Explore Sarasota

Discover Sarasota:

Downtown Sarasota

Downtown Sarasota boasts dozens of shops, restaurants and nightclubs. There are many special events throughout the year including live music, art festivals, motorcycle shows and parades.

Siesta Key

Relax on America's favorite beach, stroll through a charming village of colorful bungalows, shops and restaurants, or rent a bike, ride down the island and enjoy the Florida sun.

Lido Key / St. Armands

Lido's beaches are one of Sarasota's most interesting and varied waterfront locations, and St. Armands Circle is a hub of elegant shopping and dining.

Longboat Key

Coming from Lido Key in the south, or north from Anna Maria Island, you'll discover an elegant tropical setting that offers every amenity you can imagine.

Venice

Venice, Florida - The biggest "little" city on Florida's Gulf Coast. This city is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World"

Lakewood Ranch

One of East Manatee County’s newer, upscale communities is Lakewood Ranch – a mainland destination packed with shopping, dining and recreation.

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach has all the amenities for family and friends to enjoy a full day of fun and relaxation. You can enjoy the horseshoe courts and volleyball. In the center of the park sits Blind Pass Lagoon.

Arts &
Entertainment:

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

A landmark Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation performing arts hall located directly on Sarasota Bay which offers a world of great music, dance, theater, comedy and family fun!

Sarasota Opera

The Sarasota Opera House is a beautifully renovated 1,100 seat historic theater featuring a delightful courtyard and numerous other amenities sure to make for an unforgettable evening.

Asolo Repertory Theatre

The Asolo Repertory Theatre is a professional theater in Sarasota, Florida. It is the largest Equity theatre in Florida, and the largest Repertory theatre in the Southeastern United States.

Florida Studio Theatre

The Florida Studio Theatre campus is a village of theatres near the Sarasota bayfront. Each theatre is small in size and large in impact – providing an intimate and engaging setting for high-quality, professional performances.

The Ringling

The Ringling features an art museum, historic mansion, circus museum, historic theater, conservation laboratory, and research library, situated on sixty-six acres of spectacular bay front property in Sarasota.

Sarasota Ballet

The Sarasota Ballet’s expansive repertoire, coupled with the athleticism and artistry of The Company’s dancers, all of whom live and contribute in Sarasota, has brought The Company national and international acclaim.

Sarasota Orchestra

For over 65 years, the Sarasota Orchestra has been entertaining music lovers from around the region, and visitors from around the world. The 80-member Orchestra thrives as the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of FL.

West Coast Black Theatre

WBTT produces musicals, Broadway hits, as well as thought-provoking dramas the Troupe also offers a variety of community outreach and education programs.

Urbanite Theatre

Urbanite Theatre brings compelling, intimate live theater experiences to downtown Sarasota. Our
commitment to fresh works, burgeoning playwrights, and actor-driven productions provides the region with exciting, contemporary playgoing opportunities.

Art Center of Sarasota

Art Center Sarasota’s mission is to provide Sarasota with opportunities for creative expression and art
appreciation through art education, exhibitions and cultural programs.

Attractions:

Selby Botanical Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is an urban, bayfront oasis showcasing a living collection of rare and beautiful tropical plants. The Gardens is also a respected world leader in the study and conservation of plants.

Mote Marine Laboratory

Research center and aquarium concerned with shark and dolphin research as well as marine life indigenous to Florida waters including sea turtles, marine mammals and elasmobranchs.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Sarasota Jungle Gardens has been a tourist attraction in Sarasota, Florida in the United States since 1936. It offers ten acres, or four hectares, of botanical plantings along with bird and animal shows.

Harvey Milk Festival

The Harvey Milk Festival features a variety of attractions including live music, film, performing and visual artists, speakers, and vendors designed to engage a large and diverse audience.

VIEW EVENT

Bayfront Park

a 32 Acre waterfront park with beautiful views of Sarasota Bay. This main attraction features Marina Jacks, O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill and boat, jet-ski, kayak rentals, and more!

The Circus Arts Conservatory

Providing some of the most anticipated events in our area, The Circus Arts Conservatory leads the way in cultivating and enriching circus legacy on Florida's Gulf Coast

Big Cat Habitat

Big Cat Habitat is a permanent home for dozens of exotic animals, offers placement for animals in need, and works to educate the public about animal care and conservation.

Towles Court Artist Colony

The Towles Court Art District, one of Sarasota’s oldest and respected districts, features galleries, shops, studios and restaurants. Historic oaks and “Old Florida” ambience make it Downtown Sarasota’s “Hidden Treasure” especially on the monthly Third Friday Walk

Kadampa Meditation Center

The meditation practices taught at KMC Florida are practical techniques for training the mind so that we can gradually progress along our spiritual path.

Historic Spanish Point

Explore 30 historical, environmental, and archaeological acres at this irreplaceable outdoor museum on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida. This “Old Florida” oasis is a special place worth preserving for our community and future generations.

Ringling Underground

Enjoy live music, and art in the Museum of Art Courtyard 8:00pm - 11:00pm. This event features an eclectic mix of local and regional live music.

VIEW SCHEDULE

Ed Smith Stadium

The 2017 season marks the eighth consecutive Spring Training for the Orioles in Sarasota, and the seventh in the renovated Ed Smith Stadium. With its modern amenities mixed with historical Florida architecture.

Red Barn Flea Market

Red Barn combines a traditional flea market, plaza shops, food courts and open-air farmers markets in a 145,000 sq.ft. former lumber yard. Enjoy 80,000 sq. ft. of air-conditioned indoor shopping, fresh produce, entertainment and a variety of prepared foods.

Myakka River State Park

Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Lake, then take to the treetops to stroll along the canopy walkway. The park´s river and 2 lakes provide ample opportunities for boating, freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.

Sarasota Film Festival

For nearly two decades, the Sarasota Film Festival has maintained its position as one of the leading tastemakers and trailblazers of the global film community, while advancing Sarasota’s own legacy of excellence in the arts and education.

VIEW EVENT

Sarasota's Farmers Market

Sarasota's Farmers Market located in the heart of downtown is a full market that includes 70+ vendors and over 5,000 square feet of produce and plants. Saturdays 7AM to 1PM.

Thunder by the Bay

The Annual Thunder By the Bay Motorcycle Festival in Sarasota, FL continues to rev up a great time raising money for Suncoast Charities for Children. Join over 40,000 bikers as they take over Lakewood Ranch.

Nathan Benderson Park

Located in Sarasota, Florida, Nathan Benderson Park (NBP) is a unique 600-acre community park slated to become North America’s premier 2,000-meter sprint rowing course and Regatta Center.

Drum Circle

Drum circle at Siesta Key Beach plays every Sunday in Sarasota, about 1 hour before sunset. Just follow your ears. This local phenomenon began spontaneously and now has a life of its own.

Mall at University Town Center

This world-class fashion and dining destination features Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Dillard's and more than 125 stores and restaurants offering a diverse mix of fashion and lifestyle retailers, popular favorites, and sit-down restaurants.