Helpful Web Links for 1999 Florida Shrine Convention

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After server years of attending Florida Shrine Association Conventions, my Lady Bobbi and I have come to understand what many Shriners and their Ladies are looking for when they visit a convention city. On this page we will attempt to tell you what we think Sarasota best offers for your interests. This is a work in process, so please come back every once in awhile to see if we have remembered something you should know about.

Probably the #1 interest of the Ladies is SHOPPING!!! We'll try to tell you the Hot places to enjoy the sport of shopping. Click on 'Map' field to see Sarasota map, coordinate will show you where the shopping place is located.

Map Place Description

G-10 St. Armands Circle A truly unique shopping experience, actually enjoyable for ladies AND nobles. You could easily spend the day there with a full range of fine shops, eateries and gourmet restaurants. Many of the shops have their own Websites (access through link on left). It's on the way to Mote Marine Labs. if you plan to go there, you could easily make a whole day with both experiences. A shoppers delight!

J-01 Gulf Coast Factory Shops One of the largest outlet malls in south Florida. Hugely popular and ever-growing megalopolis at Exit #43 off I-75 in Ellenton
Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Outlets for Ann Taylor, Coach, Donna Karan, Ellen Tracy, Mikasa, and Off Fifth and many others)

J-07 Sarasota Outlet Center Offprice shopping. Located at 8303 Cooper Creek Blvd. at Exit #40 of I-75 (Off University Avenue), not has big as Gulf Coast Factory Shops, but closer to downtown Sarasota and Sahib Temple. Store listing.
Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.

Culturally, Sarasota offers many opportunities for enjoyment. The Ringling Museum of Art - the State Art Museum of Florida includes the third largest art library, museum archives and one of the country's premiere collections of 17th century Italian paintings. The Old Master Collection also includes five world-renowned tapestry cartoons by Peter Paul Rubens. In addition there are Late Medieval and Renaissance works in addition to modern art. Ca'd'Zan (Venetian dialect for "House of John") the winter home of the late John and Mable Ringling, is derived from Italian, French, Renaissance, Baroque, Venetian Gothic and modern architecture (the museum is free on Saturday). The Circus Galleries is an assemblage of circus art, posters, costumes, props and carved circus wagons. The Florida West Coast Symphony is one of the state's leading professional orchestras. Sarasota boasts a wide variety of play houses including Florida Studios Theatre, Players of Sarasota, Golden Apple Dinner Theaters, Theatre Works and the Asolo Center for the Performing Arts. The Sarasota Opera and the Sarasota Ballet offer superb performances during the season. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a 1,800 - person capacity theater, offers a wide variety of shows, Sarasota has received international fame for the breadth of its cultural programs in art, music, dance and theatre.

The Sarasota area has an exceptional group of botanical attractions, including Selby Gardens with its orchids and airplants and Jungle Gardens with its bird and flower sanctuary. The Bellm's Cars & Music of Yesterday Museum features antique mechanical and musical devices. Circus Week and Circus Parade is held in early January. The Sailor Circus is a popular attraction featuring public performances given by students from Sarasota's schools. The Medieval Fair, hosted by the Ringling Museum, draws thousands of visitors each year. Information on any of these attractions may be obtained

Updated: February 04, 2005

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Map	Place	Description
G-10	St. Armands Circle	A truly unique shopping experience, actually enjoyable for ladies AND nobles. You could easily spend the day there with a full range of fine shops, eateries and gourmet restaurants. Many of the shops have their own Websites (access through link on left). It's on the way to Mote Marine Labs. if you plan to go there, you could easily make a whole day with both experiences. A shoppers delight!
J-01	Gulf Coast Factory Shops	One of the largest outlet malls in south Florida. Hugely popular and ever-growing megalopolis at Exit #43 off I-75 in Ellenton Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Sun 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Outlets for Ann Taylor, Coach, Donna Karan, Ellen Tracy, Mikasa, and Off Fifth and many others)
J-07	Sarasota Outlet Center	Offprice shopping. Located at 8303 Cooper Creek Blvd. at Exit #40 of I-75 (Off University Avenue), not has big as Gulf Coast Factory Shops, but closer to downtown Sarasota and Sahib Temple. Store listing. Open Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.