Explore the rest of the sunshine state with these articles: We love a good road trip through America. Lets have a look in more detail. Mote is an independent, not-for-profit aquarium that strives to learn from and better educate us about our oceans. Head to Manatee Public Beach on Anna Maria Island if youre after a day of picnicking and grilling or try Cortez Beach for a more underdeveloped feel and tall trees lining up the long stretch of sand. A variety of classes can be taken with tigers, lemurs and foxes all while surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. Go face-to-face with a lion, tiger, liger, bear, camel, lemur or monkey. And another lucky highlight of a visit on holiday? Need help deciding? The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. You can find a variety of stores selling home and furniture items, electronics, sportswear and health and beauty items. Bwahahahahaha! As a separate area to the beach, Sarasota Bayfront combines marinas, splash pads, palm trees and an unmistakable statue. St. Armands has high fashion stores, independent boutiques, restaurants, cafes and museums all nestled within its shaded patios and walkways. This experience offers opportunities to see dolphins jumping through the waters and manatees munching on seagrass while learning about Sarasotas impactful history. Gaze in awe upon the 135,000-gallon shark habitat as these toothy predators prowl its waters. Florida is not all about sandy beaches and palm trees. Reserve a seat here to taste Sarasotas talent in a historical setting. 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. This ten-stop itinerary is by no means exhaustive. FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT is hosted at "240 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237-6334, United States". For live bands and DJs, its worth checking out the Beach Club at Siesta Key. The strong LED lights will light up everything in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay. First, catch your biggest catch yet with a day of deep-sea fishing. Sarasota has its own airport but unless youre fairly local, it usually makes sense to fly in to Orlando and visit Sarasota as part of a larger trip through Florida. Things To Do While nothing beats a day at the beach, go beyond the miles of award-winning coastline to discover everything Sarasota County offers. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Things to Do in Sarasota Map Popular things to do Kayaking Tours Private and Luxury Parks Historical Tours Top Picks Nature & Wildlife Areas Likely to Sell Out Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours Art Galleries Walking & Biking Tours Airport & Hotel Transfers Points of Interest & Landmarks Private Sightseeing Tours Food, Wine & Nightlife Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling. 28. Look at Sarasota as the Ringlings used to do in the old times. And for those not in the green-fingered know (like me) thats orchids, ferns and bromeliads. Or two or three. Then get packing! Capri isles, Waterford and Calusa are all excellent courses that are open to the public. There is also a gift shop which offers unique souvenirs. 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 beautiful building constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style and guarded by mighty palm trees has hosted exceptional performances over the years. 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. In addition, guided tours are available every Tuesday for an informative tour of the commissioned artwork found within Patriot Plaza. So get in on the fun and discover the fun things to do in Sarasota with kids. Guided nature walks and guided paddling adventures are also available. Learn all about the citys disreputable history of murder, mystery, and unsolved crimes. You'll paddle though mangrove canals along the shoreline. Saratoga Springs, New York, is simply adorable. This is located at 16405 Myakka Rd. The superb acoustics are its crowning jewel, making the audience feel like they are not just witnessing a performance but are enveloped by the sound. If you have more time, heres a crazy idea. Imagine that! Also about an hour away along the coast is Tampa, home to thrills and screams at Busch Gardens, plenty of culinary delights, a chance to zipline over a natural preserve, and lots of parks to explore. 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. Discover Sarasota Tours offers daily tours in an air-conditioned trolley featuring intriguing events from Sarasota's rich past including tiki trivia, circus tours and an "infamous Sarasota". The structure first opened in 2000 and was the first public treetop trail in North America. Theres a type of sand that doesnt get hot in the sun. Activities for kids and families, youth sports, seasonal events, ongoing programs and summer camps! A lot. Photo credit: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The museum is in an eye-catching pink Renaissance-style palace, which houses 31 galleries. It is a great place to spot wildlife and on a good day, you can expect to see alligators, herons, armadillos and a variety of fish and birds. The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. Check out our other American road trip itineraries: Disclosure My trip to Florida involved many partnerships, including with Hertz UK, Visit Sarasota and Visit Florida. Whats special about this market is that none of the vendors is a reseller. Like most beaches in Sarasota, Coquina Beach has free parking. My Sarasota Events Calendar is your gateway to Sarasota happenings and fun things to do in Sarasota, Florida and throughout the sparkling Sun Coast each year. But I promise, there is still so much more to do in this idyllic southwest Florida town. Settle down for a picnic at the two picnic areas featuring pavilions, grills, tables, and a playground to keep the kids entertained. Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. What makes the Sarasota neighbourhood of Pinecraft unique is not its physical appearance so much as its people. