Sarasota: Have a Grown-Up Spring Break in Florida

Spring break season is here, and for many school’s-out hotspots (think Miami or Palm Springs), that means college kids are about to descend in droves, turning once-peaceful getaways into an experience more like Animal House than a relaxing vacation. And while college students get a whole week for spring break, the rest of us have to fit our vacation time around busy work schedules.

So what’s a 30-something with slightly more grown-up taste, only a few days off, and a low tolerance for all-night parties to do? This year, I’m ditching tequila shots and hangovers for farmers markets and parasailing – and you can, too! I asked my Vacasa colleague Chris – who has spent a ton of time in Florida – for recommendations on more low-key spring break destinations, and he couldn’t say enough great things about Sarasota. And, man, his recommendations have me ready to leave this rainy Oregon weather behind and get some sunshine.

After picking Chris’ brain for all of his favorite spots, here’s my hand-picked, jam-packed, three-day spring break itinerary in Sarasota, Florida.

Day 1, Friday: Beachside Bliss

After you’ve unpacked and settled into your vacation rental, throw on your swimsuit and head to the beach. While you’ll certainly find beautiful sugar-sand shoreline at any of the area’s public beaches, ask any local for their top pick and you’re sure to hear about Siesta Key Beach. “It massages your feet as you walk on it – it’s that soft!” they’ll tell you. And they’re not kidding.

Rated “The Best Sand Beach in America” by the Travel Channel in 2004, Siesta Key Beach is a lovely stretch of Gulf of Mexico coastline made of up to 99 percent pure quartz crystals – which create a super fine white sand that stays cool under your feet, even on the hottest summer days.

Spend the day frolicking in the warm surf, working on your tan under the legendary Florida sun, or uncovering huge sand dollars just offshore. Make sure to stay until sunset for the grand finale: A spectacular pink- and purple-hued light show as the sun drops down behind the horizon.

When the sun goes down, the night comes alive in Siesta Key Village, an area known for its eclectic mix of low-key eateries, souvenir shops, and tropical bars. Grab a seat and a martini on the outdoor patio at The Blasé Café, a fun bar and restaurant with signature and dessert martinis, from classics like pomegranate or elderflower to Florida specialties like Key lime pie or cheesecake. If you’re lucky or check ahead, you might also be able to catch some live music.

Finish out the day with mellow Jimmy Buffett covers and fresh oyster shooters across the street at Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it. If you’re in the mood for dessert, take a short walk down Ocean Boulevard to Big Olaf Creamery, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth with more than 35 flavors of ice cream. I recommend the rum raisin – yum!

Day 2, Saturday: Localvore Living, Art-Centric Adventure, Candlelight Romance, and Latin Dancing

Start the new day of adventures off with a trip into downtown Sarasota for local produce, handcrafted goods, and live music at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., this farmers market is one of Florida’s best. More than 70 vendors line the streets between Lemon Avenue and State Street, hocking wares ranging from locally made pastas, handmade soaps, and healthy smoothies to fresh-caught fish, local citrus fruits, smoked meats, colorful vegetables, and even exotic fruit trees. Fill up a bag with fresh produce, then grab a seat in front of one of the stages with local bands playing jazz, soul, funk, and more.

Once you’ve shopped to your localvore heart’s content, hop in your car and go three and a half miles north on Tamiami Trail to the renowned John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the state art museum of Florida, founded by John Ringling of early-1900s Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus fame. A $25 admission gives you access to stroll through 66 acres of lush bayfront gardens, view vintage circus ephemera, tour John Ringling’s 56-room mansion, and walk by exhibitions showcasing acclaimed European artwork from the 16th to 20th centuries.

After a fascinating glimpse into the past, finish off the day with dinner, drinks, and dance just across Sarasota Bay in vibrant St. Armands Key. For a romantic evening, dine by candlelight at Columbia Restaurant, an authentic Spanish cafe founded in 1904 by a Cuban immigrant. Bring your partner to enjoy nightly flamenco dance shows alongside some of the best Latin dishes you’ll find in all of Florida. (Ok, I realize that’s a hefty claim, but those empanadas are to die for!)

Day 3, Sunday: High-Flying Act; Alligators, and Herons, and Snakes (OH MY!); Drum Workshop

Tired after an eventful two days in Sarasota? Well, that’s nothing an invigorating parasailing adventure can’t fix. Head down to Siesta Key’s CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, climb aboard a charter boat, and you'll be flying high above the Gulf of Mexico in no time. A parasailing adventure gives you unique Gulf views from more than 50 feet up in the air – a great vantage point for spotting dolphins, sharks, manatees, and many other marine animals.

Continue your day with a different set of Florida natives at Myakka River State Park, one of Florida’s largest and oldest state parks, only 19 miles southeast of downtown Sarasota. Take a ride aboard Myakka Wildlife Tours' “Myakka Maiden” or “Gator Gal” covered airboats (the largest in the world of their kind) and you’re sure to get great glimpses of alligators, turtles, herons, egrets, and even an occasional bobcat on the park's 37,000 acres of pristine Spanish moss-draped wetlands and pine forest.

Come home in the evening tired but satisfied after an action-packed weekend, just in time for the last event of your three-day whirlwind tour: The Siesta Key drum circle. About one hour before sunset, percussionists of all skill levels – including you! – gather just south of the public beach's main pavilion for a free-form jam on Siesta Key Beach. What initially started as a few bongo enthusiasts playing their drums together has turned into a local phenomenon that has grown organically over several years and now occasionally even features fire dancers, artists, and acrobatic performers. Can’t find it? Just follow your ears and let the rhythm be your guide.

So, there you have it – seven days worth of fun-filled events condensed into one glorious weekend in Sarasota. No need to plan anything extravagant or even ask your boss for more than a day off. Even though you might spot the occasional college kid or two, you’ll be glad you decided to spend your spring break in Sarasota.