June 20, 2023 • 7 mins
On this week's episode of Where To Next, we take a trip to the south to talk about Sarasota, FL with Erin Duggan, Vice President of Visit Sarasota! Erin gives us the inside scoop on all the beautiful and diverse beaches, Sarasota's rich arts and culture district, annual festivals, and the underrated dining scene! Plus she gives us a few of her personal favorite picks when it comes to where to eat when visiting Sarasota!
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Whereto Next, a travel podcast with me.
Your host my name is Francisca Presti, and today Aaron Duggan, vice
president of Visit sarah Sota on theprogram. Aaron, welcome, Hey,
how are you doing. We aregreat so excited to talk to you about
sarah Soda. Visit Sarasota dot comis the website you want to go for
all the information and to start planningyour trip today. Aaron, thank you
(00:20):
so much for making some time forus today and I'd love to talk all
about Sarazta. Sure you know,sarah Sota is a great destination with so
much to do. We are locatedon the West Coast or the Gulf Coast
of Florida. We are about anhour south of Tampa, about an hour
north of Fort Myer, so reallyeasy to get to and we offer so
(00:42):
much from gorgeous beaches. We havesuch a wide variety of different kinds of
beaches. So whether you want togo somewhere where you can see and be
seen on the beach and walk tofood and drink and play volleyball and playgrounds,
or whether you want to find somethinga little bit more secluded and go
to a beach where you're not reallygoing to see lot of other people.
We really do kind of have somany different opportunities. We also have amazing
(01:04):
arts and culture. We are knownas Florida's cultural coast, and so whether
it's professional performing arts or whether it'sfabulous art galleries and museums, there really
is just so much to do inour community. Yeah, absolutely, and
I think you hit the nail righton the head there. Of course,
when we think of Florida or SaraSoota, we obviously think of beaches,
especially up here where it can getpretty cold. For sure, the beaches
(01:26):
come to mind, and they areso gorgeous. But I know that there
is just a real slew of activitiesto check out when you're visiting Sarasota.
So one of the most popular thingsto check out, you know, again,
being the tourism board, we don'tjust assume what our visitors want to
do. We actually do a multitudeof research, tracking intercept surveys, so
I can tell you first and foremost, we always hear that the number one
(01:49):
thing people enjoy doing is being outdoorsand enjoying nature. So you know,
just like you said that very well, could be enjoying the gorgeous beach,
is enjoying the gorgeous water, butit also could be meandering through oscar Shire
State Park, or rinting a cabinetMayaca State Park, or paddle boarding or
(02:09):
kayaking through the Mangrove Tunnels on Lido. Just enjoying the weather down here in
Florida, you know, walking downMain Street or shopping on Venice Main Street.
So we know that when people areout here, they like being outdoors.
But it's not only to enjoy theweather. It's so that they can
connect with nature. Absolutely. AaronDuggan, Vice president of Visit Sarasota,
(02:30):
I'm with me today talking all aboutSarasota, Florida. Visit Sarasota dot com
for all the information and to startplanning your trip today. And Aaron,
I don't know about you, butI am a girl that likes to eat,
so I love to chat about thebest places to grab a bike.
So I'd love to know all aboutthe dining scene in Sarasota. And you
have a couple of hotspots you couldrecommend. You know, It's funny when
people ask me what my favorite thingto do is. I think that they're
(02:52):
waiting for me to stay the beachor shopping, And the truth of the
matter is it's eating, yes,and we feel like there's such great restaurants
down here. And whether it's beachsideshack, or you can get a fresh
group or sandwich or some fried shrimp, or it can be fine dining with
white clubs service. There really issomething for everyone in our community. You
(03:13):
know. Right now in June wehave our annual Savors sort of restaurant week.
