Sarasota , Florida
It may not be a big-name Florida city like Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg or Orlando, but Sarasota, on Florida's southwest coast, is the place to go for all the conveniences of a big city in a small package.
Located about 40 miles south of the Tampa Bay area, Sarasota has a variety of attractions and events that attract the arts-minded tourist who's interested in more than just riding some gussied-up roller coasters.
Sarasota is known as the "Circus Town." The city was once the winter quarters of the "Greatest Show on Earth," hence, the moniker.The work and contributions of John Ringling, of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, have made the city a cultural capital. John and his wife Mable built a mansion on Sarasota Bay and set out to collect art by Peter Paul Reubens and other Flemish and Italian masters of the 17 th century. That collection today is called the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Ringling's name is also immortalized as an avenue in downtown Sarasota.
Downtown Sarasota is in the midst of a building boom, with condos, office buildings and shopping either in place, under construction or planned. In addition, urban renewal projects are working to make a better life for the city's less-fortunate citizens. As befits a cultural capital, it's the small galleries by artists in various media that make the arts scene vibrant. Galleries are scattered throughout the city and surrounding area, and even amateur artists take their crafts seriously.
Other Sarasota attractions include the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Pelican Man Sanctuary, Selby Gardens and Jungle Gardens. Arts and cultural events are presented at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Asolo Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre and Sarasota Opera House. The city hosts an annual book fair and film festival, too.
To the east, Myakka River State Park offers one of Florida's largest and most diverse natural areas. It was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934 and some of the original buildings are still in use. It offers a scenic drive, dirt roads, hiking trails and more.
When you've had enough exploring in Sarasota, it's time to hit the beaches. Sarasota features 35 miles of sand and several beautiful keys on the Gulf of Mexico that are well-known to sun-and-fun lovers, including St. Armands Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Bird Key, Siesta Key (considered by some to have the whitest and finest sand in the world), Casey Key, Venice Beach, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach.
Sarasota's weather is mild, especially compared to some other places in the winter. Sarasota is well-connected to the northern parts of West and Central Florida by Interstate 75 and Interstate 275. Traveling south, Interstate 75 offers a reasonably fast ride, but U.S. 41 (the legendary Tamiami Trail of years gone by) is presently used only for local travel due to road construction, congestion and its many traffic lights.
State Road 70 provides access to the eastern part of the state. The road is a two-lane divided highway across Florida, and there are several areas now under construction, which can cause delays. Some who visit Sarasota fly to Tampa International Airport and then drive south, but Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has service from Delta Air Lines, mainly to and from Atlanta for connections; ATA Airlines, which is establishing a code-sharing arrangement with Southwest for flights to Chicago-Midway; and AirTran Airways, which offers direct service to and from Baltimore, Chicago-Midway and Atlanta, and has connections to other cities.
There is so much to see and do in Sarasota that more than one visit may be required!
Things To See and Do in Sarasota
The Sarasota Trolley travels around downtown Sarasota and a scenic route out to attractions such as St. Armands Circle, Lido Beach, Mote Marine and the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary on City Island. The Trolley runs Monday - Saturday with both a Main Street route and the scenic route.
G Wiz ( Gulf Coast Wonder & Imagination Zone )
1001 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-309-4949
This is a hands-on science and technology center downtown on Sarasota's beautiful bay front. However, it is not simply a museum! It offers an array of interactive, hands-on exhibits, as well as educational programs for the community. It is a place filled with new ideas and experiences, a world where science comes alive.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Ave
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-5731
Explore the world's most spectacular display of rare orchids and bromeliads in this 8.5 acre tropical oasis on the shores of Sarasota Bay. Selby Gardens is best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. Selby's 11 bay-front acres are an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on nearly 100 scientific expeditions to tropical rainforests by the Selby Gardens' research staff.
Mote Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34232
941-388-2451
Explore the soner of Mote Aquarium, 135,000 gallon shark exhibit, touch pools and much more.
