There's so much to do in Sarasota and her Islands that it can be difficult to narrow it down, much less cram it all into a weekend. You can't, of course, but if you're only here for a few days, here's a helpful little itinerary designed to give you a taste of the beaches, cuisine and culture of Sarasota, while keeping it relaxing and mostly outside.

Friday

If your flight arrives in the afternoon, unpack and settle in at your hotel before heading downtown. If you already live here in paradise, follow suit and start with happy hour cocktails at the spot that fits your mood.

What better way to kick off a Sarasota summer weekend than with breathtaking views and refreshing cocktails on the Ceviche (1216 1st St., 941-952-1036, www.ceviche.com/3134 ) rooftop? From 4-7 p.m., enjoy happy hour specials like $4 wine, beer and sangria. They also make a killer ginger mojito. If you're in the mood for a light bite, enjoy half-off specials on the Loco Luna menu. The rooftop opens at 4 p.m.

If you're craving an ice cold beer, head to the Sports Page (1319 Main St., 941-365-0469). Its location on the end of Main by the marina, memorabilia collection and vast beer selection make it a great spot to watch a game inside or people watch outside.

Oleary's (5 Bayfront Dr., 941-953-7505, http://olearystikibar.com/) makes for a proper welcome to paradise. Settle into a seat at the tiki hut on the bay, sip on a mai tai or a Miami Vice and let go.

A Sarasota summer sunset typically takes place around 7:30-8 p.m., so after drinks, take a stroll through nearby Island Park or over Ringling Bridge and watch the sun set over the water.

Post-sunset, take a drive over to Longboat Key for dinner. Euphemia Haye (5540 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-383-3633, www.euphemiahaye.com) is quaint and private, making it the ideal place to relax on your first night in Sarasota. Not only is it a great spot to enjoy a quiet discussion in an upscale environment, it serves up top-notch cuisine.

Seafood aficionados will rejoice at The Chart House on Longboat Key (201 Gulf of Mexico Dr., 941-383-5593, www.chart-house.com). Summer and seafood just go together and the fresh selections and view here are tough to beat.

Enjoy after-dinner drinks, dessert and live music at Haye Loft, the cozy little upstairs area at Euphemia Haye. The Dessert Room boasts mile-high pies and much more.

Saturday

Much like summer and seafood, Saturdays and shopping just go together. Spend the day in downtown Sarasota's boutiques like Elsa (1359 Main St., 941-364-5757), Lotus (1451 Main St., 941-906-7080, www.lotussarasota.com), and Juno & Jove (1425 1st St., 941-957-0000, www.junoandjove.com). Several great shops line Main, 1st and Lemon. Write On Sarasota (1423 1st St., 941-953-2800, www.writeonandmore.com) is a lovely spot to pick up a card to send home.

Take a coffee break at Media on Main (1341 Main St., 941-914-94110), where you can enjoy a phenomenal cappuccino with perfect froth and crepes at the little outdoor tables tucked into shady, ivy-covered alcoves. You can also enjoy beer, wine, desserts and much more. There's indoor seating and a bar, sunlight streaming in through windows and open doors, magazines, books and Apple products. It's a favorite spot to unwind.

After coffee or lunch, take a walk around the corner and head up Palm Avenue and back up Main to check out numerous galleries. Later, you might want to take in an afternoon independent film at Burns Court Cinema (506 Burns Ln., 941-955-3458, www.filmsociety.org). It's a gem of an area to walk around and easily accessible by foot from Main if you're up for a walk.

Have an artistic, inspired dinner at Mozaic (1377 Main St., 941-951-6272, www.mozaicsarasota.com) or Derek's Culinary Casual (514 Central Ave., 941-366-6565, www.dereks-sarasota.com). Both are located downtown and serve up innovative, eclectic, high-end cuisine.

If a show you'd like to see is playing, head over to the Sarasota Opera House (61 N. Pineapple Ave., 941-366-8450) or Florida Studio Theatre (1241 N. Palm Ave., 941-366-9017) after dinner. Both are also downtown and within walking distance from the restaurants. Visit their respective websites, www.sarasotaopera.org and www.floridastudiotheatre.org to see what's playing and when!

Also, while downtown, be sure to check out all of the public art on display.

Grab after-show drinks at the Ca' d'Zan Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota (1111 Ritz Carlton Dr., 941-309-2000, www.ritzcarlton.com/sarasota). Named after the Ringlings' beautiful home, the bar is both classy and comfortable. They serve up delectable martinis and there is often live music. On Saturdays, the bar is open until 2 a.m. and there is live music from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.

Sunday

It's time to hit the beach! Sunday is a great day for beaching and boating because it has long been considered a day of rest.

Rent a boat from C.B.'s Saltwater Outfitters (249 Stickney Point Rd., 941-349-4400, www.cbsoutfitters.com). Boat rentals are available for four hours or full days (8 a.m.-5 p.m.). Check out the available boats and prices on their website. For kayak and bike rentals, parasailing and other beach adventures, assess your options at www.sarasotafl.org/play/siesta-key.

Stop for lunch or drinks while out on the water. Oleary's is a popular stop, as is the Casey Key Fish House (801 Blackburn Point Rd., Osprey, 941-966-1901) down in South County.

Being out on the water or the beach always helps you work up an appetite, so dig into an early dinner in Siesta Key Village at one of the many restaurants and bars lining Ocean Blvd. Siesta Key Oyster Bar (www.skob.com), Daiquiri Deck (daiquirideck.com), Gilligan's (http://gilligansislandbar.com/), The Hub (thehubsiestakey.com) and The Cottage (http://www.cottagesiestakey.com/) all have great drinks, sandwiches, seafood and island flair. The Cottage is on Avendia Messina, right off Ocean. It has old Florida style and a cozy feel, making it an original, much-appreciated addition to the Village.

Wrap up the night and let loose at the Siesta Key Drum Circle. It usually gets started as the sun starts going down on Sunday nights. Bring an instrument or just bring yourself. Play, dance and mingle in the soft white sand of Siesta Beach, the beach rated No. 1 in the nation by "Dr. Beach" in the summer of 2011.

This itinerary is, of course, just a guide. Feel free to reorder it or pick and choose to fit your schedule and personal interests. Substitute the Ringling Museum of Art (5401 Bay Shore Rd., 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org, open 10 a.m.- p.m.) for shopping on Saturday, for instance. If you're craving a certain kind of food or want to pick restaurants and attractions in close proximity to your hotel, visit www.sarasotafl.org and click on "Dining" or "Things to Do." If you need help picking the perfect hotel for your perfect summer weekend, click on "Lodging."