The Legacy trail follows the route of the old Seaboard Air Line railroad and runs from downtown Venice up to Sarasota. The service is friendly and really adds to the atmosphere. Our guide to the best things to do in Sarasota is all you need to plan the perfect trip! 14 Best Things to Do in Sarasota (FL) - The Crazy Tourist This is a really fun thing to do while in Sarasota. What is the point otherwise?! The Gator Club is a stylish venue with a good selection of drinks, it plays reggae each Thursday. One of the most unique shopping destinations in Sarasota is this large non-profit consignment store offering a diverse assortment of affordably priced furniture, along with womens clothing, jewellery, crystal, china, silver, art, linens, oriental rugs and more. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, the opera house is conveniently settled near boutique shops and fine dining restaurants to extend your adventures in Sarasota. Sarasota is all about show business, and at any moment of the year, you will find a show or a performance to attend in the city. The resort also has an 18-hole championship golf course, spa, gym, and numerous restaurants to sample the highest quality food and drinks around. Held each spring, this festival attracts a crowd that voraciously devour three days of food, fossils, arts and crafts, music and fun for the whole family. University Park, The Meadows, Sara Bay and Founders are all excellent members-only clubs. How would you like to pet a baby alligator? The Museum of Art was commissioned in 1925 by circus entrepreneur John Ringling. Daily shows welcome visitors to experience and learn more about these fascinating creatures with the chance to have one-on-one interactions with them after the show. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Expect to see over 100 years of motoring history represented by the likes of Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Cadillac, Ferrari and Edsel to name a few. By the way, you should really taste the honey. Here's 10 standout reasons to drive to Sarasota. Ten Cool Outdoor Things To Do In Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama Fun 4 Sarasota Kids - Fun 4 Sarasota Kids Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Immerse yourself in a world of orchids For any budding botanists out there (pun fully intended),. Next, go dolphin-watching to see these majestic creatures leap through the oceans waters as they play. Things To Do In Sarasota This Weekend | March 3-5, 2023 One of the most unique ways to explore Sarasota is by joining a Historic Trolley Tour. It also has an animal hospital, virtual reality diving experience and fossils, including a replica of prehistoric sharks jaws. Things To Do While nothing beats a day at the beach, go beyond the miles of award-winning coastline to discover everything Sarasota County offers. Hosted by the Historical Society of Sarasota County, guests will board a traditional tram (known in the US as a 'trolley') before embarking on a fascinating tour of downtown Sarasota. TripBuzz found 36 things to do indoors in the Sarasota area. Burns Court Cinema 5. Here is a list of the best places in Sarasota for families. It is held only on Saturday mornings from 8 to 13 and tends to get crowded, so be there early if you want to take your time strolling around the stands. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 18 Best Things To Do In Sarasota, FL You Shouldn't Miss Watching a Broadway musical here is one of the best things you can do on a summer night, and the atmosphere will stay with you forever. Theres much to see and explore at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium! This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. The 12-mile-long route is also dog-friendly so no one has to miss out. One of the things to do in Sarasota that you cannot miss is the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. The park started hosting regatta competitions in 2009, with only a few sites in the nation standing up to the task. Powered by Mai Theme, 16 Best Things To Do In Panama City You Shouldnt Miss, Tips For Visiting And Finding Beer Can Island. Want more than just unusual and unique things to do in Sarasota? As well as being home to some of the countrys most beautiful beaches, the city and surrounding area is a paradise for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Peer at the intriguing differences between European and American cars and how the design of automobiles changed throughout history. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. A qualified marine biologist scoops animals out of the bay and into glass tanks so that you can watch and learn right in the environment itself. It has a rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions as well as a large permanent collection. 