Things to Do – Page 2 – Riviera Dunes Marina

South Florida Kayak Fishing Spots

03/18/202203/18/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

SOUTH FLORIDA: ARE YOU FISHING FOR NEW KAYAK SPOTS? We all agree that fishing is fun and highly relaxing, like Kayaking. Summertime is fast approaching. Get your kayak and fishing gear ready, here are some great spots to go for a good time and even better kayak fishing. Located in the northern-most city in Palm Beach County, Jupiter brings you Loxahatchee River. Try not to get lost in the beautiful scenery it offers, (or perhaps do try). The slow flowing river makes it a perfect destination for laid-back fishing. The river remains one of the waters with wild ecosystems. It offers a mixture of fresh and saltwater fishes that allows catching different species of fish. You can get lucky and catch largemouth bass, common snook, and more! Florida is dubbed as the fishing capital of the world. Visiting Lake Okeechobee is something that you would need on your kayak bucket list, hands down. The river covers an enormous space of 730 square miles. It...

5 Waterfront Restaurants Around Bradenton

03/04/202203/04/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Is there anything better than enjoying a wonderful meal outside near the water? There are numerous restaurants in the Bradenton area with delicious bites and beautiful water views. Here are some of our local favorites: Riviera Dunes Dockside Social Bar and Grill 102 Riviera Dunes Way, Palmetto; 941-304-3689; rivieradunesdockside.com Of course we have to start with our closest outdoor eatery, the Riviera Dunes Dockside Social Bar and Grill! Overlooking our marina, the restaurant offers ample patio seating and an outdoor bar. Enjoy live music and daily happy hour specials as well as brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 - 3PM. Caddy’s801 Riverside Drive E., Bradenton; 941-708-3777; caddys.com Caddy’s in Bradenton is a tropical paradise perfect for the whole family. Enjoy lawn games, beach volleyball courts, firepits, and live music. The menu features beachy American eats and there’s truly something for everyone. Those craving seafood can enjoy the Grouper Reuben or Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna. They also have various salads, burgers, and delicious shareable appetizers. Riverhouse...

Cortez Fishing Festival Returns February 19-20

02/17/202202/17/2022 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

The Cortez Fishing Festival will be returning for its 40th annual event this weekend, February 19-20. The festival is held in the small fishing village of Cortez and aims to celebrate the region’s history and those who work hard to supply fresh local seafood. Tickets are $5 per person and children 12 and under may attend for free. The event was first held in 1981 as a 1-day festival and drew 500 people to celebrate Florida’s commercial seafood industry. The festival has since grown into a 2-day event and hosts nearly 20,000 people each year. Walking around Cortez is like stepping back in time and visitors can enjoy the charm of the small cottages and friendly locals. Organized by the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage (FISH), the festival will include live music, arts and crafts, seafood, and much more throughout the weekend. The University of Florida is hosting educational “dock talks” and the public is welcome to explore local fishing boats and...

Seashell Season in Sarasota: Part 1

09/24/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Seashell Season in Sarasota: Part 1 There’s no end of amazing discoveries to be made in Sunny Sarasota! Are you looking for some of the best shelling spots in Sarasota? Keep reading to find your unique vacation souvenir! One of my most treasured memories as a child was diving for sand dollars in Sarasota! Every evening, my siblings and I would run down to the beach and scatter everywhere, searching for the best shell to bring in. The crowning jewel of these shells was the sand dollar. I had many unforgettable memories, diving under the tropical waters for hours, all for the famed sand dollar. I never did find one of my own! My older sister had a knack for it - everytime she dove under, she would come up with another pristine sand dollar. Of all my childhood memories, shell searching in Sarasota was my favorite pastime. Seashells are some of the oldest inhabitants of the earth, and a prized treasure! While...

Vacation Savings: Sarasota Big Pass

09/09/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Vacation Savings: Sarasota Big Pass Are you preparing for your Sarasota vacation this September and looking for the hottest deals? Consider purchasing a Sarasota Big Pass for the best vacation yet! See below all of the ways you can use your Sarasota Big Pass to explore this season. What you need to know about the Sarasota Big Pass: The Sarasota Big Pass offers many opportunities for more fun on your vacation this fall! A limited-time deal, this pass has three different categories to explore Sarasota with: Buy One Get One Free! 25% Off $5 Discounts See the Sarasota Big Pass site here for more information about deals around Sarasota! Sarasota Big Pass: BIG savings on your vacation! This limited-time discount program is able to be used at participating local Sarasota businesses. Your pass is good for one discount per person, per transaction - and here’s the best part: you can redeem your deals as many times as you’d like! Found a favorite restaurant or local fun spot? With the...

