Drum Circle Siesta Key Beach 2. It has waterfront benches to sit and watch the sunset on warm summer nights. The Middle Ages was in many ways a dark and gruesome period in our history, but few would also deny that it also gave rise to some truly stunning art. Or head over to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for more entertainment! Truly a haven for flora and fauna, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota! Discover local and national brands to savor some quality retail therapy. An alternative to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens is the Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, home to many lions, tigers, bears, primates, and birds. Spring Into Health 2023 is hosted at "Carlisle Inn . Are you ready for a visit? A boat tour has to be one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. photo: VisitSarasota.com 6. Try to get the most points and make it to the top of the leader board. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. Its bright, colorful and devoted to its message that art should be a positive force in peoples lives. But they welcome everyone and you can, quite literally, get a taste of this intriguing culture through their food. The sculpture has been at the center of numerous controversies in its short life in Sarasota and has been vandalized and even hit by a car on one occasion. Set by addthis.com to determine the usage of addthis.com service. Sarasotas creative impulses are allowed to flow each year as more than five city blocks are given over to a popular arts festival. Emitting an invigorating tropical and artsy vibe, downtown is the perfect place to find some of the top Sarasota attractions. Related:7 Unusual Things To Do In The USA. Lets have a look in more detail. The renowned Siesta Key Beach is located in south Sarasota county, famous for its white-sugar sands and crystal clear waters. You can visit their Packing House, which showcases how their citrus business worked, and stop at Marys chapel for a quick ring of the bell. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are fun activities such as Lemur and Fox Yoga, a Bird Show and the Variety Animal Demonstration. It is a great place to spot wildlife, skate or take a leisurely walk. Im not afraid to confess: it moved me to tears. Then get packing! The 15 miles of trails draw in anyone desiring to bask in Floridas nature, attracting bikers and walkers to be active. DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, 21 Best Things To Do In Sarasota, Florida (2023 Guide), The Best Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida, 1) See Reptiles Up Close At The Sarasota Jungle Gardens, 2) Go For A Stroll Through The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 3) Peer At The Vintage Car Collection At The Sarasota Classic Car Museum, 4) Watch A Baltimore Orioles Training Match At The Ed Smith Stadium, 5) Observe Sharks Prowling The Waters At Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, 7) Take A Hike At Myakka River State Park, 8) Challenge Yourself With A Bike Ride Through Legacy Trail, 9) Sit Down For A Performance At The Florida Studio Theatre, 11) Visit The Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 12) Bask In The Outstanding Acoustics At The Sarasota Opera House, 13) Buy Fresh Local Goods At The Sarasota Farmers Market, 14) Join A Sunset Cruise At Lido Key Beach, 15) Spend The Day Outdoors At Lake Manatee State Park, 16) Pull Out Your Inner Athlete At Nathan Benderson Park, 17) Escape Into Nature At Oscar Scherer State Park, 18) Pay Your Respects At The Sarasota National Cemetery, 19) Engage Your Curiosity At The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 20) Discover More At The Wild Bird Learning Center, 21) Get Some Retail Therapy At The University Town Center, Best Mid-Range Hotel in Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota Jungle Gardens make it possible. John Ringling founded the museum to build a legacy and memorial for his beloved wife, Mable, and to present his and his wifes exceptional art collection. A great place for bird-spotting, the Celery Fields is home to breeding bird populations with species of owls, sandpipers, meadowlarks, bitterns and sparrows. For the ultimate in privacy, book a room at the Lido Beach Resort, which offers a stretch of private beach, a poolside bar, and elegant rooms with fully equipped kitchenettes. Visitors can easily access the lake from the docks to go kayaking, canoeing, and boating. Non-Amish visitors are welcome to explore the neighbourhood but are advised to do so with cultural and religious sensitivity. 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. The options are endless! With the citys superb weather and beautiful beaches, it takes a lot to drag Sarasota visitors indoors, but the citys annual Improv Festival is as good a reason as any. Or escape to the minimalist The Sarasota Modern in the heart of downtown to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere, spacious rooms, and many amenities. As well as fantastic food the Dry Dock also offers a beautiful location. Online streaming available any time. With beautiful seafront pools to relax by and a variety of drinks and snacks for a high-quality al fresco dining experience. Visiting this museum is one of the many fun things to do in Sarasota, and it wont even take you a lot of time. 