19 Things to See and Do in Sarasota, Florida

There's so much to do in Sarasota, Florida you may have a difficult time trying to fit everything into one trip. With all the delicious seafood restaurants, immaculate Florida golf courses and pristine beaches you would expect from a coastal town, Sarasota offers visitors so much more with unique experiences. Visit Sarasota can even provide you with an official guide while you're in the process of planning your trip or a digital guide based on your interests - like the Brew Trail Map (The Gulf Toast), Dining and Culinary Guide, Farm Guide, Fun with Kids Guide and more.

Sarasota is a mecca for art - from beautiful galleries to street-side artists to annual festivals - there's always something related to the Arts going on, and it's almost impossible to miss. At the Art Center Sarasota, visitors will experience a beautiful curation of local and regional artists' visual creations.

It can be so relaxing to get out and explore nature, and on the Peace River how can you not find tranquility? Whether you want to just spend a couple of hours on the water or make a whole camping trip out of it, Canoe Outpost can help to make your journey memorable. A great trip especially with kids - just be sure to plan enough time for fossil hunting where you might even find shark teeth, mammoth teeth and more.

Located in Sarasota County, Casey Key is about a 30-minute drive from the city of Sarasota, but this beach is worth the drive. The powdery sand is so soft to walk on and the water is a beautiful blue you'd expect being on the west side of Florida.

John Ringling and his wife made their winter home in Sarasota, and the whole town is imbued with the feeling of the Big Top. Don't be surprised if you see locals practicing aerials in the trees along the waterfront park. If you're feeling inspired by this though, you can head over to the Circus Arts Conservatory where you can take classes. For those who are less coordinated - like myself - you can catch a dazzling performance here as well.

For those already feeling overwhelmed at how much Sarasota has to offer, check out Discover Sarasota Tours. They offer a variety of themed tours of the city, and whether you want to learn more about the large Amish community located here; the history of the Circus in Sarasota; be scared on a haunted ghost tour, or just get a general overview of the city, these tours do not disappoint.

This is an inflatable theme park on steroids. If ever you wanted to be a contestant on 'American Gladiator', this place is for you. Plus it can serve as a nice reprieve from the hot, Florida sun.

Lido Beach has consistently been rated one of the best beaches in the United States. Once again there is powdery white sand and turquoise waters, but there's also the nearby shopping and restaurants of Saint Armands Circle.

Another great beach in the area, Longboat Key is just north of Lido Beach. It is known for being a little quieter than both Lido Beach and Siesta Key.

Main Street in downtown Sarasota is often overlooked when it shouldn't be. This quaint little area has some of the best restaurants in the city - seafood and otherwise. Lined with outdoor seating, it's also a great place to relax and people watch. For great Italian food, check out Brevardi's Salute located nearby.

A true oasis nestled in between downtown and the ocean. There are 15 acres to be admired and seasonal exhibitions that will wow.

Mote Marine Laboratory is truly a hidden gem. Located near Saint Armands Circle and Lido Beach, this a great family outing. There's plenty of exhibits ranging from small jellyfish to sharks, alligators and otters. There are even some interactive aquariums to give you or your kids a hands-on experience.

One of the largest state parks in Florida, Myakka River State Park is a lush area where you can explore some of the area's wetlands. Take a boat tour, get a bird's eye view from the canopy walk or just enjoy some light hiking on the trails.

This area can provide a much-needed break from the hot Florida sun. Filled with great restaurants, shops and lots of places to people watch, Saint Armands Circle is a great place to pass the afternoon.

For boating enthusiasts, Sarasota Bay is a great place to relax. Whether it's jet-skiing, speed boats, pontoons or sailboats, you're sure to find it on the water here.

Part garden, part animal sanctuary, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is an unexpected adventure. There are animal shows, free-roaming flamingos, a petting zoo, jungle trails and more.

Located in the heart of downtown, the Sarasota Opera House is a historic theatre building filled with outstanding performances. They even offer streaming of their winter and spring festivals.

Siesta Key is probably the most famous beach in the area and consistently rated among the top beaches in the United States with good reason as it features some of the softest sand. There are also close-by shops and restaurants at Siesta Key Village.

A very unique experience, there are Sunday night drum circles found on Siesta Key and Englewood. Just be sure to make it there about an hour before the sun sets to catch the fun.

Plan to spend at least a whole day at The Ringling. This fascinating museum and former home of Ringling is a vast complex with gardens, performances, films and more.