Livin' Longboat's la Vida Loca

Come and "live la Vida Loca" on Longboat Key, Florida! While the phrase does mean "livin' the crazy life," it can also mean letting yourself go and livin' the good life. A crazy good life can be found year-round on LBK. The town is accessed on the south end by New Pass Bridge, a drawbridge that connects LBK to Lido Key and St Armand's Circle (see article at xxx link xxx for more on St. Armand's.)

Starting from the south end, Gulf of Mexico Drive is the "main drag" that runs the entire 11 mile length of this picturesque barrier island. Cruise past landmarks such as Mote Marine Laboratory, Ken Thompson Park, the New Pass Pier, golf courses, condominiums, the historic Sarasota Sailing Squadron, numerous marinas and beautiful island neighborhoods and resorts.

Some noteworthy destinations are nestled just north of St. Armand's Circle on Ken Thompson Parkway. Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. All you budding marine scientists need to reserve your seat on a Sarasota Bay Explorers boat, the tour company that operates out of Mote Aquarium. Offering a variety of eco-boat tours, yours can even include a marine biologist to help identify the sea life that is pulled from the bay in your trawl net; puffer fish? stone crab? sea horse? Crazy! Livin' la vida loca, remember?

After all that seafood, check out the view from the New Pass Grill and Bait Shop. Since 1929, they figure they've sold about one million delicious "New Pass Burgers." Crazy! Help them increase that number.

Any sailors here? The casual Sarasota Sailing Squadron, also on Ken Thompson Parkway, was founded as a nonprofit organization by Sarasota residents. The Squadron grew out of the youth sailing program of the Sarasota Yacht Club in the late 1930s. The Squadron plays host to numerous national and international sailing competitions - check it out. What a view! Crazy.

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