One of the most beautiful cities of Florida, Sarasota sits across from the lovely barrier islands of Anna Maria, Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key. The crescent-shaped Siesta Key beach was named the #1 beach in North America and has the finest white sugar sand imaginable.
Beyond Sarasota County’s beautiful Gulf Coast beaches lies the heart of why Snowbirds come back every season to spend time here. A haven of arts and culture, eclectic events, and exquisite dining, Sarasota is much more than a beach.
What is the Snowbird Season in Sarasota?
Snowbird season in Sarasota runs from the end of November (typically just after Thanksgiving) to around Easter. Be that as it may, many seasonal residents do not show up until January, deciding to spend the Christmas season at home with their friends and family. Snowbirds’ visits can shift somewhere in the range of one to a half year.
Sitting pleasantly on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota has wintering northerners to thank for its contemporary status as a cultural center point. In the mid-twentieth century, wealthy Snowbirds flocked to Florida to get away from the unforgiving northeast winters. Their regular arrivals provoked the development of theatre groups, exhibitions, and a-list historical centers that line up today to please the modern-day Snowbird who may expect this side of the Sunshine State to offer something more than, well, sunshine.
Include along with the blend of the botanic gardens, exotic seashores (counting Siesta Beach, named the USA’s best), outdoor activities (must try kayaking among the mangroves), and an exuberant shopping and feasting scene, and it’s not difficult to perceive any reason why Sarasota draws guests from varying walks of life with its enticing charms.
Is the Scenario Still the Same for Snowbirds?
Because of the pandemic, there was a real change that hasn’t been experienced in the past few years. With much fewer flights, closed beaches (initially), and no indoor dining Snowbirds have had to make a choice as to whether or not to ride out the pandemic at home up north or take the chance and travel and keep themselves safe from contracting the virus. It turns out that many of Sarasota and Bradenton’s regular Snowbirds chose to fly south for the winter. However, very few of those regulars were Canadians.
The Snowbird season is coming towards its end in April, and with the dwindling population and hosting smaller numbers than usual, the economic impact of the pandemic on the Season will soon be known.
“Since the vaccine is out, it’s still safe to spend winters in Sarasota/Bradenton if we follow all the precautionary measures”, say the locals. Of course, there won’t be any large-scale parties for the time being, for Snowbirds and local residents but biking with small groups and gathering with friends in your own bubble to spend quality time together is still possible.
While a lot of Canadians are feeling safe in Canada, there’s still hope that a lot of people will arrive this coming November to spend the 2021-2022 Season in Sarasota.
