Attractions

How to See the Ringling Museums -- It's best to visit the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts on a weekday, when the center offers guided tours of the art museum, house, and circus museum (included in the price of admission). For tour times, call ahead or check at the information desk as soon as you arrive. While you're waiting for the next tour, explore the gardens or have lunch at Treviso.

The Neglected Island

Most people are familiar with Longboat Key, but what they don't know is that it's actually part of Old Florida, collectively called Florida's Gulf Islands. In addition to Longboat, there's Anna Maria Island, a place where the streets are sand swept and the white beaches are dotted with pastel-colored cottages. It's the kind of community where the hottest spot in town is an ice-cream parlor. Hop on the Manatee Trolley, and you can explore the island at its highest speed limit -- 25 mph. Everything in Anna Maria is slow paced, which is just how the locals like it. There are no high-rises -- the town won't allow anything to obstruct the million-dollar view of the Gulf. For peace and quiet, this is where it's at. No big hotels exist here, just mom-and-pop establishments such as the Anna Maria Beach Cottages, 12 Oak Ave. (tel. 941/778-1503), owned by Britisher Nigel Brown and his wife. Here you can disappear into your own world, relax by the pool, walk the beach, or retreat into your cozy cottage. It's spectacular -- none of it should be neglected by visitors ever again. Palm Tree Villas, 207 66th St. (tel. 941/778-0910; www.palmtreevillas.com), is another great getaway featuring one- and two-bedroom villas just a shell's throw away from the beach.

For great ocean views, live music, cocktails, and chow, check out Sandbar, 100 Spring Ave. (tel. 941/778-0444). Sandbar has two sister waterfront bar/restaurants in the area as well: Beachhouse, 200 Gulf Dr., Bradenton Beach (tel. 941/779-2222), and Mar Vista, 760 Broadway St., North Longboat Key (tel. 941/383-2391).

For more information on the Gulf Islands, check out www.flagulfislands.com. Anna Maria, Longboat, and Bradenton (on the "Mainland") are connected by bridges.