Welcome to Cresswind Lakewood Ranch. It’s a place that’s really more than just a neighborhood.
It’s a hub to community, connections, activities, and fun.
Welcome to Cresswind in Lakewood Ranch: Your Gateway to Fun and Adventure
Cresswind Lakewood Ranch is perfectly located about 25 miles from the beach.
You’ll find some of the best beaches on the Gulf from Bean Point on Anna Maria Island to world famous Siesta Key Beach in Siesta Key.
But you don’t need to go to the beach, just to have fun.
Inland, you have 33,000 acres to explore within Lakewood Ranch alone. Then adventure outside of Lakewood Ranch to Bradenton and Sarasota for even more fun things to do.
Within Cresswind, you have plenty of things to do and explore too. You really don’t have to leave the community if you don’t want to.
Whether you are visiting someone here or you live here, you always have something to do.
If you’re board, then you are not doing it right 🙂
Cresswind Clubhouse: Resort Style Amenities in Your Backyard
For staying active, you’ll find a little something for everything fun at the clubhouse!
From the grand clubhouse entrance to the resort style pool to the outdoor amenities right outside, you will feel like you are on vacation everyday 🙂
Club Cresswind
At the clubhouse, you’ll find plenty of things to do:
- Billards
- Ping Pong
- Cards & Board Games
- Fitness Center
- Aerobics Classes
- Resort Style Pool (with beach entry, heated year round)
- Covered Cabanas and Lounge Chairs
- Resistance Pool (heated year round)
- Hot Tub
- Pickleball
- Tennis
- Bocce
- Horseshoes
- Benches (for peaceful pond views and nature watching – just watch out for alligators !)
Throughout Cresswind, you’ll find plenty of sidewalks and roads for exploring too.
Whether you like to walk, run or bike, you can do this all without ever leaving the community.
Lakewood Ranch: 33,000 Acres of Live, Work and Play
We chose Lakewood Ranch because everything we need and want is right here. We don’t need to go very far for tons of food, shopping and things to do.
Main Street
Main Street was one of the first town centers built for Lakewood Ranch. Full of shops, restaurants and attractions like a Movie Theatre and Putt Putt Golf, Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is a close place nearby to check out.
See the latest happenings at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.
Waterside
Situated on King Fisher Lake, Waterside is the newest 8-acre waterfront town center in Lakewood Ranch. Also full of shops, restaurants and frequent events to explore the outdoors, Waterside is another neat place nearby to do a tour.
Learn all you want to know about Lakewood Ranch Waterside.
13 Parks
If disc golf, nature walks, or gravity swing’n interest you at all, then don’t forget about our parks. Lakewood Ranch offers 10,000 acres of preserved land for nature, green space and outdoor enjoyment throughout its master planned design.
Check out our full Lakewood Ranch Parks Guide here.
600 Events a Year
The Lakewood Ranch Communities Activities is a local non-profit group that’s sole job and purpose is to foster a sense of community and friendships through events, activities and things to do throughout the year. Whether it’s taking a stroll through the Sunday Farmer’s Market or listening to live music in the streets or learning how to play cornhole or pickleball, there’s something for everyone.
Many events utilize our parks to help encourage recreational events outside. Events are free for all residents. Some events may require a small fee for non-residents.
Check out the Lakewood Ranch Community Calendar here.
Below are some of the most popular events in Lakewood Ranch.
Ranch Nite Wednesdays
Every Wednesday night from October to May, the streets of Waterside are shut down for Ranch Nite. It’s a small street festival where you can experience local food from local Food Trucks and Waterside restaurants, live music from the Plaza, watch tournaments from the largest cornhole league in the county and check out local goods from local artists and companies.
Sunday Farmer’s Market
The Sunday Farmer’s Market is also takes place in Waterside. Every Sunday (year round.) The streets of Waterside are shut down for local farmers, local artists and local creations. From freshly baked bread to fresh squeezed juice drinks to You’ll find a little something of everything at the Lakewood Ranch Farmer’s Market.
Lakewood Ranch Farmer’s Market
And if you want to feel some zen before the market, get there an hour early for Yoga in the Park!