30 Best Things to do in Sarasota - Mom Explores Southwest Florida But its the Sea Life Encounters cruise that brings the under and overwater world to life. Publix Aprons Cooking School at University Walk Sarasota, FL. Robin Hood Rentals 12. Sarasota sits just south of Tampa on Floridas sparkling Gulf Coast, a place well known as a coastal getaway for all ages. The Ringling Museum was built to house the collection and serve as a cultural center for the state of Florida. Aside from a place to see world-class comedy, theres also a bar and restaurant with a full menu to savor before the show. Featuring its own stretch of private beach and stunning views over turquoise waters, the Hyatt Residence Club Sarasota tops the list for luxurious stays in Sarasota. Near Tampa Bay in southwest Florida, Sarasota is a tropical paradise that satiates nature lovers, adventurers, and those looking to take a load off and relax in the tropical breeze. 1. TreeUmph! Spend a day strolling through art galleries and museums, hunting for shark teeth, picking up local goods at the farmer's market or perfecting your golf game. Then get packing! For more sightseeing ideas, read our list of the top things to do in Sarasota. Just an hour away is St. Petersburg, filled with things to do that include more beautiful white sands, a thriving downtown, a chance to hike the Boyd Hill Nature Preserve at night, and a series of unique indoor attractions like the world-class Dali museum. Head to Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island if youre after a day of picnicking and grilling or try Cortez Beach for a more underdeveloped feel and tall trees lining up the long stretch of sand. Lake Manatee State Park has a swimming beach for anyone wishing to cool off, swim, or bask in the sun. LOCATION Main Street DATES 9-10 February 2019, A visitor admiring artwork at the Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts (Photo: Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts), Step back into the past on a Historic Trolley Tour. 1. Here are some the best events which is happening on this weekend in Sarasota. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. Myakka River State Park opened in 1942 and the Myakka River was designated a Florida Wild and Scenic River by the State legislature in 1985. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Vegetarian and vegan food are at their best in Lila, which specializes in noodle bowls, while Made is famous for its Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich filled with bacon, spicy sauce, and cheese. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The renowned Siesta Key Beach is located in south Sarasota county, famous for its white-sugar sands and crystal clear waters. The Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy. The giant squid's 27-foot-long corpse lies preserved within a Sarasota aquarium. This is the second most important antique car museum in the United States and one of the best Sarasota attractions to visit with kids. Explore Myakka River State Park 4. Bucket list 100 fun things to do in Sarasota County including restaurants, bars, beaches and more! This spot is a great place to try new things. Go face-to-face with a lion, tiger, liger, bear, camel, lemur or monkey. All rights reserved. This is heaven for every kid who will have a great time in the petting zoo, playing with the rabbits or giggling in amazement with a primate on their shoulder. As well as the many varieties of tropical plants and flowers you will also find species of parrots, primates, lizards and alligators as well as the star attraction, the native Florida flamingos. 12 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids | SheBuysTravel Theres plenty to see and do nearby when youre ready to keep exploring beyond Sarasota. Ride the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley, shop at the nearby Siesta Key Village, join an e-bike tour along the beach, or rent a jet ski for a thrilling ride across the waters. It is part zoo part garden with so much to see. The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. Opened only recently in 2014, The Mall has luxury department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillards and Macys among a host of other popular brands. Ever fancy yourself as a ninja warrior contestant? Plus, the freshwater lake, Lake Osprey, is open for swimming! In addition, guided tours are available every Tuesday for an informative tour of the commissioned artwork found within Patriot Plaza. Or visit the nearby Siesta Key Rum Distillery for a guided tour of the tasting room. Tampa Bay theme parks is just minutes away too if youre looking to get your heart pumping. Home to an exceptional collection of vintage cars, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum is renowned for its displays of cars, some of which are rare or have been owned by prominent celebrities. Beyond the white sand, though, youll find lifeguard huts in candy-popping colours at regular intervals and sea an ice- blue cool. They amassed a huge collection of artworks from the medieval, renaissance and baroque periods, including works by the old masters. The best wines, local foods and in-the-know guides will surely make it a night to remember. Stroll around the Circus Ring of Fame, which honours numerous circus performing legends and have a think about the level of vision and influence that John Ringling embodied. This ten-stop itinerary is by no means exhaustive. Committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of birds, the Wild Bird Learning Centers mission is to recuperate these avian species to return to their natural habitats. AddThis sets this cookie to track page visits, sources of traffic and share counts. Greenhouses show rotating exhibits. