The space is one of seven national cemeteries in Florida at the service of veterans. From burying your toes in white-sandy beaches to adventures that take you deep into mangrove forests, there are plenty of things to do in Sarasota. 1. Or simply settle down on the fine sand of Lido Beach and simmer in the sun for a nice suntan! The Celery Fields is another of Sarasotas lesser-known gems. Details: Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive 8, Sarasota and Burns Court Cinemas, 506 Burns Lane, Sarasota. Visit the eight greenhouses to gaze at vibrant displays of bromeliads and orchids collected by the Gardens scientists. 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. Sunset Celebration - John Ringling Causeway Bridge John Ringling Causeway Sarasota, FL 34236 Celebrate Sarasota's famously beautiful sunsets on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge, a 1-km bridge going over Sarasota Bay and connecting the city to other Florida Keys. All you can see from here used to be their land. These 400-acre wetlands are an ideal place to hike, bike, fish and picnic. LOCATION 5401 Bay Shore Road HOURS Fri-Weds 10am-5pm Thus 10am-8pm, Medieval treasures at the the Ringling Museum (Photo: Ringling Museum of Art). Take a closer look at the one-of-a-kind classics, including Jaguars, Porsches, Maseratis, Cadillacs, Chryslers, or Shelbys. Theres also a flag assembly area, a memorial walkway, a donations area, committal shelters, and a ceremonial amphitheater. LOCATION 5500 North Tamiami Trail DATES Mon-Sun 9am-6pm, A car on display at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum (Photo: DeusXFlorida via Flickr), We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience and save your preferences. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. It has 30 acres along Little Sarasota Bay, boasting an impressive collection of native Florida plants along scenic nature trails. The place where rowers train, locals walk their dogs, and tourists go boating this is Nathan Benderson Park. Reserve a seat here to taste Sarasotas talent in a historical setting. On any given Saturday you may be lucky enough to see radio-controlled yacht races taking place on the lake. Engage your teens with some mind-bending fun at Sarasota's escape rooms, including Escape Room Sarasota, Escape Reality, and Escape Room Countdown. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The market is open every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm. Check the website for upcoming shows and events! The dam established across the river in the 1960s prevents manatees from accessing Lake Manatee. The options are endless! Spend a day strolling through art galleries and museums, hunting for shark teeth, picking up local goods at the farmer's market or perfecting your golf game. 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. Unusual Attractions in Sarasota Sarasota, Florida John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art A Circus legend leaves an unexpected endowment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Weve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planets best destinations and adventures. TripBuzz found 36 things to do indoors in the Sarasota area. It offers a permanent home to 120 birds who could not be returned to the wild due to their injuries. Sarasota has something for everyone! Online streaming available any time. Capri isles, Waterford and Calusa are all excellent courses that are open to the public. in Sarasota. Dine on brandied duckling at Cafe L'Europe. Instead, grab a bite at the numerous upscale bistros, enticing bakeries, and lively pubs. With a stay at this mid-range hotel, guests are given appealing accommodations, including complimentary continental breakfast, access to the palm-tree-lined outdoor pool, and free WiFi. Savor Sarasota is an annual event in June (and in some restaurants longer) that offers prix fixe menus at the area's restaurants. Enjoy, have a great time and if you bump into me on the street at one of our great Sarasota events, please stop and say hello. If you love the circus, you must visit the Ringling Museum of Art! The citys diverse culinary scene offers a variety of unique local flavors with a particular emphasis on seafood. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For live bands and DJs, its worth checking out the Beach Club at Siesta Key. As the gateway to the ocean, the Mote Aquarium presents hundreds of marine species, including sea turtles, coral reefs, and sea jellies. There is even a petting. Experience Sarasota nightlife with a guided tour of some of the best local eateries. Located close to Leffis Key Preserve, Coquina Beach is perfect for more active pursuits, while nearby Turtle Beach offers great snorkeling. Now that you know the best things to do in Sarasota, lets look at the best places to stay in this gem of Floridas gulf coast! The Siesta Key distillery produces outstanding, award-winning rums. Sarasotas creative impulses are allowed to flow each year as more than five city blocks are given over to a popular arts festival. While we absolutely recommend hitting the white sandy beaches, don't let the adventure end there. Originally constructed as a tourist attraction in the late 1940s, the imitation of a lone gunners station began life as part of an arms museum, but since the museum itself was closed, the landmark has eked out a lonely existence, with the occasional visitor for company as it serves its role as the only reminder of the forts bygone days. 18 Best Things To Do In Sarasota, FL You Shouldn't Miss Take on the crystalline ocean waters on a sunset cruise, or dip your toes in the sand while bathing in the sun. There are a host of activities to take on at Lido Key Beach. A trolley tour will show you what should not be missed when in Sarasota. Trying to find great activities and attractions in Circus City? Sarasota, Florida Molly the Mollusk The giant squid's. 