Serene Gulf Beaches, Longboat Key

Just another day in paradise, along the west coast of Florida. Southwest Florida offers the world's most beautiful beaches lining the tranquil Gulf of Mexico. It offers inspired sunsets daily, and it beckons everyone from the rugged outdoor enthusiasts to refined sophisticates with championship golf, big-game fishing, eco-tours, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, theaters, art galleries, opera, ballet and world-class culinary fare. No matter what you're into, it seems life's just better here.

Our beautiful beaches of Sarasota, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Lido Key, Siesta Key and Venice are open and ready for business.

Gorgeous Beaches in Southwest Florida

Turquoise waters at a balmy 83 degrees, sugar, white beaches and clear, blue skies - all this and more waiting for you in Southwest Florida.

The miles of coast between Bradenton and Venice are in many ways a microcosm of Florida - and features many of the same enticements that some travelers will fly or float thousands of miles away for. Much of the appeal is diversity. Southwest Florida is a many splendid thing: coastal villages, opulent cities, glittering white beaches, barrier islands, exotic flora and fauna, alligator-filled swamps, it's all here.

A beachview from Silver Sands Gulf Beach Resort on Longboat Key, Florida

The photo above was taken today from Silver Sands Gulf Beach Resort on beautiful Longboat Key.

Silver Sands Gulf Beach Resort is located beachfront on beautiful Longboat Key. Relax on our private beach, walk on our soft white sand, take a dip in our heated beach side pool, and enjoy a complimentary chaise lounge and beach umbrella. Silver Sands offers resort rooms, one- and two-bedroom garden view units and one- and two-bedroom beachfront units.

Longboat Key is rich with beautiful beaches, upscale amenities and championship golf. High-end boutiques and five-star restaurants make it an ideal destination for vacationers who like their beach getaways on the swankier side.

A Beautiful Morning on Siesta Key Beach

The photo above was taken from our beaches on Siesta Key.

Famous for it's quartz-sand beaches, Siesta Key is an upscale beach destination with a beach-town vibe. Our famously beautiful stretch of beaches are ideal for lazy beach days, but active vacationers will find plenty of ways to crank up their adrenaline levels.

Come out and see for yourself, why Siesta Key beaches rank in the top 10 on Dr. Beach's "Best Beaches" in the United States.

Longboat Key Beaches are Open and Ready for Business

The photo above was taken from our beach on Longboat Key today.

Come to Florida's west coast and see for yourself just how beautiful our beaches are.

Weather conditions have been favorable in Southwest Florida. Our beaches are open and ready for swimming, water recreation and relaxation.

Click here for up-to-date information on the Gulf Oil Spill.

Mother's Day at the Ringling Museum

This Sunday, May 9th, Moms can enjoy $10 admission to the Ringling Museum.

Explore the Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velazquez, Titian, Tintoretto and more. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the Museum of Art an awe-inspiring retreat. It is a palace for treasures emulating the footprint of Florence's Uffizi Gallery, echoing its grace and grandeur.

A stop at the Ringling Museum wouldn't be complete without a tour of the Ca d'Zan Mansion. This mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. The Ca d'Zan has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings.

Capture some family photos in Mable Ringling's Rose Garden, one of the loveliest spots on the Ringling estate, and, when in bloom, the most fragrant.

The Ringling Museum is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road in the heart of Sarasota. Just a few minutes from numerous vacation rentals on Longboat Key, Lido Key and Sarasota.

Mother's Day at Mote Marine Aquarium

This Sunday, May 9th, Mothers receive free admission to Mote Marine Aquarium with a paying child ticket.

At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life.

Mote is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., in Sarasota, FL. Just a few minutes from numerous vacation rentals on Longboat Key, Lido Key and Sarasota.