Local Activities

Marina Jacks

Marina Jacks offers water front dining, lunch and dinner cruises through the Inter-coastal waters and Gulf of Mexico on the Marina Jacks II and marina – dockage and service, located on the Downtown Sarasota Bay front.

Longboat Key’s best kayaking tours and rentals

If you are looking for an adventure during your vacation to Sarasota and the surrounding areas, then look no further! Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures provides a wide variety of guided kayak eco tours that will allow you to get closer to nature while experiencing an adventure of a lifetime. You can explore the natural beauty of Florida and venture through pristine ecosystems and breath-taking surroundings. For more information or to book your kayak adventure, contact Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures at www.kayakfl.com or call 941.504.6296.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Come and visit our roaming flamingos, parrots, lemurs and alligators at Sarasota Jungle Gardens! We also have animal shows and a petting zoo! Consider us for your next birthday party!

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key. Longboat Key Chamber also supports the 130+ business located on St. Armands Key. For lists of dining, beaches, Activities, events and where to stay, visit our website. Go to our website: longboatkeychamber.com to see our Interactive Visitor Guide.

Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

For more information about Sarasota and Sarasota County, please visit us at sarasotachamber.com.

Manatee Chamber of Commerce

For more information about Bradenton and Manatee County, please visit us at manateechamber.com

Your Observer

Want to stay informed of the news and events taking place on Longboat Key and the surrounding islands? Visit yourobserver.com for the online edition. We have complimentary copies of the Observer in the Lobby.

VanWezel, City of Sarasota’s Performing Arts Hall

This is Sarasota’s premier performing arts hall hosts a variety of different performances from stage dramas, musicals, seasonal events, concerts, and comedians. Artists such as: Jay Leno, Jewel, and Jerry Lee Lewis have performed here. The VanWezel is your place for high quality entertainment.

Selby Gardens

Bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history. We have 2 locations: Downtown Sarasota and Spanish Point.

Longboat Key Parks

Bay Front Park

Bay Front Park is located about a mile north of the Beachcomber Condominiums next to Ace Hardware. Bay front Park is owned and operated by the Town of Longboat Key. This park offers: playground for kids, tennis and pickle ball courts, basketball courts, shuffleboard courts, walking trail along the bay, kayak launch and recreational center. A wonderful asset for all on Longboat Key.

Joan M. Durante Park

Joan M. Durante Park, located at 5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive, is the result of a private/public partnership to enhance and restore one of the few remaining vacant island properties on Longboat Key to a viable wetland and coastal hammock forest.

The 32 acre site is located on Sarasota Bay two miles from the north end of Longboat Key. 

Great care has been taken to protect the native vegetation and desirable trees on the site, such as Live Oaks, Red Cedar, Sabal Palms, Banyon, Mango, Green Buttonwood, Mahoe and Mangroves. This was done while most of the invasive exotic vegetation such as Australian Pine and Brazilian Peppers were removed. These species had taken over large sections of the site.

LBK Tennis Center

The Town of Longboat Key operates 13 tennis courts across the street from the Beachcomber. The courts are on a first come first serve basis and supports several local tennis groups. They also have a full service pro shop on the premises.

Mote Marine

Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit, marine research organization based on City Island in Sarasota, Florida with additional campuses in eastern Sarasota County, Boca Grande, Florida, and the Florida Keys. Our manatees, sharks, sea turtles and otters are ready to meet you 365 days a year at Mote Aquarium, located just minutes from downtown Sarasota and 3 miles south of the Beachcomber. Visitors can explore touch pools, hands-on exhibits and windows into the science and conservation of Mote Marine Laboratory. Come have a blast and discover why Science Is The Attraction! Mote Marine currently has the Wild Kratts Ocean Adventure exhibit through September 12, 2021.

Golfing

The opportunities to enjoy a round or two of golf are numerous. Your question will be: Which one? Here are some suggestions: Longboat Key Club, Tatum Ridge Golf Links, Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch are just a few around the Sarasota/Bradenton area. In Venice, here are several suggestions: Jacaranda West Country Club, Sarasota National and Venice Golf and Country Club. Click HERE for a map of golf courses in the area.

Myakka River State Park

Would you like to see alligators up close but from the safety of a boat? Then Myakka River State Park is your destination! The Park offers boat rides around the lake to view the alligators swimming or laying out in the sun. This is an excellent park to hike and picnic, too.