36 Hours in Lido Key
Are you craving a tropical getaway without overcrowded beaches and partiers? Let me introduce you to Lido Key, a picturesque seaside town in Sarasota suitable for families looking to escape from their busy schedules. If you are passing through town, this travel guide is designed to show you how to best spend your time in Lido Key. If you are staying longer, however, feel free to grab some travel inspiration from this post as well.
How to Spend a Weekend in Lido Key and Sarasota
Head to the Beach
This should be a no-brainer, but you must spend the majority of your day at the beach! The soft sand is so inviting. Enjoy sunbathing with the sound of waves and the occasional buzz of an airplane landing at the Sarasota airport. Bring a book to read on your beach towel to pass the time.
Lido Key Tiki Bar
If you find yourself getting hungry, there is an adorable tiki bar within a short walking distance located on the beach. While there, I ordered two margaritas and some coconut shrimp. The coconut shrimp is not on the actual menu, but they will still make it for you if you ask. It was the perfect beachside snack, leaving me feeling satisfied rather than too full to sport my swimsuit afterward. If you’re not hungry, I suggest at least grabbing a drink here. You can also take the drinks to go so you can enjoy them at your spot on the beach.
Explore St. Armands Circle and Eat at Speaks Clam Bar
After soaking up the sunshine on the beach, you’ll want to head back to your accommodation to get ready for an evening in St. Armands Circle. We opted to walk into the town, which is full of several restaurants and shops. It was not overcrowded by any means. Instead, I found it to be the most adorable little beach town! Pro tip: parking is free on Sundays!
My friend introduced me to Speaks Clam Bar, a tasty restaurant with a great happy hour and mouthwatering seafood. Having never tasted a lobster roll before, I decided this was the time to order it. I was extremely impressed by the taste of this lobster roll. Not only was the lobster itself remarkable, but the bun it was served in was also out-of-this-world. If you’re craving seafood in Sarasota or Lido Key, make sure you check out Speaks Clam Bar.
Take a Morning Bike Ride
If you want to feel like the main character of the neighborhood, make sure to hop on a bike for a morning ride. This is a great way to top off your time in Lido Key and work off the calories you gained from all the seafood you ate. I absolutely loved biking around the cute neighborhoods, gazing at the expensive beach houses.
If you have extra time before you have to leave, I suggest heading out to the beach again. I hope you fall in love with this beach town! Before you know it, you’ll be looking up flight prices just to see when you can return again, even if just to experience another 36 hours in Lido Key.
