Great place to have a dinner or just ice cream/gelato. Many small shops with high prices. Very clean and pretty views. Good amount of restaurants to choose from affordable to $$$. I personally saw at least 6 ice cream places. I do not, why so many. I liked Turkish store with lots of baklava and sweets options. Turkish coffee was amazing. In the circle paid parking, but plenty of free parking just a block or 2 away.

My wife and I live on Fruitville so to go to Saint Armands is a straight shot down the road less than 10 minutes. They offer so many food options and they host various festivals as well like food and arts. It’s right by lido Beach. There are a ton of different world, food options, such as Italian, Colombian, Greek and American. There is also a ton of dessert options like fudge baklava, coffee, and candy all around the circle. It’s a great tourist attraction.

Such a great place to check out if in the area! Lots of shopping, restaurants and also local events. They do a huge Halloween trick or treating that was so fun for the kids and adults! Anything from pumpkin carving, candy and decor to Turkish coffee! Highly recommend checking out and supporting the local!

One of my favorite areas! Such an easy walk to the beach. Amazing shops and restaurant. Fun art festival we stumbled across one weekend. So much character,

Lots of posh boutiques, restaurants and a nice feel throughout the area. However, don’t be surprised by the panhandling and a couple of homeless who do ask for money. Some beach type souvenir shops were also present as well.

Really nice to walk around and very vibrant atmosphere especially in the evening. The town comes alive and people having good time. We love to come here every year for a couple of weeks. Lots of choices for Shopping around and restaurants. Coming from Chicago, the atmosphere is great here, we also love the beach and many other places in Sarasota! We are even considering to get a place here in the future if the opportunity presents itself. Come here to visit at least one time and you'll not be disappointed.

Beautiful area. Plenty of shops and places to grab a bite to eat. Definitely something there for everyone

Very nice aquarium! Loved the renovation. The food court had an excellent range of food options. The manatee, penguins and otters were my kid's favorite.

I had a really great time at this aquarium, and I definitely would come again. There are two main buildings, the building with fish and other attractions like a preserved giant squid and a virtual reality experience, and a building with mammals like manatees and turtles. Once you pay for a ticket, you can enter both of these buildings. I suggest starting at the main building, and when you finish, follow the path marked with paintings of fish, and you can find your way to the mammal building. There's also a bird sanctuary, which is free entry. You can spend a decent amount of time there, so if you don't want to spend any money, it's a great option. This place is great for anyone of any age, and the elevators for accessibility make it a very open experience for anyone of any demographic. I highly recommend this place if you want to learn about marine life or just enjoy your day viewing interesting sea creatures.

Super cute little aquarium, I heard they're expanding recently as well? (I went a few years ago). Have a focus on sea turtles and rescue/rehabilitation of them. Can also see dolphins, manatees, a variety of fish and marine life, and a VERY NICE otter exhibit, the otters have a nice waterfall, clear clean water and lots of toys!

I’m very happy to know they are moving to newer and nicer / larger building soon! This will be amazing for them since you always have to walk to the building across the street. People are so friendly and so nice, we Love the people working and volunteering here! There was an older gentleman who took the time to explain to us how their giant squid ( found dead and now being preserved ) came to the facility. He was an amazing story telling and so knowledgeable about these creatures! We can’t wait to come back but now to the new facilities!

Was hoping to see the new aquarium. However, this one open til July 6th. It is inside and out and allows us to see some amazing sea life. Worth a visit. However, the new place should be awesome. This takes a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Does have a café.

Aquarium and marine animal rescue were great. Not crowded on a June afternoon, and docents were terrific. We used our hometown zoo membership to help get a discounted ticket price. We arrived around 3, but wish we had had more time to read about everything and check out the bird rescue, which closed at 4:30, too.

We took our grandchildren here during a vacation. We enjoyed the educational experience. It is kid friendly and a great place for them to explore the wonders of the sea. Staff are knowledgeable and approachable. They enjoy educating the visitors, especially the children. There are hands-on activities for the littles. It is not overwhelming big, the perfect size for the children. The bird sanctuary and manatees are a short walk and worth it.

This was one of the best restaurants we ate at. Everything was great. The food was above average!! The Service was fantastic!! Several of the workers stopped and talked to us. We set on the deck overlooking the water. This is a must if you are near the area. The sunset on the water is a must see.

