Longboat Key, FL

What to do and Where to Stay in Longboat Key, FL

Longboat Key, FL, is a coastal community in Manatee County, Florida, United States. It lies on a barrier island across the Gulf of Mexico from the city of Sarasota and Tampa Bay, connected to the mainland by causeways and bridges (the Longboat Pass Bridge being one of two that carries Interstate 275), which in turn connect to Bradenton and the region’s Intracoastal Waterway. The closest incorporated municipality to Longboat Key is South Venice, while other nearby cities include Sarasota and Palmetto.

Where is Longboat Key Florida?

Longboat Key, FL

Longboat Key is a barrier island off of Sarasota, Florida. It is part of Manatee County. It was created when Henry B. Plant constructed a bridge linking it to Bradenton. As a result, development began there instead of at Anna Maria Island (that’s where Anna Maria’s St. Petersburg street name comes from).
The second largest town on Longboat Key is known as The Village of Bay Isles which can be found on either side of Longboat Boulevard between 70th Street East and 68th Street East along Gulf of Mexico Drive South.

The most highly visited section of Longboat Key is known as The Village of Longboat Key which includes everything from Dead end Road going north to about Sundial Beach south. This is also where you will find all of your shopping needs including: grocery stores, bookstores, souvenir shops for beach goods and clothing. They have a unique selection of restaurants as well. Where else can you dine on fresh seafood that was swimming just hours before?

Longboat Beach can be found at either end of The Village. The beach is considered by many to be one of America’s most beautiful beaches. It is a man-made beach that was created as a result of sand dredging. At low tide you will see all kinds of marine life such as sea shells, starfish, conchs etc.. During high tide much of it is covered up with water so keep that in mind if you are planning on taking pictures during high tide.

Longboat Key is rich with culture. As you walk down any of its many roads you will see a variety of architecture that has been designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. It is truly a place where people come to relax and be at peace with themselves while they take in all that nature has provided for them. On top of it all, it’s close enough that you can easily drive into Tampa or Orlando for nightlife entertainment if desired but far enough away where all you hear at night are crickets.

What can you do in Longboat Key?

Longboat Key, FL

There are plenty of activities for you and your family or friends to enjoy during your time in Longboat Key. Here are a few of our favorites There is so much to see and do in Longboat Key that you may not want to leave! If you’re staying at a Longboat Beach hotel, there is even more reason to explore as most of these places are within walking distance.

There are also plenty of great restaurants that serve up fresh seafood. One of our favorites is Tarpon Bend Beach Bar and Grill. This place has an amazing view of Fort Desoto Park as well as some of freshest seafood you can find around. The bonus here is that they are right on the beach! What more could you ask for?

If you’re looking for something less formal, check out Uncle Al’s Oyster Bar & Grill. This is a great place to grab a beer or just hang out with friends and listen to some live music by local artists. They also have great food so it doesn’t matter if you want a beer or not! Just make sure you save room for dessert because their key lime pie is outstanding!
If your idea of fun is shopping then there are plenty of stores in town that cater to every taste as well as some smaller boutiques where you can find souvenirs from your visit.

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing while you’re in town, try stopping by Tranquility Spa & Salon. They are right on Mandalay Avenue so it’s easy to find. This place offers great spa services as well as some affordable beauty products. You can even get your hair cut while you’re there!

You can also check out their calendar of events on their website as they often host wine tasting events where you can enjoy some great wines along with light appetizers. This is a great way to meet other people who are staying at Longboat beach hotels as well as try something new!

Sights worth seeing

The world-renowned Ringling Museum of Art on St. Armands Circle is a must for anyone visiting Longboat Key. Two other popular attractions include The Fiddler’s Inn on Lido Beach (which features a sweeping view of Sarasota Bay) and The Colony Golf Club at Palmer Ranch. Another great attraction is Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a multi-million dollar performing arts center that has featured some of Broadway’s biggest names over its 40-year history.

The sunsets at Lido Beach and Bird Key are also worth seeing. Every night about 8 pm you can walk along Lido beach or around Bird key for a truly spectacular view of Sarasota Bay and downtown Sarasota at sunset. In addition, there is plenty to do on any given day; in fact, Sarasota has been rated one of America’s top vacation destinations by Conde Nast Traveler each year since 2007! For example, sports fans enjoy visiting IMG Academy (where professional athletes train during off-season), as well as checking out Boston Red Sox Spring Training with stops at Ed Smith Stadium and Charlotte Sports Park.

For shoppers, two of Sarasota’s biggest shopping malls are just a short drive away. First is University Town Center Mall (just seven miles from where you will be staying), which features more than 100 stores including Neiman Marcus, Coach, H&M and JCPenney. And then there’s The Mall at University Town Center (just three miles away), featuring hundreds of stores including Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

To visit these and other area attractions (such as Sarasota’s renowned beaches), you’ll need a car. Luckily, rental cars are easy to find both at your home airport and on Longboat Key. For example, you can rent from Budget Rent A Car at Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is just 55 miles away from where you will be staying. You can also choose Enterprise Car Rental at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) – just 38 miles from Longboat Key – or Hertz Car Rental at SRQ. And since many restaurants, shops and attractions are located along Siesta Drive, Crescent Beach Road and St. Armands Circle, I would highly recommend renting a convertible for ease of transportation!

Best hotels on Longboat Key

Where should you stay when you visit Longboat Key? When I visited with my family (3 adults) we stayed at The Resort at Longboat Key Club. It was a great location right on the beach. They have golf cart rentals right there too. From there we rented bikes and rode around to see everything. If you don’t like staying on a hotel property they also have vacation rentals by owner that are nice houses with more room than a hotel room offers.

