This Florida City Is Home to a Beautiful Opera House, a Fish Market Over a Century Old, and Soft White-sand Beaches

With more than 35 miles of coastline, ample outdoor activities, and a variety of historical attractions, Sarasota is ideal for the traveler who wants both culture and white-sand beaches. Those who visit the city on Florida’s Gulf Coast will enjoy a world-class aquarium, botanical gardens, and even a museum dedicated to acrobatics. No wonder it’s a popular place to visit, live, and retire.

Erin Thomas Duggan, CEO and president of Visit Sarasota County, explains, “I love the year-round arts and culture scene. There’s always a performance, festival, special exhibition, or new museum or gallery to explore. Beyond that, I love walking around the various districts and shopping, stopping for a bite, and enjoying the weather and lovely people.”

Tammy Hauser, founder and CEO of Discover Sarasota Tours, adds, “We have a remarkable number of professional theaters, dance companies, music organizations, performing arts halls, museums, circuses, and even an opera company. Recently, I learned there are more professional arts offerings per capita here in Sarasota than there are in NYC.”

Here’s how to explore this Cultural Coast gem, from where to stay to what to do.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Art Ovation Hotel

Art Ovation Hotel is a boutique property in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Flaunting an extensive art gallery, live music, and a rooftop pool, it sits steps away from attractions like the Sarasota Opera. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle to nearby Lido Key Beach for guests, along with a set of chairs and a portable cooler. The rooms even come with a sketchbook and ukulele, in case you want to channel your inner artist during your stay.

The Sarasota Modern

Located in the Rosemary Arts & Design District, The Sarasota Modern is an architectural stunner. “The hotel pays homage to Paul Rudolph, a pioneer of the Sarasota School of Architecture during the years he lived in Sarasota in the 1950s,” says Hauser. Less than four miles from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), the hotel offers complimentary bicycles, a cold plunge, a hot tub, and a pool. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

For visitors seeking luxury, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has an on-site spa, a championship-level golf course, and an exclusive Beach Club on nearby Lido Key. The oceanfront property is not situated directly on the sand, but it does feature a complimentary shuttle that transports guests the three miles to the shore. 

Best Things to Do

Lounge on the beach at Longboat Key.

There’s a reason why many people consider Longboat Key one of the best islands in the U.S. Lido Beach and Siesta Key are also fantastic options, boasting fine white sand and stunning views. 

Dive into underwater worlds at the Mote Science Education Aquarium.

The Mote Science Education Aquarium is a world-class facility that houses manatees, sharks, sea turtles, otters, and many other marine species. The space offers touch pools and viewable labs that allow guests to peer into the working world of on-site researchers.

Connect with nature at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

The 45-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has two campuses. The downtown Sarasota campus features 15 acres along Sarasota Bay, including a bayfront mangrove walkway. This space is also home to the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant, which runs on solar power and features a rooftop edible garden. 

Explore art and history at The Ringling.

The Ringling is an expansive 66-acre estate made up of several museums and attractions. Guests can wander the property and visit the Ca’ d’Zan, a Venetian-inspired waterfront mansion that was once the home of John and Mable Ringling. The Circus Museum features the world’s largest collection of miniatures—more than 42,000 pieces that give guests a peek into the history and early days of The Ringling circus. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art consists of the original 21 galleries that opened to the public in the 1930s, a James Turrell installation, and other traveling and resident exhibitions. 

Enjoy the Sarasota waterfront at The Bay.

The Bay is a still-developing park set on 53 acres of the city’s waterfront. A promenade, a mangrove bayou, a sunset deck, and cultural venues are among the many features of the first phase, which was completed in 2022. The vibrant public space offers a full schedule of activities, from free kayak tours to outdoor movies under the stars.

Immerse yourself in the local performing arts scene.

There’s no shortage of live shows to enjoy in Sarasota—the area is part of Florida’s Cultural Coast, after all. Guests here can visit the nationally renowned Sarasota Ballet, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe (one of Florida’s few professional black theater companies), and the Sarasota Opera, which is housed in one of the most historic venues in the city. 

Get to know the city on a guided tour.

Discover Sarasota Tours offers 90-minute trolley tours multiple times a day that acquaint visitors with the city’s layout, history, neighborhoods, and many popular attractions.

Best Restaurants

Owen’s Fish Camp

Located in a 1920s cottage, Owen’s Fish Camp specializes in fresh seafood and Southern classics. The space includes a lush outdoor courtyard and is even home to a banyan tree that was given to the restaurant’s namesake—Owen Burns, a prominent Sarasota developer—by Thomas Edison.

Walt’s Fish Market

Walt’s Fish Market is a Sarasota institution that serves up conch chowder, stone crab, and a menu full of freshly caught seafood straight from the Gulf. It’s been a local favorite since 1918.

Whitney’s

Set in a converted 1950s garage, Whitney’s is a delight for modern design enthusiasts. It offers an all-day menu, weekend brunch, and live music. 

O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill

Sink your feet in the sand and enjoy a tropical drink at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill. With live music daily, this low-key waterfront spot in Bayfront Park is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunset.

Best Time to Visit

Although the area’s peak tourism season is between December and March, fall is the best time to visit Sarasota for great weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity. While hurricane season in Florida runs from June through November, it peaks between August and September, so keep this in mind when planning a trip.

“My favorite month to be here is November. The weather is ideal, the crowds are minimal, and everything is open,” says Hauser. Duggan echoes this sentiment, saying, “I’m a big fan of fall because you still have warm days with the occasional breezy day in between.”

How to Get There

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), located just three miles from downtown, is the most convenient destination for quick transport to and from the city. Sarasota is under two hours south of Tampa International Airport (TPA) and 2.5 hours west of Orlando International Airport (MCO)—keep in mind traffic in the area fluctuates greatly throughout the day, so the closer the airport, the better.

If you’re planning to drive to Sarasota, consider finding accommodations with parking. The city can experience a good deal of traffic, and between public transportation and rideshare services, it’s often more convenient to skip driving yourself. 

Neighborhoods to Visit

Downtown Sarasota

Downtown Sarasota is the center of the city’s arts district, with a number of galleries, theaters, and museums. You’ll also find restaurants and cafes, a weekly farmers market, and Bayfront Park—the best place to watch the sunset in Sarasota. 

Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island off the coast of Sarasota, best known for its award-winning beach. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy bike tours, boat rentals, snorkeling, and more. 

St. Armands Circle

Set on a key in Sarasota Bay, St. Armands Circle began as a passion project of John and Mable Ringling, who wanted to build a destination where visitors and residents could shop, live, and thrive. True to the city’s roots, Ringling used circus elephants to haul the timbers that were used to construct the causeway and bridge to connect St. Armands Key to the mainland.

How to Get Around

Unless you’re driving to Sarasota, consider skipping the rental car here. “Avoid parking and driving if you can—Ubers are easy to get and reduce all the stress. There’s a lot of traffic in season, and finding parking is a challenge,” says Hauser.

In addition to rideshare services, The Bay Runner is a complimentary open-air trolley that provides service seven days a week. It runs until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (10 p.m. all other days), with stops between Lido Key, St. Armands Circle, and downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota County also offers a bus system, Breeze, which operates several different routes around the city and makes it easy to reach attractions. Visitors can purchase one-way tickets in addition to 30-day passes.