Winter is coming, that wonderful season where the sun shines brightly, the beaches are still crowded with people, and the warm days make you glad to live in the south, but if this does not describe your winter, it’s ok. Now is the perfect time to start planning a vacation to the land of eternal summer in the town of Sarasota, and because we at Rent the Keys want our guests to experience the best vacations, we don’t just offer spacious, comfortable, and luxurious homes for travelers to relax in, we are providing this guide to all the fun you can have during a winter trip to Sarasota! Spend your days making your friends and neighbors back in your snow covered hometown feel jealous and your nights reveling in the comforts we provide; your winter escape to Florida is destined to create memories you will cherish forever!
Take a Tour
If you have never been to Sarasota before, you may want to start out your getaway with a tour of the town, and Discover Sarasota Tours offers plenty of ways to learn a little more about what may interest you during your vacation in paradise! Offering classic sightseeing tours of the city, haunted Sarasota tours, foodie tours, and our personal favorite, a Christmas Carol Trolley tour, complete with letters to Santa, holiday music, and colorful Christmas lights, this tour company explores all the things that makes our coastal city wonderful!
Searching for Shells and Shark’s Teeth
Yes, a day at the beach is still well within reason throughout the winter months, especially as daytime temps rarely dip below 70. If you are seeking a way to bring back souvenirs but also want to save a little money, nothing fits the bill better than the shells and shark’s teeth that can be found at many of our Sarasota County beaches, including Caspersen Beach in nearby Venice. Known as the Shark’s Tooth Capital of the World, even megalodon teeth have been discovered in the area! Of course, finding a megalodon tooth is rare, but smaller teeth of today’s sharks are often washed up on Caspersen Beach, providing a beautiful way to fill a couple of hours of your winter vacation. For sea shells, of course, you don’t have to wander as far, perhaps even finding the prettiest ones at the beaches you are staring at from your Rent the Keys beachfront sanctuary!
Winter Holidays Activities
If your winter break brings you to Sarasota during the holidays, you will still be able to feel the holiday spirit, even without the snow and cold! The previously mentioned Christmas Carol Trolley is a great spot to begin your celebrations, but there are also holiday markets for getting your shopping done (Holiday Bazaar on December 2nd at the TPC Prestancia is a great one!) a Santa Run 5K on December 17th, and Deck the Halls, a Christmas Extravaganza performed at the Keating Theater on December 10th. At New Year’s there will be fireworks displays that can be seen from the beach, and champagne toasts at nearly every bar you visit, but the coolest activity is witnessing the Pineapple Drop on New Year’s Eve! Forget the crystal ball drop in Times Square, this exciting celebration takes place in downtown Sarasota, offering live music, awesome food, fun games, and of course, the best drinks. When the clock strikes down to midnight, witnessing the giant pineapple descending from the sky is a thrilling bucket list moment you will never forget!
Sightseeing Attractions
There are a lot of things to see and do during your winter visit to Sarasota, including checking out these local sights and attractions. Learn about the sea and its cold blooded inhabitants at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, explore the circus world at the John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, or take a stroll through whimsy and wonder with a visit to the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy, only open from November through May! This last museum features sculptures, including an outdoor garden with its own flock of giant flamingoes!
A Foodie’s Tour of Sarasota
Chances are you didn’t eat a lot in the days and weeks leading up to your Sarasota vacation, wanting to stay lean and trim to look good in the new swimsuits you purchased, but now that you are here, all bets are off! It is time to enjoy a foodie’s tour of Sarasota, exploring the best restaurants that offer the tastiest bites in town! Pizza at Napule, Mousaka at Blu Kouzina, and of course, the freshest, sweetest, seafood at pretty much any local seafood restaurant! (Our personal favorite is Crab & Fin in St. Armand’s Circle)
Hanging out at Home with Rent the Keys
Quiet moments spent watching the sun sink over the sea, rowdy nights spent playing board games around dining room tables, and wonderful moments of rest and relaxation can be yours when you spend your winter vacay in our Rent the Keys seasonal sanctuaries! Reserve your favorite and contact us today!
