I like Marina Jacks in Sarasota.   Good food & music.  You can walk around the town to other bars and restaurants.

Have a great time!

Boats are Great, but...

... if you've never owned one, try a rental or boat sharing arrangement first.

 A couple of sayings you will hear a lot in the boating world:

"A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into"

"The worst day I ever spent on the water was still better than the best day I ever spent at work"
   
   and of course...

"The two happiest days of a boat owner's life are the day they buy it, and the day they sell it"

 
Have fun and take care! ... I'll have to catch up with you the next time I'm in Tampa

Break Out Another Thousand!
Boat have a name?
Enjoy you too...don't get yourselves in trouble wink wink wink!
Tootles
Molly

Brenda,
We all have different tastes, but mine are all about being on the water with a little are mixed in so here goes.
1. Consider becoming a member of the Freedom Boat Club if you are contemplating buying one.  It is a much less expensive way to go and without the hassle of owning a boat.  
2. Visit the Dali museum in St. Pete it is fabulous, but get the headphones otherwise it is not really possible to understand what he was trying to express.
3. The Don Cesar Hotel, expensive but an old world hotel with a lot of history and right on the beach.
4. Boat charters in the Charlotte Harbor, preferred above Tampa Bay, but Tampa Bay is fine.  But, there are sailing charters out of St. Pete that I am aware of.
5. Best dessert?  Get a Hummer (or two) at the Pink Elephant on Boca Grande.  Also, for a true SW Florida dining experience with a ton of local history go to The Temptation.
6. For beach oriented more casual dining check out The Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island, or with a boat Cabbage Key, or Useppa Island.
7. But for my favorite dining experience you will find me with the picnic I have prepared for you most likely on Cayo Costa.
8.  Fort Desoto is pretty cool too.
9. Bring your suntan lotion.    Wink