LeBarge Tropical Cruises is a long running, Sarasota Bay boat tour company known for its “floating island” experience with real palm trees, tropical music, cocktails, and scenic wildlife viewing.

What it is

LeBarge Tropical Cruises operates from 2 Marina Place, Sarasota, Florida, and has been a Florida landmark for over 30 years. The vessel is designed to look like a tropical island complete with four real palm trees, mermaid decor and relaxed casual atmosphere.

         The AMC Sarasota Square 6 opened in 1983 at 8027 Geneva Road Sarasota.  It was a second 6 screens complex in the Sarasota Square Mall.

     The Sarasota Square Mall opened  in 1977 with a small six screen theater in the mall. In 1983, the AMC built a second six screen in a separate building on the north east corner of the mall property. It was named Sarasota Square East. The original theater was renamed the Sarasota Square  6 west..

     With the addition of the east theater, the mall offered 12 screens making it one of the regions largest movie destination in the 1980’s.

     Core building specifications. Sarasota Square 6 East

Screen Count 6

Total capacity 1,414 seats

Average 205 seats  per auditorium

     Building Sarasota Square 6 East

Stand alone single story cinema structure

Opening year 1983 as second AMC theater on the mall ground

     Likely included 

Central lobby with concession area

Six auditoriums arranged in 2 rows or a branching hallway

35 mm projectors across all screens

Parking on mall parcel

AMC opened a new 12 screen theater between Dillards and J.C. Penneys on 12/20/2006 The AMC Sarasota east and west were closed

     Roberts Bay CWA consists of several small spoil islands in the Intracoastal Waterway, just east of Siesta Key , Sarasota County. The island are mangrove-vegetated  and surrounded by seagrass meadows, protected from boat wake erosion by a Sarasota County Breakwater.

Wildlife and Conversation Importance

The site supports a diverse water bird colony, with focal species including:

      Roseate spoonbill

      Reddish egret

     Tricolored  heron, great egret, great blue heroin

     Brown pelican, double crested coloring

Hundreds of birds roost on the islands nightly and the colony has historically supported 13 species.  The area is critical for breeding, feeding and resting, and disturbance can expose eggs and chicks to predators and environmenal hazards.

     Stickney Point Bridge is a  bascule moveable draw bridge.  It carries state road 72 across the Intracoastal Waterway at mile marker 68.5 connecting Sarasota to the south end of Siesta Key.

     The bridge was built in 1968.  It is metal variable deck girder movable double leaf vascular type and approach spans. There are pre-stressed concrete stringers

    Measurements are:

Length 564 feet

Main span 117 feet

Roadway is 117 feet

     The bridge is currently underground a rehab project

History of North Bridge Siesta Key, Florida.

The North Bridge refers to one of the early road connections to link the island to the mainland and it’s history is tied to the broader development of the Key in the early 20th Century.

Early Access an Development

Before the 1900’s Siesta Key was isolated and accessible only by boat. In 1907, Harvey Hagel, Captain Louis Roberts and E.M. Arbogard platted the northern end of the Key. Hegel heavily invested in infrastructure –dredging canals, filling low ground, building docks, sidewalks, and small pedestrian bridges. But the only vehicle to access the key was a ferry

First Bridge 1917

The first bridge connecting the Key to the mainland was completed in 1917 on Stickland Point Road. It was funded through a Sarasota Bond Issue supported by Higel. This North Bridge was designed to open the Key to automobiles, replacing earlier pedestrian span. It was a significant milestone as it ended the era of boat only traffic for the northern part of the Key.

Replacement and expansion 1927

By 1927, the original 1917 bridge was replaced with a more substantial structure. Around the same time,the County also built the Stickney Point Bridge (southern end) in in 1926 creating a dual bridge system. These bridges were part of a broader pattern of infrastructure development that made Siesta Key more accessible and attractive for residential growth .

Later Bridge evolution

In the 1900’s, new subdivisions like Ocean Beach and Harmony introduced internal canals and produced humpback low bridges within the island. These were distinct from the the North Bridge which remained a key link between the mainland and the North key.

North Bridge is notable for its role in the transforming of Siesta Key from a remote boat only destination into a connected automobile accessible community. It reflects the early 20th century vision of integration of natural beauty with modern infrastructure and it remains part of the Keys heritage as a symbol of transition from isolation to development

Siesta Key Beach is a top ranked Gulf Coast Beach known for its cool white quartz sand, clear water

Address of the beach is 948 Beach Road, Sarasota , Florida 34242. It is opened daily from 6 am to 10 pm.

Why it is famous?

The beach is nearly 100% quartz crystal sands that stays cool even in the summer. It is reportedly ranked #1 beach in the United States by US News and World Report. There is a wide shoreline , turquoise water and consistently clean conditions according to travellers.

Amenities

950 free parking spaces. Lifeguards on duty from 10 am to 5 pm.

Concession stands, snack bar and gift ship.

Restroom and showers throughout the park.

Playground, volleyball courts, pickle ball and tennis courts.

Free beach wheel chairs

454 feet access mats

Trolley connects the beach to Siesta Village and Turtle Beach

What to expect

soft powder like sand ideal for lounging and walking

shallow calm Gulf water

very wide beach

sunsets are a major highlight

Ophelias on the Bay, a celebrated waterfront restaurant on little Sarasota Bay opened in 1988 and since became a cornerstone of Siesta Keys fine dining scene. From its inception, it was conceived as a place for friends and family to gather for special occasions, blending classic American Cuisine with international flavors and fresh locally sourced ingredients.

Early years and growth

When it first opened, Ophelias offered a romantic, intimate setting with two glassed walled dining rooms and with an open-air patio, all with unobstructed views of the Bay. Guests could watch tropical birds, dolphins, and other wildlife while enjoying their meals. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for exceptional hospitality and culinary qualities attracting both local and visitors for weddings, celebrations and dining experiences.

Culinary Legacy

Over the decades, Ophelias has maintained a commitment to excellence and its executive chef currently Daniel Olson–continuously reinventing the menu to reflect seasonal bounty and global influence. The kitchen emphasizes Florida grown produce and daily fresh Gulf seafood, ensuring the menu that changes nightly. This dedication has earned the restaurant national acclaim, including recognition as one of the 100 most scenic Restaurants in America by Open Table.