Sarasota Farmers Market. With lots of music, entertainment, and an overall joie de vivre, the list of things to do in Saratoga Springs feels endless. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. #1 in Sarasota Address: 13208 State Road 72 Natural Wonders, Parks and Gardens, Hiking, Recreation TYPE 2 hours to Half Day TIME TO SPEND Considered one of Florida's oldest and largest state. 18 Best Things To Do In Sarasota, FL You Shouldn't Miss Drum Circle Siesta Key Beach 2. 15 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota at Night (for 2023) Mrs Palmer built a great home at the Historic Spanish Point, surrounded by beautiful gardens. These guided trolley tours will show you all the most haunted sites of Sarasota. The theater is reputed for hosting one of the largest Shakespeare festivals in the nation. The organization rehabilitates and releases thousands of injured birds each year. St. Armands has high fashion stores, independent boutiques, restaurants, cafes and museums all nestled within its shaded patios and walkways. 1. Traveling with little ones? Unfortunately, visitors will not be able to see manatees at the park. Enjoy a romantic dinner at one of the fine dining restaurants. Visitors can easily access the lake from the docks to go kayaking, canoeing, and boating. What makes the Sarasota neighbourhood of Pinecraft unique is not its physical appearance so much as its people. It is open to TPC members. Sarasota is home to a number of impressive public and private golf courses. This popular Owens Fish Camp restaurant serves up the best of local seafood in eclectic and non-pretentious surrounding. Originally constructed as a tourist attraction in the late 1940s, the imitation of a lone gunners station began life as part of an arms museum, but since the museum itself was closed, the landmark has eked out a lonely existence, with the occasional visitor for company as it serves its role as the only reminder of the forts bygone days. 15 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota Florida US Gulf Coast Travel The Marie Selby Gardens are the best of a botanical garden: an art gallery, adventure centre, cool caf and meditative retreat all in one. Youll save yourself the hassle of finding a taxi and received personalized attention the entire time. All you can see from here used to be their land. It is one of a series of computer-generated sculptures created by American artist Seward Johnson. Sarasota County has a variety of attractions for everyone's enjoyment, from art museums to natural science aquariums and other local must-sees. See also: Clearwater Beach - Florida's Finest White Sand Beach. Things to do in Sarasota, FL | Visit Sarasota Use an app to find objects, score points and complete challenges, all under the supervision of a local host. Definitely one of the best free things to do in Sarasota. Expanding across a hefty 66 acres, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was established by the famous circus magnate, The Ringling Circus. 15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Sarasota 1. The park started hosting regatta competitions in 2009, with only a few sites in the nation standing up to the task. First, traverse the trails by walking, running, skating, or biking while enjoying the scenic views. Discover Sarasota Tours offers daily tours in an air-conditioned trolley featuring intriguing events from Sarasota's rich past including tiki trivia, circus tours and an "infamous Sarasota". No matter if youre up for a day of outdoor fun or want to grab a drink or taste some local cuisine, youll find something that fits your schedule and your budget in this beautiful coastal city. You can listen to live music performed by local artists right in the middle of the market. An eclectic treasure trove of maritime marvels. Its home to a collection of playful and fun paintings, sculptures and crafts, generously collected by the museums founder, Marietta Lee. Or escape to the minimalist The Sarasota Modern in the heart of downtown to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere, spacious rooms, and many amenities. Promoting a relaxing and welcoming environment for your stay, the Sleep Inn Sarasota North is only ten minutes from downtown to easily access the best Sarasota activities. Lake Manatee State Park has a swimming beach for anyone wishing to cool off, swim, or bask in the sun. See a Horse Race at the Saratoga Race Course. This charming city is filled with fabulous parks, amazing food, and natural springs that you can relax in and drink from at spas and fountains around town. Sarasota Attractions & Tours | Things to Do in Sarasota Expect festive music and you might even spot Santas elves dancing aboard some of the boats. Performances during the event range in styles, with everything from long and short form, hip hop musical, genre-based, and more on display. The sprawling 15-acre site is especially devoted to the conservation of air plants and houses 6000 species of orchids. Unusual Attractions in Sarasota Sarasota, Florida John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art A Circus legend leaves an unexpected endowment. Receive exclusive access to the onsite spa, The Beach Club on Lido Key, the championship golf course, and more as a guest at this stunning, elegant retreat. This is a lot of fun but not for the faint of heart. 26 Great Things to Do With Kids in Sarasota The United States National Cemetery, the Sarasota National Cemetery, is the sixth of seven national cemeteries established in Florida. The 1950s. Marvel at a medieval art exhibit at the Ringling Museum of Art. The thrill and excitement of horse racing is unlike anything you've probably seen before, and this local tradition is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Instead of driving from A to B and on to C, stop for a while in Sarasota. Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy. One more flight of stairs, and you are on the third floor, where youll find the game room where Ringling used to entertain some of the big names of the Roaring Twenties. Set by addthis.com to determine the usage of addthis.com service. Sarasota Opera prides itself on being the only company in the world to have staged all of Verdis operas. Among the famous car brands represented here are Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Cadillac and Ferrari. The museum is $25 a person, but admission is free on Mondays. