SARASOTA

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• RED BARN FLEA MARKET & PLAZA read more ›
  (1707 1st St E, Bradenton. Tel. 941-747-3794)
  www.redbarnfleamarket.com
  Looking for a rhododendron, a lawnmower blade sharpener, an Australian hat and the perfect antique engagement ring? There are few places other than this spot where you could fi nd all of them.
• SHORE read more ›
  (465 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. Tel. 941-388-3535)
  shorebrand.com
  This upscale surf shop has brought cool beachwear out of the juniors section. You’ll fi nd bathing suits ranging from Roxy to Juicy Couture, high-end denim and stylish and sophisticated beach bags.
• A GOOD YARN read more ›
  (7668 S Tamiami Tr. Tel. 941-487-7914)
  agoodyarnsarasota.com
  Accomplished knitters will fi nd everything they need to start a new project here. And with dozens of classes, you can learn to make anything from socks to Bella’s massive knit gloves from the movie Twilight.

• SOUTH FLORIDA MUSEUM AND BISHOP PLANETARIUM read more ›
  (201 10th St W, Bradenton. Tel. 941-746-4131)
  www.southfloridamuseum.org
  Bradenton’s downtown museum is home to digital fl icks about space exploration, gigantic woolly mammoth skeletons and Snooty, the world’s most famous manatee. It’s like getting three museums in one fun package.
• BALTIMORE ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING read more ›
  (2700 12th St, Sarasota. Tel. 941-954-4101)
  baltimoreorioles.com
  Kick off baseball season early as the Orioles take the fi eld for the fi rst time in Sarasota. They’ll be playing at an open-air venue that takes full advantage of the gorgeous March weather. Games through April 3.
• DESOTO NATIONAL MEMORIAL read more ›
  (75th St NW, Bradenton. Tel. 941-792-0458)
  nps.gov/deso
  In 1539, Hernando de Soto became the fi rst offi cial tourist to visit much of the Sarasota/ Bradenton area (without the benefi ts of sunscreen or bug spray). Catch a reenactment of his fi rst steps in Florida at the memorial’s living history museum, Camp Uzita.

• LE MACARON read more ›
  (382 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota. Tel. 941-552-8874)
  lemacaron-us.com
  There may be rows of fresh madeleines and handmade truffl es at this shop, but what you really want are the delicate, pastel macarons— classic meringue-based French pastries— which pair perfectly with a cafe au lait. $
• FIRST STREET CHOP HOUSE read more ›
  (1296 First St, Sarasota. Tel. 941-554-4375)
  fi rststreetchophouse.com
  While this steakhouse bucks the a la carte trend by serving delicious beef with sides and salad included, the biggest draw is still the location. Set in an ivy-draped building next to the Sarasota Opera House, is has a cozy upstairs lounge and secluded courtyard. $$

• COCK & BULL PUB read more ›
  (975 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota. Tel. 941-341-9785)
  www.the-cock-n-bull.com
  Claiming to offer the biggest brew selection in all of Florida, this beer bar is known for its meticulousness. Your selection will be served in the right glass and at the proper temperature. It also hosts concerts in its massive backyard.

• CALUSA NATURE CENTER & PLANETARIUM read more ›
  (& PLANETARIUM 86 miles southeast of Sarasota-Bradenton 3450 Ortiz Ave, Ft. Myers. Tel. 239-275-3435)
  calusanature.com
  At this 105-acre park with a planetarium and theater, you can get up close to a bobcat and walk through wetlands, then relax in the air conditioning while learning about astronomy.

This month...

Fun Fact!
The South Creek Dam at Oscar Scherer State Park (south of Sarasota) creates two ecosystems. Saltwater fi sh swim below the dam; freshwater fi sh live above it.