Planning a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast? Discover the best things to do in Sarasota, from pristine beaches and cultural landmarks to thrilling outdoor adventures and hidden gems!
The city’s skyline abutting its coast that faces the Gulf of Mexico was captured from Bird Key, one of the several Florida Keys (small islands, Cays).
Incidentally, Bird Key is connected to the Sarasota Bay by a causeway. It implies the island can be reached by walking and driving over the Gulf of Mexico.
This is the John Ringling Causeway
The mention of the Gulf of Mexico means, Sarasota City is located on the west coast of Florida.
The Atlantic Ocean lies on the east of Florida. Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico on either side of Florida are connected by the Strait of Florida, which is facing the southern tip of Florida State.
You can see the three water bodies, surrounding Florida on the east, south, and west.
Locate Sarasota easily, between Longboat Key, and Port Charlotte in the above map.
How to reach Sarasota?
Sarasota has an airport. You can fly into the city from all parts of the United States.
Additionally, here are some nearby airports and their distance from Sarasota:
- Tampa 98 km
- Petersburg 59 km
- Fort Meyers 132 km
- Clearwater 92 km
Sarasota’s air connectivity is excellent. Similarly, road access is also too good.
Nonetheless, I think the lack of train connectivity is glaring. While the nearby Tampa and Fort Meyers have train connectivity, Sarasota is ignored to date. I wonder why?
How do people move around the city?
Own cars and taxis are the major modes of intercity transportation.
There are shared taxis in some parts of the city. In this kind of taxi, you pay a part of the meter reading. This is good for solo backpackers, students, and budget travelers.
Of course, there are public buses that connect to all corners of the city.
Operated by the Sarasota public transportation system Breeze, it offers cheap transit from Sarasota airport to the downtown.
I liked the green-seated wooden interiors of the bus (trolley). The ‘76’ indicated to ‘route 76’.
Conveniently, the flyer trolley’s frequency is every half an hour. It has a wheelchair-friendly boarding.
Above all, the buses are air-conditioned!
What to do in Sarasota?
Since the city is ideally located on the West Coast and is surrounded by many big cities, Sarasota is frequented by holidaymakers from other parts of Florida and also from other states.
In addition, the residents and tourists the above-mentioned 4 cities, make a day trip to Sarasota.
Hence, the city has developed into one of the top, sunny vacation spots in America, and offers several attractions, and plenty of best things to do in Sarasota.
16 Best Things to D in Sarasota Florida!
-
Sarasota City sightseeing tours
Like any other big city, in Sarasota also, you can opt for a city tour on a bus.
The bus tour lasts only 90 minutes but covers all the important tourist landmarks. These bus tours are aptly named, “Discover Sarasota”.
If your key interests are in shopping, and eating, you can choose another city tour called, “Amish Tour”.
The buses are air-conditioned and guided.
-
Cruise tours in Sarasota Bay
The Gulf of Mexico is a friendly sea in this part of America. Sarasota Bay is known for wonderful sightings of dolphins, and manatees.
The cruises are thematic. I mean, a cruise tour is to watch the sunset, and another tour is exclusively for seeing dolphins, and manatees.
All the sea tours include live music. In addition, food and drinks are also offered. I think the cost is included in the ticket price.
The duration of all the tours is for a minimum of 2 hours.
-
-
Hot air balloon tours
-
Hot air balloon tours are another thrilling way of seeing the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches in Sarasota, and the skyline of the city.
However, you have to go to Tampa to enjoy a 60-minute jolly ride in a hot air balloon.
-
-
-
Helicopter Tour
-
-
An aerial view of the Sarasota Bay, its downtown and other places will be a memorable experience. A couple of companies operate helicopter rides in the city.
Places that will be shown you from high up include:
-
-
- Sarasota Bay
- Sarasota Key
- Downtown
- Ringling Bridge
- Bayfront Park
-
An exclusive chopper ride during the sunset will be the sight of your lifetime.
The duration of tours varies from 20, 30,40, and 60 minutes. Which will be your choice?
Here comes the ultimate deal.
One particular chopper ride during which, the doors will be left open. You can lean out and enjoy the wind blowing through your hair. Isn’t it just like in the movies?
-
-
-
Seaplane Rides
-
-
Would you like a ride on a seaplane? Seaplane rides are rare in the world. When an opportunity presents itself, grab it with glee.
These floatplane rides depart from Sarasota Bay. The destinations include Siesta Key, Fort Meyers, and Anna Maria Island.
The duration varies, depending on the destination. Fort Meyers round trip lasts 60 minutes. The other rides are shorter.
-
-
-
Watch a Circus
-
-
Amazingly, a circus show is on, in February and March in Sarasota! It usually includes some heart-pounding performances, thrilling displays of acrobatics in the air using swings, and clown acts.
A circus engages all age groups. Children love the acts of clowns.
-
-
-
Circus Academy and Circus Museum
-
-
I think Sarasota is the only city in the world that trains prospective people to perform various skills that are carried out in a circus.