Sarasota’s Best Vegan Dining

08/27/201901/07/2021 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Sarasota’s Best Vegan Dining Sarasota has endless adventures in store for all! Were you looking for vegan-friendly places to dine on your vacation? Complete your Sarasota itinerary at some of these fantastic vegan restaurants below! Lemon Tree Kitchen Located in Downtown Sarasota, you will find Lemon Tree Kitchen, a spot where you can grab a delicious bite no matter your diet. Featuring many different small dishes, such as raw Pad Thai Spring Rolls, Vegan Tartare, and Wood-Grilled Cauliflower Steak, this little slice of heaven will leave you craving more! Lila Lila’s motto is all about eating clean! Most of their menu items are vegan or vegetarian. They are so dedicated to their food, they’ve taken precautions to ensure any meals with animal products are made on a different surface than the vegan dishes. Be sure to check out their daily specials! Shore Stop by Shore for unforgettable food in a relaxing atmosphere. You can choose either indoor or outdoor dining for a full tropical experience. While they...

Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 3

08/19/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Fine Art The RinglingThis 66-acre waterfront paradise is the heart of Sarasota culture. Originally the estate of John and Mable Ringling, The Ringling art museum is a spectacular sight that can’t be missed! Regardless of your art preference, there’s something for all at The Ringling. From timeless art collections to contemporary work, gorgeous gardens, historic tours and more, The Ringling is a must-see on your Sarasota vacation! Ringling College of Art + DesignHave you been looking for budget-friendly activities to complete your vacation checklist? Just south of The Ringling, you will find the Ringling College of Art and Design, a creative corner for developing artists. The campus features galleries that include the student work as well as professional artists around the globe - free of charge! View the raw artistic beauty that...

Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 2

08/08/201908/08/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 2Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Night on the town: dance performancesSarasota BalletIf you were searching for an unforgettable performance, Sarasota Ballet is the place to go! Sarasota Ballet stands apart for being the only professional ballet company on the Gulf Coast. But that’s not all! Revered by The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, this breathtaking ballet features some of the most famous choreographers across the globe.Sarasota Cuban Ballet SchoolSarasota Ballet has a great influence over Florida culture! Next up is Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, who’s roots formed from Sarasota Ballet. Created by two former Sarasota Ballet dancers, this is a unique experience. Their focus is teaching Cuban style, known for strength, devotion, and poise. Many of their students continue their dancing careers at major...

Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 1

07/30/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Explore Sarasota’s Art Culture: Part 1Sarasota is well known as Florida’s Cultural Coast, due to the plethora of live shows, art galleries, and more. Explore Sarasota’s art community at one of the many beach retreats below! Live PerformancesTheatre ShowsAsolo Repertory TheatreSarasota is home to some of the best theater spots in Florida! Located next to The Ringling, The Asolo Repertory Theatre is known around town for the creative and inspiring shows. One of the largest nonprofits in the county, this theater has been a starting point for many famous Broadway actors. Florida Studio TheatreLocated in the middle of downtown Sarasota, Florida Studio Theatre is a local favorite contemporary theater. Featuring five different stages, this theater offers a unique combination of shows to enjoy, from improv comedies to brilliant musicals. There’s a show for everyone to enjoy here! Westcoast Black Theatre TroupeLocated a few blocks from downtown, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is one of the only two professional black theater companies in Florida....

Sarasota Memories: How to Take The Perfect Family Portrait

07/20/2019 by Scott Le Roy Comment Closed

Sarasota Memories: How to Take The Perfect Family PortraitIf you’ve been searching for tips on how to get the perfect family picture without a professional, look no further! See below for some photography tips to help you get that album-worthy family photo. Timing is Key!Finding the right timing for your family photo is the key for getting the best shot. Sarasota beaches have some of the most pristine sunsets in Florida; but that’s not when you want to take your family portrait. The best time to shoot? The “golden hour” is what you want to aim for; about 45 minutes after sunrise or prior to sunset. There is a very slim window of time when the light will be ideal, so be ready! Location, location, location!Location is another key factor you will want to include in your family photo. A unique location in your background that has a special memory associated with it can make the entire shot! Not sure where to...