What an incredible meal! The Old Salty Dog is always a must-visit whenever we're in Florida, and this trip was no exception. We finally tried the loaded Old Salty Dog, and I deeply regret not ordering it sooner. It absolutely lives up to the hype and is a game-changer. ​The atmosphere was perfect. We sat right by the water, which made for a beautiful and relaxing experience. The kids had a blast too, enjoying their meals along with a delicious strawberry smoothie. They also loved the freebie that came with their food and were so excited to take it home. ​On top of that, the peel and eat shrimp were out of this world—fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. We'll be back again and again!

We had a stunning lunch here. Everything was super fresh and crisp. Neat lobster roll I’ve had in a long time and their sweet potato fries were delicious. Service was friendly and super attentive. Robbie was so sweet and great at serving us. We saw a manatee swimming right by us and lots of fish, jelly fish and dolphins in the distance. Amazing location for the perfect relaxing lunch on the water.

We absolutely love this Old Salty Dog location near St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. The restaurant is waterfront and right next to a marina/boat yard and marine center. There are always boats being launched, refueling, or just cruising by. On a sunny day, it is a perfect waterfront spot in Sarasota to boat watch. The Pelicans are always swooping for fish and putting on a show for restaurant guests. You can also occasionally see jelly fish, we just saw a couple hundred swimming by on our last visit. Rain or shine, Old Salty Dog is always worth a visit. The patio gets the perfect amount of sun on a sunny day with light sun shades, a gulf breeze, and the perfect sunset back drop. On rainy days, you might have to wait a minute for an inside table or seat at the bar because they stay busy, but it is worth the wait. As the name implies, they are known for their deep fried hot dogs and dog bites which are always a favorite. The burgers also hit the spot for a change up and the seafood doesn’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a frozen drink on a hot day, a delicious rum runner, or just a beer they have something for everyone. The parking lot gets full pretty quick with limited spaces while they are working on the building next door, but additional lots are across the street and a short 2 minute walk. We’d highly recommend Old Salty Dog for a casual waterfront restaurant in Sarasota with good food, good drinks, and the ability to come in your swim suit by boat or car.

You cannot beat food right by the water. We both enjoyed a grouper sandwich, mine was blackened. My wife's was fried in a tempura like beer batter. Both were absolutely delicious, shared some regular fries and some sweet potato fries. The service was quick, there were a couple of local beers on tap. And whatever you do, do not skip the key lime pie!

If you want the beach vibe while eating dinner this is the place for it. If you imagine having a drink with the weather breeze blowing on you then look no further. Sitting there while a boat floats by, a pelican lands 10 ft from you, and seeing a rainbow was amazing. The food wasn't amazing, but the atmosphere makes up for it. I got a hamburger and an order of the Salty dog nuggets. I had a wonderful time eating here.

After a day of apartment hunting we were hungry and The Old Salty Dog was right on our route and super convenient. We got some mozzarella sticks, burger with fries and the hotdog bites. Not super excited about the hog dog bites Sadly but we were so hungry it served a purpose. The staff was super friendly and the atmosphere was perfect to end the day. I would love to stop back when I come back to the area.

Our favorite beach in the area! So clean. Very safe. Great location. Beautiful sand. We come here for our typical beach days and all photo shoots!!!

Loved this clean, beautiful beach! Amenities like food, drinks, and ice cream make it easy to relax, plus restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. Super easy trip from downtown Sarasota on the free trolley.

This beach is beautiful, white sand, not crowded, clean. I did not see a lot of parking available. The town is pretty close, there’s local trolleys and such to help you get around. The sunsets are my favorite.

Lido Key Beach is one of the best beaches in Sarasota, Florida! The soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect spot for a beach day. It’s less crowded than Siesta Key but just as beautiful—ideal for swimming, sunbathing, or taking long walks along the shore. There’s convenient beach access, clean restrooms, and free parking, which is a huge plus. Lido Beach is also close to St. Armands Circle, so grabbing lunch or shopping after the beach is super easy. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly beaches near Sarasota, a romantic sunset spot, or just a peaceful place to unwind, Lido Key Beach checks all the boxes. Highly recommend!

Lido beach is super peaceful and less crowded than the other beaches in the area! We enjoyed the white sand and blue water, the shops that were nearby and the parking was easy to find and free! Very kid friendly, family friendly and a nice place to unwind.

Beautiful Beach, not way too busy; lots of parking but better come in early. Bathrooms available, food and beverages are available for purchase.

A breathtaking sunset! The beach is clean, calm, and ideal for relaxation or picnics. Plenty of parking spots!