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Visitors can easily access the lake from the docks to go kayaking, canoeing, and boating. Then, catch a show at the Asolo Repertory Theater, founded by some of the 20th-century theaters most influential people, Robert Whitehead and George Wood. Take a quiet paddle through the mangrove tunnels or enjoy a guided tour with knowledgeable locals. In their lifetimes, John Ringling and his wife Mable were some of the worlds most avid collectors. Discover the best of Sarasota, Florida as you embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Pub crawl through Gulf Gate and take the "fire in your hole" wings challenge at Munchies 420 . If this town is on your list of travel destinations this year, here are 15 things to do in Sarasota! This Florida resort community is where the Amish come to have fun in the sun. Truly a haven for flora and fauna, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota! How to swim with manatees in Florida, the ethical way, What surprised me about the Marie Selby Gardens, Weird things to do in Daytona Beach, Florida, The Ultimate West Coast Florida itinerary, A fly-drive itinerary for the west coast in Florida, Driving Massachusetts: road trips from Boston, Two weeks in Alabama: the most surprising road trip, The pre-travel checklist you can print and download. It is also quiet which means you are more likely to encounter the diverse wildlife that calls this area home. 3 Ca' d'Zan. Non-Amish visitors are welcome to explore the neighbourhood but are advised to do so with cultural and religious sensitivity. You can listen to live music performed by local artists right in the middle of the market. Sarasotas creative impulses are allowed to flow each year as more than five city blocks are given over to a popular arts festival. With lots of music, entertainment, and an overall joie de vivre, the list of things to do in Saratoga Springs feels endless. Mote Marine Laboratory 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 388-4441 27. These sweet, rescued creatures are part of the "Animals in Action" adventure at Big Cat Habitat. What better way to pass an afternoon than by catching a game in this iconic, 7500-seat stadium? A knowledgeable community guide will lead you through the history of Amish and Mennonite groups in the area. Escape Countdown Sarasota 15. The 15 miles of trails draw in anyone desiring to bask in Floridas nature, attracting bikers and walkers to be active. 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. The options are endless! Held each spring, this festival attracts a crowd that voraciously devour three days of food, fossils, arts and crafts, music and fun for the whole family. Selby Gardens - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Immerse yourself in a world of orchids For any budding botanists out there (pun fully intended),. Copyright Silver Footprint Ltd 2023. The TPC Prestancia is in the Siesta Key vicinity and has often hosted PGA championship events. Find unique souvenirs to bring home and gift loved ones. The building has been tastefully revived by the Sarasota Opera Association which hosts a program of concerts throughout the year. It is primarily a rescue center for animals in need but also offers the chance to do yoga with some of the parks residents. Its home to a collection of playful and fun paintings, sculptures and crafts, generously collected by the museums founder, Marietta Lee. A sanctuary to big cats and other exotic animal species, the Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary is dedicated to the animals that call it home. Why not take a guided tour around some of its best-loved public art pieces and sculptures. The collection of 80+ pieces created between the years 1100 and 1500 is intended to be seen, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted. The service is friendly and really adds to the atmosphere. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. 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. Payne Park 9. 3. Looking for fun, free things to do? Despite what you might expect, there are no manatees in Lake Manatee. Take a visit to soak in the friendly atmosphere, be inspired and bring out your creative side. Theres nothing that specifically links this artwork to the area except for the fact that, well, its there. Sarasota is home to a number of impressive public and private golf courses. Intrepid types can choose from kayaks or paddleboards as your mode of transport for this magical adventure that will take you into the heart of a unique ecosystem. Experience a free live encounter with these massive cats. The Asian art collection focuses on sculptures and ceramics before leading to a Japanese tea house (chashitsu)and the 66 acres of gardens that overlook Sarasota Bay. Sarasota Sky has great views and plays a broad selection of modern music. It has been putting on side-splitting shows in the city since 1988 and is dedicated to the art of stand-up comedy. A boat tour has to be one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota. The beach offers great swimming and its even possible to spend a night at one of the parks campsites. Rent bikes to pedal the Legacy Trail, a more than 10-mile paved pathway that runs along a former railroad corridor, or go for a jog over the picturesque John Ringling Causeway bridge. It offers a permanent home to 120 birds who could not be returned to the wild due to their injuries. 30 Best Fun things to do in Sarasota Florida You Must Do! The zoo also organises animal shows, where you can learn a lot about the sanctuarys conservation efforts. There are plenty of activities at Nathan Benderson Park. The Best Hiking Trails Near Myrtle Beach South Carolina July 30, 2020. There are many things you should do while visiting Sarasota, but if you only do one thing from this list, let it be a trip to the Circus Arts Conservatory. This Big Cat Sanctuary is home to all kinds of wild and exotic creatures including tigers and lions (as well as ligers and tigons), bears, primates, birds and wallabies. 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. Unconditional Surrender reflects the iconic photograph taken at the end of the Second World War with a sailor and nurse locked in an embrace.