Key spots are Yoders and Der Dutchman where you can stop for a comforting, homemade meal or made-from-scratch cooking as they call it. The first 2 hours is complementary parking, $3 for hours 2 and 3 and $1 additional per hour after. There are 42 different types of things to do inside in or near Sarasota, Florida. Founded in 1962 with the aim of supporting the local arts community, its success has led to several million dollars in grants and scholarships down the years, and it continues to play a crucial role in the Sarasota area, as well as providing visitors with a quirky retail experience. Rather than worrying about organizing how to make it from there to your hotel, why not have a pre-arranged airport transfer waiting for you? Publix Aprons Cooking School at University Walk Sarasota, FL. After the Circus Museum, the Museum of Art and whimsy has to be the most cheerful place in Sarasota. Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441 Contents hide. The most popular viewing areas are Marina Jack Restaurant, Bay front Park and City Island. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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. Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 3701 Bay Shore Road, Phone: 941-355-5305. This place started as a botanical garden, so keep an eye out for exotic plants as well. One of the major cultural institutions on the Gulf Coast, the Florida Studio Theatre specializes in contemporary theatre. Sarasota has some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches and turquoise sea in the country. Here's a list of 10 great things to do in and around Sarasota, with either a low-cost or FREE admission. Through our stories and images we promote exciting off-the-beaten-path destinations and fascinating cultures as we go. Heres our inside guide to unusual and unique things to do in Sarasota, Florida. Explore Myakka River State Park 4. Roll up, roll up! Will you take the challenge? For a peek inside the lives of Sarasotas most wealthy couple, the Ca dZan is well worth a visit. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The resort also has an 18-hole championship golf course, spa, gym, and numerous restaurants to sample the highest quality food and drinks around. The Ringling Museum was built to house the collection and serve as a cultural center for the state of Florida. Its far better than the one you get at the store. You can buy food for them as you enter the gardens or at a small shop on the premises called The Flamingo Caf. As well as being home to some of the countrys most beautiful beaches, the city and surrounding area is a paradise for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. 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. 5. The best wines, local foods and in-the-know guides will surely make it a night to remember. Inhabited since 300 A.D., this area in Osprey seduced its inhabitants with a beautiful waterfront and lush vegetation. Theres also a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway, a donations area, committal shelters, and a ceremonial amphitheater. Here goes! More than 120 birds call the living museum home. For two full hours youll traverse the streets as local historian Sue Blue narrates your journey and points out historical facts and landmarks, ensuring you depart with a new-found knowledge and appreciation of the city. Watching a Broadway musical here is one of the best things you can do on a summer night, and the atmosphere will stay with you forever. Thousands of spectators descend on the shores of Sarasota Bay to witness an array of spectacularly decorated and lighted boats cruising across the waters. It is run by a non-profit organisation, so all the money they collect from tickets and fees goes to expanding the sanctuary and improving the living conditions for the residents. It has some of the softest sand I have ever walked on. Held over a weekend in July at the venerable Florida Studio Theatre, the festival brings together some of Americas most talented exponents in the art of improvised theatre. A place for business, socialisation, and entertainment this is probably the best way to describe the most important fresh produce market in Sarasota county. What can I say? Need help deciding? Sarasota County has a variety of attractions for everyone's enjoyment, from art museums to natural science aquariums and other local must-sees. Or escape to the minimalist The Sarasota Modern in the heart of downtown to enjoy its relaxed atmosphere, spacious rooms, and many amenities. With all its tidal pools, mangrove islands, and estuaries, Floridas Gulf Coast shoreline is one of the most dynamic in the country. Take a tandem skydive with highly trained instructors over the beaches and glimmering waters of Sarasota, Venice, and Tampa. Keep the car and take day trips, mini trips and deliciously lazy drives to the beach. Contained within its own small island there is always something going on at the Circle. Escape rooms. Sarasota Art Museum 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-309-4300;. Museums for kids in Sarasota Crowley Museum and Nature Center Hike the trails at Crowley Museum and Nature Center because it is such a fun place to visit. The Marie Selby Gardens are the best of a botanical garden: we all still need to be the change for social justice. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. These sweet, rescued creatures are part of the "Animals in Action" adventure at Big Cat Habitat. And since the course has 18 holes instead of the usual 9, youll end up spending more time out and enjoying the surroundings. Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. Today, the venue is well-known for its outstanding acoustics and entertaining live opera performances. Sarasota, Florida Molly the Mollusk The giant squid's. The city has some great clubs and caters to all tastes of music and dancing. It means that legislation preserves and protects the 34 mile portion of the river that runs through Sarasota County and the result is a serene scene of green. Famous for its eco-tourism and water-based activities, Lido Key Beach is a short, worthwhile drive from Sarasota. It has a rotating schedule of temporary exhibitions as well as a large permanent collection. During a tour you may get to visit everything from independent neighborhood shops to gourmet restaurants. Quench the need for quality retail therapy at the various boutiques, galleries, and souvenir shops. Theres plenty to see and do nearby when youre ready to keep exploring beyond Sarasota. One of the most unique ways to explore Sarasota is by joining a Historic Trolley Tour. The market is open every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. It comes from pure quartz, filtered from the Appalachian mountains, and it winds up looking bright white, peppy and pretty on Siesta Beach on Siesta Key. So does amazing pastry. Some of the top things to do in Sarasota include visiting The Ringling, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Siesta Key Public Beach, Ca d'Zan Mansion, Myakka River State Park, and Florida Studio Theater. This protected park is a great place for a quiet picnic, a bit of kayaking or a place to quietly spot wildlife. How would you like to pet a baby alligator? 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Explore the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. This little tropical paradise of Florida seduces visitors from all over to bask in the sun, dip their feet in the sand, collect sea shells, and cool off in the refreshing ocean waters. Here is our list of the best things to do in Tampa if youre planning a visit there. If bikes are your thing, the 600+-acre Robinson Preserve an hour away offers plenty of cycling trails going past mangroves, mud flats, and beautiful waterfront habitats. These 400-acre wetlands are an ideal place to hike, bike, fish and picnic. Copyright Silver Footprint Ltd 2023. There is a kayak launch here too if youre inclined to get into the water. Capri isles, Waterford and Calusa are all excellent courses that are open to the public. Expect to see turtles and of course the watchful eye of an alligator. The options are endless! Nestled behind the Municipal Auditorium along Van Wezel Way on Sarasota Bay sits a replica military installation known as Fort Juan Ortiz. The structure first opened in 2000 and was the first public treetop trail in North America. What better way to pass an afternoon than by catching a game in this iconic, 7500-seat stadium? This list of the best and fun things to do in Sarasota will help you to prepare for your ultimate getaway. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Sarasota Jungle Gardens make it possible. Rent out boogie boards and surfboards to hit the waves. First, catch your biggest catch yet with a day of deep-sea fishing. Nobody leaves without a smile on their face! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The creative, artsy theme will keep your interest. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. Key Culinary Tours are a company that hosts a diverse range of food tours that invite visitors to sample some of the culinary delights that the area has to offer. An upscale, beautiful one with more than 130 locations in a well organised wheel thats close to the beach and with ample parking. You cant visit Sarasota without a night out on the town. Sarasota is home to a number of impressive public and private golf courses. Youll start at Bayfront Park before moving towards downtown Sarasota, where youll visit Ringling Bridge and Lido Beach before stopping by Island Park for panoramic views over the water. FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT is hosted at "240 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237-6334, United States". With many parks, nature reserves, and gardens nearby, you won't struggle to find fun things to do in Sarasota. Take a free tour of the distillery and visit the tasting room and gift shop afterward for a true taste of the Caribbean. This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. With miles of beaches, coves and inlets theres an almost endless variety of places to fish. Ten Cool Outdoor Things To Do In Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Alabama 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. There is also a gift shop which offers unique souvenirs. Sunset Tours: 8pm Night Tours: 9:30pm. At first glance, this is a shopping and dining area. This attraction is ideal for tourists looking for things to do with kids in Sarasota since it entertains, fascinates, and also educates. As well as the many varieties of tropical plants and flowers you will also find species of parrots, primates, lizards and alligators as well as the star attraction, the native Florida flamingos. A high-flying course of tree-top zip-lines, platforms, climbing walls, ladders and bridges, this place has fun in spades. The Best Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida. It is a great place to spot wildlife, skate or take a leisurely walk. All you can see from here used to be their land. When: Every Wednesday 6-9pm Where: Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch UTC Night Market The UTC Night Market offers live music, food trucks, local food vendors, outdoor drinking, outdoor dancing, kids games, cornhole, building blocks for kids, handmade goods, jewelry, local art and more. 