St. Armands Circle

Looking to dine and shop outdoors in Sarasota? Well St. Armands circle is the place for you!

It is located just a few minutes away from Lido Key Beach, and the circular shaped shopping and dining center offers a variety of places and activities for families and couples.  St. Armands Circle is located at the heart of St. Armands Key, a small island off of the Sarasota City coastline.  The large traffic circle is the island's Main Street, which in a circular formation, and is centered around a tree covered park known as Circle Park.  Outlining the the skirts of the park are all of the businesses and restaurants that are ever so popular to Sarasota natives and visitors.

The stores range from typical tourist gifts and Florida souvenirs to fine jewelry, clothing, art, and collectibles.  General categories of the store fronts in St. Armands Circle are:

Photo Credit: Rowyn Adriano

• attorneys at law
• beauty salon and spas
• computers
• fashion
• footwear
• galleries
• jewelers
• massage and therapy
• medical and professional
• real estate 
• travel

There are also casual and fine dining options as well as concession store front eateries.  Two of the best known restaurants in the circle are the Daiquiri Deck and the Columbia Restaurant.  If you are wanting a sweet treat, you are in luck because is there is a Ben and Jerry's and a Kilwins where you can indulge your sweet tooth into a delicious ice cream sundae!  

There is free parking within the Main Street circle, but that can be very hard to get, so there is also free parking in the area surrounding the St, Armands Circle as well. 

St. Armands Circle received an award from Trip Advisor in 2015 for excellent shopping experience and quality in Sarasota.

St, Armands is open year round, but is definitely emptier during the summer season.  No matter what time of year you come to visit St. Armands, you can enjoy specialty stores and restaurants unique to Sarasota, and can easily travel to Lido Key beach from the area to catch a glimpse of the beautiful sunset.  

For more information: St. Armands Circle

For store front locations: St. Armands Circle Map

Source: Basic Information

"S" Also Stands for Shopping!

Every vacation always requires some shopping time.  If you are interested in more than just shopping at the typical touristy store fronts, that you may want to check out the The Mall at University Town Center (UTC).  There are 115 stores in the mall that sell:

Photo Credit: Mark Gordon

• clothing and shoes for men, women, teenagers, and children
• lingerie
• jewelry and accessories
• home furnishing
• electronics and entertainment
• food specialties
• healthy and beauty
• sporting goods
• optical wear
• books, cards, and gifts
• luggage and handbags
• children's toys

There are also 20 eateries and restaurants within the mall that offer quick service options to fine dining meals. The cuisine selections at the UTC include:

Photo Credit: UTC Photo

• Chinese (mandarin)
• sushi
• pizza 
• burgers
• soft pretzels
• pastries
• ice cream
• coffee and tea
• specialty chocolates
• and a variety of options at the following restaurants:
• Cheesecake Factory
• Brio Tuscan Grille
• Kona Grill
• Seasons 52
• Yo! Sushi
• The Capital Grille
• Sophie's (inside Saks Fifth Avenue)

The mall just recently opened on October 16, 2014, and the mall is 98% environmental friendly as it includes LED lighting.  There is also a glass ceiling that only lets in light, and not the Florida heat. It is also a technologically advanced center as there is Wi-Fi and charging stations for smartphones and cars. UTC is the only mall that has a digital directory to help you get around the two story and 880.000 square feet shopping mall.  

With all of the stores and delicious cuisine to taste, you and your family will sure have fun for hours on end in the air conditioning to escape the Florida sun and heat.

Don't forget pack comfortable walking shoes and a credit card for when you come to visit UTC.

Fore more information about the mall, here is their link: UTC

For a PDF version of the map: UTC Mall Directory

Source: UTC Article

Where would you want to eat? Comment below please.