Perfect Beaches, Mid-Century Charm: Is This Florida’s Best Kept Secret?
Little known fact: Sarasota, Florida is home to some of the country’s finest examples of mid-century modern architecture. You might not notice it at first—it’s not well-publicized, and often the buildings are tucked away on side streets or behind lush rows of palms. Still, they’re there, and they’ve been drawing a small but loyal stream of architectural tourists. They come to see Paul Rudolph’s 1953 Umbrella House, with its cubed structure and lemon-yellow door, or Victor Lundy’s 1958 Lutheran Church with its striking, tent-like roof. . . and many more.
It’s fun to drive around, searching out these gems. It feels a bit like a scavenger hunt, where each clean-lined discovery is better than the next. It gives you the sense that there's a lot to explore in this Gulf Coast town, a lot more then you may have of heard—if you’ve heard anything at all.
But if you haven’t heard much about Sarasota, you likely will soon. Not only is the city the 10th-fastest growing in the country, but its beaches are regularly listed among the nation’s best. Combine that with a charming downtown, a thriving food scene, an ever-growing list of cultural attractions (like the Sarasota Museum of Art and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens), and it’s no wonder this laid-back beach town is becoming a warm weather travel destination for arts lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Where to Eat
At Shore, a Miami-esque rooftop restaurant in Armand’s Circle, the decor is decidedly sleeker and the vibe is decidedly more sophisticated. The airy dining room is outfitted with a retractable roof and mid-century furniture in warm-wood hues, while the long central bar has some of the friendliest bartenders in town. Artfully-arranged dishes (like stacked Cobb salad made with lobster and avocado) and barrel aged craft cocktails dominate the menu.