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. The final resting place of 21,121 veterans as of 2019, the cemetery will continue to serve veterans needs. All Rights Reserved. To learn more about cookies, you can consult our. Discover the best of Sarasota, Florida as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Want more than just unusual and unique things to do in Sarasota? So what does this mean? This Florida resort community is where the Amish come to have fun in the sun. As a separate area to the beach, Sarasota Bayfront combines marinas, splash pads, palm trees and an unmistakable statue. The Sarasota National Cemetery is expected to reach total capacity in 2065 as the final resting place for more than 150,000 veterans. Great for the entire family, including kids! A lot. Nature trails traverse the park and wind through hardwood forests, pine flat woods, and depression marshes. The 15 miles of trails draw in anyone desiring to bask in Floridas nature, attracting bikers and walkers to be active. The Fish Hole 3. The property even has an 82-foot-high tower. Say hello to a manatee, relax on the beach, explore a farmers market these are all must-do activities if you want to make the most out of your trip to Sarasota County. They have a year-round schedule of productions taking place. Look at Sarasota as the Ringlings used to do in the old times. There is even a petting. The collection of 80+ pieces created between the years 1100 and 1500 is intended to be seen, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted. Half fun in the sun, with visitors replicating the pose. Join a free outdoor fitness class to stay active during your vacation. The Sarasota National Cemetery was officially opened in 2008 and covers 295 acres. The Farmers Market is a great place to meet up with friends and even has weekly live music at either end of the market. There is a boardwalk to walk, a museum and a cute children's playground. Info: filmsociety.org or 941-955-3456 YOGA NIDRA and SOUND CONCERT is hosted at "Casa Cia 5844 Sandy Pointe Dr, Sarasota, FL 34233-3514, United States". Try to get the most points and make it to the top of the leader board. Annual passes are available. Next, join a historic walking tour to learn more about downtown Sarasotas impressive architecture and hidden gems. Keep going down the coast and youll get to Cape Coral, where youll find water parks, great golf courses, and giant manatees. Source: Stephen B. Goodwin / shutterstock. For the serious fisherman, why not charter a boat and take the sport offshore. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Visitors can easily access the lake from the docks to go kayaking, canoeing, and boating. The campus is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information. Sarasotas creative impulses are allowed to flow each year as more than five city blocks are given over to a popular arts festival. Oscar Sherer is the smaller of the two parks. Kayaking in Sarasota, Florida (Photo: Visit Sarasota County) Hosted by the Historical Society of Sarasota County, guests will board a traditional tram (known in the US as a trolley) before embarking on a fascinating tour of downtown Sarasota. Myakka River State Park comprises a collection of unique habitats such as lakes, wetlands, rivers, and prairies. 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. But the biggest attraction by far is the feeding of the pink flamingos. #12. 15 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota Florida 1. It's open year-round rain or shine, and it takes . Find unique souvenirs to bring home and gift loved ones. Looking for fun, free things to do? The southwest Gulf coast of Florida all the way down to Miami at the states southeastern tip is an area teeming with vibrant coastal cities that draw vast swathes of tourists seeking both natural and cultural delights. The spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles, the Ed Smith Stadium, was previously the training location for the Chicago White Sox. Venetian Gothic Architecture is sure to dazzle visitors exploring the 36,000-square-foot house. A lone gunner's station is all that remains of a replica Spanish Fort in Florida. Or head over to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for more entertainment! Stroll around the Circus Ring of Fame, which honours numerous circus performing legends and have a think about the level of vision and influence that John Ringling embodied. Drum Circle Siesta Key Beach 2. Bucket list 100 fun things to do in Sarasota County including restaurants, bars, beaches and more! A great place for bird-spotting, the Celery Fields is home to breeding bird populations with species of owls, sandpipers, meadowlarks, bitterns and sparrows. This place has the essence of the city in the earliest part of the 20th century when it was a favorite tourist attraction . Join the adventures on our YouTube channel! Nathan Benderson Park has gone far and beyond to upgrade its facilities to the best, including grandstands, coaching lanes, straight shorelines, a multi-function boathouse, and more! We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. 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. The service is friendly and really adds to the atmosphere. People flock to the park to go kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the waters. Once in the tunnels, its an awe-inspiring sight, where fish and fiddler crabs swim inches away from you in waters so clear you can see the grass resting on the waterbed below. It's architecturally gorgeous, the museum is cool, and the views from the balcony are classic Sarasota. Daily shows welcome visitors to experience and learn more about these fascinating creatures with the chance to have one-on-one interactions with them after the show. LOCATION Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue DATES 5-6 July 2019, A performer in full flow during the Sarasota Improv Festival (Photo: Sarasota Improv Festival), Indulge in some retail therapy at The Womens Exchange.