Sights and Sounds
Sights and Sounds is one of the newer event series organized by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. Also taking place at Waterside in the Plaza, this event series features local theater performances and groups. The idea is that you can spend the entire evening feasting on food from local restaurants, drinks from local breweries and distilleries and local entertainment.
Lakewood Ranch Sights and Sounds
Outdoor Excursions: Embrace Nature at Its Finest
For exploring the Florida outdoors outside of Lakewood Ranch, there are plenty of site seeing opportunities. From hiking to biking trails to various types of preserves, you will get a sense of of what nature in Florida has to offer.
White Sandy Beaches
This is one of the main reasons we chose Lakewood Ranch. About 40 – 60 minutes to the best beaches in Florida. We are close enough to our favorite beaches. Far enough away to be outside of the mandatory evacuation zones when hurricanes come to the area. If it’s too cold to spend the day on the beach, at least catch a sunset. They are stunning.
6 Best Beaches Near Lakewood Ranch Florida
Manatee Viewing Center
Because of our proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and nearby waterways and rivers, it’s pretty easy to see Manatees while you are here. You have multiple options, especially in the winter when they migrate from the Gulf into warmer waters. You can trek a couple of hours north to swim with the manatees in Crystal River. Or you can trek less than 1 hour north to Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center. Free and plenty of places to explore while you are there.
Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
Bradenton Riverwalk
Because Bradenton sits along the Manatee River, you have tons of different water views options to explore nearby, closer than the beach. The Bradenton Riverwalk is a 3 mile path along the river in downtown Bradenton. Explore the river from the path and local restaurants and shops along the way.
Nathan Benderson Park
Nathan Henderson Park is a premier rowing facility hosting world-class rowing events nearby in Sarasota. The 400 acre lake makes up most of the 600 acre park. Watch people kayak, row or or paddle around the lake while taking a stroll along the 3.5-mile paved trail around the lake.
Celery Fields
Celery Fields is a unique option to explore Florida wetlands, previously known for producing the celery crop. The 400 acre site is the primary storm water collection zone for Sarasota County making it a unique place to see various aquatic plants, trees and wildlife, especially birds. You’ll find plenty of paths and boardwalks for exploring by foot. Biking, kayaking and fishing are also allowed.
Sarasota Celery Fields
Indulge Your Palate: Dining and Local Eateries
Another really cool thing about our area is the access to dining and take out options are pretty much endless. Here’s a few restaurants in Lakewood Ranch that are loved by local Ranchers here.
Piesanos
Piesanos is a recent addition to north east Lakewood Ranch, just down the road from Cresswind. For pizza and fried ravioli appetizer, this is our go to Friday night takeout routine.
Owen’s Fish Camp
Owen’s Fish Camp Lakewood Ranch is another recent addition getting good reviews. The original location in downtown Sarasota is known for its southern charm and fresh seafood local from the bay everyday. The Lakewood Ranch location strives to offer a similar experience with twice the seating and a fresh, yet promising to be delicious menu. Go for early dinner and sit outside to catch some local bands playing fun tunes.
Owen’s Fish Camp Lakewood Ranch
Speaks Clam Bar Lakewood Ranch
Speaks Clam Bar is another restaurant group that has locations in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch. Speaks is known for being the classic “red checker tablecloth” Italian American food option where their philosophy of fresh pasta and fresh made sauces is noticed in everything they serve.
Speaks Clam Bar Lakewood Ranch
Osteria 500
Osteria 500 is the new Italian kid on the block. Just opened in Waterside, this new restaurant promises to offer tasty authentic Italian dishes while feeding your visual senses with the pizza car oven and decorative spaces to explore inside and out. Sit outside for waterfront dining.
Takos Cantina
Takos Cantina is located in a shopping center near a Super Walmart, just outside the Lakewood Ranch borders. Not the best Mexican food you’ve ever had, but consistently good service and tasty Mexican food dishes. And surprisingly festive Mexican entertainment behind the graphic wrapped doors.
Happy Hours: Sensory Overloads While Saving a Dollar or Two
Happy Hours around here are plentiful. Whether you are in Lakewood Ranch, or nearby in Bradenton or Sarasota. Here are a few places we’ve tried and liked so far or have heard good things about from neighbors.
