Ringling Museum, Selby Botanical Gardens (lovely), St. Armands Circle for shopping, Myaka River State Park (a little bit of a hike, but beautiful.)
The beach is nice (if you’re a Gulf fan, I’m not for swimming, but it is beautiful.)
There’s also a place called the Bahi Hut Tiki Lounge which I remember being hilarious and wonderful with silly Tiki drinks (I’m not much of a drinker of Tiki things, but some people are just for the event. It has ‘atmosphere’.)
The Ringling Museum is absolutely incredible! The artwork is beautiful - maybe it’s just me but it seems better than the MET.
Definitely Selby Gardens.
Mermaid Girl not for swimming?
There’s got to be a story there. Maybe a country song.