Nov. 2, 2007 - Longboat Key

Longboat Key, Florida

Longboat Key is such a special place. It's a place where you'll go to get away from the hustle-bustle of city life. Away from your job, your worries, your kids. Longboat Key is a quiet, island retreat that will make you feel as though you've entered a different world. A world where life slows down, where your mind becomes clearer and your thoughts turn inward and make you reflect on the true meaning of your life.

Yes, Longboat Key is just that kind of place. White sandy beaches, sea oats, sunny skies and beautiful flora and fauna all grace this tropical island just north of Sarasota.

And once you're settled in and you've soaked up some warm, healing sun, you'll want to dine at one of Longboat Key's many fine restaurants.

Euphemia Haye, Harry's Continental Kitchens, Mattison's Steakhouse at the Plaza

The next day, you might decide to go to the Longboat Key Center for the Arts. The art center was established in 1952 and offers classes for young and old alike as well as gallery exhibits and concerts.

Then, you may want to stroll through the Joan Durante Community Park and enjoy the natural surroundings and beauty of the preserved wetlands.

If you need pampering, your membership in the Longboat Key Club will lavish you with their treatments. They have 12 private rooms where you can get a full menu of facials, massage treatments, manicure/pedicure and aromatherapies.

In addition to the Island House SPA, as a member in the Longboat Key Club, you have these other special priveledges:

• 45 holes of championship golf
• PGA certified teaching professionals available for lessons and clinics
• Two driving ranges providing complimentary range balls
• Two golf pro shops offering a full range of equipment and apparel
• 38 Har-Tru tennis courts
• U.S.T.P.A. resident pros offering private lessons and daily strokes and strategies clinics
• Four restaurants from casual to elegant for your dining pleasure
• Private pristine Beach and Pool with complimentary cabanas, umbrellas and towels provided by beach service staff
• Fitness Centre (use included in each level of Membership):
  • Open 7 days a week
  • Weight training
  • Fitness programs
  • Personal trainers for individualized training programs

After a day at the Resort, you might just want to stay in your condo, enjoy a glass of wine and have dinner at home. The Longboat Key Market has a beautiful selection of gourmet foods

Or, you can stop at Publix in the Avenue of the Flowers and get anything you need.

One of my favorite places for lunch on Longboat Key is the Dry Dock Grille. There you can dine outside or inside and have beautiful vistas of the bay. The food is great!

Feel like shopping? Hop in your car and take a ride down to St. Armands Circle, where you'll find everything you need to satisfy all your shopping cravings from designer shoes and handbags, to furniture and accesories for your home.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Kilwin's Chocolate and Ice Cream or head on over to Tommy Bahamas and have a Mojito! You may even want to take a stroll over to Lido Beach and watch the sunset.

So, there you have it. Everything you wanted to know about the Longboat Key area. Here's a map: