14 Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida

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Sarasota is officially on my list of Florida cities I underestimated. There are so many fun things to do in Sarasota, Florida, and every visit gives me another reason to come back!

Between the white sand beaches, gorgeous gardens, circus history, and restaurants I’m still thinking about, this is a city where I can happily fill a weekend without ever feeling like I’m running out of things to do.

It’s one of my favorite weekend getaways from Tampa, especially when I want a mix of beach time and exploring. Our stay at Cirque St. Armands made me love the Lido Key area even more. Shelling right across the street from our hotel, sunsets on the beach, and dinner nearby? Pretty much my ideal Florida getaway.

Fun Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida

1. Ca’ d’Zan & The Ringling

Grand waterfront mansion, gorgeous gardens, and circus history all in one stop? The Ringling is one of those Sarasota attractions that deserves more than a quick photo stop. The estate brings together the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Bayfront Gardens, and Ca’ d’Zan, so you can spend a good chunk of the day here depending on what interests you.

Ca’ d’Zan was the home of John and Mable Ringling, and the Venetian-inspired architecture is stunning. The colors, windows, and details are worth slowing down for, and its spot right on Sarasota Bay makes the setting even prettier. You can admire the exterior from the grounds or choose an admission option that includes going inside.

The gardens are beautiful on their own, too. A gardens-only ticket is $5, while museum and mansion visits have separate admission options. Check the current ticket options before booking so you get access to the parts you want to see.

Monday is a great day to visit on a budget: the Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens offer free admission. That doesn’t include the Circus Museum or a tour inside Ca’ d’Zan, so plan for those separately.

2. Siesta Key Beach

The sand at Siesta Key Beach really is that soft and white. It’s made up largely of quartz, which helps it feel cooler underfoot than many other beaches, and the wide shoreline gives you plenty of room to settle in for a proper beach day.

Bring a book, go for a swim when conditions are good, or claim a spot for sunset. This is the kind of place where I’d leave the afternoon open instead of squeezing it between five other plans. If you’re here on a Sunday evening, the Siesta Key Drum Circle is another fun reason to stick around near sunset.

3. Go Shelling on Lido Key

The shelling on Lido Key was so good during our stay! We stayed at Cirque St. Armands Beachside right across the street from the beach, so it was easy to wander over and spend time looking through the shells along the water. It ended up being one of my favorite little parts of the trip.

You don’t need a big plan for this one. Give yourself time to walk the shoreline and see what you find; the shells will vary with the tides and conditions. Just leave any shells with living creatures inside where you find them.

And don’t pack up too early, because the sunsets here are gorgeous. Being able to walk over from our hotel for an evening on the beach made the location feel extra special. I’d happily build a day around Lido Beach, a stroll through St. Armands Circle, and coming back to the sand for sunset.

4. St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle is such a cute spot to wander when you’re ready for a break from the beach. There are boutiques, restaurants, and sweet treats around the circle, so you can browse for a bit, grab dinner, and make an ice cream stop before heading back.

It’s close to Lido Beach, making the two easy to pair together. I love having somewhere like this nearby on a beach trip: you can keep the day relaxed and still have plenty of options when you’re ready to trade your beach bag for a dinner reservation.

5. Check Out Local Events

Before you lock in every part of your itinerary, see what’s happening while you’re in town. Markets, live music, art events, and seasonal celebrations can give you a reason to explore a part of Sarasota you might otherwise miss.

SRQ Weekly is a handy place to look for ideas for your dates. I’d check early enough to leave room in your plans for anything that catches your eye!

6. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is one of my favorite places to slow down in Sarasota. At the Downtown Sarasota campus, you get tropical plants, orchids, banyan trees, and beautiful bayfront views all in one wander.

The rotating exhibitions make it worth checking what’s on before you go. When we visited, there was a Dalí exhibit, and I loved seeing his work woven into the garden setting. Since we have the Dalí Museum over in St. Pete, it was fun to experience that connection somewhere completely different.

If you love a garden afternoon as much as I do, this is an easy one to add to your list. It’s also one of my favorite botanical gardens in the Tampa Bay area!

7. Myakka River State Park

For a different side of Sarasota, head inland to Myakka River State Park. It’s one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks, with wetlands, prairies, shady trails, and plenty of opportunities to look for wildlife.

You can walk, bike, or explore the water, and the canopy walkway is a standout if you want a view from the treetops. Check the park’s official page for current access and conditions before making a special trip for a particular activity.

Admission is $6 per vehicle with two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, or $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. I’d bring water and give yourself time to enjoy the scenery instead of treating this as a quick stop.

8. Make Time for a Coffee Stop

You know I’m working a coffee stop into the itinerary! Buddy Brew is a familiar favorite, and its downtown Sarasota location is an easy place to start the morning before exploring. It’s also one of my favorite coffee shops in Tampa, so I’m always happy to see it on a trip.

Project Coffee is a great pick for plant-based food and coffee. Choose one near the part of town you’re exploring and leave a little time to sit and enjoy it.

Another one to add to your coffee lineup is Yoder’s Pie Craft Coffee in Pinecraft. They pair handcrafted coffee with mini pies, which is a pretty convincing reason to make your coffee stop a little sweeter! It’s a fun way to work a taste of Yoder’s into your Sarasota day without sitting down for a full meal.

