Longboat Key, FL - area/resort information

[mdurette]

Hello All: I was finally able to convince my parents to take advantage of my AC usage and booked them a LM unit at Longboat Bay Club. Looks like a small, but well equipped resort. Any insight on the resort or the area I can share with them?

 

[Sullco2]

Hello All: I was finally able to convince my parents to take advantage of my AC usage and booked them a LM unit at Longboat Bay Club. Looks like a small, but well equipped resort. Any insight on the resort or the area I can share with them?

You’ll be on the lower portion of Longboat Key (LBK). Close to St. Armand’s Circle, the restaurant and shopping area of Sarasota’s barrier islands. Tell me what they like to do and I’ll get specific.

 

[silentg]

Ringling Museum is great! And so are the beaches.

 

[rapmarks]

And LeBarge does nice boat trips out of Sarasota bay

 

[mdurette]

Thanks everyone My parents are in their early 70s.....I still consider dad active and an explorer. Mom, not as much and would prefer the week to be restful (she still works). Together they would both agree to simple outdoor walks, fishing from the shore, farmers markets, etc . I wouldn't expect day trips anywhere of distance if they need to drive themselves....but would consider doing a tour if they could be picked up close to their home base. Their ideal is to be able to walk from room to restaurants, shopping and things to do.....but it doesn't appear this resort has a great location for that.

It appears in the general area Sarasota is where all is happening. That appears to be about a 15 minute drive and that would be fine.

 

[rapmarks]

Thanks everyone My parents are in their early 70s.....I still consider dad active and an explorer. Mom, not as much and would prefer the week to be restful (she still works). Together they would both agree to simple outdoor walks, fishing from the shore, farmers markets, etc . I wouldn't expect day trips anywhere of distance if they need to drive themselves....but would consider doing a tour if they could be picked up close to their home base. Their ideal is to be able to walk from room to restaurants, shopping and things to do.....but it doesn't appear this resort has a great location for that.

It appears in the general area Sarasota is where all is happening. That appears to be about a 15 minute drive and that would be fine.

No you cannot walk to anything from there. Anna Maria island resorts might be better,as they have a trolley. Also siesta key, Calini has a few places close by and there is a free trolley that runs frequently. If at longboat key, the trips mentioned are not far, I am in my mid seventies, do not like driving,and went to all of them. Vanderbilt beach in Naples has lots of things a close drive away.

 

[Sullco2]

St. Armand’s Circle may please Mom with its variety of shops and restaurants. If Dad wants a soft adventure head for Myakka State Park a little south of Sarasota. A fun boat ride to visit alligators and bird life will reward them for the pretty easy drive. Warning: the limited access to the Key via the Causeway from Sarasota means traffic jams mornings from the mainland and evenings back from the beaches to the city. Plan for that.

 

[sfwilshire]

We very much enjoyed the Ringling Museum. It was free one night a week, so we timed our visit for that day. Many happy memories from the 1982 World's Fair. The miniature circus on display back then was donated to the Ringling Museum and has continued to grow. It was amazing!

 

[mdurette]

thanks - I will pass along the Ringling Museum info too!

 

[Sullco2]

My last tip is to head north and cross the bridge in Bradenton Beach back to the fishing village of Cortez. Avoid the mid- to late-afternoon traffic jam of folks leaving (mostly) Coquina State Park, but go for dinner at Tide Tables or any of the other authentic fish shack restaurants clustered around the bridge. If crossing the bridge is daunting try Anna Maria Oyster House on the bay pier in Bradenton Beach. Old Florida reigns in this honky tonk beach town.

 

[rapmarks]

thanks - I will pass along the Ringling Museum info too!

Monday is the free day at the ringling museum of art

 

[madduag]

Good morning, we own at LBB and it is a really nice quiet resort. Huge units, well appointed. The walk to the beach is directly across the street. They offer beach chairs, umbrellas and we just leave them there for the day going back for lunch etc. The bikes on site are fun to explore the area.
It looks like everyone covered things to do in the area. We really do love the area. One note, they have sleep number beds and the remote is on the wall by the bed so let them know that.