• Getting there: Sarasota is 230 miles northwest of Miami, most of it on Interstate 75.

• Information: www.sarasotafla.org or 941-957-1877.

WHERE TO STAY

• The Longboat Key Club is located at 301 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Longboat Key. www.longboatkeyclub.com; 941-383-8821. The luxury resort sits on 410 acres of beachfront on the barrier island of Longboat Key, and offers tennis, golf, a fitness center, a spa, and five restaurants. Rates start at $189 per night.

Other places worth considering, all on Longboat Key, include the Silver Sands Gulf Beach Resort (5841 Gulf of Mexico Dr., www.resortquestswfl.com/silversands; 941-383-3731), rooms and condos from $125); and the Sandpiper Inn (5451 Gulf of Mexico Dr., www.sandpiperinn.com; 941-383-2552), rooms from $199.

WHERE TO EAT

• We had a nice lunch at Tommy Bahamas Tropical Café (300 John Ringling Blvd. on St. Armand's Circle), entrees from $11.50.

• Don't miss dinner at the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, a local favorite (412 Gulf of Mexico Dr.), entrees from $12.95. Dig into a grouper sandwich (great here) on the patio, with good views of Sarasota Bay.

• For breakfast (though they're also open for lunch), try the Blue Dolphin Café (5370 Gulf of Mexico Dr.) Tasty options include homemade corned beef hash and banana-granola pancakes (from $5.95.) They also have an outpost on St. Armand's Circle.

At the Longboat Key Club & Resort, our favorite eatery was Portofino's Ristorante (2600 Harbourside Dr.) at the marina; the wood-fired pizzas are super-crisp, and include unique combos like arugula, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatos. Pizzas, $12 and up.

WHAT TO DO

• For fun window shopping, check out the boutiques at St. Armands Circle, with 140 shops and restaurants (mostly outdoor cafes). 300 Madison Dr., Sarasota.

• For bargain shopping, try Prime Outlets Ellenton (www.primeoutlets.com), about 30 miles north off I-75.

• Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarastoa; www.mote.org.) is home to sharks, manatees, sea turtles and touch pools.

• Our family's favorite Sarasota attraction, hands down, is Myakka River State Park, a wonderfully lush slice of Old Florida. Hiking trails, kayak rentals (amidst the gators!) and a new canopy walk make this one worth your precious vacation time. 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota; www.floridastateparks.org/MyakkaRiver.

• For a splurge-worthy spa treatment, try the Island House Spa at Longboat Key Club (open to all); 941-387-1587; www.longboatkeyclub.org. The Island Signature Facial includes lots of massage, and a paraffin treatment for feet ($105; 50 minutes).