Sarasota, a sunny town on Florida’s west coast just 2 hours from Orlando, is a paradise for sea, art and nature lovers.
Known for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage and natural parks, it’s a destination that’s constantly reinventing itself.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, art lover or simply looking to relax in the Florida sunshine, Sarasota awaits you with its hidden treasures and unique experiences.
Here are 12 activities and places to visit in Sarasota, as well as our best addresses.
Outdoor activities and leisure
1. Siesta Key and the magnificent beaches of Saratosa
The beaches around Sarasota are famous for their white sands and crystal-clear waters. What makes them so unique is the composition of their sand, 99% pure quartz.
Siesta Key Beach is the most popular and was ranked number one in the United States by TripAdvisor in 2020. It’s the perfect place to relax, swim and collect shells.
The proximity of Siesta Key Village with its stores and dining options also makes it a convenient option for a day at the beach.
On the other hand, a short drive will take you to a succession of beautiful beaches, sometimes more secluded or, on the contrary, with all the services:
- Lido Beach;
- Turtle Beach;
- Crescent Beach;
- Venice Beach to hunt for shells and shark teeth.
2. Explore mangrove tunnels by kayak
Sarasota’s mangrove tunnels offer an unforgettable kayaking experience. Glide through these winding waterways and discover a unique ecosystem where wildlife is king.
A variety of birds, such as ospreys, blue herons and sometimes even eagles, can be seen in their natural habitat. Several companies offer kayak tours that can be booked online.
3. Explore Myakka River State Park
Popular for wildlife viewing (alligators, birds, turtles, vultures, deer, etc.), Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s largest and oldest parks.
A multitude of activities are offered on site. You can take a hydrofoil tour, explore the park by bike, kayak, canoe or even camp.
There are also several hiking trails, not to mention the Canopy Walkway, a suspension bridge in the air that leads to a panoramic tower and allows you to admire the forest from another angle.
4. Cycling the Legacy Trail
The Legacy Trail is one of Sarasota’s best bike trails. It stretches for 18.5 miles, connecting Sarasota to Venice. Ideal for cyclists and hikers, this trail offers a paved route through magnificent landscapes and bridges, enriched by panels telling the local story.
Discover the flora and fauna
Do you love animals and nature? You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Saratosa with all these activities and places to visit.
5. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
A haven of peace and beauty, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are a must for nature lovers.
Marie Selby lived on the property for 50 years and on her death in 1971, the area was transformed into a botanical garden in accordance with her last wishes.
It’s the only place in the world that studies and researches epiphytes, plants that grow on other plants without harming or damaging them.
These botanical gardens are also home to the world’s largest collection of bromeliads, a true feast for the eyes.
Don’t miss the rainforest garden and the butterfly garden, not to mention the greenhouse and its floral arrangements.
6. Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
The Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a haven for big cats and other exotic species. This sanctuary offers a unique experience, allowing close encounters with felines such as lions, tigers and ligers (a hybrid between a lion and a tiger). There are also bears, monkeys and a variety of birds.
The site serves as a permanent refuge for animals that cannot survive in the wild, while educating visitors about the importance of conservation. It’s both an educational and moving experience, highlighting Sarasota’s commitment to wildlife protection.
7. Admire the pink flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens offers a unique experience, combining botanical garden and animal sanctuary. Built on a former banana orchard, this garden is a paradise for families and nature lovers.
Visitors can stroll along paths surrounded by lush vegetation and take part in encounters with animals such as flamingos, alligators and parrots.
8. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium offers incredible encounters with marine life, interactive educational programs and even kayak and eco-boat tours. During your visit, you can admire manatees, sharks and sea turtles up close.
Cultural and historical attractions
9. Ca D’Zan Mansion and the Ringling Museum
The circus is part of Sarasota’s DNA, and a good number of its residents are linked, in one way or another, to this universe. The fact that the Ringling and Barnum circus made Sarasota its winter home is certainly no coincidence.
The Ringling Museum is a combination art museum, circus museum and historic mansion. In short, there’s something for everyone.
You can decide to make a short visit or spend the whole day there. It’s very impressive and definitely not to be missed.
The Ca D’Zan Mansion
The Ca D’Zan Mansion, former winter residence of the co-founder of the Ringling Brothers circus, is an architectural masterpiece reflecting John Ringling’s love of Venice.
With its influences from iconic Venetian landmarks such as the Doge’s Palace and Hotel Grunwald, the house evokes a Venetian Gothic aesthetic.
The interior, just as opulent as the exterior, houses treasures such as a crystal chandelier from the former Waldorf-Astoria hotel. A visit to Ca D’Zan is a must for lovers of architecture and history.
To give you an idea of its splendor, construction was completed in 1926 at a cost of $1.5 million, or roughly $20.9 million today.
The gardens
After the tour, discover John and Mabel’s secret garden, where they are buried, as well as Mabel’s garden, Florida’s oldest rose garden.
The circus museum
Another attraction not to be missed on the site is the circus museum.
Established in 1948, the Circus Museum is the first museum in the United States to document the origin and history of the circus, with a special focus on the Ringling family.
The highlight of the visit is the miniature reconstruction of a circus of the era. It’s gigantic, and everything is meticulously reproduced: the city, the camps for feeding and housing the thousands of circus workers, the menageries, the entertainment booths, and so on.
In May 2017, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey gave its final performance. A page of cultural history is being turned, but fortunately this will not affect the Ringling Museum.
10. Sarasota Classic Car Museum
For car enthusiasts, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum is a must-see destination. With a collection spanning the history of the automobile, this museum displays classic cars and restored relics, recounting the fascinating evolution of this mechanical art.
For a little shopping
11. Saint Armands Circle
Saint Armands Circle is the ideal place for a shopping spree in Saratosa or to grab a bite to eat.
Located on a small island just off Sarasota Bay, it boasts over 130 luxury boutiques and high-end restaurants.
With its towering palm trees, statues from the John Ringling collection, pedestrian zone and colorful tropical plants, Saint Armands Circle is a place rich in history and culture.
In the Saratosa area
12. Anna Maria Island
As soon as you cross the bridge to Anna Maria Island, you feel as if you’ve arrived on a small tropical island.
After driving past the private clubs, resorts and golf courses of Longboat Key, it’s time to enter another world with the low, colorful houses of Anna Maria and its sandy streets.
It’s a thing of beauty. Even if you already were, you feel like you’re on vacation.
After a stroll around the island and the Anna Maria City Pier as well as a good fish meal, it’s time for a quick trip to the beach.
There are pelicans everywhere, sea turtles and two dolphins swimming just a few meters from us.
Did I mention it looks a lot like heaven?
Practical info
Some good places to eat
Sarasota is a coastal town, and fish and seafood steal the show on menus.
Oysters, rock crabs, scallops, alligator bites, ceviche, fresh-caught fish of the day simply grilled over charcoal…. we had a wonderful time during our stay.
Walt’s Fish Market
Among the addresses we tried, one in particular caught my eye: Walt’s Fish Market.
Both a fish market and a restaurant, it’s also worth visiting the Tiki bar. It’s very lively and friendly, and the atmosphere is guaranteed. Ask the waiters about the day’s catch, what’s in season and what’s not.
For more information, visit the restaurant’s website.
Sarasota Farmer’s Market
Open year-round, it’s the place to go for locals and tourists alike to sample fresh local produce and discover unique products. Website.
Where to stay in Sarasota?
Discover the best hotels on Booking.com
Continue reading
This article contains affiliate links. This means that a commission will be received for every purchase made on the affiliate site. The price will not change for you, but the revenue we receive will help us cover the costs of maintaining the site.