Sarasota Attractions and Things to Do

Immerse Yourself In Sarasota

Let Us Help with your Area Attractions and Things To Do. As a Top 10 Family Vacation destination, Sarasota is renowned for its cultural and environmental amenities. Not only are we the home to the #1 Beach in the U.S. and #11 in the world in the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice™ awards,  Sarasota is also a mecca for patrons of the arts and has the highest concentration of Zagat® rated restaurants in Florida. It’s no wonder Sarasota was recently named the happiest city in the US by Gallup, Inc.

Sarasota offers a truly impressive blend of leisure, shopping, remarkable cuisine and popular attractions. As Florida’s cultural capital, you can’t go wrong with our museums, plays, symphony, or Sarasota’s very own opera house.

So sail into a breathtaking sunset, golf on lush green fairways, explore unspoiled fishing waters or just relax and sink your toes into the finest beach sand in the world.

If you’re not grabbing your sunblock already, keep reading about all that Sarasota has to offer.

Sarasota Beaches

With numerous beaches to choose from, the most notable is Siesta Key Beach with its quartz crystal, powdered sugar white sand. For those who prefer to go shelling, try out Lido Key. Or take a short drive to Venice Beach for fossilized sharks’ teeth.

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Area Attractions

From aquariums to spring training baseball and botanical gardens to airboat tours of gators in their natural habitat, there is something for everyone in your family. Make sure you check out the events calendar for annual traditions including our very own Chalk Festival and the Siesta Key Master Sand Sculpture Contest.

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Dining

Whether you prefer fine dining, beachfront or lighter fare, Sarasota has the highest concentration of Zagat® rated restaurants in Florida. Our award-winning dining overlooks world class beaches, stunning skylines and fill downtown Sarasota. Many with outdoor dining that can be enjoyed year round! If you want to know some of our recommendations, you may download this guide.

Arts & Culture

The Historical John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the state art museum of Florida. These palatial grounds are home to a world-renowned collection of Rubens, the Circus Museum, Ca’d’Zan, Ringlings’ Mansion and Bayfront Gardens. You will also find the Historic Asolo Theater on premises – a center for theatrical excellence. But that’s not all, Sarasota’s performing arts rivals those of much larger cities.

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Sports & Outdoor Activites

Voted as 2014 Best Sport Friendly Vacation Destination by Sports Events Magazine, Sarasota and the surrounding area has over 25 golf courses, a world-class aquatics and rowing facility and one of the largest polo clubs in the country. Whether paddle boarding in Sarasota Bay or running the Legacy Trail (Rail-to-Trails), you’re sure to find something to get your heart racing.

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Shopping

Whatever your shopping preferences, Sarasota has something to suit your needs. Spend the afternoon in historical St. Armanda’s circle, visit the Ellenton Outlet Mall just 20 minutes North or enjoy our newest addition – the high-end shops of University Town Center (more than 100 stores and restaurants.)

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Discover Sarasota Tours

Travel into the past aboard our air-conditioned trolleys to hear stories of fascinating people, enchanting places, and intriguing events that shaped Sarasota’s amazingly rich culture. Our tours run daily year-round, rain or shine!

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Sarasota Suncoast Tours

Sarasota’s Most Exciting Tour Experiences! Since 2015, we have offered local area tours (over 3500 happy guests), by hosting original tours that are just plain crazy fun! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all our tours! Food, drinking, ghosts & murders, historical walks, and so much more. We can also customize private tours for groups or corporate events. For groups of 10 or more let us host your folks on a private sightseeing trolley or minibus. Let us share our paradise with you when you are ready to discover the best of Sarasota! We’ve got it ALL on the Sarasota Suncoast!

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