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Things To Do in Sarasota
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Sarasota Attractions
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Art Center Sarasota
In addition to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art , Sarasota is home to more than 40 galleries and exhibition spaces, all open to the public. A convenient starting point is this downtown community art center, next to the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau. It contains…- Zoo/Aquarium
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Despite its name, the real highlight here is the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, which nurses the ill and injured mammals back to health before releasing them into the wild. There’s the rub, though. Sometimes they do such a good job, there are no manatees to see here, so check… - Historic Site
DeSoto National Memorial
Right on the Manatee River, west of downtown, this 26-acre park attracts history buffs by re-creating the look and atmosphere of the period when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed in 1539. It includes a restoration of de Soto’s campsite and a scenic .5-mile nature trail that… - Historic Site
Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial at Gamble Plantation State Park
[em]As states vote to remove confederate memorials and statues, leave it to Florida to change the name of a park to further highlight said memorial (it used to just be called the Gamble Plantation). In fact, the state was working on legislation that would punish people for removing… - Park/Garden
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
A must-see for serious plant lovers and a should-see for those looking for good photo ops, this peaceful retreat on the bay, just south of downtown, is said to be the only botanical garden in the world specializing in the preservation, study, and research of epiphytes -- that is,… - Zoo/Aquarium
Mote Aquarium
Kids get to touch such cool stuff as stingrays (minus the stinger) and watch sharks in the shark tank at this superb aquarium. Part of the noted Mote Marine Laboratory complex, it features a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, resident manatee and sea turtles, river otters, coral reefs and… - Historic Site
Robinson Preserve
This 682-acre conservation land is an eco-tourism haven featuring restored coastal habitat and 2.5 miles of kayaking and canoe trails. The Blueways Trails here connect to the Manatee River, Perico Bayou, and Palma Sola Bay, comprising over 3 miles of internal trails. A 5-mile… - Landmark
Solomon's Castle
This attraction gets the award in the Weirdest and Wackiest (and, boy, are there many) of Florida category. In 1974, Howard Solomon began building what has become a 60-foot-tall, 12,000-square-foot castle in a Manatee County swamp. Solomon, a metal and wood sculptor by trade, built… - Museum
The Ringling
John Ringling's primary work was his traveling circus, which still entertains Americans to this day. But he also dabbled in oil, real estate, finance, and ranching, and the combination made him a very rich man. In 1926, he built a Venetian-style palazzo on the east edge of Sarasota…
Sarasota Nightlife
The cultural capital of Florida’s west coast, Sarasota’s performing arts scene is a vibrant one, especially during the winter season. Visit Sarasota has a comprehensive list of events, concerts, and performances. Also check alternative weekly Creative Loafing Tampa Bay and the “Ticket” section in Friday’s Herald-Tribune, the local daily newspaper.
The city’s other prime arts venue is the lavender, seashell-shaped Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), at 9th Street (tel. 800/826-9303 or 941/953-3368). Recently renovated, it has excellent acoustics and sightlines, and offers a wide range of year-round programming, including touring Broadway shows and visiting orchestras and dance troupes. It and Holly Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, host performances by the Sarasota Orchestra (tel. 941/953-4252). From time to time there are also performances there by the Jazz Club of Sarasota (tel. 941/366-1552 or 941/316-9207), and the Sarasota Ballet (tel. 800/361-8388 or 941/351-8000). The Sarasota Pops (tel. 941/926-7677), plays at the Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way.
Downtown Sarasota’s theater district is home to the Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., at Cocoanut Avenue (tel. 941/366-9000), which has produces contemporary plays and musicals from December to August. It also hosts a popular cabaret series in winter. Built in 1926 as the Edwards Theater, the Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., between Main and 1st streets (; 📞 941/366-8450), presents operas (in their original languages) as well as classical concerts.
In Siesta Key Village, the Old Salty Dog, 5023 Ocean Blvd. (tel. 941/349-0158), has a big selection of British ales and an outdoor patio. Strolling St. Armands Circle provides for an entertaining night out, especially if you stop into some of the bustling bars and restaurants like Patio Lounge in the Columbia Restaurant. It’s one of the liveliest spots along the beach strip, featuring live, high-energy dance music Tuesday through Sunday evenings. And on Siesta Key, the pubs and restaurants along Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Village have rock-n’-roll bands entertaining a mostly young crowd—SKOB, 5238 Ocean Blvd., is a major hot spot, featuring money-saving happy hours and live music nightly. Or you can retire to the pleasant confines of the martini bar at Blasé for live jazz.