The Sailor Circus Academy is the organization that people have to approach to become a circus artist.
In addition to the circus academy, there is a museum in Sarasota known as “The Ringling”.
Inside, you can come to know all about the history of circus shows in America.
The displays include myriad objects used in a circus such as juggles, costumes, etc.
-
-
-
Culinary Tour
-
-
I am sure this is one tour you would be looking forward to when you visit Sarasota, Florida.
You can join one or more street food tours that include:
-
-
- Downtown Sarasota Food Tour
- Street food tasting in Amanda Circle
- Anna Maria Island Food Tour
-
But, you must fast the previous 6 hours at least so that, you can truly enjoy the 3-hour-long food tours.
-
-
-
Water sports in Sarasota Bay
-
-
Certainly, you can enjoy numerous water-based adventure activities.
Here are they:
-
-
- Banana boat ride
- Stand-up paddling
- Kayak rides
- Water Skiing
- Parasailing
- Jet skiing
-
Apart from the Sarasota Bay, there are a couple of locations in the city where rentals of various water sports accessories are offered.
Siesta Key and Zota Beach Resorts are two places where the tourists are taken to by the water sports organizers.
-
-
-
Beaches to visit
-
-
Siesta Key Beach is rated as one of the best beaches in and around Florida’s three waterfronts. Here, the beach wears a white sand drape. The water is ideally warm to swim and splash,
Lido Beach is another popular beach. It is conveniently located near the Amanda Circle.
Manasota Key Beach is a prominent place for sunbathing, swimming, and cruising.
Clearwater Beach is thronged by swimming buffs for its clean, blue waters.
-
-
-
Keys to visit near Sarasota.
-
-
The ‘key’s are small barrier islands that serve as great beachfront holiday pots, and picnic locales.
Here are the keys you can go to when you are touring Sarasota.
- Longboat Key
- Lido Key
- Anna Maria Island
- Amandas Key
- Bird Key
- Manosata Key
- Siesta Key
The Florida Keys are invariably connected to mainland Florida by road bridges over the Gulf of Mexico, the Strait of Florida, and the Atlantic Ocean.
They are immensely popular among the Floridians. Whenever they receive guests from other parts of the U.S. and from other countries, they take them to one or more keys in a single day.
12.Want to pick up some Shark Tooth?
What else can be an amazing collectible than a real shark tooth? There are abundant of them on an island called, “Venice”, near Sarasota.
I heard this small island near the city is an exclusive beachcombing destination.
As a matter of fact, it is called the “Shark Capital of the World”
The reason for this unique popularity is an interesting story.
Florida region in the U.S. was once under the Gulf of Mexico. The sea at that time was infested with sharks.
When finally, the receding water exposed the land beneath, fossils of sharks were found to be buried under the sea.
Slowly, over the years, they were washed ashore. They were soon hidden under the beach.
Some skeletons of the sharks were also found, but naturally, no one bothered with them.
Trivia:
Shark’s teeth naturally fall several times during their lifetime.
Do you like shark tooth hunting?
How do people go to Venice Island?
Oh, it is simple, and you can reach the island in under 5 minutes from Sarasota. A 1.6 km road bridge connects the island to the mainland. It is known as Venice Bypass Bridge.
Important tourist Landmarks in Sarasota
The top tourist landmarks in Sarasota include downtown, Amanda Circle, museums, parks, and gardens.
Here is a short list of attractions to see in the city.
Amanda Circle
This is a major shopping place with the sky as the roof. You can expect pavement bars, and restaurants, numerous boutiques, gift shops, bakeries, and more.
-
-
- John, and Mable Ringling Museum
- Mayakka Canopy Walk
- Mote Marine Lab, and Aquarium
- Mary Selby Botanical Gardens
- Ringling Bridge
-
This sea-over bridge connects the city to Lido Key.
This causeway is also not very long. Just 1.37 km is the distance between the Sarasota bay and Lido Key.
-
-
-
Water Amusement Park
-
-
There is a tourist landmark known as Lake Kingfisher. The amusement park is called Waterside Place.
Kids can enjoy several friendly, and risk-free rides. Adults can choose from numerous bars, and restaurants that face the lake.
-
-
-
Wildlife watching
-
-
Our tour to any city or island is incomplete if we don’t allocate some to watch the local animals and birds-right?
One place in Sarasota that is good to spot wildlife is the Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
Myakka Elephants Ranch is a must-visit place because you can see both the African and Asian elephants.
In addition, there is a rescue and retreat center for injured, and abandoned aquatic and land birds.
Red Bug Slough Preserve is actually used for hiking. While doing so, you can spot otters and bobcats.
-
-
-
What to buy in Sarasota
-
-
Well, it is a big city that is haunted by thousands of tourists. Hence, there are numerous things to buy including edible souvenirs.
Here is a list. Save some money to buy some of them.
-
-
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Story books for children
- Jewelry made with seashells, and shark tooth
- Pottery
- Antiques
-
Considering these best things to do in Sarasota deserves 4 days of holiday.
