The Peacock Villa Guidebook
Neighborhood Restaurants (Walkable)
These are the restaurants in which you can walk or bike to from the villa.
Fabulous outdoor seating by the Sarasota Bay nestled amongst the trees, just a short walk from the house. Watch the boats and enjoy a delicious meal. Try fish tacos they are delicious!
88 locals recommend
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant
760 Broadway StFabulous outdoor seating by the Sarasota Bay nestled amongst the trees, just a short walk from the house. Watch the boats and enjoy a delicious meal. Try fish tacos they are delicious!
Beautiful upscale restaurant on the Sarasota Bay located a short walk from the house.
65 locals recommend
Shore Longboat Key
800 Broadway StBeautiful upscale restaurant on the Sarasota Bay located a short walk from the house.
Fun restaurant located on the corner of Broadway and the Gulf of Mexico Drive, directly across the street from the Whitney beach public parking/access. This restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating along with some outdoor lounge space. This restaurant is a short walk from the house. Fun Fact: The building was previously a gas station.
21 locals recommend
Whitney's
6990 Gulf of Mexico DrFun restaurant located on the corner of Broadway and the Gulf of Mexico Drive, directly across the street from the Whitney beach public parking/access. This restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating along with some outdoor lounge space. This restaurant is a short walk from the house. Fun Fact: The building was previously a gas station.
This is a small diner style breakfast and lunch spot. It’s a causal seat yourself place with a few indoor booths or tables outside in the back over looking the canal. Sit outside by the canal to listen to the birds, watch the kayakers go by, or fish jumping out of the water. This is a slightly longer walk from the house, but is walkable.
16 locals recommend
Longbeach Cafe
6836 Gulf of Mexico DrThis is a small diner style breakfast and lunch spot. It’s a causal seat yourself place with a few indoor booths or tables outside in the back over looking the canal. Sit outside by the canal to listen to the birds, watch the kayakers go by, or fish jumping out of the water. This is a slightly longer walk from the house, but is walkable.
Beaches
Recommended beaches on Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, and Bradenton/Sarasota areas.
Whitney Beach is the closest beach to the villa, located directly across from the neighborhood entrance. The sand is perfectly white and so very soft. It’s a quieter beach than others with fewer people and great shelling. Head to the beach after a storm for the best shells. And the sunsets are spectacular. My absolute favorite beach for sunsets!
9 locals recommend
Whitney Beach
8240 FL-789Whitney Beach is the closest beach to the villa, located directly across from the neighborhood entrance. The sand is perfectly white and so very soft. It’s a quieter beach than others with fewer people and great shelling. Head to the beach after a storm for the best shells. And the sunsets are spectacular. My absolute favorite beach for sunsets!
Cortez Beach is located on the southern end of Anna Maria Island just over the bridge connecting Longboat Key and Anna Maria Islands. The villa is located in the Historic Longbeach Village neighborhood on the northern tip of LBK just before you reach the bridge and this beach. This beach is beautiful, but does get crowded especially on weekends and holidays. There are lifeguards, restrooms, showers, a restaurant, and playground at this beach.
22 locals recommend
Cortez Beach
698 Gulf Dr SCortez Beach is located on the southern end of Anna Maria Island just over the bridge connecting Longboat Key and Anna Maria Islands. The villa is located in the Historic Longbeach Village neighborhood on the northern tip of LBK just before you reach the bridge and this beach. This beach is beautiful, but does get crowded especially on weekends and holidays. There are lifeguards, restrooms, showers, a restaurant, and playground at this beach.
Located a short walk from St. Armands Circle. Grab an ice cream at Kilwin’s in the circle and enjoy it on the beach. Lovely sunsets and white sand.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLocated a short walk from St. Armands Circle. Grab an ice cream at Kilwin’s in the circle and enjoy it on the beach. Lovely sunsets and white sand.
Famous for its super soft white quartz sand. It hosts the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International San Sculpture Festival yearly in early to mid-November. A must see if visiting in November.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
Famous for its super soft white quartz sand. It hosts the Siesta Key Crystal Classic International San Sculpture Festival yearly in early to mid-November. A must see if visiting in November.
Sightseeing
Exit out of the neighborhood and take a left. Drive south on the Gulf of Mexico Drive to St. Armands Circle. It is located on the southern end of LBK, a large distinctive looking shopping center with lots of wonderful restaurant choices, shopping, Starbucks, and the Wyland Gallery. It is also connected to Lido Beach.
297 locals recommend
Saint Armands Circle
Saint Armands CircleExit out of the neighborhood and take a left. Drive south on the Gulf of Mexico Drive to St. Armands Circle. It is located on the southern end of LBK, a large distinctive looking shopping center with lots of wonderful restaurant choices, shopping, Starbucks, and the Wyland Gallery. It is also connected to Lido Beach.
This is a wonderful aquarium located on the south end of Longboat Key just before you reach St. Armands Circle. Perfect for families with children. They also offer exploration boat tours on the Sarasota Bay. I recommend calling in the morning to book your afternoon or evening boat tour. Pricing for the boat tour is separate from aquarium admission.
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyThis is a wonderful aquarium located on the south end of Longboat Key just before you reach St. Armands Circle. Perfect for families with children. They also offer exploration boat tours on the Sarasota Bay. I recommend calling in the morning to book your afternoon or evening boat tour. Pricing for the boat tour is separate from aquarium admission.
Gorgeous gardens in the downtown Sarasota area. Features a large treehouse with waterfalls and rope bridges perfect for families with kids to explore. I also recommend the greenhouse which often features orchids.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StGorgeous gardens in the downtown Sarasota area. Features a large treehouse with waterfalls and rope bridges perfect for families with kids to explore. I also recommend the greenhouse which often features orchids.
