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Wicker Inn - Longboat Key Beach Resort - Florida - Accommodations on the beach

Activities Page

There are many reasons why Longboat Key is such an extraordinary place. Among them is the abundance of wildlife, including dolphins, fish and a variety of shorebirds. Others find Longboat Key the perfect place for the perfect romantic getaway or just relaxing. Plus the shopping, casual and elegant dining, entertainment, museums and some of the best fishing around...what's not to love about the special Florida enclave.

We've listed just a few of the many exciting (or relaxing) activates you can find during your stay with us.

ADVENTURE

Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures
www.kayakfl.com

Almost Heaven Kayak Adventures provides a wide range of guided kayak eco tours (Lido Key, Siesta Key, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and around the state of Florida) that will allow you to get closer to nature while experiencing an adventure of a lifetime. Come and explore the natural beauty of Florida and venture through pristine habitats and natural ecosystems. Fully-guided, eco tours are customized for all ages, physical conditions and interests.

The Bayfront Park Recreation Center
www.longboatkey.org/Departments/Rec/rec.htm

The Bayfront Park Recreation Center is a public recreation facility run by the Town of Longboat Key. Its goal is to provide affordable, wholesome recreation for Youth, Adults, and Senior citizens. This includes leisure and recreational sports, organized sports leagues and activities, educational programs, cultural classes and seminars, social functions, and special events for all ages and interests. We constantly strive to add new and quality programs to better serve the community.

Sarasota Bay Explorers
www.sarasotabayexplorers.com

Looking for an exciting, hands-on, educational and FUN experience on the water? We offer several types of eco-tours including our renowned Sea Life Encounter Cruise, Guided Kayak Tours, Nature Safari and private charters aboard the Miss Explorer.

YOLO Parasail
www.parasailflorida.com

Spectacular views of Anna Maria Island and the Gulf Coast as you soar to new heights. Breathtaking takeoffs, water dips when requested, and smooth landings provided by experienced PAPO & USCG licensed captains and crew are designed to provide the optimal experience. Parasailing is fun and safe for the whole family. Children can fly tandem with adults.

EXPLORATION

Durante Park
www.longboatkey.org/Parks/durante.htm

This 32 acre park is located on Sarasota Bay, just across the street from The Wicker Inn.. The site offers a variety of coastal dune habitats. Gravel trails and boardwalks lead through mangrove forests and over salt marsh lagoons.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
www.selby.org
The 9.5-acre bayfront property is an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on over 150 scientific expeditions to tropical rain forests by Selby Gardens research staff. Seven greenhouses are the heart of botanical research and plant identification, for which Selby Gardens is internationally recognized.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
www.mote.org

Explore the secrets of the sea with touch pools, shark, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits and over 100 other species of marine life. Viewable working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory.

Ringling Museum of art
www.ringling.org

The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, VelÃ¡zquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the Museum of Art an awe-inspiring retreat. It is a palace for treasures emulating the footprint of Florence's Uffizi Gallery, echoing its grace and grandeur.

FISHING
Some of the best fishing in the world is found in the waters around Sarasota. From offshore sport fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, to the bays, flats and Intracoastal waterway, there are plenty of fishing charters to take you there. We Recommend:
www.flyingfishfleet.com
www.bassnbaycharters.com

DINING

Within the neighborhood

The Blue Dolphin Cafe
www.bluedolphincafe.com
The Blue Dolphin Cafe is located near the Wicker Inn on Longboat Key. It is an intimate, fun cafe serving great breakfast and lunch daily.

Harry's Continental Kitchens
www.harryskitchen.com

Harry's Continental Kitchens restaurant on Longboat Key, Florida is fine dining at its best. A relaxed atmosphere, lovely tropical dining room, award winning menu and wine list, friendly and expert service combine to make dining at Harry's a satisfying and enjoyable experience. In addition to the restaurant is Harry's famous deli.

Euphemia Haye Restaurant
www.euphemiahaye.com
Within walking distance of Wicker Inn, Euphemia Haye is recognized as one of the region's finest gourmet restaurants. Chef Raymond Arpke, co-owner and cookbook author with his wife, D'Arcy is the culinary inspiration of Euphemia Haye. He integrates classical training, an innovative flair, and a love for fresh foods to provide consistently outstanding, American, global and slow cooked foods. Breads, stocks, sauces, soups, dressings and desserts are homemade on the premises.

Cafe on the Bay
www.cafeonthebay.com
Elegant yet casual, her charm beckons seafarers and landlubbers alike for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will delight in an offering of extraordinary cuisine. Prepared with an "Island Mediterranean Flair."

MarVista
www.groupersandwich.com

MarVista, located on the bayside of North Longboat Key (South of Anna Maria Island) is in the heart of historic Longbeach Village. This Old Florida style restaurant dates back as early as 1912 and is considered one of the twelve oldest surviving structures on Longboat Key.

GOLF

With more than 80 golf courses and nearly a quarter of the residents playing-this is the place for golf. For a complete listing of public and semi-private golf courses in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Ask our Wicker Inn staff for course information.

TENNIS & FITNESS

The Cedars Tennis Club
cedarstennisclub.com

Within walking distance of the Wicker Inn, The Cedars Tennis Club features 10 well maintained Har-Tru courts, a completely stocked Proshop, state of the art fitness facilities and staff who are everything about tennis, the Cedars Tennis and Fitness Club provides an atmosphere of fun, sports and relaxation.