Sarasota – Lakewood Ranch outdoor Polo Club

If you are visiting Anna Maria Island from December until April and don’t have much to do on a Sunday then you

 should head out to Lakewood Ranch and enjoy a few hours of being outdoors and take in a polo match.  The Polo Club facility is over 130 acres with 9 outdoor polo fields and a covered open air pavilion with open air stadium seating.  When I visited a polo match there was just one match going which was plenty of fun.   If you click the aerial picture to the right you will see the Sunday field and once you get close on University the drive in is pretty obvious where to go and where to park.

The polo club allows for facility rentals and has a gift shop as well.  Most bring pets, lawn chairs, some snacks and beverages while sitting out on the field and watching the horse action.  If you arrive soon enough you can back your car up to pretty close to the field and tailgate while watching the polo match.  The match lasts about 2 hours in all but the play is really for 6 chukkers for seven minutes each.  If you are wondering what a chukker is, a hook, goal, etc then learn the lingo before your visit.  You can sound like a pro and then admit you visited their website.

The outdoor area allows for children to run and play.  During the polo match “half-time” they request everyone’s help to walk out on the playing field and stomp down the divots.  It is neat to walk out on the actual field and participate with everyone else stomping down the divots created by the polo match.  When I visited there was a hay ride during divot stomping that filled up the open time for younger children.   Of course the polo matches are pet friendly and a perfect spot to bring a pet.  Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times.

The Sarasota Polo club is a quick 30 minute ride off Anna Maria Island.   They do have a few special events around the holidays so check the Polo Club website for additional information.  Tickets are around $10 for each person and visiting the club on a Sunday polo match is a great activity for the entire family.  There are a few vendors there offering kettle corn and a few other items and you can contact an event coordinator to supply catering and/or beverages.

Sarasota – Lakewood Ranch Polo Club
8201 Polo Club Lane
Sarasota, Fl 34240
(941) 907-0000

McCurdy’s Comedy Club – Sarasota, Florida

If you are visiting Anna Maria Island, Longboat, Bradenton, or Sarasota then McCurdy’s could be just what you are looking for.  McCurdy’s is a great comedy club that is sure to get you laughing.   They bring in great comedians all year around.  The night we attended was a to be announced week which is very unusual for this comedy club.  The opening acts warmed up the crowd well and the club finished up the night with some improvisation which was fun and got the crowd involved.

The Sarasota comedy club has plenty of showtimes and it is always suggested to buy tickets prior to showtime by calling the box office for reservations… (941) 925 – 3869.  At the time of this post McCurdy’s has show times Wednesday through Sunday with lower weekday show prices and higher rates for Friday and Saturday shows.  One great option for McCurdy’s is many of the comedy shows are NON-SMOKING.  In addition, they rate each show with a brief description of what kind of jokes and profanity the comedian will use.  This is helpful for larger families traveling to Anna Maria Island.

Some quick rules of the comedy club… There is a two item purchase minimum per person.  They of course have beer, mixed drinks, non-alcoholic drinks and offer a quick bite to eat if you need a snack.  The average cost of a drink is about $8 plus tip and taxes.  I would not call their food a meal so plan on grabbing a full meal before or after.  All visitors of the comedy club must be at least 18 years of age.

Be careful with Google directions as it tried to take us off Tamiami to the comedy club and McCurdy’s is directly right off Tamiami only about 15 or so blocks to the South of the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.

McCurdy’s Comedy Club
3333 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Fl, 34234
(941) 925-3869

Horse Feathers Grill & Lounge in Downtown Sarasota

Horse Feathers Bar and Grill is a great way to spend a night in downtown Sarasota. Horse Feathers Bar and Grill is about a 40 minute drive from Anna Maria Island. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, it is truly a hot spot for the younger spirited crowd. (Ages 21 and up, of course!) Bar Specials are available Monday-Friday 4-7pm, and Ladies night is Thursday nights.

Horse Feathers club has music Wednesday-Saturday consisting of Jazz and DJ’s. The interior has a very contemporary look with a large dance floor and bar. There is a dress code, no jeans are allowed and collared shirts are preferred. This is a very popular place to be over the weekend, so if you are not into fighting through crowds to get to the club dance floor, this may not be the place for you!

There is Valet Parking or self-parking.  Horse Feathers is across the street from other local bars allowing you to spend your evening exploring the Downtown Sarasota Nightlife.

Live Music & DJ’s Wednesday night through Saturday night. Thursday night is Ladies night. Sunday, Horse Feathers club is closed.  Please be sure to call or visit their website before making the drive from Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Please visit the Horse Feathers website for more information and a menu.
1923 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota,FL 34236
(941)955-9179

Evie’s Tavern is a great Sarasota Bar

Evie’s Tavern is a casual Sports Bar with a ‘pub’ feel and is one of the more popular nightspots in Downtown Sarasota.This bar is right across the street from Horse Feathers and Esca. Only 40 minutes away from Anna Maria Island, this area of Downtown Sarasota makes for a fun night out on the town! Evie’s Tavern has pool tables, dart boards and a jukebox. There are also 4 60″ television screens featuring the games and sports of the day. There is a loft above the bar that is a great place to have one of their Martini’s and people watch. Evie’s Tavern in Sarasota does tend to get very crowded over the weekend, as does the rest of Downtown Sarasota. It’s definitely the place to be!

Self-Parking and Valet Parking are available.

