You’ve read the "Guide to Summer Fun" in our July issue–now we want to see what exemplifies the "Best of Sarasota Summer Fun" for YOU! From July 16 through July 30, create a Pinterest board that you think represents a perfect Sarasota summer–be it a burger, the beach or a baseball game. The best [...]

  These little guys were caught in the act–raiding a boat for a tasty treat.  P.S. How adorable is this otter video? {^YouTubeVideo|(url)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno|(width)425|(height)264|(fs)1^}   Photo by Sam Henley

The John Ringling Hotel—also known as El Vernona and the John Ringling Towers—was built in the 1920s honoring real estate entrepreneur Owen Burns’ wife, Vernona Freeman.  After the real estate boom subsided, Burns worked hard to keep El Vernona standing.  Several efforts to save the towers through the years eventually failed, and the hotel was [...]

We love you—all 5,000-plus of you. And to show you just how much, we’ve got a little treat for you: coupons to seven—count ‘em, seven!—fabulous Sarasota-Manatee Originals restaurants—our way of saying thank you for being a loyal Sarasota magazine Facebook fan.  Click below to print coupons from the following restaurants, who generously agreed to participate [...]

The 32nd Annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike Contest took place last weekend at Sloppy Joe’s in Key West, so I quickly grew out my white beard and traveled there with my wife Maria to photograph the event and try my luck at competing. Indeed, when we walked down Key West’s Duval Street last Friday afternoon, it [...]

This week’s photo shows off the Ca d’Zan’s true colors (literally!). The blue the sky and beautiful Sarasota Bay really make the mansion’s architecture, tile and stained-glass windows stand out. Photo credit: Steve Nelson   For even more ways to get Sarasota Magazine, become a fan on Facebook or follow @SarasotaMagazin on Twitter.

  Much like today, townspeople loved to cool off at the beach.  But this shot of Siesta Key from the early 1900s shows a much smaller crowd.  And yes, those are swimsuits they’re wearing.  Also during this time period, stores would close early on Thursdays so that people could enjoy the beach.  We like that [...]

We can’t get enough of these night life images! We love the golden glow enveloping Marina Jacks and some of the city’s gorgeous buildings.    Photo by Charlie White  

  Where are all the colorful businesses and lines of cars? Believe it or not, this is Fruitville Road in the early 1900s.  Many dirt roads, like Fruitville, were susceptible to harsh rainy days, making it difficult for drivers to move about Sarasota.  In 1916, construction began for nine-foot roads throughout Sarasota in an effort [...]