Things to do in Sarasota
Late fall through early spring brings warm, dry, low-humidity days that are ideal for the beaches and the cultural scene; summer is hot, humid, and prone to afternoon thunderstorms and is the heart of hurricane season.
Best months: February, March, April, November
What is worth your time in Sarasota
Anna Maria IslandDo not miss
A laid-back barrier island of cottage-lined streets, free trolleys, the historic Anna Maria City Pier, and a string of quiet Gulf beaches.
Day Trip · 7 hr4.8
Ca' d'ZanDo not miss
The Ringlings' opulent 1920s Venetian Gothic winter mansion on Sarasota Bay, with a terrazzo terrace and a soaring tower over the water.
Historic Site · 1.5 hr4.8
Siesta Key BeachDo not miss
Repeatedly ranked among America's best beaches for its powder-soft, blindingly white quartz sand and calm turquoise Gulf water.
Beach · 3.5 hr4.8
The Ringling (John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art)Do not miss
A grand bayfront estate built by circus magnate John Ringling, with a world-class art museum, a courtyard of replica classical sculpture, and lush grounds.
Museum · 3.8 hr4.8
Lido Key BeachDo not miss
A wide, easygoing Gulf beach steps from St. Armands Circle, with a historic pavilion, gentle surf, and pretty sunsets.
Beach · 2.8 hr4.7
Marie Selby Botanical GardensDo not miss
A bayfront living museum famous for the world's best collection of epiphytic orchids and bromeliads, with a banyan grove and a Gulf-view cafe.
Park · 2.3 hr4.7
Mote Marine Laboratory and AquariumDo not miss
A working marine research lab and aquarium on City Island with sharks, manatees, sea turtles, and a beloved pair of resident otters.
Activity · 2.3 hr4.7
Myakka River State ParkDo not miss
One of Florida's oldest and largest state parks, with airboat tours on alligator-filled lakes, a treetop canopy walkway, and vast wild prairie.
Day Trip · 7 hr4.7
St. Armands CircleDo not miss
An elegant ring of boutiques, galleries, ice cream parlors, and sidewalk restaurants laid out by John Ringling on a palm-shaded island roundabout.
Neighborhood · 2.5 hr4.7
Sarasota Jungle GardensDo not miss
A nostalgic old-Florida tropical garden and small zoo with flamingos, parrot shows, gators, and winding jungle trails, a hit with families.
Activity · 2.8 hr4.3
Celery Fields
A former farm turned premier birding wetland, with a rare-for-flat-Florida hilltop overlook reached by a short climbing trail.
Nature · 1.5 hr4.8
Coquina Beach
A broad, Australian-pine-shaded beach at the south end of Anna Maria Island, popular for swimming, picnics, and long shoreline walks.
Beach · 2.5 hr4.8
Cortez Fishing Village
One of Florida's last working commercial fishing villages, with waterfront seafood shacks, a maritime museum, and boats unloading the day's catch.
Food District · 1.8 hr4.8
Crescent Beach and Point of Rocks
Siesta Key's southern stretch ends at Point of Rocks, a rocky reef formation that is the area's best spot for snorkeling and marine life.
Beach · 2.5 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Siesta Key's quartz-crystal sand stays cool underfoot even at midday, so it is comfortable for barefoot walking when other beaches bake.
- A car is the easiest way to move between the keys, Myakka, and downtown; bridge and beach-parking traffic peaks late morning, so arrive early.
- Build the cultural sights like The Ringling and Selby Gardens into mornings or the hot afternoon hours, and save sunset for the Gulf-facing beaches.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water; the subtropical sun is strong year-round and shade is limited on the open beaches.
- Reserve dinner on St. Armands Circle and Siesta Key Village ahead in winter high season, when snowbird crowds fill the best waterfront tables.