What do I love about Lido Key? My short answer is everything.

The Ringling Bridge and Bird Key

I love the location, just across the bridge from downtown Sarasota and the Sarasota Bayfront. The bridge I’m talking about is the famous John Ringling Bridge, which is absolutely beautiful and usually packed with people out for a very scenic walk.

Just across the bridge, you’ll first see Bird Key on the left, a big neighborhood of about 400 acres full of celebrities, CEOs and rock stars. It’s kind of old school, but then everything in Sarasota is. Beautiful waterfront homes and the Bird Key Yacht Club.

South Lido Beach

Just past Bird Key is Lido Key, probably my favorite area on the whole west coast of Florida. My favorite beach is South Lido Park, which sits on the north side of Big Pass and has pure white sand and beautiful blue water. Great parking, new restrooms, and I really enjoy that the picnic tables are under the trees, so you can sit in the shade between trips to the sand and the water. Beautiful area, beautiful beach, beautiful water. What else could you ask for?

St. Armands Circle

Lido Key is home to world-famous St. Armands Circle, packed with restaurants, art galleries, pizza, ice cream, anything and everything. That makes for a great trip. The Circle hosts festivals and activities throughout the year, like car shows and barbecue festivals, and it’s always decorated beautifully for Christmas. It’s just a fun place to go. I spent many Sunday afternoons there walking the Circle while my daughter was growing up.

Homes on Lido Key

Lido Key is packed with wonderful estate homes, gorgeous high-rise luxury condominiums, and beachy, more price-friendly condos of about 1,200 square feet.

Mote Aquarium, Birds and Fishing

You’ll also find Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, famous for its shark research and a fun trip for friends and family, next to the bird sanctuary, which is also worth a visit. There’s great fishing at South Lido Park and on the north side of Lido Key, where you’ll find public fishing docks and you’re fishing right in New Pass, again with beautiful blue water.

Lido Key sits on the south side of New Pass. Cross that bridge and you’re on Longboat Key, but that’s a whole other adventure.