Top 10 Things to Do in Sarasota
With an average annual temperature of 72 degrees, Sarasota is the place for outdoor recreation. It’s a golfer’s dream come true, with over 30 courses throughout the county.
In fact, Sarasota is home to nine of the Top 20 Southwest regional courses featured in Florida Golf News.
After the sun goes down, Sarasota’s just getting warmed up! Area nightlife is especially popular on Main Street where bars and nightclubs frequently feature live entertainment. Coffee bars and restaurants offer outdoor dining where the entertainment often is people watching.
With so much to do, it’s hard to know where to begin. We’ve compiled this list of 10 of the most popular things to do in Sarasota. Start at the top and work your way down!
Ed Smith Stadium
This 53-acre site maintains a national reputation as a premier baseball facility in the State of Florida. In addition to minor league baseball, the stadium also features a number of other events throughout the year.
2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL
941-954-4101
Gulf Coast Wonder and Imagination Zone (G.WIZ)
This world-class science and technology center occupies a 33,000-square foot facility on Sarasota’s bay front. Touring and permanent exhibits at G.WIZ aim to make science relevant, technology understandable, and provide an interactive learning experience for visitors.
1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL
941-309-4949
Historic Spanish Point At the Oaks
Among the many wonders of this 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental museum is “A Window to the Past,” an archaeology exhibition about the gulf coast region’s earliest people.
500 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL
941-966-5214
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
This 9.5-acre bayfront property is an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on over 150 scientific expeditions to tropical rain forests by Selby Gardens research staff. Seven greenhouses are the heart of botanical research and plant identification, for which Selby Gardens is internationally recognized.
811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL
941-366-5731
Mote Marine
Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the world’s few remaining private marine research laboratories. At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life.
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL
941-388-2451
Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks. The Florida Myakka River flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka State Park is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.
13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL
941-361-6511
The Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the remarkable legacy of a circus entrepreneur, collector of art and financier who endowed the State of Florida with a rich cultural future. As a part of Florida State University, the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, and Cà d’Zan Mansion located on a 66-acre estate overlooking Sarasota Bay, is the state art museum of Florida.
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL
941-355-5101
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens features 10 acres of lush tropical vegetation, winding jungle trails and entertaining, educational bird and reptile shows throughout the day.
3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL
941-355-5305
Sarasota Opera
Celebrating 50 years, The Sarasota Opera House recently completed a $20-million dollar renovation and restoration. The Opera House plays host to everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to film festivals, popular music concerts, comedy shows and clowns.
61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL
941-366-8450
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Set along Sarasota’s beautiful bay front, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 35 years.
777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL
941-955-7676
