Things To Do

Exploring Sarasota - County Visitors Guide

While you are here soak up the sun along Sarasota's white-sand beaches. Treat yourself to diverse dining, enriching arts and culture, shopping districts of all sorts and all the Florida fun. View the official guide to visiting Sarasota below.

Siesta Key Beach

A short drive from downtown Sarasota, Siesta Key sits adjacent to the glittering Gulf of Mexico and its Siesta Public Beach has been named the nation’s best -- twice. This quaint yet quirky 8-mile-long island offers shopping, resorts, dining and nightlife. Known for its brilliant quartz sand, turquoise waters and many beachside amenities, Siesta Key is a must-visit island paradise.

Lido Key Beach

While Siesta Key gets more attention than Lido Key, Lido offers some great amenities and plenty of parking. Lido Key is known for its eco-tourism and sunset cruises. It's the place to go for deep sea fishing, dolphin watching and sailing. The seafood is as fresh as it can be, and the sunsets are unbeatable. Also located on Lido Key is St. Armands Circle, a center of chic boutiques, fine dining establishments and snack bars (we recommend Shore for food).

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Explore beautiful bayfront sanctuaries, plants and regional history. Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in the Osprey area of Sarasota County, Florida.

The Ringling Museum of Art & Ca' d'Zan

The official state art museum of Florida, established in 1927. When you visit, make sure to tour Ca' d'Zan the Mediterranean revival style residence, overlooking Sarasota Bay. This home was circus mogul, capitalist, entrepreneur and art collector John Ringling's winter residence, it has been admired as an architectural gem since it was completed in 1926.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Mote Aquarium is your gateway to the ocean, featuring hundreds of marine animal species and windows into Mote Marine Laboratory, where real scientific research happens. Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Selva Grill (Restaurant)

Enjoy dining at a swanky Peruvian eatery, with creative dishes including ceviches & sizable cocktails. “Serving possibly the best food in Sarasota,” and “everything on the menu is worth trying.” - New York Times

Shore - St. Armands Circle (Restaurant)

Shore is a great place for a casual lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch in a warm, modern environment. There are two locations, this is the original location, on St. Armands Circle. When the weather’s nice, the roof rolls back, and if you request the right table, you can sit underneath the stars, eating food on point from a creative menu that has a little something for everybody.

Venice Beach

Made in Italy (Restaurant)

Contemporary spot with a long bar & patio serving wood-fired pies & other Italian eats. One of our favorite spots in our new hometown - Venice, FL

Sharky's On the Pier (Restaurant)

Sharky's on the Pier sits smack dab on the Gulf in the Shark's Tooth Capital of the World - Venice, Florida. The restaurant boasts amazing sunsets, gorgeous views, and the best seafood around! You don’t want to miss fantastic frozen drinks, refreshing tropical cocktails, fresh grouper sandwiches, or terrific live music.

The Dalí (Salvador Dalí) Museum

A little further afield in Tampa, but worth the drive (roughly 1 hour) from Sarasota. This museum is dedicated to the works of Salvador Dalí, browse the extensive collection of surrealist art housed in a building with 900 glass panels.

Disney World, Orlando FL

A further drive away (approx. 2 hours)- you can visit Disney World. Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Experience the power of magic with an exciting range of dining, shopping, entertainment and attractions for kids, teens and adults.

Universal Studios Resort

Take your trip to the next level at Universal Orlando Resort. With three theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park – spectacular on-site hotels and more, it’s days and nights of endless fun for every member of the family.