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. Then end your day with a chance to feed the alligators. TripBuzz found 36 things to do indoors in the Sarasota area. Explore the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota The detailed circus miniatures at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota Florida. Sunset Tours: 8pm Night Tours: 9:30pm. 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. The most popular viewing areas are Marina Jack Restaurant, Bay front Park and City Island. But the biggest attraction by far is the feeding of the pink flamingos. This place started as a botanical garden, so keep an eye out for exotic plants as well. At any given time you are likely to catch world-class Broadway productions, live music, comedians, contemporary dance and even the odd ballet and orchestral performance. The Sarasota National Cemetery was officially opened in 2008 and covers 295 acres. Located in Sarasota, Florida, the farm offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Oscar Sherer is the smaller of the two parks. Oscar Scherer State Park is an invigorating and refreshing escape. One of the oldest continuously operated attractions in Florida, the gardens were constructed in 1939 and have since become one of the best things to do in Sarasota. Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 3701 Bay Shore Road, Phone: 941-355-5305. There is a boardwalk to walk, a museum and a cute children's playground. University Park, The Meadows, Sara Bay and Founders are all excellent members-only clubs. 1. Its long stretches of sugar-white beaches, sparking clear waters, native mangroves, and expansive parks leave plenty of opportunities to step out to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are some of the best things to do in Sarasota: art, science, wildlife, beaches and food. 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. 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. With a stay at this mid-range hotel, guests are given appealing accommodations, including complimentary continental breakfast, access to the palm-tree-lined outdoor pool, and free WiFi. 1. It has a rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions as well as a large permanent collection. The Sarasota National Cemetery is expected to reach total capacity in 2065 as the final resting place for more than 150,000 veterans. 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. Some were hosted, some were not. Lovers of beautiful automobiles from bygone eras are in for a treat in Sarasota, which is home to its own Classic Car Museum. Here are the 30 best and fun things to do in Sarasota, Florida. Shop till you drop. St. Armands has high fashion stores, independent boutiques, restaurants, cafes and museums all nestled within its shaded patios and walkways. Officially recognized as the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the United States, the museum is a leap back to the start of one of the greatest inventions. Theres plenty to see and do nearby when youre ready to keep exploring beyond Sarasota. The attraction is at 7101 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34240. Guests can BBQ on the premises, play shuffleboard, and enjoy the outdoor swimming pool. The lemurs will even climb on you, so lets see how you can maintain your pose. It has no less than 36,000 square feet of concrete and brick, terracotta, stucco, and glazed tiles inspired by the Gothic style of the Venetian palazzos the circus king and queen admired during the years they spent in Europe. In a curious quirk of fate, certain areas near Sarasota have become key travel destinations for Amish communities based in the north in Pennsylvania. Sarasota Farmers Market. Here is our list of the best things to do in Tampa if youre planning a visit there. For those wanting a more structured visit, theres a number of art and nature programs available, including doing some gardening, having a plant safari through the gardens, or creating art using sticks and rocks. 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. You can find a museum of botany, historic buildings, areas for dining and a rainforest garden with interactive exhibits for children all inside the grounds. The Park is situated at the very tip of Lido Key and kayak and paddleboard rentals are available nearby. Less crowded but equally stunning is Lido Key Beach, which focuses in eco-tourism and its famous for its cruises. The Selby Botanical Gardens are an oasis of peace right in the heart of the city. Florida is not all about sandy beaches and palm trees. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Theres nothing that specifically links this artwork to the area except for the fact that, well, its there.