It was really nice! Beautiful view of Sarasota Bay and lovely building. It is $15 on top of general admission to see the first floor and I did find the viewing area a bit small. I wish I could have seen the second floor then it may have been five stars. Still really beautiful though!

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW. I drove over an hour to see this house, which you have to pay extra for. It is completely under construction. On the website they mention you can’t access the second floor right now, but nothing about the whole house being a construction zone. Not only do you only get to see half the house on the inside, you can’t even enjoy its beauty on the outside. Would not have drove and spent the money to check out if they would have been transparent on the state of the house. There is also a fence around the back side which is where everyone takes pictures. They should have reduced prices right now or mention on the website the whole house is wrapped in green plastic and metal fencing.

Went here on a Monday - also saw the circus and art museums. The mansion was relatively limited - a lot of areas were ripped off. Also there was no guided tour - only could do self guided audio tour option. That was a bit of a bummer. The mansion itself was insane. Crazy to see the wealth back in that day. Had no idea circus money was that big.

This a unique, historical and amazing place that everyone should visit. The architecture is phenomenal, the view of the Sarasota Bay and the surroundings areas so beautiful. The food in the restaurant was excellent!!

The history of the place is one thing and is definitely worth listening to the audio tour. But the craftsmanship of the building, in and out along with the furniture and everything else. Just wow. The view of the water is absolutely astonishing too. Was sad only the first floor was open due to restorations. However, it just gives us an even better reason to come back in the future! And we plan to!

Had such a fun experience exploring the Ringling Museum and the beautiful Ringling house (Ca' d'Zan)! The museum offers a great mix of art, history, and circus flair—it’s easy to spend hours wandering through the exhibits. The mansion itself is absolutely stunning, with gorgeous views of Sarasota Bay that are just breathtaking. It’s clear they’re still working to recover fully from the hurricane damage, but even so, the experience was wonderful. Hoping everything is restored soon—it’s truly a Florida gem worth visiting!

Under reconstruction but wonderful amd they expect to open all the floors in the coming months.

Yum, yum, and yum! Lovely gelato place that’s easy to walk to from downtown St Armands or a nearby side street. The counter staffers were cheerful and kind, offering flavor tastings with tiny spoons. I chose to order a medium cup - three-scoop size - with the flavors of dark chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, and stracciatella (a milk base ribboned with Belgian chocolate). All were delightful, particularly the chocolate peanut butter. Smooth, creamy, and luscious, packed with flavor. Served with a small plastic shovel-spoon that has square tips on the end so you can scrape out every last drop!

Amazing ice cream. Although it looks like italian, it is in fact the argentine one, recogjized world's top every year. You will experienced an elite ice cream experience here and a unique italian ristretto.

Their gelato is amazing, definitely one of my favorites every time I visit St. Armand’s! The flavors are always fresh and delicious, and it’s the perfect treat.

The gelato here is amazing! The flavors taste super fresh and natural. The guava one is incredible — it feels just like biting into a cold, juicy red guava. Definitely one of the best gelatos I’ve had!

Settimi's Italian Gelato is a good place for a dessert of gelato. The gelato is very delicious, as good as I've had in Italy during my recent visits to many cities there. My favorite flavors are pistachio, strawberry and cherry. The place deserves five stars, even though the prices are at least 25% higher than the equally delicious gelato in Italy. It's very good that there are a few tables available outside.

WOW! The most amazing dairy free options (not just sorbets - ice cream options too). HIGHLY recommend the dairy free chocolate orange option! 10/10. Our amazing sever - Tania helped with our dietary requirements!

Review for Settitimis Gelato: Such a cute little spot! The place has a cozy vibe and the gelato flavors were really good — creamy, tasty, and a bunch of fun options to try. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re nearby!

This restaurant has one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food was very nice, I recommend the Half Pound Angus Burger, it was very juicy and flavorful with the tomato, lettuce, onions, and a pickle as the side. The Lobster Bisk was also very nice. Excellent service as well, I would recommend this place! Thank you for hosting us.

The best restaurant on the circle! So many amazing dishes to choose from and they never disappoint. Love the live music and the great servers. Best menu item is actually a lunch-only options: Blue Crab + Jumbo Shrimp Quesadilla.

Wanted a good steak dinner and boy did we get one! The service was super friendly and attentive. Drinks and food were superb. We took advantage of the Savor Sarasota menu and it was worth every penny. Even got a great seat to practice shadow puppets…lol.

