiving a race shirt, finisher medal, and for the first 100 men and first 100 women, a sweet holiday themed treat will be awarded to enjoy at home!
To Cook or Not to Cook
Let’s face it. When traveling for Thanksgiving the biggest decision may be whether or not you want to use the kitchen of your vacation escape for preparing a big feast or, if you want to let others do all the work! For those inclined to make this a true lazy vacation, Sarasota offers plenty of restaurants that will be open and serving a variety of holiday meals, all prepared, served, and cleared away by hard working people who won’t be you!
Explore the fine dining cuisine of the Bijou Garden Café, 1287 1st Street, located inside what once was a 1920’s gas station or if you want to stay home and enjoy the luxury amenities of our Rent the Keys sanctuaries, enjoy a take out dinner from Brick’s Smoked Meats, 1528 State Street, where smoked turkey or their world famous prime brisket will be a delicious addition to your celebration. These are just two of many restaurants offering such options, so your choices will be plentiful!
Make Our Homes Yours for the Holiday
Our Sarasota homes are destined to be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving at the beach, offering kitchens that are fully equipped to handle almost any sized feast and their cheerful vibes will make you feel comfortable and at home as you cook up a storm. State of the art televisions offer large screens, ideal for watching all the big football games or, our favorite part of the holiday, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! After the tryptophan kicks in from your delicious roast turkey, super comfortable sofas are built for giving guests the best naps and if you are ready to start looking at the next holiday waiting in the line-up, streaming Christmas songs will help you feel the Christmas spirit! Reserve your favorite holiday haven and contact us today!
