Welcome to Lido Key/Lido Beach/St. Armand’s Circle
Lido Shores is located just south of Longboat Key. This area offers many classic and contemporary homes built across a variety of architectural styles. While the neighborhood has been long renowned for its eclectic and unique style, many custom-built, waterfront homes have been constructed over the last several years showcasing amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico and downtown Sarasota. Residents of Lido Key enjoy living within walking distance of St. Armand’s Circle and Lido Beach.
St. Armand’s Circle is located between Lido Beach and Lido Shores. The original vision for St. Armand’s Circle is credited to John Ringling, the circus magnate, who envisioned creating an upscale shopping center, laid out in a circle, with European inspiration. As it stands today, over 100 years later, St. Armand’s Circle is a hub of fine dining, upscale shopping, ice cream shops, art galleries, specialty merchants and casual bars and lounges. St. Armand’s Circle is by no means a typical 21st-Century shopping destination. Rather, it is quite unique in its aesthetics and design. The Circle’s lush tropical plantings, Italian statues, courtyards and patios, wild parrots and park-like setting make “strolling the Circle” more of an event than an ordinary day of shopping.
Lido Beach is located just steps from St. Armand’s Circle and includes South and North Lido Parks, and Central Lido Beach.
South Lido Park is a 100-acre wildlife preserve with 640 feet of long, curving, undeveloped beachfront secluded by towering American Pines and enchanting mangrove tunnels, and surrounded by four bodies of water including Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, Brushy Bayou and the Gulf of Mexico.
Central Lido Beach is the most popular beach on Lido Key. Families enjoy having access to the nearby concessions at Lido Island Grill, condos and motels, and 25-meter public lap swimming pool.
North Lido Park is a coastal upland. It has 22.5 acres of beach and mangroves, and an additional 49-acres of densely wooded preserve just above the beach. The preserve’s Australian Pines, grassy savannahs, and oak and cedar pond trees add to the tranquility of North Lido Park. Hikers can access multiple trails throughout the preserve that offer views of bald eagles, black skimmers and other wildlife. In addition, North Lido Beach has a dedicated area located directly on the beach for bird nesting.
Insider Tips
Family Friendly:
Families enjoy kayaking through the grand mangrove tunnels at the Ted Sperling Nature Park in South Lido, and often see a mix of dolphins, manatees, ospreys, white pelicans, bald eagles, and other exotic water and land wildlife.
Little Bo-Tique Children’s Store on St. Armand’s Circle offers beautiful, uniquely curated boutique brands for children. Alternatively, Hatley Boutique also has skillfully crafted children’s apparel, and is perhaps best known for its Hand-illustrated prints and skillfully crafted apparel for babies and kids.
Recreation / Culture:
Lido Shores is a neighborhood of true architectural distinction. Many Lido Shores homes were originally designed by the famed Sarasota School of Architecture and have been meticulously restored over the years. This area will appeal for those with an eye for design.
During your St. Armand’s shopping trip, make sure to visit Lily Pulitzer, which offers chic, resort style apparel for women; Island Pursuits, an upscale clothing with dedicated shops for men and women; and Circle Met, a luxury fashion retailer with a spa and salon.
Grab a drink at the Ritz Carlton Beach Club’s Tiki Bar. Don’t be shy - locals know that you don’t need to be a Ritz Carlton club member to grab a frozen drink or cocktail to cool off from the hot sun.
A $12.68 million renourishment of Lido Beach was completed in 2021. This project added nearly 700,000 cubic yards of new sand which extended the beach out into the Gulf by an average of 100 yards, the size of a football field.
Hikers enjoy walking Ted Sperling Nature Trail’s 1.2-mile boardwalk which includes multiple observation decks and city skyline views.
Favorite Restaurants:
Speaks Clam Bar is a favorite due to its laid-back beach vibe, ambiance and a fresh seafood. It is the best value in St. Armand’s. Columbia Restaurant is a 110-year-old restaurant with a hand painted Spanish décor, that offers indoor and outdoor dining options. Local favorites include the grouper sandwich and the 1905 salad, which is prepared table-side. Green Zebra Café, offers great sandwiches, salads and smoothies for those focused and organic ingredients.
