Best Attractions & Activities
More than the beach
Culture, dining, and open water, everything within twenty minutes of Longboat Key and Lido Key.
Dining & Shopping
St. Armands Circle and beyond
Boutique shops, sidewalk cafes, and some of Sarasota's longest-standing restaurants, arranged around a landmark traffic circle a short drive or bike ride from most of our residences.
St. Armands Circle
Shopping & DiningThe heart of the area's shopping and dining scene: a ring of boutiques, galleries, and patios built around a public park, connected to Lido Key by the John Ringling Causeway.
Columbia Restaurant
Spanish-Cuban · Est. 1905Florida's oldest restaurant, with a St. Armands location known for its tableside 1905 Salad. 411 St Armands Cir.
Café L'Europe
Continental · Est. 1973An island institution for elegant continental dining, a longtime favorite for anniversaries and special occasions. 431 St Armands Cir.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
Island-InspiredHandcrafted cocktails and island-inspired fare on the Circle, including the well-known coconut shrimp. 300 John Ringling Blvd.
On the Water
Boating, fishing, and the mangroves
From sunset cruises to quiet mangrove paddles, the water access here goes well beyond the beach.
Boating & Fishing Charters
On the WaterSunset cruises, dolphin tours, and deep-sea fishing charters launch from marinas minutes from our Longboat Key residences.
Yardarm Dockhouse
Waterfront DiningA dockside spot for a drink or a casual meal with the boats coming and going, easy to combine with an afternoon on the water.
Mangrove Kayak & Paddleboard Tours
Family FriendlyEasy, under-two-hour paddles through Sarasota Bay's mangrove tunnels, with dolphin and manatee sightings common along the way. Local outfitters launch from Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key and Overlook Park on Longboat Key.
Culture & Day Trips
Museums, downtown, and a round of golf
Everything from a world-class art museum to championship golf sits within about twenty minutes of the islands.
The Ringling Museum
Art & CultureJohn Ringling's estate, art museum, and circus museum on the bay, about twenty minutes from Longboat Key.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Family FriendlySharks, manatees, and hands-on marine science exhibits on City Island, between Longboat Key and downtown Sarasota.
Downtown Sarasota
Dining & NightlifeRestaurants, live music, the Sarasota Opera House, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a straightforward drive over the John Ringling Causeway.
Golf on the Gulf Coast
RecreationThe Longboat Key Club's courses and several nearby Sarasota clubs put championship golf within a short drive of every community we manage.
Need Local Advice?
Our team knows every corner of the coast.
Ask us for restaurant picks, boat charter recommendations, or the best time to visit St. Armands Circle.
Questions about the area
What is there to do near Longboat Key besides the beach?
Everything on this page is within about twenty minutes: St. Armands Circle for dining and shopping, boating and fishing charters, mangrove kayak and paddleboard tours, The Ringling Museum, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, downtown Sarasota, and golf.
Where do people eat near Longboat Key?
St. Armands Circle is the main cluster: Columbia Restaurant, Café L'Europe and Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar among them. The Yardarm Dockhouse is the waterside option for anyone out on the boat. Downtown Sarasota is roughly twenty minutes away for a wider choice.
How far is Longboat Key from Sarasota?
Downtown Sarasota is about twenty minutes from our residences, across St. Armands Circle and the Ringling Bridge. That proximity is much of the appeal: island quiet, with a city's restaurants, museums and theatre close enough for an evening out.
Can you go boating or fishing from Longboat Key?
Yes. Boating and fishing charters run locally, and mangrove kayak and paddleboard tours are popular for anyone who prefers the calmer bay side to the Gulf.
What is there to do on a rainy day near Longboat Key?
The Ringling Museum and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium are both indoor and both close by. Downtown Sarasota has theatre and dining within about twenty minutes.