Sun-Kissed Sarasota: 7 Ways to Enjoy the Year-round Sunshine

While most of the U.S. is freezing and experiencing snowfall, you can head south for the winter to enjoy leisurely walks in the park, beach time, outdoor dining, farmers markets and lots more in Sarasota's pleasant climate. Here are seven ways you can enjoy the supreme weather of Sarasota this winter – or really any time of year!

1. The Bay Park

Come enjoy life on the Bay–Sarasota Bay, that is–at The Bay Park, a newer 53-acre park created for beautiful views and free community programs including nature walks, fitness and dance classes, ride and paddle tours and yoga on the lawn. The Bay's got all sorts of ongoing activities and events, like Intro to Pickleball, Guided Kayak Tours, Family Movie Nights, Sundays at The Bay Concerts and more. Or, just come to The Bay to enjoy the picnic area by the manmade beach or the kids' playground or simply stroll and watch a sunset. The Bay Park is conveniently located in downtown Sarasota.

655 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL 34236

2. Waterside Place

No matter what you want to do outdoors in the sunshine, Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch has it. Walking trails? Check. Shopping? Check? Restaurants, a farmers market, volleyball nets and free classes? Check, check, and check as well! Waterside Place is home to the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch, held on Sundays year-round and voted Best Farmers Market in Florida. It also has a marina, playground, outdoors entertainment area and more than a dozen places to enjoy your next meal or drink. Bonus tip: Don't miss out on special events open to all, including live music, cornhole tournaments and yoga classes.

7500 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota, FL 34240

3. Local Farmers Markets

Sarasota's got no shortage of splendid farmers' markets where you can combine fresh air and sunshine with trying new foods and farm-fresh produce. The Sunday Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch welcomes about 100 vendors every week to Waterside Place. Then there's the Sarasota Farmers Market, held on Saturdays year-round in downtown Sarasota. It's considered the granddaddy of our area farmers' markets as it's been around since 1979. There also are other farmers market options like the Venice Farmers' Market on Saturdays and the Englewood Farmers Market on Thursdays to stroll in the morning sunshine while shopping local goods.  

Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch: Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace, Sarasota, FL 34240

Sarasota Farmers Market: N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236

Venice Farmers Market: City Hall, 401 W Venice Ave, Venice, FL 34285

Englewood Farmers Market: 335 W Green St, Englewood, FL 34223

4. Outdoor Dining on the Water

Many of our area restaurants and bars take advantage of Sarasota's pleasant weather and abundance of coastline with outdoor dining by the water. Whether you want a tropical view with a drink or an upscale meal, you can enjoy it with a sea breeze and a spot to catch the sunset over the horizon. Some waterside restaurant choices for open-air or outdoor dining include: Pop's Sunset Grill, Chart House, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Dockside Waterfront Grill, Marina Jack, and O'Learys Tiki Bar and Grill.

Pop's Sunset Grill, 112 Circuit Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275

Chart House: 201 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, 412 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key, FL 34228

Dockside Waterfront Grill, 509 N Tamiami Trl, Venice, FL 34285

Marina Jack: 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236

O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill: 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

5. A Winter Beach Day

Here's a secret: Sarasota's beaches are just as beautiful in the winter as they are other times of the year. The water may be cooler (consider yourself brave if you take a dip!), but you can still enjoy peaceful waves, shelling, sunshine and dining. There's no shortage of beach choices along Sarasota's 40 miles of coastline, but here are a few spots you may not have considered:

 Venice Beach, near the Venice Beach Pier, where you can spend some time searching for sharks' teeth in the Shark Tooth Capital of the World! You can rent a shark tooth sifter right on the pier. Grab a bite to eat while you're there at Fins at Sharky's. Also in Venice and a short distance from Venice Beach is Caspersen Beach, also popular among shark tooth hunters. 

Siesta Key is a world-famous beach destination, but there are still some ways you can cut down on the crowds. Point of Rocks is a part of Siesta Key that attracts snorkelers, and you can go there for a quieter beach experience. Try to arrive early and park at Beach Access Area 12. Then, walk about 5 to 10 minutes down to the left on the beach. If you are traveling by foot, you can access Point of Rocks directly from Beach Access Area 13.

As you explore area beaches, be sure to check out the Sarasota Beach Pass to find others you may not know and check-in to earn prizes!

6. Myakka River State Park

If you want to get away from it all and spend some time in nature, Myakka River State Park is the place to go. It's one of Florida's largest parks, with a total of 37,000 acres. There are all types of trails where you can explore wetlands, hammocks, pinelands and other natural scenery. The state park is home to abundant wildlife as well, including birds and alligators. Explore Myakka by foot, bike or even by boat or tram through one of the park's tours. If you just can't get enough of Myakka or being in the great outdoors, you can opt to spend the night and camp there. Bonus tips: Don't miss the Myakka Canopy Walkway for a view among the trees or The Birdwalk for wildlife viewing.

13208 State Road 72, Sarasota FL 34241

7. Outdoor Art Exhibitions

There's nothing like the combo of enjoying the arts while also spending some time outdoors when the weather's great. There are plenty of ways to bring these together in the Sarasota area. One idea is visiting the Embracing Our Differences exhibition, which features art focused on inclusion, kindness and respect, all showcased in billboard-size art. In fact, entries for Embracing Our Differences come in from all around the world. You can find Embracing Our Differences at Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota now through April. 

Another way to enjoy the arts al fresco: Visit Mable Ringling's Rose Garden and Ca' d'Zan at The Ringling. Ca' d'Zan is the stunning former mansion of circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable, and it's located right on Sarasota Bay for visitors to enjoy the grand marble terrace overlooing the water. Just behind it, the Rose Garden is a nod to the original garden planted by Mable Ringling, and the 1,200 roses there feature many of the varieties she had planted.

Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243