Sarasota, Florida, is a great place for any traveller! Full of cultural attractions, Sarasota also has plenty of history, active pursuits, and shopping!
Sarasota, Florida, located on Florida's south-western coast, is a beautiful vacation spot. Surrounded by a number of small islands ("keys"), Sarasota is filled with a number of attractions that should appeal to visitors of all ages
Outdoor Recreation
Sarasota enjoys beautiful weather, and there's no better reason to spend time outside! Why not check out a nature reserve or go golfing? Other options for outdoor recreation include:
- Visiting the Beach: whether its to swim, sunbathe, or simply explore the coastline, Sarasota has over 37 beaches in the surrounding area. There's sure to be one for you.
- Boating: Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and other boating activities are all very popular in Sarasota. Although a sailboat or yacht is not a practical sort of boat for someone on vacation, there are plenty of places to dock such a boat if you plan on making your visits regular. Kayaks and canoes are the perfect vehicles with which to explore Sarasota Bay and the surrounding keys; there are plenty of rental places.
- Cycling: Because of the warm weather and flat terrain, Sarasota is the ideal place to bike. Find bike rental places and routes here.
- See Wildlife: Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a sort of zoo-garden hybrid filled with wild animals. For some underwater nature, you can visit the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
- Don't forget, there's also horseback riding, hiking, and camping.
Cultural Attractions
Home to a number of cultural events and exhibits, Sarasota is a great place to go to soak up some culture along with your sun.
- John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art is the official state art museum of Florida. Founded in 1927, it has 21 galleries with Cypriot Antiquities, as well as Asian and American art. It also has a large collection of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. The Museum also includes the Ca D'Zan, one of the last Gilded Age mansions built in America, and today a historic home. The Ca D'Zan is a Mediterranean Revival building, completed in 1926, which was the winter home of John and Mabel Ringling. Additionally, the Museum complex also houses the Ringling Museum of the American Circus, a unique museum devoted to the history of the American Circus, including the Ringling Circus. The Ringling Museum of Art is a must-see for any art-lover, as well as anyone interested in the history of Sarasota.
- Sarasota Opera: The Sarasota Opera has been operating since 1960. A professional opera company, they frequently perform pieces by Verdi and others.
- Theatre: Sarasota is home to a number of theatre groups, including The Florida Studio Theatre, The Banyan Theatre Company, and the Sarasota Players.
- Take a trip to the Circus: Sarasota is the birthplace of the Ringling Circus, and that legacy lives on today in the spectacular Circus Sarasota. Circus Sarasota is a European-style circus, which means that it focuses on acrobats and human talents rather than animal performers. The Circus Sarasota is a fantastic way to spend a few hours, and you'll be sure to marvel at the amazing talent on display.
Shopping
Sarasota residents certainly like to shop, and there's no reason why visitors should abstain from this popular pastime.
- Ellenton Premium Outlet is located in Ellenton, Florida, which is approximately 40 minutes outside of Sarasota by car. The outlet is large and includes high markdowns on popular brands such as BCBG, Coach, Michael Kors, DKNY, J. Crew, Kate Spade, and Kenneth Cole. There is also a Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth Outlet, featuring great prices on designer pieces from Zac Posen, Milly, Nanette Lepore, James Perse, Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Theory, and Rebecca Taylor.
- No shopping trip in the Sarasota area is complete without a trip to the St. Armand's Circle, a luxury shopping area on St. Armand's Key. The Circle, as it is known, is set-up as a European-style shopping experience, and includes gourmet restaurants.
- Pineapple Square is a large shopping area in downtown Sarasota, including a Whole Foods, Brooks Brothers, and Sur La Table.
- The Pink Pineapple in Bradenton is a furniture and interiors store. Well known for its colourful furniture, it's definitely worth a visit.
- A personal favourite shopping location is the thrift store run by the Longboat Island Chapel, on nearby Longboat Key, affectionately known as "The Lord's Warehouse". This thrift store has high-quality, eclectic finds for reasonable prices, and often includes designer pieces. The menswear sections is quite good, and purchases have included a men's white linen suit for $10.
- Westfield Mall contains three flagship department stores: Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard's, and Macy's. In addition, it features standard mall stores such as Ann Taylor, the Gap, and Banana Republic. Its small food court features the celebrity favourite frozen yogurt shop, Tasti-D-Lite.
- There are also numerous discount stores around, such as HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, Ross, Bealls, and Steinmart. The T.J. Maxx is quite good, featuring high-quality items, including a large selection of Calvin Klein and Jones New York, as well as shoes from Coach, Ferragamo, and Dolce & Gabbana. Ross and Marshall's appear picked-over and cluttered, but Home Goods has good quality products.
Historical Sites
Sarasota has been in contact with Europeans since the 1500s, when it was visited by Spaniards, and has been known as Sarasota since the 18th century. It changed hands between the Spanish and English numerous times. Prior to European contact, it was home to the Calusa, Miccosukee, Choctaw, and Seminole peoples.
- Gamble Plantation, located in nearby Ellenton, is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida.
- Phillippi Estate Park and Edson Keith Mansion include a 2,000 year old Native midden, and a historic mansion
- South Florida Museum, in nearby Bradenton, narrates local history. With a focus on archaeology, paleontology, and history, the museum takes you from prehistoric Florida right up to the present day.
- The Crowley Museum and Nature Center is home to a pioneer village with some of the oldest examples of rural architecture in south Florida.
Enjoy your trip to Sarasota. It's a beautiful place with so much to see.
Copyright Caroline Garrod. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Caroline Garrod - Caroline is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. An avid reader and ...
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