January 2026 Destination Preview

I needed a quick getaway in January.  Something that would be easy on the wallet but not lacking in intrigue or relaxation.  So, I asked myself, what coastal city comes to mind that may have a lot of options during an unpredictable winter month?  One of the first places that came to mind was Sarasota.  Having lived in the Tampa Bay Area for several years, I was familiar with its beauty and heavy focus on the arts.  That means lots of indoor options for art museums, music venues and theater.  I had visited Sarasota several times and seen a few attractions there, but one in particular was on my bucket list that I had yet to accomplish.  I also remembered along the path of getting there was Apollo Beach.  Home to an experience that you can only do in the cooler months.  It was settled.  Apollo Beach, Sarasota and of course, Lido Key Beach was my January destinations.  My trip included the free attractions of The Manatee Viewing Center and The Florida Aquarium’s Conservation Campus in Apollo Beach, along with waterfront dining at Finn’s Dockside Bar & Grill and Circles Restaurant.  As mentioned in my previous post, I stayed at a unique hotel concept in Sarasota called Kompose.  The bucket list attraction that led me back to Sarasota was The Ringling.  It is the legacy of John and Mable Ringling.  An icon of their circus history and love for art and architecture.  We explored the beach areas of Lido Key from City Island in the north all the way down to South Lido Key, but only one beach easily stood out from the rest for me.  And of course, no trip to Sarasota would be complete without a stop at Bayfront Park in Downtown Central Sarasota.  Our dining experiences during our stay included The Green Zebra Café, Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill, Tumeric Indian Bar & Grill, Der Dutchman Amish Family Restaurant and Great Heights Creamery for a sweet treat.  Want to know how each of these experiences fared?  Stay tuned.  Reviews upcoming along with the official launch of my YouTube channel.