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
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