Sarasota Downtown

Regardless of what part of Sarasota you eventually decide to call home, the downtown area is a highlight and often a deciding factor in buyer’s decision to move here. Fun, vibrant, eclectic and beautiful – Sarasota downtown real estate has something for everyone and is not to be missed.

Rounding the corner into the downtown area, you are greeted by Sarasota’s gorgeous bayfront. Bayfront Park lines much of the waterfront, and offers walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and most of all – views! This is a great place to relax and take in Sarasota’s water, and skyline right behind you. Bayfront is also home to famous Marina Jack’s Restaurant, and the more casual O’Learys, tiki bar and all. Selby Gardens is to the south side of Bayfront, and presents a stunning collection of flowers from around the world in one of the prettiest settings in town.

Visitors love to take in the wide variety of shops, restaurants and bookstores on Sarasota’s Main Street. One of the unique things about our Main Street is that it has largely resisted the big chains, and remains a collection of original mom and pop type places that could take days to explore. Main Street is truly the hub of activity downtown, and still closes off for our local parades, as well as on holidays for good old fashioned block parties!

Branching off from Main Street is Palm Avenue, a street nearly solely dedicated to upscale art galleries, although a few restaurants are sprinkled throughout. Palm Avenue offers art walks once a month, where everyone spills onto the sidewalk and street to share food, drinks, music and fun. Although about a mile away, the art activity also abounds in Towles Court, an artists colony with resident population of painters, sculptors and photographers who open their homes and galleries once a month for a truly special night out Sarasota. Pineapple Square and Burns Court offer yet another side to Sarasota. Small movie theaters featuring foreign and indie films; antique shops and bistros with cuisine from around the world are highlighted these enclaves – and on Saturday morning, be sure not to miss the local farmers market just down the street.

Sarasota offers local theater at several locations downtown. For those wishing to see a Broadway play, take in a classical concert, or see one of the all-time greats, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center is just north of downtown.

If you’d like to live in or near downtown, there are real estate opportunities from 1 BR condos under $150K to elegant historic homes into the millions.

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