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. But if you want to find the real essence of Sarasota, face west at the end of the day. To tour the first floor only, adults pay $10 additional on top of their museum entrance ticket. This is a great place to unwind. Despite what you might expect, there are no manatees in Lake Manatee. Happily, many of the artistic endeavors from the age have been preserved and at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota visitors can enjoy a fabulous collection of some 80+ pieces created between the years of 1100 and 1500. 40+ Memorable Things to Do in Sarasota for A Weekend of Fun It offers units with a living area, their own kitchen, and a spa bath. This attraction is ideal for tourists looking for things to do with kids in Sarasota since it entertains, fascinates, and also educates. Award-winning Duvals Fresh Local Seafood serves only the best of local fish and ingredients, it is one of the fancier seafood eateries in town and its popularity means that you should book to avoid disappointment. Like most beaches in Sarasota, Coquina Beach has free parking. Famous for its eco-tourism and water-based activities, Lido Key Beach is a short, worthwhile drive from Sarasota. Best romantic things to do and restaurants for a fun date in Sarasota The centre for most of them is the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a huge building overseeing Sarasota Bay and illuminating the area at night. 1. 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. Its still a beautiful place to visit and an excellent place for freshwater fishing, swimming and other kayaking. Imagine that! Lets have a look in more detail. 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. It is a great place to spot wildlife and on a good day, you can expect to see alligators, herons, armadillos and a variety of fish and birds. Back in the day, the opera house was founded as the Edwards Theater and later named the Florida Theater before becoming an opera house. Save Our Seabirds is open to the public every day. Fun and Free Things To Do in Sarasota - Corporate Quarters USA Things to do in Sarasota | Places to Visit in Sarasota 2023 - TripHobo Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. How would you like to pet a baby alligator? Here, visitors will find around 100 rare and vintage cars of every type, some of which were once under the ownership of distinguished figures from the worlds of sport, culture and entertainment. Escape from Sarasota? Stretching three miles down Lake Manatee, its namesake, Lake Manatee State Park is a quaint getaway perfect for fishing, picnicking, and de-stressing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The strong LED lights will light up everything in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay. 55 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida - TourScanner Ever fancy yourself as a ninja warrior contestant? It was ranked the #1 beach in the nation by TripAdvisor in 2020! Robin Hood Rentals 12. Lido Key Beach Just adjacent to Siesta Key Beach with a short scenic drive west of Sarasota, Lido Key Beach is a lesser-known hidden gem. And for those not in the green-fingered know (like me) thats orchids, ferns and bromeliads. There are also cabins to rent if camping is not your thing. And you can still explore them today. Myakka River State Park Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk Sarasota is home to Myakka River State Park, one of Florida's oldest and most scenic parks. Pub crawl through Gulf Gate and take the "fire in your hole" wings challenge at Munchies 420 . You will have the chance to meditate and relax with a certified yoga instructor whilst being surrounded by the curious animals. But its the Sea Life Encounters cruise that brings the under and overwater world to life. If you thought that Florida was all palm trees and sandy beaches, its time to think again. Fun 4 Sarasota Kids - Fun 4 Sarasota Kids Things to Do in Sarasota, Siesta Key and Venice for 2023 This Sarasota art museum features European pieces and iconic sculptures meant to inspire and engage visitors wishing to learn more about the arts and culture. Top 10 Awesome Things To Do in Sarasota - Authentic Florida Annual passes are available. So what does this mean? Things To Do In Sarasota This Weekend | March 3-5, 2023 More than 200 species of native and exotic animals call the Sarasota Jungle Gardens home, including pink flamingos, alligators, iguanas, parrots, and crocodiles. This is a really fun thing to do while in Sarasota. With indoor and outdoor seating you can really make the most of the long summer nights as you take in the view over Sarasota Bay. Sarasota Farmers Market. With 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, it's a quick stop off from the Legacy Trail. Our guide to the best things to do in Sarasota is all you need to plan the perfect trip! Heres what to do in Sarasota Florida with someone special. 9 Best Things to Do in Sarasota | U.S. News Travel Experience a free live encounter with these massive cats. No matter if you are a car aficionado or not, you must stop at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum and admire these masterpieces of engineering Stroll around shiny classic cars and eye up those cars youve only seen in movies. 2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239, USA. Nobody leaves without a smile on their face! A boat tour has to be one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota. One of the largest and oldest parks in Florida, Myakka River State Park is a primeval location that sets back visitors to the time of Spanish explorers and early Native Americans once trekked through. Read next: The Perfect 3 Days In Tampa Itinerary. Its far better than the one you get at the store. Half poignant reminder of struggle and relief at the end of war. Read next: 2-Week Florida Road Trip Itinerary. 10 Fun and Free Things To Do in Sarasota - Go Backpacking It stands as a gift to the people of Florida and a memorial to its founders. FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT is hosted at "240 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237-6334, United States". Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Paulleon / Shutterstock The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is situated on City Island, in a little spot called Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota, Florida. 1 John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. During a tour you may get to visit everything from independent neighborhood shops to gourmet restaurants. 29. In the unique Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf 18-hole course, youll get a chance to practice your shots among pirate ships, waterfalls, and very real alligators in the courses educational alligator exhibit. If you're in the area when the weather warms up, make sure you catch a race at the Saratoga Race Course. YouTube sets this cookie to store the video preferences of the user using embedded YouTube video. 15 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, FL - Sarasota Helicopter Tours Guests toast the occasion during a Sarasota food tour (Photo: Key Culinary Tours), Watch an armada of boats at the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Sarasota Art Museum 7. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. And its a curious place to visit. An 18.5-mile recreational rail trail, Legacy Trail stretches from Fruitville Road in Sarasota to the Historic Venice Train Depot in Venice. Theres also a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway, a donations area, committal shelters, and a ceremonial amphitheater. 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. 7 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota Florida for Your First Visit They have a year-round schedule of productions taking place. Kid Friendly Things To Do in Sarasota | Family Activities | Must Do Meet Tigers at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary 3. Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Sarasota Events Calendar - Fun things to do in - Escape to Sarasota It once hosted big names in live music such as Elvis Presley and the Ziegfeld Follies shows. They are farmers growing their own vegetables and fruits and selling them in the market. This list of the best and fun things to do in Sarasota will help you to prepare for your ultimate getaway. Some were hosted, some were not. But they welcome everyone and you can, quite literally, get a taste of this intriguing culture through their food. It's architecturally gorgeous, the museum is cool, and the views from the balcony are classic Sarasota. 8 Great Teen Activities in Sarasota | Must Do Visitor Guides 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. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. Need help deciding? It has some of the softest sand I have ever walked on. Visit the Ringling Museum One of the most iconic and famous landmarks in Sarasota is the Ringling fine art museum. Kayaking is one of the most environmentally friendly and tranquil ways to explore Lido Key. Hike in the Myakka River State Park. Enjoy a two-course meal at lunch for $16 or a three-course meal at dinner, including dessert for $32. There is a flag assembly area and memorial walkway to visit. With many parks, nature reserves, and gardens nearby, you won't struggle to find fun things to do in Sarasota. To help inspire you ahead of your trip, weve picked out 12 of the most unique things you can do here, ranging from the raw and energetic to the intellectually nourishing. Purchase seats to enjoy popcorn, hotdogs, soda, and other tasty snacks while watching a training game as the Baltimore Orioles knock balls out of the park. So, make sure to stop here for a boost of amusement and creativity. Take on the crystalline ocean waters on a sunset cruise, or dip your toes in the sand while bathing in the sun. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Located just off the bustling South Palm Avenue, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is definitely one of the best things to do in Sarasota county! Here is our list of the best things to do in Tampa if youre planning a visit there. Its a must for nature lovers. The museum covers the history of life in the region with prehistoric fossils from the very earliest land creatures to the native Paleo-Indian cultures. Visitors can enter the public information center complex and use the electronic gravesite locator to learn more about the facility. Not the 1850s. But a shopping and dining area nonetheless. It has been putting on side-splitting shows in the city since 1988 and is dedicated to the art of stand-up comedy. Theres nothing that specifically links this artwork to the area except for the fact that, well, its there. At first glance, this is a shopping and dining area. Eat a Loaded Salty Dog at Old Salty Dog . Inhabited since 300 A.D., this area in Osprey seduced its inhabitants with a beautiful waterfront and lush vegetation. 6. There are also well-known food and beverage outlets and even a store selling arcade games, pinball machines, and memorabilia. Here are the 30 best and fun things to do in Sarasota, Florida. The building has been tastefully revived by the Sarasota Opera Association which hosts a program of concerts throughout the year. Expect burger stands and pizza podiums as well as arts and crafts markets and the young, the old and the beautiful (sometimes all at the same time, right? In fact, there is no better place for a 'playcation' than in Southwest . Even if after John Ringlings death, the house slowly degraded it was in such a desperate state that in 1996 it served as Miss Havishams house for a Hollywood remake of Charles Dickens Great Expectations today it is restored to its initial splendour. 1538 State St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA Open in Google Maps Meet outside of State Street Garage outside of the elevators next to Rise & Nye's. Your guide will be waiting with a big smile at 3:30 p.m. There are fun activities such as Lemur and Fox Yoga, a Bird Show and the Variety Animal Demonstration. Copyright 2023 TourScanner | All rights reserved. Located close to Leffis Key Preserve, Coquina Beach is perfect for more active pursuits, while nearby Turtle Beach offers great snorkeling. Visit the eight greenhouses to gaze at vibrant displays of bromeliads and orchids collected by the Gardens scientists. Learn the grisly history of the city with a fun and ghostly tour.