If you are reading this in the middle of another spring snowstorm, just be patient. Your Memorial Day getaway to Sarasota will be here before you know it and when it arrives, you can look forward to golden sunshine, blue skies, and all the turquoise waters that our Florida hometown can offer! And because we want to ensure that you have the best time during your moments in the Sunshine State, we at RentTheKeys have prepared this comprehensive guide to how to fill those minutes with fun and excitement, forever pushing the thought of cold and dreary out of your brain.
Start the Holiday Out Right with Pancakes at The Breakfast House, 1817 Fruitville Road
Ok, this first activity can only be enjoyed on the weekend, as the Breakfast House is closed on Mondays, but summer starts on Friday, May 27th in your world and an all-American breakfast is almost your patriotic duty. The décor could only be described as Garden Cottage and the pancakes they offer were voted best pancakes in Florida, so you KNOW this is going to be good. Try the Lemon Lavendar Stuffed Pancakes and scoff at the idea of eating plain pancakes ever again.
9th Annual SRQ VETS 5K Memorial Hike, May 25, JD Hamel Park
Memorial Day is supposed to be about remembering those who sacrificed everything for our freedom, and this hike offers a beautiful way to do just that. Offering live music, food trucks, and a lowkey hike that even the tiniest of travelers can participate in, there’s no pomp, no circumstance, just good people remembering the bravest of people in their most comfortable shoes.
Sunset Music Festival, May 25 & May 26, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Located just 60 miles outside of Sarasota, the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is the site of the Sunset Music Festival, an electronic dance festival that draws some of the biggest electronic music performers to our doorstep. Historically over 50,000 people make their way to this festival, where performers don colorful costumes and perform the music you simply can’t not dance to. This festival is for 18 and older, so if traveling with kids, it may not be the event for you.
St. Armands Fine Art Festival, May 25 & May 26, 434 St. Armands Circle
Some of the nation’s best artists come to St. Armands Circle over Memorial Day Weekend, their portfolios filled with artwork that may end up in your carryon when you return home at the end of your stay. Offering paintings, pottery, jewelry, and more, the artisans will be on hand to discuss their work, their routines, and their talent that we non-artists so wholeheartedly envy. Costing nothing to attend you can save your money to purchase the pieces that speak to you the loudest, this event starts at 10 AM and ends at 5 PM both days.
The Beach, Of Course
How did we get this far down the page without mentioning the white sand beaches, because can you even consider you have been to Florida if you don’t spend at least one day frolicking in the surf? Many of our RentTheKeys escapes provide closets filled with beach gear, including chairs, umbrellas, and beach wagons, so load up a cooler with your favorite food and drink, slip into your new swimsuit, and prepare for a day where the sun shines happily, the waves ebb and flow, and the toes you have buried in the sand curl with glee. Memorial Day has arrived to officially kick off your summer adventures and you are celebrating in the state where summer is a year round season.
Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar, 1255 N Palm Avenue 8th Floor
Sultry summer nights, cool blue waters of a pool, and musical entertainment makes Perspective one of our favorite places to party the night away, but it is the views from this rooftop bar that will make you wish every day really could be summer in Sarasota. Open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, colorful neon lights help make it easy to see, no matter how dark the night gets.
The Family Barbecue
The most all-American celebration, that of a family barbecue can be enjoyed in your Sarasota sanctuary, especially in ones that offer pools in their backyard. Grill the catch of the day on gas grills, stream your favorite barbecue music, and spend the day exploring the amenities offered with Rent the Keys, being sure to take, and post, as many pictures as you can. Watch your favorite movies on flat screen televisions, prepare your grandma’s world famous potato salad in fully equipped kitchens, and fall in love with your family all over again. Memorial Day Weekend is almost here, and if you aren’t spending those three days in Sarasota, you may regret it for the rest of the year. Contact us and reserve your favorite holiday hideaway today!
