(UPDATED JULY 2022) Siesta Key, a few miles from Sarasota, is one of Florida’s most notable and beloved beaches. Escape reality and make Siesta Key your home-away-from-home for a few days, a weekend, or a holiday break; there is something for everyone at this highly-desirable location. Check out these best things in Siesta Key that we think you won’t want to miss.
Here are more ideas for what to do when visiting the neighboring city of Sarasota.
1. Awesome Seafood Dishes
Dine at this centrally located popular eatery with delicious cuisine and killer cocktails. Hub Baja Grill’s lively patio is highly desirable for the ambiance, live music, and people-watching opportunities, decorated with festive and colorful strings of lights.
Start with the Chips and Salsa, then jump straight into a beautiful plate of Bronzed Salmon with Black Bean Puree, Green Beans, and Passion Fruit Beurre Blanc; delicious. The Fish and Chicken Tacos with rice and beans are also terrific choices.
Pro Tip: The Hub Baja Grill offers valet parking.
Another favorite Siesta Key restaurant is The Lobster Pot. No matter how many times we dine there, it is always exceptional. Complimentary cornbread is a nice touch before indulging in the best salmon dishes in the area. The Lobster Rolls are delicious, too, but the Salmon Rockefeller is amazing! Ask for a side of hollandaise to kick it up a notch.
2. Cute Beach Cars
See Siesta Key in the most fun way by renting an adorable Scoot Coupe, scooter, golf cart, or bicycle from Robinhood Rentals in Siesta Key Village. Scoot coupes are two-seater, 49cc electric scooters and are great fun. Helmet and delivery are included. Choose from an arsenal of colorful choices and zip around the island with optimum views and photo ops.
Ever tried riding on a Segway? Need a kayak or paddle board? Robinhood Rentals is where you can do that, too. You can also rent motorbikes around Siesta Key, which is super fun to zip around the island.
3. White Sandy Beaches
Three Gulf of Mexico beaches lures tourists to Siesta Key, including Crescent, Siesta, and Turtle Beaches. For decades, Crescent Beach has been recognized for its luxurious 99% pure quartz white sand in magazines and through competitions. The sand stays cool to the touch, regardless of the temperature.
All three beaches are found on Siesta Key’s eight-mile-long barrier island. Enjoy fishing, boating, parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, or just sunbathing on these beautiful sand beds.
Keep an eye out for dolphins, which can be seen almost daily from many parts of the island.
While at Crescent Beach, you’ll be both amazed by the scenery that accompanies the typical beach setting. At this secluded gem, you’ll find Point of Rocks, an area with cool coral formations that is stunning. These smooth limestone rocks are lovely, surrounded by water on one side and gorgeous tropical foliage on the other.
Colorful marine life is aplenty at Point of Rocks, making it a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the privacy factor that Point of Rocks offers. It is more remote than Siesta Key’s other two beach options.
It is possible to see manatees at Point of Rocks in the summer months.
4. Miguel’s Restaurant
People typically think of eating fresh seafood when they come to a beach destination, but Siesta Key has a specialty restaurant you won’t want to miss. Miguel’s is known for French & Continental cuisine, and the service is awe-inspiring. It’s also a great date night option for special occasions.
Start your dining experience with a Caesar Salad prepared tableside as you enjoy the tasty complimentary bread plate given to each table. Miguel’s bread is served alongside olives, onions, cheese, carrots, and creamy pate. Miguel’s Caesar salad is sheer perfection, and if you are a fan of this classic dish, it is a must-order.
Miguel’s French Onion soup is spot on, too, while the wine menu offers perfect accompaniments for your meal. Regardless of what you choose for your main course, save room for either Bananas Foster or Cherries Jubilee, again, prepared right at your table. Both are very delicious, and you can record a show for social media in the process.
Pro Tip: Check out the early bird dinner specials.
5. Free Trolley Rides
Siesta Breeze trolleys provide free service between the three beaches and the entire island and to the Siesta Key Bungalows mentioned above. There are three open-air trolleys in total that run seven days a week from 8 to midnight. Enjoy your precious vacation time at the place you wish to visit, not searching for a parking space.
6. An Incredible Breakfast
Enjoy starting your morning off right at Toasted Mango Cafe, a popular breakfast eatery at Siesta Key. Every item on the menu sounded incredible, but I finally narrowed my choice down to the Sarasota Omelet with avocado, roasted turkey, spinach, tomato, and jack cheese.
My omelet came with a buttered English muffin and a tasty potato cake with cinnamon applesauce for dipping. Yum! I made great choices, but other bread options were toast or a homemade biscuit, while side items included a mixed green salad, seasonal fruit, grits, or home fries.
Toasted Mango Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch.
7. Stellar Sunsets
The sunsets at Siesta Key will take your breath away. Enjoy the magical moments before the sun sinks behind the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and capture them on your smartphone.
8. Great Coffee
Have a fantastic cup of java at Mojo Risin’ Coffe Co, in the space formerly occupied by Lelu Coffee Lounge. The shop has an extensive selection of coffee beans (Hawaiian, Colombian, Costa Rican), roasted fresh daily, and an alcoholic beverage menu with classic cocktails and martinis. Fruit smoothies and smoothie bowls round out the offerings at Mojo Risin’.
Don’t stop there. Stop in Daiquiri Deck for a delicious classic daiquiri or one of the other cool recipe creations they offer. Drinks are tasty and Instagram-worthy.
9. Amazing Sweets
If sweets are more up your alley, you can find the bet of Siesta Key at the Fudge Factory, Big Olaf Creamery, and Meaney’s Mini Donuts & Coffee House. Between rich and creamy homemade fudge, warm and sugary sweet donuts, and ice cream with waffle cone options, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied.
Need a Place to Stay?
A brilliant place to stay in Siesta Key is Siesta Key Bungalows. Located on a canal with adorable coral-colored buildings, these tastefully decorated beach cottages are perfect accommodations for your vacation.
Each bungalow offers a full kitchen, dining room with table & chairs, and a small porch, with special touches like monogrammed towels, pillowcases, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. These things certainly set Siesta Key Bungalows apart from its competition. I also appreciated the attractive artwork, curtain-framed bed, and premium linens.
Siesta Key Bungalows has a fishing dock with kayaks that you can borrow (don’t forget to wear your lifejacket!), free bicycles to use, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Several sitting areas can be found around the photogenic grounds, as well.
Siesta Key is chock full of fun-filled souvenir shops, great for taking home a little happiness to all your friends and family. Siesta Key t-shirts are a favorite.
A Low-Key Vacation in Siesta Key
With Siesta Key’s laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and fantastic scenery, it’s a recipe for a memorable vacation where rest and relaxation are the highlights. Think of Siesta Key for your next family vacation and have a wonderful time reconnecting in this adorable seaside Florida town.
Thanks to Visit Florida and Visit Sarasota County for my accommodations and some meals. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
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Read more about Sarasota County at the helpful tourism site.
See what else there is to do in the area with these posts:
