About Area Neighborhoods: Longboat Key

This 11-mile island, Longboat key, is located half in Manatee and Sarasota Counties, which is the Sarasota's northernmost Barrier Island. Connected to Anna Maria Island by bridge to the north and Lido Key to the south, this is home to world-class golf and tennis resorts. Longboat Key is a wonderland of manicured fairways and opulent high-rise condominiums lining the Gulf of Mexico.

Featured Property of the week: 611 St Judes Drive, Sarasota Florida 34228

Longboat Key Hideaway-$875,000

This home is built to hurricane standards top to bottom including all concrete construction, metal roof, and impact windows. ELEVATOR from Garage level to 3rd Flr. Master suite. Interior upgrades include Granite Counters, Wood Cabinets, Crown molding and Wood floors. Private pool area for entertaining and 4 car garage. Deeded private beach access and the conveniences of close shops, equals a wonderful Key location. Home completed in Feb. 2007. Seller will consider lease option or lease purchase with lender approval. Short Sale with Lender approval. Short Sale addenedum. Call me if you have any questions or would like a showing.

Virtual Tour: http://www.visualtour.com/shownp.asp?sk=13&t=1316645

Seven Local Boating Communities

1. Grand Mariner on Longboat Key. An exclusive gated yachting community, Grand Mariner consists of 14 luxury condominiums ranging from 3,150 to 3,600 sq. ft. A naturally protected private harbor offers 20 deepwater slips for vessels of up to 70 feet with power and cable, an 80-foot guest dock, and a small boat launching ramp. Amenities include a bayfront pool and spa, indoor reflecting pool with landscaped walk, resident's gathering room with balcony and fitness facility.
   
2. The Inlets at Riverdale. Nestled within hundred-year-old oaks and pines and surrounded by canals, the Inlets offers deepwater dockage and gracious homes in three distinctive neighborhoods: Hawk Island, featuring 29 estate size home sites with spectacular riverfront views; Harbour Walk at the Inlets, its latest treasure; and Bela Solé, a luxury waterfront community of 18 estate-size homesites. Amenities include tennis, playground, water park, fishing docks, canoe launch and nature trails.
   
3. Portofino on the Bay. Portofino On The Bay is a gated, maintenance-free community located on Little Sarasota Bay offering three- and four-bedroom residences in six model home designs featuring studies, lanais, two-car garages, second-story bonus rooms and double balconies. Amenities include boat slips with water access.
   
4. River Wilderness Golf & County Club. Located along the north shore of the Manatee River in close proximity to the Sarasota and Tampa bays, River Wilderness is nestled amid 1,400 acres of lush preserves. Offering an array of custom and maintenance-free homes, this private community features direct boating access to the Gulf of Mexico. Its 18-hole, par-72 championship Wilderness course, designed by Ted McAnlis, was rated one of Florida's Top 50 courses by Florida Golfer Magazine. The course is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.
   
5. Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club. Located between Sarasota and Venice, Southbay offers more than 350 custom homes, many along the Intracoastal, facing the marina or overlooking park-like greenbelt areas. Its deepwater marina encompasses 172 boat slips that can accommodate boats up to 55 feet in length. Amenities include lighted tennis courts, more than five miles of winding hardtop surface for walking, jogging and biking, and a large clubhouse with a ballroom, card and meeting rooms, exercise room and community pool.
   
6. Stillwater on the Bay. A gated, waterfront community on Siesta Key, Stillwater offers six homesites, four with bay views, and boat docks with lifts.
   
7. Waterlefe Golf and River Club. Waterlefe is set on 622 acres on the Manatee River. Amenities include 18 holes of championship golf designed by Ted McAnlis, a clubhouse, fitness center, dining, nature trails and boardwalks, canoeing, a 59-slip marina on the Manatee River leading to the Gulf of Mexico, and 160 private backyard docks. The Pointe family-gathering area features Wade's Wilderness Playground, picnic areas and a lookout tower.