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. Explore the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Guests can BBQ on the premises, play shuffleboard, and enjoy the outdoor swimming pool. The Best Hiking Trails Near Myrtle Beach South Carolina July 30, 2020. This time about marine life at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. So does amazing pastry. Roll up, roll up! 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. 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. In 1867, the land was claimed by the Webb family. The building also houses an all-digital planetarium and manatee rehabilitation center. Sample Local Goods at the Sarasota Farmers Market 5. The beach offers great swimming and its even possible to spend a night at one of the parks campsites. Exploring more of the Sunshine State? Fun and Free Things To Do in Sarasota - Corporate Quarters USA #12. The strong LED lights will light up everything in the shallow waters of Sarasota Bay. Mixon Fruit Farms. 17 Unique Things To Do In Sarasota, Florida On Spring Break Or learn about local history and hidden gems with an engaging, informative walking tour. The spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles, the Ed Smith Stadium, was previously the training location for the Chicago White Sox. But otherwise, the park is peaceful, with paved walking trails and spaces where yoga enthusiasts gather for their courses. The Myakka Canopy Walkway offers a unique opportunity to witness life up in the tree canopy. Among the regular visitors is a large Amish and Mennonite community who have vacationed here since the mid-1920s, offering a chance to relax and unwind from the rigors of daily Amish life. It offers the best in contemporary theatre, cabaret, childrens theatre and improvisation. 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. Challenge your group to use critical thinking skills and escape from your room by the time limitor else! The Jungle Garden is a Sarasota institution. Best and Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida - Traveladvo Watch the competitive beach volleyball tournaments hosted almost every weekend. Im only recommending them because I think theyre interesting. This 25-foot sculpture on Sarasotas bay-front is based on an iconic photograph taken in New Yorks Times Square on V-J day, 1945. An annual collaboration between the Circus Arts Conservatory . 1) See Reptiles Up Close At The Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Fun things to do, best events Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice Feb. 2023 There are 42 different types of things to do inside in or near Sarasota, Florida. Aside from a place to see world-class comedy, theres also a bar and restaurant with a full menu to savor before the show. Whether you're looking for attractions for kids or fun for teens, there are tons of family things to do in this Florida city. Expect festive music and you might even spot Santas elves dancing aboard some of the boats. Non-Amish visitors are welcome to explore the neighbourhood but are advised to do so with cultural and religious sensitivity. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 5. Escape rooms. 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. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Looking for fun events? Top 5 Things to Do This Weekend near Sarasota 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. From dedicated explorers and world-class scientists, the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is heavily dedicated to learning more about marine environments while educating others on the importance of ocean conservation. From its historical museums, sprawling parks, exceptional art galleries, scenic beaches, and appealing tropical weather, a trip to Sarasota can cater to all types of likes and interests. Inside the Travel Lab is described by National Geographic Traveler as Essential Reading and Lonely Planet as one of the best travel blogs in the world.. 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. 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. It also offers a space for local artisans and merchants supplying everything from soaps and musical instruments to bicycle repairs. Away from the beach, you can enjoy the cool sea breeze and most stunning sunsets Florida has to offer. 14 Fun Things To Do In Siesta Key You Can't Miss!!! - Florida Trippers Its such a fascinating country to drive through with so many different landscapes, stories, peoples and cultures. This one is fun for all the family. The centre for most of them is the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a huge building overseeing Sarasota Bay and illuminating the area at night. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, the opera house is conveniently settled near boutique shops and fine dining restaurants to extend your adventures in Sarasota. Keep the car and take day trips, mini trips and deliciously lazy drives to the beach. The Gator Club is a stylish venue with a good selection of drinks, it plays reggae each Thursday. Forget regular mini golf. Tampa. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. With all its tidal pools, mangrove islands, and estuaries, Floridas Gulf Coast shoreline is one of the most dynamic in the country. This is a deep look into the cultural soul of Sarasota. 22 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida - Treksplorer The final resting place of 21,121 veterans as of 2019, the cemetery will continue to serve veterans needs. The 15 miles of trails draw in anyone desiring to bask in Floridas nature, attracting bikers and walkers to be active. 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. Although weve covered a lot of family travel ideas here, theres no doubt that Sarasota is a great spot for couples.