Originally Posted by Ohiogirl (Post 1123019)

is our favorite too. No high rises allowed, Old Florida look. We found several nice restaurants, at least 2 right on the beach (but this has been a couple of years ago). Also like one called Water something right across from the city pier, I think. And there are some on the pier that sticks out into the intracoastal. From that side you can see the Sunshine Parkway bridge and the cruiseships and other ships/boats that go out from the port (limited #, so check your favorite cruise website to see when they will be going out to sea).

Bringing or renting bikes to ride all around the island and/or get from place to place is a nice option. We stayed once at Harrison House B&B which offered free bikes.

There's another place at the south end of the island where you can walk from the beach side to the intracoastal side easily. Look on TripAdvisor. Can also drive over the little bridge that connects to Longboat Key, take the first left, and find 2-3 more intracoastal side restaurants (and see the peacocks on the roofs along the way). Again, has been a few years. Hope everything still there.

Be sure to look for the Star Fish Cafe under the Cortez bridge - in the little fishing village of Cortez.

All this talk is making me want to go back for a couple of days!