Myakka River State Park
13207 State Road 72
Sarasota, FL 34241
941-365-0100
Florida's unspoiled wilderness is yours to enjoy aboard Myakka Wildlife Tours special Tram Safari.
Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary
1708 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-388-4444
Florida's largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. Walking tours are available.
Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-358-3180
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is home to three spectacular attractions. Overlooking the beautiful waters of Sarasota Bay, the 66-acre estate is the legacy of John Ringling.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota, FL 34234
941-355-5305
Sarasota Jungle Gardens attractions include: Bird and Reptile Shows, Jungle Animals, Kiddie Jungle, Gardens of Christ, Shell Museum and a Gift Shop. Also, acres of beautiful gardens and nature trails.
South Florida Museum
201 10th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-746-4131
The South Florida Museum is dedicated to educating the community and visitors of all ages about the past, present and future of South Florida.
Art Center Sarasota
707 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL
941-365-2032
Arts education programs and exhibitions in the visual arts are the primary functions of Art Center Sarasota. The Exhibition Committee, composed 100 percent of practicing artists, plans an annual program of exhibits that will both meet our members' needs as well as have broad appeal to the general community. Our goal is to increase awareness and appreciation of art in all its forms. Artists featured in our exhibits are from the local community as well as from outside the area. Exhibition jurors are selected for their scope of knowledge and experience in the art world
The Lieberman Gallery
1991 Main Street, Suite 244
Sarasota, FL
388-1530
The Lieberman Gallery is a non-profit art "viewing" center dedicated to exhibiting contemporary and challenging works by artists living and working in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Don't miss the monthly artists' receptions, which are known to be fun and informative. Lieberman Gallery hours: 9AM to 9PM daily. Free
Beaches
Lido Key
Lido Beach
Lido Beach is located on Lido Key, one half mile southwest of St. Armand's Circle, on Ben Franklin Drive.
South Lido Park is located on Ben Franklin Drive at the southern tip of Lido Key. The park is bordered by four bodies of water; The Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay, and Brushy Bayou. At a separate facility at the north end of the park, visitors can enjoy a nature trail which includes scenic overlooks and boardwalks.
The southern beach portion of the park offers views of the skyline of downtown Sarasota and the Gulf. It features a picnic area shaded by Australian Pines. Lido Beach also provides special needs visitors help via these free beach "wheelchairs." Be sure to look for one near the main guard tower.
Siesta Key
Siesta Beach
Sarasota's Siesta Key beach is known for having the whitest and finest sand in the world. Click on any of the local beaches in the map or the list on the right for more information.
Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach has no lifeguards, but there is free parking, picnic tables, playground, showers and restrooms. It's not as popular as Siesta Beach, but the locals know that if you can't find a parking space at Siesta Beach, Turtle Beach will have plenty of space available.
Boaters can launch their boats into the lagoon and park their trailers while they enjoy a day on the water.
Palmer Point Beach
Palmer Point Beach begins at the southern tip of Siesta Key and continues onto the north end of Casey Key. The northern part of the beach was the former home of Mote Marine Laboratory. Since the closing of Midnight Pass in 1984, the beach allows uninterrupted walking all the way down Casey Key. The beach is a popular spot for boaters and people who walk there from Turtle Beach seeking some privacy. There are no lifeguards and no facilities.
Longboat Key
Longboat Key has no public beach. However, if you are staying at one of the resorts on the Key, you can enjoy soft white sand and shelling.
Spring Training
941-954-4464
Ed Smith Stadium
Although not in downtown, Ed Smith Stadium is just a short ride from any downtown location.. The minor league Boston Red Sox team plays summer baseball at Ed Smith Stadium as the Sarasota Red Sox.
Baseball is a Sarasota tradition dating back to 1924, when the New York Giants arrived. They were followed by the Red Sox and then the White Sox. Now, the Cincinnati Reds take the field annually with games at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium. Pitchers and catchers report to the City of Sarasota Sports Complex in February. The Reds take on the Devil Rays for their Grapefruit League home opener March 4. Other highlights of the home schedule include visits by the Red Sox, Indians, and Yankees