However, I always like to saythat it's really just showcasing the kind
of dining experiences you can have yearround. And what's really cool if we
have this program called fun in thenine four one. So nine four one
is the area code down here inour area. We always hear from our
(03:35):
visitor that what they love about ourcommunity is that when they're here, they
feel like a local, They feellike they sit in, they feel like
they belong. And so we callour Fun in the nine four one program
our way for not only locals toknow about what's going on, but it's
how visitors can know what's going onand how they can live like a local.
So with so many of our restaurantsextend restaurant week offer dining deal,
(03:57):
whether it's five dollars burgers one dayof the week or some sort of a
buy one, get one free drink. So if someone is ever interested in
hearing about dining deals, learning moreabout the dining deals fun in the nine
four one dot com, or evenjust using the hashtag fun in the nine
four one on social media, you'llbe connected to that. But goodness,
some of my favorite restaurants fun.Looking for something fine dining, Michael's on
(04:19):
East is my go to. I'vejust never been anywhere with better service,
better food. They do this tastearound the world where every month, in
addition to their fantastic menu, theycelebrate another country. So they've just got
this great elevated menu. They've gotgreat happy hour at the bar, so
that would be my go to forfine dining. I would say for casual
(04:42):
dining, one of my go toolately has been Owen's Fish Camp, so
that has been a popular spot foryears. They've got this great downtown Sarah
Soota location. The backyard usually hasa honor bar where you can help yourself
to a cold beer or a coldgrape. They've got where you can kind
of again on your honor Roast Oysters. There's Tire Swing, so that's kind
(05:05):
of a fun, great place forlike Champy. Yeah, fantastic Separd,
but they just opened up a secondlocation in Lakewood Ranch, kind of in
the waterside area of Lakewood Rants.And then, oh my goodness, there's
so many fantastic restaurants. Cassarinos wouldbe a great Italian restaurant. It's another
example of a restaurant where there's oneon Dennis Main Street, but there's also
(05:27):
one in Lakewood Rants. So thosewould be some of the ones that I
would recommend, just off the topof my head. Beaches and arts and
culture and food. Sarah, Sootahas so much going on, and I
know that you have quite a robustfestival season down there as well, so
I'd love to know about some ofyour favorite festivals. Oh my goodness,
I know someone just asked me ifwe had festivals or any events going on,
and I was like, when dowe not have a festival? A
(05:49):
little bent going on? You know, We've got a great Crystal Classic is
our sand castle event that's held everyfall on Sista Key. We've got the
Chalk Festival, which is a greatarts festival that happens every year. We've
got the Sharks Tooth Festival that happensevery year and the spring down in Venice.
At Venice is the sharks Teeth capitalof the world. Their beaches are
(06:12):
known for being a great place toeasily find sharks teeth. In fact,
there's even a couple of places whereyou can rent equipment. Oh cool.
And then Forks and Quarks, youknow, talking about our culinary scene.
Forks and Quarks is another festival thatour big original Sarah Stamanity Original group puts
on every year. So that's agrouping of independent restaurants that have banded together
to promote restaurants that are local,that are not a part of a chain.
(06:35):
And they put on a fabulous foodand wine festival every year calls Works
and Quirks. So lots of festivalshappening year round. Yeah, lots of
good stuff to get into. Whenvisiting Sarah Soota Aaron Duggan, Vice President,
A visit Sarah Soota on with methis morning. Visit Sarasota dot com
is where you want to go forall the information to find out more about
everything we're talking about today. Andof course to plan your visit and Aaron,
(06:56):
before I let you go, Ilove in your personal opinion what I
think is the most underrated thing aboutSarasota. Who That's a great question,
But I think I'm going to throwit back to the food scene. I
think that people are pleasantly surprised whenthey come here to find out what fantastic
restaurants we have. I think everyoneknows we've got this grandiose arts and cultural
(07:18):
community. I think folks know we'vegot these gorgeous beaches. I know Cst.
Key is consistently ranked number one inthe world because of its ninety nine
percent court sand. But again,I think that it might be the culinary
scene that surprises people the most,that we really do have some fantastic chefs
in our community. Well, you'releaving me hungry, Aaron. I want
(07:40):
to thank you so much for yourtime this morning to chat with us about
Sarasota. Visit Sarasota dot com again. Is that website for more information?
