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St Armands Circle is a feast for the senses...and the power-shopper in you!
Whether it’s day or night St Armands Circle “jumps” and is filled with music, piped in from outside speakers all over the Circle, and wonderful aromas in the open air from the numerous sidewalk cafes and restaurants. "The Circle," as it is affectionately called by locals, is truly a feast for the senses; eyes, nose, ears and heart. With so much to see and do on “The Circle” you’ll have a hard time deciding in which direction to head first. With about 150 stores and shops, what will be your goal; shopping at one of the quaint shops, one of the designer shops, one of the souvenir shops, an art gallery, partaking in a drink, a snack, or a meal at one of the hard to choose from indoor/outdoor gourmet restaurants, cafes or bistros and sandwich shops?
   
The best way to enjoy St. Armands Circle is to just set out on your adventure, unplanned, and let the day or night unfold and lead you where it may! And, if you need to cool your heels while strolling around, there are conveniently placed park benches all around "The Circle’s" sidewalks. 
If your timing is good you may even find, on a weekend, an arts and crafts fair, a custom classic car show or "4th Friday with Style" which features free, live, Smooth Jazz music in St Armands Circle Park, in the middle of The Circle, October through May on the fourth Friday of the month from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
My favorite restaurants to eat at on St Armands Circle: The Columbia Restaurant, Cha Cha Coconuts and upstairs at Tommy Bahamas. But take your pick; there are lots of tasty places to grab a simple snack or a gourmet meal, inside or in an outdoor sidewalk setting.  
Tips for enjoying St Armands Circle: If you’re coming to St Armands in the daytime during the warmer months, May – October, make sure to wear sunscreen, cool clothes, comfortable walking shoes and a hat or sun visor, as our Florida sunshine will toast you on the Circle quite quickly! But you’re never far from someplace to duck into for some cool air conditioning and shade.
To make things convenient for you there is free public parking on St. Armands Circle, off the circle, at Madison Drive and N. Adams Drive (Gold Quadrant) and at S. Adams Drive and Monroe Drive (Aqua Quadrant). (To identify the Color Quadrants look for the color banners on the lamp posts.)
Directions: From Sarasota, take Rt. 41 through the Bay front/downtown area of Sarasota over the John Ringling Bridge (southwest) to "The Circle."
Return from St Armands Circle to Sarasota Florida Attractions page.
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