9. Have Dinner at Owen’s Fish Camp

Owen’s Fish Camp is one of those restaurants where the setting is part of the fun. The banyan tree out front, the backyard, and the old Florida feel make it a memorable stop before you’ve even looked at the menu.

We started with Murphy’s Famous Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters, then shared oysters Rockefeller, a pan-fried crab cake, and garlic snails with chorizo, sweet wine, and grits. The oysters and shooters were my favorites. Snails are still not my thing, but Remi kept talking about them long after the trip!

There’s a little history here, too: the restaurant says Thomas Edison gifted the banyan tree to Sarasota developer Owen Burns. The downtown location doesn’t take reservations, so give yourself some flexibility instead of arriving with a tight schedule.

10. Visit a Speakeasy

You know I love a speakeasy, so Pangea Alchemy Lab has been on my Sarasota list for a while. A tucked-away cocktail spot is pretty much guaranteed to get my attention.

The cozy setting and creative cocktail menu are right up my alley! Speaking of, a back alley is exactly where you’ll find this Sarasota hidden gem.

11. Visit Mote Science Education Aquarium

Mote Science Education Aquarium, also called Mote SEA, is a great addition to a Sarasota itinerary when you want to spend some time learning about the ocean and its wildlife. You can see animals including sharks, manatees, and penguins, while learning how the exhibits connect to Mote’s marine research and conservation work.

The aquarium is now at 225 University Town Center Drive near Nathan Benderson Park, rather than the former public aquarium location on City Island. Keep that in mind when planning your route, especially if you remember visiting the old location!

I’d pair it with shopping or dinner at nearby UTC. Check the official aquarium page for tickets and current visitor information before you go.

12. Explore University Town Center (UTC)

University Town Center has amazing shopping and dining, but there’s plenty to do beyond browsing stores and choosing a restaurant. The UTC area has events and activities throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the calendar when you’re planning your visit.

Around the holidays, though? It is absolutely gorgeous! Think elaborate light displays, outdoor ice skating, carriage rides, hot cocoa, and so much festive fun. It’s the kind of place where I’d plan to stay after dark so you can see everything lit up.

The holiday lineup includes things like movies under the stars, seasonal entertainment, and fireworks, too. Check the Holidays at UTC schedule for your dates, since activities run on different nights and some need tickets. You could easily turn this into a whole evening with dinner, lights, and a little holiday shopping.

13. Try Some of Sarasota’s Restaurants

Duval’s was one of my favorite meals in Sarasota. We sat outside to enjoy the downtown atmosphere, and I had the very good problem of wanting almost everything on the menu.

We ended up sharing the seafood sampler with lobster, scallops, and shrimp, and it was such a good choice. Everything was cooked beautifully, and the service made the whole dinner feel easy and relaxed. It’s a spot I’d happily return to for a seafood dinner downtown.

Over on St. Armands Circle, Soleil on St. Armands is another spot I love, especially for happy hour! Their dips and wine make such a good pairing, and it’s a lovely way to take a break after wandering the circle or spending the afternoon at the beach.

Just be sure to save room for dessert, because the key lime pie is out of this world. I’d happily go back for happy hour and a slice of that pie alone!

14. Take a Day Trip to Anna Maria Island

If you have an extra day, Anna Maria Island is a beautiful place to keep the beach trip going. I love the laid-back feel, cute shops, and stretches of shoreline where the best plan is just to slow down.

Give yourself time for the drive, especially when beach traffic is busy, then pick a few stops instead of trying to cover the entire island. A beach walk, one of the coffee shops on Anna Maria Island, and lunch at one of its best restaurants would make a pretty perfect day.

Where to Stay in Sarasota, Florida

We stayed at Cirque St. Armands Beachside, and I loved having this as our home base! It’s right across the street from Lido Beach, which made it so easy to walk over for shelling, spend time by the water, and catch those gorgeous sunsets without turning every beach visit into a whole outing.

The hotel’s playful design is a nod to Sarasota’s circus history, and that personality is a big part of what makes it so cute. There’s color, character, and a sense of fun throughout the property. It fits especially well after a visit to The Ringling, when you’ve learned a little more about that side of Sarasota.

The pool area is adorable, and I loved having the option to spend part of the day there and part at the beach. Being close to St. Armands Circle was another huge plus for shopping, wandering, and finding somewhere to eat.

And you don’t even have to leave the hotel for a great restaurant: Ringside is right on site! The circus-inspired setting, beach views, and coastal menu make it feel like part of the stay instead of just a convenient backup dinner.

Are You Ready to Explore Sarasota?!

Sarasota has become one of those places I’m always happy to come back to. I love that a trip here can mean a morning at The Ringling, an afternoon looking for shells on Lido Key, and a really good dinner to end the day. Add in the gardens, Mote, and shopping at UTC, and you’ve got plenty of reasons to plan another visit. Which Sarasota spot are you checking out first?

Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Florida blog posts:

The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Tampa

Best Breweries in St. Pete

Fun Things to Do in Downtown St. Pete