12 Best Things to do in Sarasota, Florida
The gulf coast of Florida rivals the Caribbean with its beautiful beaches and endless activities. Just 60 miles south of Tampa, Sarasota is an hour away from the big city vibes and two hours away from the Disney adults (no Disney hate but lol). There are three easily accessible airports with endless direct flights from major American cities making Sarasota perfect for a long weekend or an extensive vacay!
#1 The Ringling Museum
Located right across from the entrance to the Sarasota airport, the Ringling is the perfect first stop in Sarasota (maybe after the Starbucks in the airport). the Ringling is famous for being the prior training location and home to John and Mable Ringling. One of the most affluent men of his time, John Ringling was one of the five Ringling Brothers who teamed up to create the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The creation of the Ringling Bros World's Greatest Shows led to a monopoly of the modern day circus.
Now, now, you may not be interested in circuses—I certainly am not a fan (save the elephants), but the Ringling is SO much more than that. It is the most instagrammable spot in Sarasota (maybe even the gulf coast) and home to some of the most beautiful Italian architecture and art. Make sure you check out the pink courtyard in front of the art museum for a picture like this. Other must-see’s while visiting the Ringling are the Ca D’Zan, the mini-circus gallery, and the art museum itself.
Prices: Adult $25 | Senior (65+) $23 | Child (6-17) $5 | Child 5 and under are Free | Members are Free
Discounted Museum Admissions require a current ID and must be purchased in person: Active US Military $15 | Florida Teacher $10 | College Student $5 | FSU, USF, SCF, NCF, RCAD students are free | Personal Care Attendants are free | Museums for All* participants are free.
For a taste of Italy in Florida, make sure you add the Ringling museum to your list of things to do in Sarasota!
#2 Lido Beach
Lido Beach is a great spot to watch the sunset and then walk to St. Armands after for a nice dinner. Parking is free near the beach, so you can either find a spot closer to the beach or pay a couple of dollars on St. Armands. Lido Beach is perfect for watching the sunset, collecting shells and sand dollars, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the gulf coast. You definitely do not want to miss this beach on your trip to Sarasota!
One of the many beautiful sunsets we watched on Lido Beach.
#3 St. Armand’s Circle
The hustle and bustle of St. Armand’s Circle is always prime for people watching, grabbing the perfect souvenir, and finding a bite to eat. Several spots you don’t want to miss include:
Daiquiri Deck
Arcade Monsters Lido Beach
Meany’s Mini Donuts
Definitely do a lap around the circle to enjoy the aroma of St. Armands—everyone here is happy, there are musicians playing music, and the smells of yummy food fill the air. After doing some shopping, you are probably hungry, so I recommend the following for dinner:
Venezia - This is everyone in our family’s FAVORITE restaurant in Sarasota. I am a sucker for any Italian restaurant that has gnocchi on the menu, but more than that, the ambiance is fantastic. They do not take reservations and there is usually a little wait, but definitely worth it for a table outside at Venezia.
Columbia Restaurant - Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, this chain of restaurants claim to be Florida’s oldest restaurant. This restaurant has more awards than you can count, and you will see why when you eat here, because it is awesome!
#3 Myakka River State Park
Myakka Canopy Walkway is a treehouse and suspension bridge in the sky at twenty-five feet in the air. At the top of the tower (which sits at 75 feet in the air), you will have amazing views of the wetlands of Myakka. You may even spot some wildlife including eagles and other birds of prey. After you climb down from the tower, definitely check out the other amenities Myakka River State Park has to offer.
There are miles of hiking trails and a visitor’s center, and you can even take a boat cruise to spot some alligators.
People who are scared of heights might not love the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk, but fear not as there are plenty of other activities in the park to enjoy.
#4 Sarasota Jungle Gardens
This spot may be advertised as super family-friendly, but this place has something for everyone and kids and adults alike will love it. Famed for its super instagrammable flamingos that live there, you will not be able to stop snapping pictures of the gorgeous plants and animals that live there.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a flamingo lover’s dream! They are my favorite bird and I couldn’t even count them all. You can purchase special food to feed all the animals in the park and these guys will ‘flock’ to you.
The wildlife at Sarasota Jungle Gardens are so plentiful and well-kept. Knowing that the animals are loved makes this place even more special to visit. Also, look at this little guys hands—they’re so cute.
