TOP Things to Do in Sarasota
It's a fine art museum located on Bay Shore Road and one of the top Sarasota attractions. Established in 1927 from the artwork donated by Mable and John Ringling, it was designated as the state art museum of Florida and is maintained by Florida State University. The museum is made up of 21 galleries of American art, Asian art, contemporary art, European paintings, and ancient artifacts from Cyprus. Art aside, the Ringling is located in a stunning mansion, built by its namesake in the Mediterranean Revival style.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdIt's a fine art museum located on Bay Shore Road and one of the top Sarasota attractions. Established in 1927 from the artwork donated by Mable and John Ringling, it was designated as the state art museum of Florida and is maintained by Florida State University. The museum is made up of 21 galleries of American art, Asian art, contemporary art, European paintings, and ancient artifacts from Cyprus. Art aside, the Ringling is located in a stunning mansion, built by its namesake in the Mediterranean Revival style.
Ca d’Zan Mansion was the winter home of the American circus owner, John Ringling and his wife, Mable. Built between 1924 and 1926, the waterfront mansion is five stories high and contains 36,000 square feet. The Ringlings were lovers of Venice and the waterfront site reminded them of the lagoon in Venice.
The style of the house is called Mediterranean Revival and shows the influence of the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
87 locals recommend
Ca d'Zan
5401 Bay Shore RdCa d’Zan Mansion was the winter home of the American circus owner, John Ringling and his wife, Mable. Built between 1924 and 1926, the waterfront mansion is five stories high and contains 36,000 square feet. The Ringlings were lovers of Venice and the waterfront site reminded them of the lagoon in Venice.
The style of the house is called Mediterranean Revival and shows the influence of the Doge’s Palace in Venice.
Mote Marine Aquarium is the public outreach center of Mote Marine Laboratory, one of the premier marine science and education laboratories in the world. Opened in 1980, the aquarium is located on City Island in Sarasota Bay.
You can hang out with sharks, sea turtles, sea jellies, seahorses and anemones, who all call Mote Aquarium home, explore expansive underwater worlds, including a 135,000-gallon shark tank. Among the special events are narrated shark feedings and training sessions with adorable river otters.
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyMote Marine Aquarium is the public outreach center of Mote Marine Laboratory, one of the premier marine science and education laboratories in the world. Opened in 1980, the aquarium is located on City Island in Sarasota Bay.
You can hang out with sharks, sea turtles, sea jellies, seahorses and anemones, who all call Mote Aquarium home, explore expansive underwater worlds, including a 135,000-gallon shark tank. Among the special events are narrated shark feedings and training sessions with adorable river otters.
Myakka River State Park stretches across 58 square miles of wetlands, hammocks, pinelands, and prairies and has 37,000 acres of snap-a-picture gorgeousness. It is one of the oldest and largest parks in the state, home to plenty of Florida wildlife.
Whether you’re a birder, hiker, biker, camper, or kayaker, Myakka River State Park will wet your wildlife whistle. Enjoy a variety of lush greenery or rent a canoe, ride down the river and make some turtle friends along the way.
382 locals recommend
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Myakka River State Park stretches across 58 square miles of wetlands, hammocks, pinelands, and prairies and has 37,000 acres of snap-a-picture gorgeousness. It is one of the oldest and largest parks in the state, home to plenty of Florida wildlife.
Whether you’re a birder, hiker, biker, camper, or kayaker, Myakka River State Park will wet your wildlife whistle. Enjoy a variety of lush greenery or rent a canoe, ride down the river and make some turtle friends along the way.
This vast garden showcases a wide range of plants in different environments, including a tropical conservatory, bamboo garden, rainforest and more. One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Florida.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StThis vast garden showcases a wide range of plants in different environments, including a tropical conservatory, bamboo garden, rainforest and more. One of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Florida.
Animal lovers and families will likely enjoy Sarasota's Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. This attraction has cared for exotic animals like lions, tigers, bears, and chimpanzees since 1987. In addition to housing various animals, the facility hosts bird and big cat shows with educational talks and demonstrations.
158 locals recommend
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer BlvdAnimal lovers and families will likely enjoy Sarasota's Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. This attraction has cared for exotic animals like lions, tigers, bears, and chimpanzees since 1987. In addition to housing various animals, the facility hosts bird and big cat shows with educational talks and demonstrations.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a garden and animal attraction located on Bay Shore Road. Founded in 1939, it is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions in the state. Today, the gardens are home to a large variety of animals including parrots, small mammals, and primates as well as many reptiles such as alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, lizards, and snakes. There are also many pink flamingos in the garden.
296 locals recommend
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdSarasota Jungle Gardens is a garden and animal attraction located on Bay Shore Road. Founded in 1939, it is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions in the state. Today, the gardens are home to a large variety of animals including parrots, small mammals, and primates as well as many reptiles such as alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, lizards, and snakes. There are also many pink flamingos in the garden.
Lido Key Beach is one of the easiest beaches to reach from Sarasota downtown. Situated less than 5 miles southwest of the city center, Lido Key Beach offers more than 3,000 feet of white sand. Several recreation areas, with amenities like picnic tables and a pool (which can be enjoyed for a fee), are also available. What's more, Lido Key Beach sits within walking distance of St. Armands Circle, where various shops and eateries reside.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLido Key Beach is one of the easiest beaches to reach from Sarasota downtown. Situated less than 5 miles southwest of the city center, Lido Key Beach offers more than 3,000 feet of white sand. Several recreation areas, with amenities like picnic tables and a pool (which can be enjoyed for a fee), are also available. What's more, Lido Key Beach sits within walking distance of St. Armands Circle, where various shops and eateries reside.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is an architectural landmark and popular venue for comedy, dance, music, and theater performances. It has a seating capacity of 1,736 people and the 6,000 square foot Grand Foyer can seat up to 350 people.
This opens up to the Terrace and Bayfront lawn which adds 1,500 more seats. If you are looking for romantic date ideas, see a performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The hall has a separate Education Center and offers a wide variety of educational outreach programs for toddlers up to senior citizens.
154 locals recommend
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 N Tamiami TrailThe Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is an architectural landmark and popular venue for comedy, dance, music, and theater performances. It has a seating capacity of 1,736 people and the 6,000 square foot Grand Foyer can seat up to 350 people.
This opens up to the Terrace and Bayfront lawn which adds 1,500 more seats. If you are looking for romantic date ideas, see a performance at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The hall has a separate Education Center and offers a wide variety of educational outreach programs for toddlers up to senior citizens.