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Sarasota is a jewel located on the west coast of Florida 60 miles south of Tampa. Sarasota's rich Scottish heritage came when many families immigrated from Scotland to America. Unfortunately, many were dismayed at what they found. They had been expecting a beautifully developed town but, instead, found frontier. Despite the hardships, some stayed. One of them was John Hamilton Gillespie, a Scottish aristocrat and lawyer. He built America's first golf course in Sarasota starting a long tradition of being "Golfer's Heaven." Riverview High Schools renowned Kiltie Band delights spectators with their Scottish Kilts and bagpipes.
Sarasota is known as Floridas "cultural capital" with numerous theaters such as the Golden Apple Dinner Theater, Florida Studio Theater, Asolo Theater. We are also blessed to have the Sarasota Ballet, Florida West Coast Symphony, Sarasota Opera, Ringling Art Museum, and Van Wezel performing arts hall. Art galleries abound on Palm Avenue. Towles Court Artist Colony offers a unique lifestyle for local artists where they can live and work. You can enjoy over 40 studios and galleries. Every year the Sarasota Film Festival takes place with a gala dinner at the Ringling Art Museum.
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens offers a peaceful stroll through a natural park-like setting. They have over 20,000 plants from 214 families and more than 6000 orchids to enjoy. One of the primary goals of Selby Gardens is to educate people about plants. They received the prestigious award of one of "Americas Top Ten Botanical Gardens." Horticulture classes will be offered from February to May on such topics as Landscaping with Native Plants, Growing Orchids in SW Florida and Knowing and growing Bromeliads.
Sarasota's marvelous climate with an average year-round temperature of 72 degs. allows one to enjoy the outdoors all year long. From golf courses, beautiful beaches, boating, to many kinds of sports, and plenty of sunshine, Sarasota is a place where you can stay young and healthy.
Beautiful barrier islands or Keys are connected to the Sarasota mainland. Sarasota has many local beaches to enjoy including beaches on: Siesta Key, St. Armands Key, Lido Key, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Casey Key
Sarasotas schools are among the best in the State. There are excellent choices in higher education such as:
New College of Florida, Sarasota
University of South Florida at Sarasota
Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota
Argosy University International College
17th St. Sarasota
Keiser College, Sarasota
FSU College of Medicine
Sarasota is growing rapidly attracting all ages from young professionals and families to retirees. While having the feeling of a small town, Sarasota is blessed with the amenities of a world class city. |