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Im not afraid to confess: it moved me to tears. Port Charlotte. Learn about current animal topics and habitat preservations criticalness as you tour the sanctuary protecting 300+ animals. Barracuda, sea bass, snapper and amberjack are all to be found lurking about the reefs. The Ringling 4. How to swim with manatees in Florida, the ethical way, What surprised me about the Marie Selby Gardens, Weird things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida, The Ultimate West Coast Florida itinerary, A fly-drive itinerary for the west coast in Florida, Driving Massachusetts: road trips from Boston, Two weeks in Alabama: the most surprising road trip, The pre-travel checklist you can print and download. Thousands of spectators descend on the shores of Sarasota Bay to witness an array of spectacularly decorated and lighted boats cruising across the waters. An upscale, beautiful one with more than 130 locations in a well organised wheel thats close to the beach and with ample parking. As well as fantastic food the Dry Dock also offers a beautiful location. Sarasota County has a variety of attractions for everyone's enjoyment, from art museums to natural science aquariums and other local must-sees. 25 Best Things To Do In Northern California (2023 Guide), 21 Best Things To Do In Kauai, Hawaii (2023 Guide), 21 Best Things To Do In Destin, Florida (2023 Guide). Ca dZan means Johns House in Venetian dialect, and the Ringlings adored it. Escape from Sarasota? 20 Things To Do In Sarasota (Florida) In 2023 It is primarily a rescue center for animals in need but also offers the chance to do yoga with some of the parks residents. The top tourist attractions in Sarasota, FL, include Siesta Key Beach, The Ringling, Marie Selby Gardens, and Lido Key. 2023 Atlas Obscura. St. Armands has high fashion stores, independent boutiques, restaurants, cafes and museums all nestled within its shaded patios and walkways. The mermaid shows, cave-diving, underwater museums, mangrove-kayaking, and wildlife-watching opportunities presented here still only scratch the surface and the depths - of the myriad activities possible along this wondrous coastline. 5. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products, and regularly review these. 26 Great Things to Do With Kids in Sarasota The company was originally based in an 18th-century Italian theatre, reconstructed near the Ringling Museum of Art. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. LOCATION Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue DATES 5-6 July 2019, A performer in full flow during the Sarasota Improv Festival (Photo: Sarasota Improv Festival), Indulge in some retail therapy at The Womens Exchange. AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information. See also: Clearwater Beach - Florida's Finest White Sand Beach. The Myakka Canopy Walkway offers a unique opportunity to witness life up in the tree canopy. Sunset Celebration - John Ringling Causeway Bridge John Ringling Causeway Sarasota, FL 34236 Celebrate Sarasota's famously beautiful sunsets on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge, a 1-km bridge going over Sarasota Bay and connecting the city to other Florida Keys. The TPC Prestancia is in the Siesta Key vicinity and has often hosted PGA championship events. Whether your interest is shopping, dining or culture you can find it all here. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Navigate through the obstacles, enjoy the tropical setting, and walk around the well-kept grounds. This impressive European-style structure is also home to contemporary works and regular exhibitions. photo: VisitSarasota.com 6. Top 10 Awesome Things To Do in Sarasota - Authentic Florida For a more easy-going night out, why not try the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. The zoo also organises animal shows, where you can learn a lot about the sanctuarys conservation efforts. Located in Sarasota, Florida, the farm offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages. John Ringling collected unusual works from around the globe. A walk through the often-crowded Sarasota Farmers Market fills the air with smells of freshly baked artisan goods and fragrant flowers. Since its founding in 1973, the Florida Studio Theatre has expanded to five small theatres spread across downtown Sarasota to promote a one-of-a-kind, professional experience. This expansive area of wetlands, prairies and forests is the real unspoiled and wild Florida. 45 BEST Things To Do In Sarasota, FL (Fun & Unique!)