If you’re planning on visiting for a relaxing vacation I highly recommend renting bikes from there and riding along either Lido or Bay Beach. It was really fun. We also went kayaking out on Osprey Sound which was another one of our favorite things to do when we were in town. Some other things we did during our trip included going parasailing right off of Shell Island. The wind wasn’t too strong so it was easy enough for us all to go up together as a family.

The only downside about staying at a hotel on Longboat Key is that you can’t bring your own food or drinks with you. But since it’s vacation there are plenty of places to eat nearby if you don’t want to walk too far from your room! Also, if you have pets that travel with you they do not allow them on any of their properties. We couldn’t find anywhere to board our pet while we were gone but I think we may have been able to find a vet who would have boarded him for us. They also did not allow us to leave him in our car which was disappointing as my husband really wanted to take him kayaking around Osprey Sound with us. Overall though it was an amazing trip and we plan on going back someday soon!

Best restaurants on Longboat Key

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill – With a perky staff and home-style cooking, Fry Dock Waterfront Grill is an excellent choice for vacationers on Longboat Key who are looking for great food at a reasonable price. Located just one block from Gulf of Mexico Drive with outdoor seating as well as indoor seating including a private room if you’re looking for more privacy.

Maison Blanche – Truly a modern French restaurant that is second-to-none, you will fall in the lap of luxury with the modern, yet classic approach to dining. Besides being one of the best in the area, the Maison Blanche has a reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the entire state of Florida! They feature the finest cuts of meat, the freshest seafood, poultry, game, and produce. Some of the most exquisite delicacies including: beef tartare, sweetbreads with caramelized endive and beet puree, and golden osetra caviar with oyster and potatoes.

La Norma Italian Restaurant – It’s easy to see why La Norma is one of the most popular restaurants on Longboat Key! With its delicious authentic Italian food, pizza, as well as its casual atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home at La Norma. They have an extensive menu offering everything from salads to pizzas.

Lazy Lobster Longboat Key – If you’re looking for delicious, fresh locally caught seafood, sandwiches, and innovative salads and apps, look no further than the Lazy Lobster. Their menu is full of delicious, inspired menu items. Not only is it one of our favorite restaurants on Longboat Key but it’s also one of its most popular! You can’t go wrong with a visit to Lazy Lobster Longboat Key.

Activities on the Gulf of Mexico

Excitement on both sides of US Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) is easy to find with activities for all ages. On Bradenton Beach you’ll find a multitude of beachside restaurants where you can enjoy sunset views from outdoor decks. Your family will love spending an afternoon at Jungle Queen Boat Rides or Tiki Beach Bar & Grill if you’re looking for more than just sand.

If you’re looking for more outdoor activities while vacationing on Longboat Key, head across US Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) to enjoy a variety of sports. The idea of jet skiing will excite your inner adrenaline junkie. Interested in learning how to sail? Offering beginning courses all year long, Thunderboats Sailing School is fun for groups or families.

Want a break from nature? Visit Downtown Bradenton where you can dine at an eclectic mix of restaurants or shop at local boutiques and shops like Goodwill. Don’t forget to stop by History Park & Bradenton Village which feature historic buildings that were once part of downtown life dating back over 100 years ago.

Head back across US Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) to discover more outdoor activities. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush try skydiving or parasailing while enjoying breathtaking views of Anna Maria Island’s emerald waters and white sand beaches. Families can enjoy a fun-filled day at Lakewood Ranch Family Fun Park with go-karts, miniature golf and batting cages.

For more than 30 years, Air-Boat Safari has taken folks on a tour across Sarasota Bay for an up-close experience with some of nature’s finest wildlife. Visitors see plenty of birds and may even catch a glimpse of gators.

Things to bring with you

Sunscreen, flip flops. If you’re going to be on your feet a lot make sure you bring comfortable shoes. Sun hats are also a good idea if you don’t want to get fried before you make it out of your room. A camera is a must if you enjoy taking pictures (it is one of my favorite pastimes). You will find plenty of things to snap pictures of while visiting Longboat Key so don’t leave home without it!

This area is known for its beaches. While there are many miles of beach to explore there are also many parks here where you can go hiking or just wander along nature paths. If you would like a little thrill you can also check out some of the local attractions where you can test your abilities on a bungee cord or take a ride on an 18-hole mini golf course. For nature lovers there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching, kayaking, paddle boarding and even fishing trips.

In order to explore all that Longboat Key has to offer you will need a car. It’s easy enough to find one for rent that can accommodate your needs. You can also make arrangements for someone else to take you around on an island tour or scooter if you prefer not to drive. Regardless of how you get from place-to-place, bring your camera so you can capture some of these memories!

If you’re looking for a little excitement or relaxation you can find it on nearby Anna Maria Island. This small island is only accessible by ferry or private boat so if you don’t have your own transportation make sure you check out Anna Maria during your visit to Longboat Key. Its beaches are smaller than those of its neighbor but they still offer plenty of great opportunities for fun in the sun!

Things you should avoid doing while visiting Longboat Key, FL

There’s a reason locals refer to it as no traffic island. In order to prevent crowds from spoiling your vacation here, steer clear of St. Armands Circle between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. The summers are extremely hot here, so always have a water bottle handy – there are plenty of public water fountains throughout town if you need to fill up before you head back out again.

Though you’ll have no trouble finding places to eat here – there are over 300 restaurants within 5 miles of any given point – avoid chains. If you want authentic local dishes that aren’t mass-produced, follow these insider tips. Places like Basil Thai and Matanzas Bay Oyster Bar are beloved by locals and worth a try if you’re looking for a break from big box dining. The same is true of your accommodations. Hotels tend to be more expensive than bed & breakfasts or vacation rentals, so rent a house instead.