By Laura Smith
Monday was Labor Day which means the summer has unofficially come to a close. Looking to take that one last quick vacation before the fall and winter chill sets in? Consider a trip to
Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast- a destination that has one of the only sub-tropical climates in the country.
In total, there are
six areas that line Sarasota’s coastline, including the popular Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key. Each Key is a little different, offering high-end shops and entertainment (Longboat key), quiet and serene environments (Lido Key) or even almost unknown places to get away (Manasota and Englewood Beaches).
If you’re more of an outdoorsy, nature lover, you can head over to the Myakka State River Park. The park offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, airboat tours and cabin rentals. You can also visit the Sarasota Jungle Gardens to come face-to-face with birds, reptiles and mammals that inhabit Sarasota.
If you’re planning fall nuptials, Sarasota also offers a prime environment for saying “I do.” The County’s Historic buildings like John Ringling's Ca d'Zan Mansion or the 1920s-era Crowley Mansion provide an elegant venue for ceremonies and receptions. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens offer a lush tropical environment for tying the knot as well.
For whatever reason brings you to Sarasota, you won’t be disappointed or bored. Here are some upcoming events in the fall you can look forward to:
Sarasota Downtown Farmers Market – Every Saturday until January
Film Fridays at the South Florida Museum – Every Friday night, 6 p.m.
Florida Landscapes art exhibit – Weekdays until October
Geier’s Oktoberfest – Sept. 22-24
Images: sarasotafl.org