Top Things To Do In Sarasota

Known as the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus and its miles of picturesque shoreline, Sarasota makes for a unique Florida vacation destination. The city has a wide variety of things to do for every type of visitor. Some of the best activities include meeting more than 200 native and exotic animals at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Or, relax on Siesta Beach with sand that feels cool to the touch. Use the following list of things to do to make the most of your vacation to Sarasota.

Sarasota is filled with fun things to do both indoors and out. For instance, the city museums to explore as well as as nature preserves to discover.

 

The best things to do near Sarasota include:

  • Siesta Beach: famous for its quartz-based sand that feels cool to the touch
  • The Ringling: state art museum of Florida founded by Mable and John Ringling
  • Lido Key: beautiful beaches, natural areas, and high-end shopping
  • Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium: educational and interactive exhibits with a wide variety of marine animals
  • Sarasota Jungle Gardens: opened in 1939 with more than 200 native and exotic animals

Events in SarasotaView All

Admission to The World Series of Comedy Event on April 12–15 (Up to 37% Off)
Admission to The World Series of Comedy Event
1923 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota0.1 mi
$31.79 $20.00
37% discount_off
04/12/23 at 7 p.m.: One General-Admission Ticket
10+ bought
 Admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium /Up to 7% Off)
Admission to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage, Clearwater47.7 mi
4.3
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4,609 ratings
$26.95 $24.95
7% discount_off
Admission for One Child
Up to 50% Off on Amusement Park at Sunken Gardens US
Up to 50% Off on Amusement Park at Sunken Gardens US
1825 4th St N, Saint Petersburg32.0 mi
4.8
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20,063 ratings
$30.00 $18.00
40% discount_off
Two adult admissions
Up to 36% Off on Museum at Imagine Museum
Up to 36% Off on Museum at Imagine Museum
1901 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg31.1 mi
4.9
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969 ratings
$15.00 $13.00
13% discount_off
Admission for One Person
Casino-Cruise Package for One or Two with Food, Drinks, and Slot Play from Victory Casino Cruises (Up to 42% Off)
Up to 54% Off Casino Cruise 
180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Cape Canaveral
4.3
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18,320 ratings
$59.00 $40.00
32% discount_off
Casino-Cruise Package for One with Lunch or Dinner, Two Drink Tickets, and $10 in Slot Credits
Pentatonix – The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina on August 10 at 8 p.m.
Pentatonix – The World Tour with Lauren Alaina – Up to 54% Off
4802 US-301, Tampa
$41.30 $18.95
54% discount_off
Pentatonix - The World Tour with special guest Lauren Alaina at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds on August 10, 2023
420+ bought
SeaWorld Orlando Admission with Dining Option, or 2, 3 or Unlimited SeaWorld Park Visits (Up to 49% Off)
Up to 49% Off Admission to SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
4.7
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1,456 ratings
$197.99 $99.99
49% discount_off
Two-Park Single-Day Admission to Parks (FREE PARK!): Valid through May 26 2023
Busch Gardens Tampa Admission for 1 w/ All-Day Dining Option, 2- or 3-Park, or Unlimited Visits (Up to 49% Off)
Up to 49% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa49.0 mi
4.5
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390 ratings
$197.99 $99.99
49% discount_off
Two-Park Single-Day Admission to Parks (FREE PARK!): Valid through May 26 2023
Admission for One or Two to St. Petersburg Museum of History (Up to 33% Off)
Up to 33% Off Admission to St. Petersburg Museum of History
335 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg30.9 mi
4.2
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836 ratings
$15.00 $12.00
20% discount_off
Admission for One

A beach city with a rich history, Sarasota has Instagram-worthy landmarks around almost every corner. Some of the best tourist attractions include Mable’s Rose Garden and the Ca d’Zan Mansion.

Popular attractions near Sarasota include:

  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: dedicated to displaying epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads
  • Ca d’Zan Mansion: the once winter home of John Ringling
  • Phillippi Estate Park: a historic mansion with nature trails, fishing, and kayaking
  • Mable’s Rose Garden: Florida’s oldest rose garden, in operation since 1913
  • Siesta Key Village: the place to go for high-class shopping in Sarasota

While vacationing in Sarasota, you’ll have a variety of fun things to do on a whim. The Marietta Museum of Art has contemporary paintings to admire while the Sarasota Classic Car Museum has over 100 classic cars to view.

Exciting activities near Sarasota include:

  • Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy: cheerful gallery featuring offbeat, contemporary paintings, sculptures, and other artwork
  • South Lido County Park: offers swimming, kayaking, and trails to explore
  • Sarasota Classic Car Museum: more than 100 classic cars to learn about
  • Drum Circle Distilling: take a tour of this award-winning distillery
  • Craft Food Tours: an aptly-named craft food and drink tour through Sarasota

Whether you’re new to the city or you’re a Florida native, you’ll discover that there are plenty things to do with a night in Sarasota. Some clubs offer DJs and cocktails while others offer live music and craft beer options.

Nighttime activities near Sarasota include:

  • Florida Studio Theater: offering all types of shows and live entertainment
  • The Gator Club: a trendy bar in a historic building with bands and DJs
  • Pangea Alchemy Lab
  • Five O’Clock Club: low-key establishment with nightly live music
  • McCurdy's Comedy Theatre: have a laugh with bar food and drinks

A vacation in Sarasota has a lot to offer for the whole family. The city has a wide variety of things to do with kids including a big cat sanctuary and an aquarium.

Family-Friendly things to do near Sarasota include:

  • Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary: offering encounters with big cats and other wild animals
  • Tibbals Learning Center: offering historical documents, costume drawings, and art related to the Ringling Brothers
  • Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium: educational and interactive exhibits with a wide variety of marine animals
  • Lido S Park: picturesque white-sand beaches, nature trails, and a playground
  • David Bolger Playspace: a beautiful outdoor play area at The Ringling

Sarasota has plenty of indoor activities to help you get a break from the Florida humidity. From educational museums to award-winning distilleries, it’s all available in this coastal city.

Sarasota things to do indoors include:

  • Center for Architecture Sarasota: celebrating local architecture through classes, programs and events
  • FSU Center for the Performing Arts: showing a variety of plays on the Florida State campus
  • Art Center Sarasota: offering four rotating exhibition galleries and a sculpture garden
  • Sarasota Opera: showing a variety of operas in a repurposed historic theater
  • Drum Circle Distilling: take a tour of this award-winning distillery

As its miles of gorgeous shoreline and tropical climate should suggest, Sarasota is place to be if you like spending time outside. The city has wide selection of beaches, nature preserves, and parks to keep your days filled with sunshine and blue sky.

Active things to see in Sarasota include:

  • Lido Key Beach: a sandy beach with picnic tables and a swimming pool
  • Bayfront Park: Waterfront park with a promenade, playground, tiki bar, and dramatic views of the bay and city
  • Sarasota Beach: a gorgeous and peaceful beach with sugar-white sand
  • Ringling Bridge Causeway Park: 12 acres of sand and grass under the Ringling Bridge
  • Ted Sperling Nature Park: swimming, picnicking, a playground, and trails