Crab & Fin Restaurant in the heart of St. Armands Circle is an absolute gem! The food is phenomenal, with their daily fresh catch of the day stealing the show—always perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. The outdoor seating area offers a front-row seat to the vibrant energy of the Circle, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. The lively vibe, combined with top-notch service and a menu that celebrates seafood and one of the best cheeseburgers, makes this a must-visit spot in Sarasota. Whether you're a local or just passing through Lido Key, Crab & Fin delivers a dining experience that’s as fresh as it is delightful!

The food was amazing! I loved that they start you with a fish spread. The octopus and Cesar salad were good. We came for the stone crab and it did not disappoint. We didn't have reservations so we were sat in an awkward side room, so I would recommend them for a better atmosphere.

Food was great as well as the atmosphere. Server was really nice but very inexperienced... had around 5 issues, but overall experience was pleasant

Amazing food, atmosphere, and service! Everything was very fresh. Our server was so sweet! The wine was nice as well.

Location, Location, Location. That is the best thing about New Pass Grill. Located with a view of Sarasota Bay the view sitting and eating is one surely you do not want to miss. However, it is best to sit with a beer and enjoy the water without eating. While they give you a generous amount of fries the burger was not very good. I ordered the angus burger but I highly doubt that was what I was given because it did not taste anything like I expect an angus burger to taste like. The fish my wife ordered also did not have much flavor, instead just having a battery taste. Sitting with a beer is your best option here, but be forewarned their beer prices are quite high.

I always have an amazing time here. It's very laid back and PERFECT for those bright sunny beautiful Florida days. 🔆🌊 I had a quick lunch with some family here and it was GORGEOUS. We even had the pleasure of watching the dolphins swim while enjoying our food after a long day in the sun. 🐬 Definitely worth a visit if your looking for beautiful scenery waterside with a quick bite to eat.

The food is quite good, the location is one of a kind. It is fast food like meals, but with amazing sightseeing. The personnel looks quite overwhelmed, but still they manage to serve quite efficiently.

LOVED this little place. The food was very good and fresh. The views were perfect.

Me and my kids visit here regularly for lunch. They have the best fried pickles, great burgers, and fries. My kids love the chicken tenders. We enjoy sitting by the water and watching the locals (pelicans egrets n heron) while we eat.

Fantastic low key waterside restaurant. You can sit on the dock while waiting for your food. Outdoor tables by the dock are great. Beer is priced cheap and their chicken sandwich is amazing. I’ve never had a bad experience here. Great for families with kids or just adults. Edit: Two years later my family is still coming here. Even after multiple hurricane strikes this place has rebuilt with a new dock and waterside seating. A bit pricey but worth it.

Always a little rude here and food rings up a different price than what’s on the menu and when confronted they acknowledged and said they are aware and smiled. They have good food, but their customer interaction is poor and the prices are dishonest.

We loved Arcade Monster ! Brought our 18 , 14 and 12 year old here and everyone had a blast. We stayed for 3 hours and never got bored. Tons of games , rooftop pool tables , giant jenga and a ton of great art work everywhere you look !

Really cool place and the price was right - only $16!! Pool tables were small and pretty beat up. Games all worked, despite being mostly vintage. Tons of pinball options. Staff friendly, although waited something like 10 minutes up front to pay. Otherwise a super fun place. 4 stars means I liked it, not loved it.

Fun place at a great price. Pretty good selection of pinball upstairs with AC and a balcony. I'll definitely go back when in the area.

Last night I went to this arcade and video game place, and it was amazing. It has an incredible atmosphere, a great variety of games, and everything is very well maintained. I definitely want to come back and highly recommend it.

The boys loved this place, we came here 3-4 times. Mom was shopping at the surroundig shops, dad and boys were playing. Also they have a more quiet patio were it is allowed to smoke and you can play billard. Staff was friendly.

We’ve had 2 birthday parties for my son here and this was by far the best one. Mostly because of the service we got from Miracle. She was so sweet, attentive and helpful. She did not make us feel rushed or like we were a nuisance in anyway. If we ever have another birthday party here I hope that she is here for it.

My groomsmen and I went to this place before we went barhopping for our bachelor party. First off the unlimited use of the arcade for the price is great plus military discount! All the games were awesome and they also had pool tables upstairs. The drinks are a little bit expensive, which isn't a big deal. They let you bring food in. Miracle, and Melody were extremely kind and funny at the front. They were great, they made the place the best it can be. 100% recommend for anyone at any age.