Stunning architecture, grounds, and collections. This location includes Ca' d'Zan (previous summer home for John & Mable Ringling), and the Circus museum. There is also a nice restaurant near the admissions area with indoor and outdoor seating — a great spot for lunch. Children will enjoy strolling the gardens and playing on the playground with giant slide!
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdStunning architecture, grounds, and collections. This location includes Ca' d'Zan (previous summer home for John & Mable Ringling), and the Circus museum. There is also a nice restaurant near the admissions area with indoor and outdoor seating — a great spot for lunch. Children will enjoy strolling the gardens and playing on the playground with giant slide!
This is a must visit for families with children. It is a very whimsical garden playground/playscape for kids featuring colorful tires to climb, sculptures, oversized chairs, treehouses, bamboo rainforest with misters, pirate ship, mazes are so much more.
The Children's Garden
1575 Goliad RdThis is a must visit for families with children. It is a very whimsical garden playground/playscape for kids featuring colorful tires to climb, sculptures, oversized chairs, treehouses, bamboo rainforest with misters, pirate ship, mazes are so much more.
Ca' d'Zan is a Venetian Gothic revival residence in Sarasota, Florida, adjacent to the Sarasota Bay. The residence was the winter home of the American circus owner, developer and art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable.
Tours the home and grounds are available.
87 locals recommend
Ca d'Zan
5401 Bay Shore RdCa' d'Zan is a Venetian Gothic revival residence in Sarasota, Florida, adjacent to the Sarasota Bay. The residence was the winter home of the American circus owner, developer and art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable.
Tours the home and grounds are available.
Do you love classic or unique cars? This is the place for you. They have a long term collection and also a garage area where the cars change frequently depending on what they are repairing. There is also a store next door in which you can purchase classic cars. This place is suitable for children.
60 locals recommend
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
5500 N Tamiami TrailDo you love classic or unique cars? This is the place for you. They have a long term collection and also a garage area where the cars change frequently depending on what they are repairing. There is also a store next door in which you can purchase classic cars. This place is suitable for children.
This place reminds me of old Florida. Lots of walking paths amongst lush greenery. Feed the flamingos and turtles or watch one of the small animal shows. There is also a petting area.
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdThis place reminds me of old Florida. Lots of walking paths amongst lush greenery. Feed the flamingos and turtles or watch one of the small animal shows. There is also a petting area.
A nice park with a cute playground located on the Sarasota Bay. Grass areas are great for frisbee.
7 locals recommend
Bayfront Park Recreation Center
4052 Gulf of Mexico DrA nice park with a cute playground located on the Sarasota Bay. Grass areas are great for frisbee.
Waterfront green space with a promenade, playground, tiki bar & dramatic views of the bay & city.
5 Bayfront Dr
5 Bayfront DriveWaterfront green space with a promenade, playground, tiki bar & dramatic views of the bay & city.
Restaurants (Not Walking Distance)
I adore this small crepe restaurant on the Bradenton Beach Pier. It is authentic! Try the Sweet & Sour Crepe with bacon and add maple syrup! Yum!
11 locals recommend
Island Creperie
127 Bridge StI adore this small crepe restaurant on the Bradenton Beach Pier. It is authentic! Try the Sweet & Sour Crepe with bacon and add maple syrup! Yum!
A fun restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating and live music. Located on St. Armands Circle.
24 locals recommend
Cha Cha Coconuts
417 St Armands CirA fun restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating and live music. Located on St. Armands Circle.
This tasty restaurant features authentic Columbian dishes. Located in St. Armands Circle.
118 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
411 St Armands CirThis tasty restaurant features authentic Columbian dishes. Located in St. Armands Circle.
City/town information
Sarasota is a very artsy town. Home to Ringling College of Art & Design, the downtown area features unique architecture, sculptures, and murals.
221 locals recommend
Sarasota
Sarasota is a very artsy town. Home to Ringling College of Art & Design, the downtown area features unique architecture, sculptures, and murals.
Grocery/Pharmacies
This is the closest grocery store to the villa, located south on the Gulf of Mexico Drive. There is a CVS in this shopping center as well.
40 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Shoppes of Bay Isles
525 Bay Isles PkwyThis is the closest grocery store to the villa, located south on the Gulf of Mexico Drive. There is a CVS in this shopping center as well.
Activities
You can walk to this kayak and SUP rental shop. It’s located on the canal in the same shopping center as the Longbeach Cafe.
21 locals recommend
Kayak Jacks Paddlesports Kayak & SUP Rentals Anna Maria Island Longboat Key Robinson Preserve
5501 Marina DrYou can walk to this kayak and SUP rental shop. It’s located on the canal in the same shopping center as the Longbeach Cafe.
Book a sailing trip with Catherine and her husband Kurt. They live in the neighborhood and the boat departs from the neighborhood docks. Beautiful sunset tours available. Booking in advance is required. Phone: (941) 893-9590
Catherine's Florida Charters
700 Broadway StBook a sailing trip with Catherine and her husband Kurt. They live in the neighborhood and the boat departs from the neighborhood docks. Beautiful sunset tours available. Booking in advance is required. Phone: (941) 893-9590
Take a fun dolphin boat tour! You can also occasionally see them in the Sarasota Bay right from the neighborhood docks. Best time to see them is in the late afternoon/early evening. Call Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours for more information. Phone: (941) 281-3461
374 locals recommend
Anna Maria Island Chamber
5313 Gulf DrTake a fun dolphin boat tour! You can also occasionally see them in the Sarasota Bay right from the neighborhood docks. Best time to see them is in the late afternoon/early evening. Call Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours for more information. Phone: (941) 281-3461