Sarasota makes the perfect weekend getaway wherever you may be coming from. 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!

Sarasota Vacation: Best Time to Visit

There is no bad time to visit Sarasota or the Gulf Coast of Florida. Sarasota is in the prime location of Florida, but dependent on how you are looking to spend your vacation, you will want to plan your trip around the weather.

The best time to visit Sarasota is from March to May when temperatures average in the low 80s. The high season for snowbirds and tourists alike is directly after the holidays wrap up until around April/May. During the summer, Sarasota will be spicy hot, but ideal if you are going to be spending the majority of your time at the beach and in the water.

The beautiful and predictable weather of Sarasota will allow for an ideal trip at any time of the year.

Additional planning tip: Please note that Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak of the season being the first week of September.

Day 1: Arrival, Lido Beach, and St. Armand’s Circle

Arriving in Sarasota

By Air: Sarasota is extremely accessible from any city in the United States. Serviced by three airports including its very-own Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). SRQ has flights from every major American airline company as well as several budget airlines that make a quick and cheap trip to Sarasota an easy last-minute vacation spot. They also surprisingly have many direct flights that travel all along the East coast. Another easy option is to fly into Tampa International Airport and drive an hour—and trust me, it’s a beautiful drive. The last option, but also with the fewest amount of flights, is to fly into St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Also an hour away, this airport has great direct flights from several smaller cities in the US including Peoria IL, Roanoke VA, Cedar Rapids IA, Niagara Falls NY, and more.

By Land: Driving into Sarasota is an option for anyone located in the continental US. Granted Florida is very far from the glooming majority of the states, Sarasota is an easily accessible location from the following spots:

• Tampa - 1-hour drive

• Naples - 2-hour drive

• Orlando - 2.5-hour drive

• Miami - 3.5-hour drive

• Savannah, GA - 6-hour drive

Where to stay in Sarasota

Budget: Baymont by Wyndham Sarasota

Although this hotel is not in the prime location of Sarasota, you can still drive five minutes and be close to all the main attractions Sarasota has to offer. This spot is nice because it has a pool and does not break the bank if you are looking to save a little on your accommodation visiting Sarasota.

Mid-Range: The Westin Sarasota

Right in the heart of Sarasota, the Westin is one of the few high-rise buildings that provide the city of Sarasota with a mini “cityscape” view. At the top of the Westin, there is a rooftop pool that is absolutely perfect for watching the sunset over the ocean. The rooms are large and are the perfect happy medium for having a luxury vacation, but not going over the top.

Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

I absolutely adore this hotel and contemplated having my wedding here. There is nowhere nicer to stay in Sarasota other than the gorgeous and fabulous Ritz Carlton. It has its own private beach club where a shuttle will take you to another beautiful spot on the beach. One of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota is located at the Ritz—Jack Dusty’s—make sure you get their signature cocktail: The Siren.

Depending on what time you get into Sarasota, you can either B-line it straight to the beach for sunset or start a fresh day by visiting my favorite spot in Sarasota.

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-sees 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!

Lido Beach

After visiting the beauty of the Ringling museum, I recommend you head to one of my favorite beaches in the area: Lido Beach. This is a great spot to watch the sunset and then walk to St. Armands after for a nice dinner. Parking is free along the beach, so you can either find a spot closer to the beach or park anywhere in St. Armands for a small price to take a stroll through the lovely circle. 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!

St. Armand’s Circle

After soaking up some sunshine, head on over to St. Armand’s Circle. The hustle and bustle of this area 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 before dinner 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 claims 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!

Day 2: Siesta Key Beaches, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and Sunset Dinner

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.

If you missed the beach yesterday, you are in luck! Today we are headed to the #1 beach in the United States on the beautiful island of Siesta Key. Famous for its gorgeous beaches, Siesta Key is also home to the national sensation reality TV show—Siesta Key.

Breakfast at Original Word of Mouth

To start the day off, join the locals by grabbing some breakfast or brunch at Original Word of Mouth. This tiny joint has some of the best breakfast food you can find in Sarasota, and we haven’t had a bad meal here yet.

Siesta Key Beach

Ranked the #1 beach in the United States by TripAdvisor and Dr. Beach, Siesta Key beach is not to be missed!

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.

Turtle Beach

If Siesta Key beach is packed, you can head to either Turtle Beach or Crescent Beach for a little bit of a different vibe. 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.

Crescent Beach

Another option for Siesta Key beaches is the beautiful Crescent Beach. Parking here is a little bit trickier than at 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.

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.

Captain Curt’s

Head back to Captain Curt’s for lunch! Here you can take a quick break from the sunshine (and heat) to enjoy some delicious seafood and drinks right across from Crescent Beach. In the evening, they usually have a band playing, making the atmosphere here unbeatable. After lunch, check out another one of the beaches I listed and soak up some more rays or ride on a jet ski from one of the various rental companies they have in the area.

Siesta Key Village

After you have had your fill of the sunshine, 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 how perfect the evening was.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

After you are stuffed from lunch, drive just another minute or two down the road to visit my favorite touristy thing to do in Sarasota—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 is 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.

Sunset Dinner at the Point

After an afternoon full of cute critters, make your way to The Point in Osprey, FL for sunset drinks and dinner. This is the perfect date night spot and the views of the sunset are just immaculate. Make sure you make reservations on the top floor for the perfect view. This is the absolute best way to end your adventure day in Sarasota.

Note: 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.