As nice as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando are, amongst a choose few different notable names like Jacksonville, there’s a lot left to be found in Florida.
You might pay attention to the yearly battle between two of Florida’s most lovely paradises, gleaming with white sand like that of the Caribbean.
But, these extremely beloved seaside cities are literally on Florida’s Gulf facet quite than the Atlantic, however we’ll allow you to determine this record-breaking metropolis lies alongside the shores of ‘America’ or Mexico’ these days…
That’s proper, the underrated metropolis of Sarasota is breaking all-time customer data this spring — and largely as a result of the truth that the aforementioned duel for the crown of ‘greatest seaside’ is drawing extra vacationers to one of many nearest airports.
Rather than flying into Tampa, sun-seekers have sought out Sarasota’s small, but handy, airport to succeed in the colourful cluster of coastal communities similar to Siesta Key, Clearwater, Bradenton, and sure, Sarasota itself.
Sarasota: Florida’s Surging City Between America’s ‘Best Beaches‘
Year after yr, Clearwater and Siesta Key duke it out for the crown. Although considered one of nowadays, TripAdvisor will lastly uncover my secret spot close by.
This yr, Siesta Key is sporting the crown but once more, however who is aware of for 2026?
Any means you slice it, there is not any denying this facet of Florida is jam-packed with unimaginable coastlines, whether or not it’s native favorites undiscovered by the lots or beautiful islands making a serious comeback from Mother Nature’s wrath.
Sarasota is a pleasant metropolis to go to, however many use it as a gateway to neighboring seaside cities. Reigning champ Siesta Key, for instance, is simply 20 minutes from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in comparison with an hour and 10 minutes from Tampa (TPA).
This area is a haven of paradisal seaside spots, and it seems extra vacationers are realizing the convenience of entry by flying right into a smaller airport, since over 600,000 passengers alone traveled right here in March of this yr.
The second half of the identify, Bradenton, is nestled alongside the Manatee River quite than the Gulf, however nonetheless affords an enthralling townscape with a scenic “Riverwalk”, and naturally, all of the native seafood fixin’s conceivable.
For the document, Clearwater is additional away, however nonetheless doable at simply an hour away.
Why Visit Sarasota?
As a first-time customer to Siesta Key final yr, I extremely advocate going. It’s onerous to think about a prettier seaside in mainland America, however with that comes crowds, particularly within the summertime.
Since it is in such shut attain, it is easy to make a day journey and at all times greatest to reach as early as attainable to attain a very good paring spot.
Ironically, dragging a cooler of beer throughout powdery sand is one of the best ways to deserve a beer, however entrance row parking positive helps the trigger.
That being stated, Sarasota makes for an incredible base on the very least. Known as “Florida’s Cultural Coast“, you may discover a stunning mixture of museums in throughout the metropolis limits just like the Ringling Museum of Art, in addition to quite a few artwork galleries, efficiency venues, and an array of worldwide eateries starting from top-rated Jamaican, Turkish, Greek, and even genuine Italian eating places, similar to Osteria 500, overlooking a scenic waterfront.
Plus, tiki bars. That counts as “cultural”, proper?
Sarasota’s Best Resorts Along Quieter Shores
Ironically, Siesta Key could also be not be the most effective place for a nap with so many individuals flocking right here.
Directly throughout from Sarasota’s skyline lies lesser-known ‘Keys’ that also draw a crowd however to not the magnitude of a seaside claimed to be the most effective.
Longboat Key and Lido Key run collectively alongside a really attractive barrier island speckled with luxe resorts.
If you did not spend your entire paycheck at Whole Foods, save a bit additional to splurge St. Regis Longboat Key Resort or take it down a notch to 4-star luxurious at The Resort at Longboat Key Club or Zota Beach Resort for the most effective worth at simply $207 per night time in July.
New Budget Flights To Sarasota
They say all that issues is the underside line, proper? Well, if you wish to max out spending on a boujee resort, you possibly can actually accomplish that with the quantity of low-cost flights SRQ has to supply.
Florida favourite Allegiant Airlines not solely owns and operates a close-by resort in Punta Gorda, but additionally launched an enormous community growth final fall, together with Sarasota.
These are the most recent flights to SRQ provided by low-cost service, Allegiant:
Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina
Moline, Illinois
Albany, New York
Elmira/Corning, New York
Omaha, Nebraska
Roanoke, Virginia
Knoxville, Tennessee
You’d be shocked what number of airways serve this small airport, together with America’s latest airways, Breeze and Avelo.
To view a full listing of airways serving SRQ, click on right here.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.