#5 Siesta Key
Ranked the #1 beach in the United States by TripAdvisor and Dr. Beach, Siesta Key beach is not to be missed! Famous for its gorgeous beaches, Siesta Key is also home to the national sensation reality TV show—Siesta Key.
The beach is huge and has so much going on at all times. If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota on a Sunday evening, there is a drum circle that happens every week. Here you can dance the night away on the beach or enjoy the views of all the eclectic people the drum circle attracts.
The sand itself is so soft and the water is as clear as the Caribbean. You can spend an entire day just lounging by the ocean, which is why this spot is so crowded every day. Despite this, there is plenty of free parking, concession stands, and restrooms available for public use.
Shell shopping on any of the Siesta Key beaches is a fun activity to do. Right after sunrise is the best time to find all the sand dollars.
#6 Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach is a family favorite for watching the sunset. Just a couple minutes’ drive past Siesta Key beach, you can reach several other beach spots to enjoy for the day. Turtle Beach is great because you can park for free right next to the beach and not have to carry all your beach items very far. The sand is so soft and a very popular spot with the locals.
#7 Crescent Beach
Another option for Siesta Key beaches is the beautiful Crescent Beach. Parking here is a little bit trickier than in the others, but if you find a spot, this beach is a fantastic place to spend the day or stop to watch the sunset. Make sure you stop at the always-packed Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar across the street from the beach for a daiquiri from their to-go stand.
#8 Point of Rocks
If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota/Siesta Key in the summer when the water is warm, you must stop at Point of Rocks. Point of Rocks is known by locals for being one of the only snorkeling spots in the area. Getting here is not as easy as our other spots on this itinerary, but easily accessible from Crescent Beach. From Crescent Beach, walk to the southernmost tip of the beach until you hit a rock sea wall. From there, climb along the sea wall and look for the steps to get into the water. This spot is perfect for snorkeling and wading in the tide pools. This is also a perfect spot to take your bikini Instagram you have been trying to capture all week.
#9 Siesta Key Village
Siesta Key Village is another super fun shopping and dining spot in the Sarasota area. A little bit smaller than St. Armand’s, but also a different vibe, this place is perfect for finding a “Siesta Key” souvenir and having some amazing food. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are located in the village, so here are some of my favorites:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar - Literally always packed, but for good reasons. Arguably the best seafood and vibes in the Sarasota area, definitely try to score a table at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. They also surprisingly have an amazing brunch (and you get a free drink with any entree).
Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill - I absolutely adore this spot! This place makes you feel like you are in a tiki bar in Hawaii. The food here is mainly bar food, but the experience is so worth it, so definitely prioritize a visit to this spot for either dinner or a quick cocktail.
Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village - I know I keep listing all the Daiquiri Deck locations (there are five), but you must stop at one of these spots at least once. The drinks are so yummy and the bartenders are all so nice and fun. This is a great spot to watch a sporting event or to spend a night out drinking.
Cafe Gabbiano - For an enjoyable fine-dining experience, check out Cafe Gabbiano. Their wine selection is extensive and everything on the menu is fantastic. We celebrated my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday here and we all were raving about how perfect the evening was.
#10 Mote Aquarium
Mote Aquarium is amazing! This is the perfect place to take a family of animal lovers of all ages. We spent an entire day here when we were here. There is so much to do and see and the aquarium is broken into sections focusing on different parts of the ecosystem of Florida. The aquarium is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays. Prices for Mote Aquarium are below:
Adults (13 & older): $24
Youth (ages 3-12): $18
Children (ages 0-2): Free
At Mote Aquarium, you can find Nemo and Dory look-a-likes like these guys.
#11 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Located in pretty much the most iconic area of Sarasota, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are a beautiful stop for plant lovers and those looking for the perfect instagram. They have rotating art and floral exhibits as well as beautiful views of the ocean as you walk through the grounds of the gardens. They have the most spectacular tropical flowers and plants due to Florida’s tropical climate. This 15-acre botanical garden is home to more than 20,000 plants including 5,500 beautiful orchids. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday except Christmas. Ticket prices go for:
Adults: $25
Ages 5-17: $10
Age 4 and under: Free
#12 Sarasota Farmer’s Market
If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota on a Saturday, the Sarasota Farmer’s Market is the best! I have never been to a better farmer’s market; it is basically a giant fair from 10 am to 1 pm. I always enjoy our time here and come home bearing many yummy treats.
