charming Lido Key-If You Haven't Visited St. Armands Circle in Florida, You Haven't Experienced...

If You Haven't Visited St. Armands Circle in Florida, You Haven't Experienced True Florida Charm

Charming Lido Key
St. Armands Circle is indeed considered one of the most charming destinations in Florida. Located on Lido Key in Sarasota, it's renowned for its upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment options set amidst a beautiful and picturesque setting. The area features European-inspired architecture, lush landscaping, and a vibrant atmosphere that attracts visitors from near and far. With its unique boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants, St. Armands Circle offers a delightful experience for both locals and tourists, making it a must-visit destination in Florida.
Lido Key is a barrier island located off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. It's known for its beautiful beaches, upscale resorts, and recreational activities. Lido Key is connected to the mainland by bridges and is part of the city of Sarasota. The island offers visitors opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, boating, and fishing, making it a popular destination for both tourists and residents alike.
St. Armands Circle is home to some interesting history. Home to more than 140 upscale boutiques, award-winning restaurants, posh art galleries, and more in an open-air European-inspired setting, St. Armands Circle is said to be the jewel of Sarasota.
St. Armands Circle History
St. Armands Circle began as a dream of John and Mable Ringling, the circus magnates who made Sarasota their winter home in the early 20th century. The vision was for an upscale residential and shopping district that could serve as a commercial hub for the well-heeled visitors and residents of the area. The Ringlings transported all the building materials for the original planned community via a paddle-wheel steamboat called “Success,” then had a bridge built to connect St. Armands Key and Bird Key to the Sarasota mainland in 1926.
Today, St. Armands Circle continues the Ringlings’ vision as a premier destination for arts, dining, shopping, and recreation. With over 130 stores and restaurants located within walking distance of each other on the Circle, St. Armands has retained its exclusive Old-World charm since opening to the world.
Circle Park and the surrounding pedestrian promenades feature many of the Ringlings’ original statues, which were carefully restored in 2008 after a grassroots campaign sought to return them to their original splendor. Visitors and residents alike have come to revere the Circle for its preservation of Sarasota’s arts and circus history, with a Circus Ring of Fame honoring over 150 of the most influential performers and executives who helped produce the Greatest Show on Earth.
Located a short walk from the crystal blue waters of Lido Beach—another historic area noted for its exemplary Mid-Century Modern architecture—St. Armands Circle truly is the embodiment of the upscale, tropical lifestyle that has defined the region for nearly 100 years.