1989 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: 941.955.3843
Fax: 941.342.9207
Email: tavern@eviesonline.com

For more great things to do while on Anna Maria Island or in Sarasota, visit Island Real Estate’s informational website.

Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant

Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant is located in historic downtown Sarasota, which is approximately a 40-minute drive from Anna Maria Island through scenic Longboat Key. Their menu consists of over 100 hot and cold Tapas from Northern Spain, ranging anywhere from $3.50-12.50.  In addition they also serve salads, vegetarian-friendly dishes, and most of their tapas can also be ordered as a main dish.  Ceviche of Sarasota is well known for their extensive wine list and was voted “The Best Sangria in Tampa Bay”.

The building is a beautiful 1925 historical building, which boasts intricate Spanish architectural décor. The Sarasota Restaurant and Bar has four different levels with each floor having its own unique atmosphere.  The Sarasota restaurant has a rooftop bar that provides unforgettable waterfront sunsets.  The roof top bar has a big-city feel and a great view of downtown Sarasota.  The restaurant and bar entertainment includes live music, dance classes and DJs. This would be a great night out on the town, and it is in close proximity to other Sarasota nightlife.

Ceviche offers various Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday 5-7pm; in addition they have Tapas Tuesdays with a $4 Tapas menu and $4 Sangria. Ceviche also has a Sunday Brunch from 10:30-2:30pm with $3 Mimosas.

Please visit the Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant website for more information.  Events and specials can change at a moments notice so we strongly suggest checking the Sarasota’s restaurant website.

Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant – Sarasota, FL
1216 1st Street
Sarasota,Fl 34236
(941)952-1036

Ceviche restaurant has four locations Sarasota, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando.  For additional information on Anna Maria Island restaurants be sure to visit our Anna Maria Island restaurant information page.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum

The John and Mable Ringling Museum, Sarasota, Fl 

 

 

 

 

The Ringling museum is an excellent day trip from Anna Maria Island into Sarasota that would make everyone in the family happy! The museum is located right off Sarasota Bay in North Sarasota and just a short 30 minutes drive from Anna Maria Island.

 

 

 

 

 John and Mable Ringling built their estate and museum in 1927 and left their beautiful grounds and buildings to the State of Florida. The museum opened to the public in October of 1931. The history behind this gorgeous waterfront property is incredible, to read more please go to www.ringling.org.

 

 

 The museum includes the Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, Rose Garden, Ringling Courtyard, and the Ca d’Zar Mansion.

 

 

 

 

The museum offers complimentary tours with admission of the Ringling Museum and the Circus Museum, but it is $4-5 for a tour of the Ca d’Zan mansion.

 

Saturdays at the Ringling Museum are family fun days with story time, exploration stations, family friendly exhibition tours and more all complimentary with paid admission. 

Dining at the Ringling Museum is made easy with the Banyan Café and the Treviso Restaurant, which are both located on the grounds.

 

 

 

Open Daily from 10am to 5:30 pm

Admission is $7-20, Children under 6 Free.

Located at the end of University Parkway on beautiful Sarasota Bay, check here for directions and parking instructions.

For more things to do on Anna Maria Island or Sarasota visit our top ten list of things to do while vacationing in paradise.

Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, Florida area golf courses

Visiting Anna Maria Island provides for a great vacation.  We do see a few golf vacations however the Anna Maria Island area is still unfound territory in regards to golfing holidays.  Island Real Estate and vacation rentals can assist your group in finding the perfect large home holiday villa or several vacation rentals in the same village or condominium complex.  Island Real Estate has the most luxury vacation rentals on Anna Maria Island perfect for a corporate golfing event.

Buffalo Creek Golf Course
Open to the Public
8100 Erie Road
Palmetto, Florida, 34221
(941) 776-2611

IMG Academies Golf and Country Club
Private golf course
4350 El Conquistador Parkway
Bradenton, FL, 34221
(941) 758-1466

Imperial Lakewoods Golf Course
Semi-Private Golf
9680 Buffalo Road
Palmetto, Fl, 34221
(941) 747-9432

The links at Greenfield Plantation
Open to the Public
10325 Greenfield Plantation Blvd
Bradenton, Fl, 34202
(941) 747-9432

Manatee County Golf Course
Open to the Public
6415 53rd Avenue West
Bradenton, FL, 34210
(941) 792-3288

Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club
Executive Golf Course
4260 Ironwood Circle
Bradenton, Fl, 34209
(941) 792-3288

The River Club
Semi-Private Golf Course
6600 River Club Blvd
Bradenton, Fl, 34202
(941) 751-4211

River Run Golf Links
Open to the Public
1801 27th Street
East Bradenton, Fl, 34208
(941) 708-6331

River Strand Golf Club
Semi-Private Golf Course
7155 Grand Estuary Trail
Bradenton, Fl, 34212
(941) 708-3617

Stoneybrook at Heritage Harbour
Open to the Public
7900 Stone Harbour Loop
Bradenton, Fl, 34202
(941) 746-2696

Terra Ceia Bay Country Club
Executive Golf Course
2802 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd
Palmetto, Fl, 34221
(941) 729-7663

University Park Country Club
Semi-Private Golf Course
7671 The Park Blvd
University Park, Fl, 34201
(941) 359-9999

Waterlefe Golf and River Club
Semi-Private Golf Course
1022 Fish Hook Cove
Bradenton, FL, 34202
(941) 744-9771