On Longboat Key, the Haye Loft at Euphemia Haye, 540 Gulf of Mexico Dr, (tel.941 383 3633), is command central for the cocktail set.
Be sure to check out all the beach bars on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach for some salty, sandy nights. For a lofty view of the area, rooftop bars including the Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar at the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave. (tel. 941/316-0808), the one at Sage SRQ, 1216 1st St. (tel. 941/445-5660), and The Roof Bar & Eats at the Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Dr. (tel. 941/217-4777) are some of the city’s best.
The Performing Arts in Sarasota
The historic Asolo Repertory Theatre at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail in the Florida State Center for the Performing Arts (tel. 800/361-8388 or 941/351-8000) is one of the finest regional theaters in the country, and hosts a conservatory for training professional actors. In addition to the Asolo Theatre building, the 487-seat Harold E. and Ethel M. Mertz Theatre (no relation to Ricky and Lucy), originally constructed in Scotland in 1900 and transferred piece by piece to Sarasota in 1987, serves as the main performing space for both the Asolo Repertory Theatre and the Sarasota Ballet. The 161-seat Florida State Asolo Conservatory Theatre is a venue for experimental and alternative offerings. The complex is under the direction of Florida State University (FSU).The city’s other prime arts venue is the lavender, seashell-shaped Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41), at 9th Street (tel. 800/826-9303 or 941/953-3368). Recently renovated, it has excellent acoustics and sightlines, and offers a wide range of year-round programming, including touring Broadway shows and visiting orchestras and dance troupes. It and Holly Hall at the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, host performances by the Sarasota Orchestra (tel. 941/953-4252). From time to time there are also performances there by the Jazz Club of Sarasota (tel. 941/366-1552 or 941/316-9207), and the Sarasota Ballet (tel. 800/361-8388 or 941/351-8000). The Sarasota Pops (tel. 941/926-7677), plays at the Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way.
Downtown Sarasota’s theater district is home to the Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave., at Cocoanut Avenue (tel. 941/366-9000), which has produces contemporary plays and musicals from December to August. It also hosts a popular cabaret series in winter. Built in 1926 as the Edwards Theater, the Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., between Main and 1st streets (; 📞 941/366-8450), presents operas (in their original languages) as well as classical concerts.
The Club, Music & Bar Scene in Sarasota
One of downtown’s most popular places for a night out is Mattison’s City Grille, 1 N. Lemon Ave. (tel. 941/330-0440); it offers live jazz and local bands. Views, booze and a piano bar are the draw at Marina Jacks, also downtown at 2 Marina Plaza (tel. 941/365-4232).In Siesta Key Village, the Old Salty Dog, 5023 Ocean Blvd. (tel. 941/349-0158), has a big selection of British ales and an outdoor patio. Strolling St. Armands Circle provides for an entertaining night out, especially if you stop into some of the bustling bars and restaurants like Patio Lounge in the Columbia Restaurant. It’s one of the liveliest spots along the beach strip, featuring live, high-energy dance music Tuesday through Sunday evenings. And on Siesta Key, the pubs and restaurants along Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Village have rock-n’-roll bands entertaining a mostly young crowd—SKOB, 5238 Ocean Blvd., is a major hot spot, featuring money-saving happy hours and live music nightly. Or you can retire to the pleasant confines of the martini bar at Blasé for live jazz.
On Longboat Key, the Haye Loft at Euphemia Haye, 540 Gulf of Mexico Dr, (tel.941 383 3633), is command central for the cocktail set.
Be sure to check out all the beach bars on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach for some salty, sandy nights. For a lofty view of the area, rooftop bars including the Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar at the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave. (tel. 941/316-0808), the one at Sage SRQ, 1216 1st St. (tel. 941/445-5660), and The Roof Bar & Eats at the Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Dr. (tel. 941/217-4777) are some of the city’s best.
