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SIESTA KEY VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA |
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Why Vacation in Siesta Key |
Siesta Key, an 8-mile barrier island just off the shore of Sarasota, Florida, offers charming vacation hideaways, as well as beautiful white beaches, warm breezes and cool water. |
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Siesta Key Vacation Rental Information |
Siesta Key Vacation rentals are numerous and offer a variety of choices, including 2- and 3-bedroom waterfront condominiums, luxury studio apartment rentals, small Siesta Key rental cottages and villa rentals. You can also find casual beach homes and 2-bedroom, 2-bath condos. Many have glorious Gulf views, as well as beach access. Many options are available to accommodate singles, |
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| couples and families. Apart from the generally available air-conditioning, other amenities include barbecue grills, laundry facilities, stereos, cable TV, DVDs, VCRs, telephone and Internet access. Look for additional amenities in resort and gated community rentals, including private beaches, heated pools, discounts for area attractions and sports activities, shuffleboard, saunas and spas, barbeque grills, tennis courts, boat slips, recreation centers, covered parking and more. |
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Special Information for Booking Vacation Rentals in Siesta Key |
| Period of minimum stay could vary from one day to one month, depending on the rental option you choose. You should verify the availability of linens and housekeeping services, as they may not be included in the rental fees. There could be an advance payment needed to confirm booking, as well as required security and damage deposits. Don’t forget to ask about pet friendliness and if smoking is allowed. |
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Must See in Siesta Key |
Siesta Key maintains its own atmosphere, with plenty of fun at home, while offering easy access to activities and attractions beyond the island. It's so easy to get from Siesta Key to other Florida destinations---Sarasota is less than 10 miles away, St. Petersburg is only 42 miles away, Tampa is only 54 miles away and Orlando is 132 miles away. Each of these cities would make a great day trip destination.
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Sights and Attractions in Siesta Key |
Though Siesta Key is primarily known for its miles of sandy shores and splendid natural beauty, however don’t miss out on the many attractions situated in and around Siesta Key.
• The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
• Gamble Plantation and Mansion
• De Soto National Memorial
• Mote Marine Aquarium
• Sarasota Car Classic Museum
• South Florida Museum |
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Outdoor Recreation in Siesta Key |
Siesta Key is home to Crescent Beach, rated among the top 10 beaches in the world, and Siesta Beach, voted the best beach in Florida.
• Beach Activities
• Water sports
• Fishing
• Oscar Scherer State Park
• Lake Manatee State Recreation Area
• Sports
• Myakka River State Park | |
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Golfing in Siesta Key |
| Siesta Key is in the heart of the world’s best golf courses. From the championship player to the casual golfer, no one is left dissatisfied with golfing opportunities in Siesta Key or in nearby Sarasota, Palmetto, St. Armand’s Circle or Bradenton---all communities cater to this sport. Two courses to check out include The Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch, which offers an 18-hole championship golf course, and the Serenoa Golf Club, with 1,000 trees around its perimeter and 17 water areas. |
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Siesta Key Fairs and Festivals |
Siesta Key celebrates life year-round, from spring’s egg hunt to the winter holidays.
• Easter Egg Hunt & Children’s Book Fair
• Siesta Fiesta
• Annual Sand Sculpting Contest
• Paul Ralston Memorial Golf Tournament
• 4th of July Fireworks
• Holiday Light Up the Village |
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Dining and Nightlife in Siesta Key |
Siesta Key has outdoor eateries, funky restaurants and ice cream stands. Siesta Key restaurants, like most Gulf Coast eateries, specialize in seafood. Lobster, crab, blackened fish, raw oysters as well as Italian, American, Oriental and French cuisine is available in Siesta Key. The Lobster Pot, The Speakeasy, Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay, The Blasé Café, The Broken Egg and Daiquiri Deck are only a few of the local dining establishments.
Laid-back Siesta Village has plenty of restaurants and pubs with outdoor seating and bars. During the day, beachgoers are attracted to the area, but at night, the live bands draw teens and college students.
If Siesta Key is a little too tame, then cross the North Bridge, Siesta Drive, and access the culture and nightlife of downtown Sarasota. In addition to the numerous nighttime performances in Sarasota’s lively art scene, one place offers a full evening of fun. The Golden Apple Dinner Theater offers a dinner buffet and entertainment in one package. Hours at the theater change seasonally, but evening, matinee and some twilight performances are offered. Weeknight fees are $37-$40 per person, with weekend rates increasing by $5 a person. Matinees range from $33-$35 per person. Some shows may cost more, though entry fees are lower for seniors at matinee times. All prices include tax.
Other varieties of live performances are offered in Sarasota throughout the year. The Aslo Theatre Festival, the Banyan Theater Company, The Player’s Theatre and the Florida Studio Theater all offer a wide range of plays, from tragedy to comedy. You can also enjoy the Florida West Coast Symphony, the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, the Sarasota Opera or the Sarasota Ballet of Florida. |
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Shopping in Siesta Key |
| Siesta Key manages to combine the quaint island shops, artists and writers’ colony, eclectic shops and boutiques in 2 main shopping districts with over 150 shops from which to choose. Siesta Key Village is located on the northwest end of the island about a block from the Gulf. Siesta South is on the south end, beginning at the Stickney Point Bridge and following Midnight Pass Road southward. If you love to find good bargains, then the 600 stores and booths of The Red Barn Flea Market may be for you. And, don’t forget that from November to September, the Siesta Key Trolley can take you from the southern-most part of the island to the north end so that you can enjoy shopping across the island. |
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Best Times to Visit Siesta Key |
| Winter in Florida remains a ‘snow-bird’ attraction, beckoning northerners southward with its glorious sunny days and ideal temperature. The island is home to about 15,000 full-time residents, but the population swells with nearly 18,000 snowbirds in the winter months. With an average air temperature of 77° F, balmy breezes and water with an average temperature of 65° F, Siesta Key is a tropical heaven. Spring and summer bring in fishing enthusiasts and family fun. The holiday season brings annual events and festivals that draw crowds from all over. The only months that you may not enjoy Siesta Key are June and July, the months when hurricanes are most likely. |
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Time Zone for Siesta Key |
| Eastern Standard Time |
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Getting To and Around Siesta Key |
| The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is the closest, while the Tampa International Airport a little over an hour’s drive away. Two bridges link the island to the mainland. The north bridge, Siesta Drive, is within the City of Sarasota and provides convenient access to the city and to the Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport, via US Highway 41. The south bridge, Stickney Point Road, provides access to south Sarasota County and is a direct route to Interstate 75. Siesta Key has a trolley system available for on island travel. |
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