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Sarasota is an elegant city on Florida's Gulf Coast, set on Sarasota Bay and sheltered by a chain of barrier islands with some of the finest beaches in the country. Pioneer families settled here in the late 1800s, and Scottish colonists arrived in 1885, but Sarasota's character was shaped in the 1920s, when circus owner John Ringling and his wife Mable built their Venetian Gothic mansion, Ca' d'Zan, on the bayfront and made the city the winter home of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Today Sarasota has about 55,000 residents in the city and many more in the surrounding county, and it is often called Florida's cultural coast. The Ringling estate is now home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and lush gardens, and the city supports an opera, a symphony, a ballet, several theaters and a respected architecture tradition known as the Sarasota School of modernism. Downtown and St. Armands Circle are lined with galleries, boutiques and restaurants.
The beaches are the other great draw. Siesta Key Beach, famous for its powdery white quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, is regularly ranked among the best beaches in the United States, and Lido Key, Longboat Key and Turtle Beach offer quieter stretches of Gulf shoreline. Visitors can also explore the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on the bayfront, see manatees and sharks at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, and paddle the alligator-filled Myakka River State Park just inland.
The former winter estate of circus owner John Ringling, with the Museum of Art and its Rubens collection, the Venetian Gothic mansion Ca' d'Zan, the Circus Museum with a huge miniature circus model, and bayfront gardens. A full visit takes most of a day; buy the combined ticket.
A wide public beach on Siesta Key known for its powder-soft white sand made of almost pure quartz, which stays cool underfoot. Calm, shallow water suits families, and the park has lifeguards, playgrounds and a pavilion. Parking is free but fills by late morning on weekends.
A public beach a short walk from St. Armands Circle with white sand, a seasonal pool and concessions, and quieter stretches toward South Lido Park where you can kayak through mangrove tunnels. It is the closest Gulf beach to downtown Sarasota and usually less crowded than Siesta Key.
A long barrier island north of Lido Key with quiet public beaches, resorts and residential streets. Beach access points are spread along Gulf of Mexico Drive, and the north end near Beer Can Island is popular for shelling and watching boats. Parking at the small access lots is limited.
A landscaped roundabout on St. Armands Key, laid out by John Ringling in the 1920s, ringed with about 130 boutiques, galleries, ice cream shops and restaurants. Statues from Ringling's collection stand in the center. It is busiest at sunset; park in the free garages nearby.
Bayfront gardens downtown famous for their research collection of orchids and bromeliads, shown in a tropical conservatory, plus banyan groves, a koi pond and bamboo paths. The historic Spanish Point campus south of town is part of the same organization. Allow about two hours.
The public aquarium of Mote Marine Laboratory, a nonprofit marine research institute, showcases sharks, sea turtles, manatees, rays and Gulf of Mexico habitats, with talks by staff about ocean research and rescue work. It is a good choice for children and for hot or rainy days.
One of Florida's largest state parks, with wetlands, prairies and the Myakka River full of alligators and wading birds. Walk the canopy walkway 25 feet up in the oak and palm hammock, rent a canoe or bike, or take the airboat tour on Upper Myakka Lake. Bring water and sun protection.
A county stormwater area east of the city turned into one of Florida's best birding spots, with boardwalks, a hill viewpoint and ponds attracting herons, sandhill cranes, ospreys and ducks. The Sarasota Audubon nature center is on site. Early morning is best for birds.
Downtown's Main Street and Palm Avenue hold restaurants, galleries and shops, and lead to the bayfront where the Unconditional Surrender kissing statue stands near Island Park and the marina. The Saturday Sarasota Farmers Market on Lemon Avenue is one of the best in the region.
A restored 1926 Mediterranean Revival theater downtown that is home to Sarasota Opera, which stages a winter season of classic opera with surtitles. Guided tours of the building are offered on some days, and the season peaks from February to March when the city is busiest.
A distinctive purple concert hall on the bayfront, designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and opened in 1970, with a scallop-shell shape. It hosts touring Broadway musicals, the Sarasota Orchestra, comedy and concerts. Arrive early to watch the sunset over the bay before a show.
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