Aaron? Thank you again. Allright, thank you Franchester. We appreciate you.
Good morning, and welcome to Whereto Next, a travel podcast with me.
Your host my name is Francisca Presti, and today Aaron Duggan, vice
president of Visit sarah Sota on theprogram. Aaron, welcome, Hey,
how are you doing. We aregreat so excited to talk to you about
sarah Soda. Visit Sarasota dot comis the website you want to go for
all the information and to start planningyour trip today. Aaron, thank you
(00:20):
so much for making some time forus today and I'd love to talk all
about Sarazta. Sure you know,sarah Sota is a great destination with so
much to do. We are locatedon the West Coast or the Gulf Coast
of Florida. We are about anhour south of Tampa, about an hour
north of Fort Myer, so reallyeasy to get to and we offer so
(00:42):
much from gorgeous beaches. We havesuch a wide variety of different kinds of
beaches. So whether you want togo somewhere where you can see and be
seen on the beach and walk tofood and drink and play volleyball and playgrounds,
or whether you want to find somethinga little bit more secluded and go
to a beach where you're not reallygoing to see lot of other people.
We really do kind of have somany different opportunities. We also have amazing
(01:04):
arts and culture. We are knownas Florida's cultural coast, and so whether
it's professional performing arts or whether it'sfabulous art galleries and museums, there really
is just so much to do inour community. Yeah, absolutely, and
I think you hit the nail righton the head there. Of course,
when we think of Florida or SaraSoota, we obviously think of beaches,
especially up here where it can getpretty cold. For sure, the beaches
(01:26):
come to mind, and they areso gorgeous. But I know that there
is just a real slew of activitiesto check out when you're visiting Sarasota.
So one of the most popular thingsto check out, you know, again,
being the tourism board, we don'tjust assume what our visitors want to
do. We actually do a multitudeof research, tracking intercept surveys, so
I can tell you first and foremost, we always hear that the number one
(01:49):
thing people enjoy doing is being outdoorsand enjoying nature. So you know,
just like you said that very well, could be enjoying the gorgeous beach,
is enjoying the gorgeous water, butit also could be meandering through oscar Shire
State Park, or rinting a cabinetMayaca State Park, or paddle boarding or
(02:09):
kayaking through the Mangrove Tunnels on Lido. Just enjoying the weather down here in
Florida, you know, walking downMain Street or shopping on Venice Main Street.
So we know that when people areout here, they like being outdoors.
But it's not only to enjoy theweather. It's so that they can
connect with nature. Absolutely. AaronDuggan, Vice president of Visit Sarasota,
(02:30):
I'm with me today talking all aboutSarasota, Florida. Visit Sarasota dot com
for all the information and to startplanning your trip today. And Aaron,
I don't know about you, butI am a girl that likes to eat,
so I love to chat about thebest places to grab a bike.
So I'd love to know all aboutthe dining scene in Sarasota. And you
have a couple of hotspots you couldrecommend. You know, It's funny when
people ask me what my favorite thingto do is. I think that they're
(02:52):
waiting for me to stay the beachor shopping, And the truth of the
matter is it's eating, yes,and we feel like there's such great restaurants
down here. And whether it's beachsideshack, or you can get a fresh
group or sandwich or some fried shrimp, or it can be fine dining with
white clubs service. There really issomething for everyone in our community. You
(03:13):
know. Right now in June wehave our annual Savors sort of restaurant week.
However, I always like to saythat it's really just showcasing the kind
of dining experiences you can have yearround. And what's really cool if we
have this program called fun in thenine four one. So nine four one
is the area code down here inour area. We always hear from our
(03:35):
visitor that what they love about ourcommunity is that when they're here, they
feel like a local, They feellike they sit in, they feel like
they belong. And so we callour Fun in the nine four one program
our way for not only locals toknow about what's going on, but it's
how visitors can know what's going onand how they can live like a local.