3 Keys Brewing
3 Keys is one of our favorite recent discoveries with surprisingly good locally brewed beer with many flavors to please just about any palate. Coupled with surprisingly good food options for the carnivores and vegans alike. Sit on the patio to experience the locals, their dogs and their friendly vibes. Explore 3 Keys Brewery for Happy Hour. Monday – Friday from 3 – 6 pm.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar
Siesta Key Oyster Bar is a cute little festive place in Siesta Key Village. SKOB is known for its $12 dozen oysters happy hour special. Everyday from 3 – 6 pm!
Ed’s Tavern
Ed’s Tavern is a local sports pub in Main Street Lakewood Ranch. You’ll find Ed’s a good place to eat, drink and catch some sports. Ed’s Tavern is also known for its happy hour specials. Every day from 4 – 7 pm.
Ford’s Garage
Ford’s Garage is located just outside of Lakewood Ranch in UTC. UTC stands for the Mall of University Town Center in Sarasota. Known for its Garage Door window, Ford’s Garage in UTC is a great place to people watch. Go for happy hour for special specials. Monday – Friday from 2 – 6 pm.
Waterfront Dining: Feasting with Water Views
Between the rivers and gulf of Mexico, you have plenty of waterfront dining options to enjoy. Here are a few options to explore the nearby waters while you eat.
Woody’s River Roo
You can’t miss Woody’s Big Yellow Sign from the north bound Ellenton Exit off of I-75. Woody’s offers tons of outside seating along Manatee River. Known for its casual riverside dining, you’ll find beach inspired American eats and drink menus to entertain you all day long.
Tide Tables
Tide Tables in Cortez offers waterfront dining off of the waterways just behind Anna Maria Island. Known for being right off of Mile Marker 48, you’ll find seafood favorites like group bites, fish tacos and seafood platters to enjoy waterside. Seating at the bar moves faster than the tables.
Star Fish Company
Star Fish Company is another popular restaurant in Cortez that offers waterfront dining and fresh caught seafood. The menu is simple but raved about from locals and tourists alike.
Good Liquid Brewing
Offering locally brewed beer and good food on a very large waterfront patio in Waterside, Good Liquid has been a favorite spot to visit. However, the restaurant recently changed owners and menus. The visit here may be a hit or miss.
Town Centers: Shopping Galore
Just like there is no shortage in food experiences and outdoor spaces to explore, there is no shortage of town centers to window shop or really shop. Whichever experience you fancy. Here are few places in Bradenton and Sarasota.
Bridge Street
Bridge Street is a historic place to explore on Anna Maria Island. It’s built around the Bridge Street pier which was the original bridge onto Anna Maria Island before the island became really popular. You’ll find stores to explore, restaurants to eat at, and streets to poke around on.
University Town Center (UTC)
University Town Center also referred to as, UTC, is a ginormous shopping area nearby. You will find the Mall at UTC with prominent anchor stores like Dillard’s and Sixth Fifth Avenue along with other popular stores like Best Buy, Home Depot and Total Wine. There’s not much you can’t find at UTC.
St. Armands Circle
St. Armands Circle was the vision of the circus mogul, John Ringling. Located on Lido Key in Sarasota, John Ringing purchased the land and designed a luxury development with homes and upscale shopping laid out along the center’s circle roundabout. You’ll find plenty of shops to explore, sidewalk dining options and history to admire and enjoy.
Cultural Beats: Arts and Entertainment in the Heart of Florida
This part of Florida is known as the cultural coast because of its rich history in culture, arts and natural wonders. Here are a few of the popular places to discover why.
Ringling Museum
The Ringling Museum showcases the history of John Ringling’s waterfront home in Sarasota. John was one the Ringling brothers known for taking the Ringling Bros Circus on the road. You able to explore his Mediterranean Revival-style home and diverse collections of art, circus, history, architecture, performances and gardens.
Cortez Village
Cortez Village is one of the last working commercial fishing village on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It’s also a designated National Historic District. You can explore the history and preservation of Cortez with a walking tour and by visiting the Cortez Cultural Center.
Salvador Dali Museum
The Salvador Dali Museum houses a collection of works of iconic artist from the Impressionist movement, Salvador Dali. Explore the imaginative works of Dali while celebrating his life and wonder.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. But this should be enough to get you started finding fun things to do and exciting places to explore throughout Cresswind, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton and Sarasota 🙂