For a Good Time Call ...or Click

Top 10 fun things to do in the Sarasota - Lakewood Ranch area
1. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34243 #941-359-5700 Website
This treat for the senses includes the amazing Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, with 21 galleries of internationally known European, American and Asian art; the Venetian-Gothic Cà d?Zan mansion overlooking Sarasota Bay, winter home of John and Mable Ringling; the historic 66-acre grounds and gardens, two Circus Museums including the Tibbals Learning Center and the Historic Asolo Theater.
2.Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 S. Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-366-5731 Website
Explore the world's most spectacular display of rare orchids, bromeliads and tropical plants in this 9.5-acre oasis on the shores of Sarasota Bay. Gifts, plants and books at the Garden Shop and the Banyan Treasures store in the historic Selby House. Café on premises, poison dart frog exhibit, free-range butterfly garden and ever-changing botanical art and photography exhibits. Group rates for 20 or more. Allow two hours viewing time.
3.Mote Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., City Island Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-388-4441 #800-691-MOTE Website
Explore the secrets of the sea from the smallest critters to top predators. Both entertaining and educational, this unique attraction showcases Florida's fascinating marine life and the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. Viewable, working laboratories offer a rare glimpse of marine science as it's unfolding. Exhibits include a shark habitat, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits, stingray touch pool and interactive HD theater. Open 365 days a year 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4.G.WIZ - The Hands-On Science Museum
1001 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-309-4949 Website
Discover the cool side of science with 85 hands-on exhibits the whole family can explore together.
5.LeBarge Tropical Cruises
Highway 41 at Marina Plaza (downtown)Sarasota, FL 34236 #941-366-6116 Website
Enjoy a narrated Sightseeing Cruise combining Sarasota?s abundant wildlife, a bit of history and spectacular shoreline homes or a Dolphin Watch cruise narrated by a marine biologist. Sunset Cruise featuring live entertainment, dancing and a fabulous gulf sunset. Two full cash bars and a light menu available. Reservations recommended.
6.Red Barn Flea Market
1707 First St. E.Bradenton, FL 34208 #941-747-3794 #800-274-FLEA Website
One of Florida's most popular and progressive flea markets. Now with 80,000+ sq ft of air conditioning. 600+ unique retail shops and flea market-style booths. Enjoy family fun, bargain hunting, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, fresh produce, souvenir shopping and a great variety of delicious foods. Watch our Web site for exciting events; our Birthday Bash and antique appraiser in the summer. Free roaming peacocks live in oak filled site. Free admission, parking.
7.Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Rd. Sarasota, FL 34234 #941-355-5305 #877-861-6547 Website
Have you ever seen a cockatoo ride a bicycle atop a high wire? The area's only zoological garden, this wild jungle is a natural paradise with more than 75 species of animals, birds, reptiles and thousands of exotic and native plants. Within ten acres of winding jungle trails and interactive show arenas, visitors can pose with a parrot, hand feed a flamingo and come face-to-face with alligators and crocodiles. Stop off at the Flamingo Cafe for refreshments and hit the trails again.
8.Circus Sarasota
8251 - 15th St. E. Sarasota, FL 34243 #941-355-9335 Website
Known as the "Circus Capital of the World," Sarasota is home to an amazing one-ring, five-star international circus. The Sarasota Herald Tribune calls the show "impressive - sends your mind soaring!" Join the thousands of people who have witnessed the magic of Circus Sarasota. International circus stars will amaze and astound you. Affordable family entertainment at its best.
9.St. Armands Circle
300 Madison Drive, Suite #201 St. Armands Circle, FL 34236 Web Site
St. Armands Circle is an enchanting circle of fine shops and gourmet restaurants. There are more than 150 stores located on this renowed Key and you can spend the day exploring the shops and relaxing in the restaurants. St. Armands Circle is located on St. Armands Key - just south of Longboat Key and west of Sarasota.
10.Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce 5118 Ocean Boulevard Siesta Key, FL 34242 #866-831-7778
There's always something to do at Siesta Key Beach, and it's within easy walking distance of the many shops and restaurants in Siesta Village. Come to enjoy the day or evening, and be sure to stop by the “Drum Circle” on Sunday evening, a theatrical feast for the eyes and ears as sunset falls on another perfect Siesta Key day.