So with so many of our restaurantsextend restaurant week offer dining deal,
(03:57):
whether it's five dollars burgers one dayof the week or some sort of a
buy one, get one free drink. So if someone is ever interested in
hearing about dining deals, learning moreabout the dining deals fun in the nine
four one dot com, or evenjust using the hashtag fun in the nine
four one on social media, you'llbe connected to that. But goodness,
some of my favorite restaurants fun.Looking for something fine dining, Michael's on
(04:19):
East is my go to. I'vejust never been anywhere with better service,
better food. They do this tastearound the world where every month, in
addition to their fantastic menu, theycelebrate another country. So they've just got
this great elevated menu. They've gotgreat happy hour at the bar, so
that would be my go to forfine dining. I would say for casual
(04:42):
dining, one of my go toolately has been Owen's Fish Camp, so
that has been a popular spot foryears. They've got this great downtown Sarah
Soota location. The backyard usually hasa honor bar where you can help yourself
to a cold beer or a coldgrape. They've got where you can kind
of again on your honor Roast Oysters. There's Tire Swing, so that's kind
(05:05):
of a fun, great place forlike Champy. Yeah, fantastic Separd,
but they just opened up a secondlocation in Lakewood Ranch, kind of in
the waterside area of Lakewood Rants.And then, oh my goodness, there's
so many fantastic restaurants. Cassarinos wouldbe a great Italian restaurant. It's another
example of a restaurant where there's oneon Dennis Main Street, but there's also
(05:27):
one in Lakewood Rants. So thosewould be some of the ones that I
would recommend, just off the topof my head. Beaches and arts and
culture and food. Sarah, Sootahas so much going on, and I
know that you have quite a robustfestival season down there as well, so
I'd love to know about some ofyour favorite festivals. Oh my goodness,
I know someone just asked me ifwe had festivals or any events going on,
and I was like, when dowe not have a festival? A
(05:49):
little bent going on? You know, We've got a great Crystal Classic is
our sand castle event that's held everyfall on Sista Key. We've got the
Chalk Festival, which is a greatarts festival that happens every year. We've
got the Sharks Tooth Festival that happensevery year and the spring down in Venice.
At Venice is the sharks Teeth capitalof the world. Their beaches are
(06:12):
known for being a great place toeasily find sharks teeth. In fact,
there's even a couple of places whereyou can rent equipment. Oh cool.
And then Forks and Quarks, youknow, talking about our culinary scene.
Forks and Quarks is another festival thatour big original Sarah Stamanity Original group puts
on every year. So that's agrouping of independent restaurants that have banded together
to promote restaurants that are local,that are not a part of a chain.
(06:35):
And they put on a fabulous foodand wine festival every year calls Works
and Quirks. So lots of festivalshappening year round. Yeah, lots of
good stuff to get into. Whenvisiting Sarah Soota Aaron Duggan, Vice President,
A visit Sarah Soota on with methis morning. Visit Sarasota dot com
is where you want to go forall the information to find out more about
everything we're talking about today. Andof course to plan your visit and Aaron,
(06:56):
before I let you go, Ilove in your personal opinion what I
think is the most underrated thing aboutSarasota. Who That's a great question,
But I think I'm going to throwit back to the food scene. I
think that people are pleasantly surprised whenthey come here to find out what fantastic
restaurants we have. I think everyoneknows we've got this grandiose arts and cultural
(07:18):
community. I think folks know we'vegot these gorgeous beaches. I know Cst.
Key is consistently ranked number one inthe world because of its ninety nine
percent court sand. But again,I think that it might be the culinary
scene that surprises people the most,that we really do have some fantastic chefs
in our community. Well, you'releaving me hungry, Aaron. I want
(07:40):
to thank you so much for yourtime this morning to chat with us about
Sarasota. Visit Sarasota dot com again. Is that website for more information?
Aaron? Thank you again. Allright, thank you Franchester. We appreciate you.
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