Lido Key – It’s Not Just a Beach

Lido Key is one of Sarasota’s 5 barrier islands. Sitting directly to the west of Sarasota downtown, and flanked by the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay, Lido Key enjoys some of the most spectacular beach and water venues in southwest Florida.  Although the water is fantastic, Lido Key offers so much more to visitors and residents alike. A drive from Sarasota to Lido Key is an adventure, and one we’d like to share with you.

Driving across the John Ringling Bridge from downtown is a surreal experience in itself, where one leaves the business behind and can literally feel the Gulf breezes wafting away the “real world”.  As you cruise towards the beach, you will see Bird Key to your left. A short detour will reveal Bird Key to be a tranquil little residential island of less than 300 beautiful homes in one of the most idyllic locations in the world.

Water is to both sides of you as you drive on, and boaters, fishermen, and windsurfers will pull off to the side of the road, unable to wait another minute to get into the water! Just ahead, along the tree lined causeway, is perhaps one of the most famous places in Sarasota, St. Armand’s Circle.

St. Armand’s Circle is the manifest reality of John Ringling’s dream. He wanted to make Sarasota a shopping and dining mecca, and he succeeded. But beyond the boutiques and cafes, St. Armand’s also is home to art exhibits, car shows, and community concerts. It is a true gathering place.

Just off St. Armand’s Circle is a wealth of life to be discovered. To the northeast is Mote Marine Laboratories and Ken Thompson Park. To the west is Lido Key Beaches and South Lido Beach Park. And surrounding the circle in all directions are a myriad of Lido Key real estate options – beautiful waterfront mansions, serene oak canopied cottages, and a wealth of opportunities for investment properties. Although Lido is not our most populated Key, it does provide the best of all worlds.

Lido Key Beach is wide and white, very much like its sister Siesta Key Beach. However, stretches of Lido Beach are more protected and private,  and thus more wild in nature. Lido Key is home to a couple of attractions not often seen in Sarasota – the beachront tiki bar at the Lido Beach Resort; and the public pool, directly on the beach mid-key. A walk along North Lido will allow you to wander through protected dunes and wild grass; while South Lido Beach Park offers beautiful pines to shelter you from the sun while you picnic, canoe, kayak and fish. A canoe/kayak launch is available, guaranteeing an easy transition into the crystal clear waters of the Bay and Gulf, and the Lido mangrove tunnels.

Lido Key offers arts, culture, shopping, dining, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnics, marine life, beach side pools – the list goes on and on. Take a virtual tour with us and discover why Lido Key is not to be missed – enjoy the below video!

Tags: canoeing, Gulf of Mexico, kayaking, Lido Key Real Estate, Mote Marine. South Lido Beach Park, Sarasota Downtown, Sarasota Real Estate, St. Armands Circle, waterfront

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