Introduction
We know you’re going to love Sarasota, Florida. We absolutely fell in love with this city and we couldn’t wait to return after our trip. There were many things we enjoyed, but we will list our top favorites below.
Here are our top picks:
- The Ringling
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- Marie Selby Botanical Garden
- St. Armands Circle
- Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
- The Mall at University Town Center
- Sarasota Classic Car Museum
- Siesta Key Beaches
For even more great ideas for things to do, see, and eat in Sarasota, be sure to check out Groupon HERE.
The Ringling
The Ringling is a museum located just north of downtown Sarasota. As you enter the Ringling, you are transported to an entirely different place and a different time. It literally feels as though you’ve left Florida (except the inescapable humidity. It is truly incredible! The Ringling is home to an art museum, a circus history museum with a massive circus in miniature, and the Ca d’Zan, the original home constructed by John Ringling and his wife Mable.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
This was definitely Vivian’s favorite attraction in Sarasota. If you’re looking for one of the best animal attractions in the entire state, this is the place for you! Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a botanical garden located in Sarasota, Florida. It features a collection of tropical plants, including palms, cycads, bamboo and orchids. There are also special exhibits such as an aviary where you can feed and interact with free-roaming flamingos! The gardens are open to the public for a fee.
The best part? It’s not just packed with plants—it’s also home to some pretty cool animals like white alligators (one of our favorites) as well as black bears that come out every day at feeding time for some fun photo ops! You can also feed and interact with the free-roaming flamingos, which is an awesome experience.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a non-profit marine science research and education facility located on the northern end of Longboat Key, Florida. It is home to more than 70,000 aquatic animals including manatees, sea turtles, sharks and all sorts of fish!
The aquarium features lots of interactive exhibits that will keep you entertained for hours while also teaching you about important issues facing our oceans today.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is easily one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the state of Florida. There are numerous opportunities for guests to interact with nature at this beautiful facility, including a butterfly house, children’s garden and butterfly garden.
There’s also a cafe on site as well as a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs from your visit. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is open daily from 9am to 5pm so plan accordingly if you’re looking to stop by!
St. Armands Circle
St. Armands Circle is one of the most popular destinations in Sarasota and a great place for visitors to start their day. The shops, restaurants and attractions at St. Armands Circle have something for everyone. If you’re looking for a wide selection of shopping venues, you’ll find it here. If you’re hungry and want to go out to eat, there are plenty of great choices as well! The view from St. Armands Circle is breathtaking—it overlooks beautiful Sarasota Bay and with its French Quarter architecture and numerous sculptures makes this an attraction that can’t be missed during your visit!
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that rescues big cats from all over the world. They have sanctuaries in Sarasota, Florida, and Tampa, Florida. These sanctuaries are great places to visit if you love animals.
The Mall at University Town Center
The Mall at University Town Center is a large shopping center located in Sarasota, Florida. The mall is home to over 100 stores including Belk, Crate & Barrel, and JCPenney. In addition to it’s amazing retail experience, there’s a great indoor playground for children! Vivian especially loved this!
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is a free museum that has a collection of over 200 cars. The museum is open from 9am to 5pm, and is located close to the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Siesta Key Beaches
One of the best places to relax and enjoy the sun is on one of Siesta Key’s beautiful beaches. And when we say beautiful, we truly mean it! Whether you’re looking for a pristine beach to lounge in or a lively scene, this area has what you’re looking for. The wide variety of activities available here make it an ideal place for families. The beautiful white, powdery sand is typically still cool to the touch even in the midst of the overwhelmingly hot Florida summers.
You can find many different types of activities on these shores, including parasailing and jet skiing! These activities are great if you want something fun to do while enjoying your time at the beach—but if not, there are plenty more ways to have fun without going too far out into the water!
Conclusion
There’s so much to do and see in Sarasota, Florida. I hope this list has helped you narrow down where you want to go next time you visit.
For even more great ideas for things to do, see, and eat in Sarasota, be sure to check out Groupon HERE.