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Sarasota and her islands rank among Florida’s most sought after vacation destinations. Magnificent white sand beaches line the crystal-blue Gulf of Mexico shoreline of Sarasota’s barrier beaches. But beaching and water sports compete with many other attractions to make Sarasota a fun-filled vacation destination. Sophisticated or casual, upscale or economical, you’ll find it in Sarasota!
Did you know there are more than 150 parks and recreational sites encompassing 4,000-plus acres, miles of beaches, and unique environmental resources throughout Sarasota County? While Sarasota itself is located on Sarasota Bay, which lacks the white, sandy beaches sought for beach vacation fun, you need only cross one of the bridges connecting the city with the barrier islands to enjoy white sands and refreshing gulf waters. Click here for a complete listing of Sarasota area beaches.
The City of Sarasota still manages to maintain a friendly, small town feel but its active downtown is home to a world class arts and theater district,. Attend the ballet, opera, a concert or take in a Broadway musical at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Explore world-class museums such as the Salvador Dali Museum, housing the largest and most important collection of Dali’s work in the USA, or the Ringling Museum of Art where you will find the Circus Museum. Art galleries and charming shops abound in and around Sarasota. You'll discover why Sarasota is the heart of Florida's “Cultural Coast.”
If you would like to learn about Sarasota’s past, visit historic Spanish Point where 5,000 years of Sarasota County history is preserved or the Crowley Museum & Nature Center where you will enjoy the self-guided tours through the nature preserve and pioneer history area,.
Natural Florida is nicely preserved here. There is an excellent variety of opportunities for birding, viewing flora and fauna, paddling along serene estuaries or hiking through unspoiled environments. Learn about and view tropical plants at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, an oasis on the bayfront in downtown Sarasota. At Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium you can explore the secrets of the sea and get “up close” with dolphins, sharks, manatees, and sea turtles and hands on with stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and sea stars. Or experience a tropical jungle complete with exotic birds and animals at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, one of Sarasota’s favorite family attractions.
Need a sports fix while on vacation? Bring your clubs for a round on one of many manicured golf courses dotted with sparkling lakes. Head out into the Gulf of Mexico under sail or power -- choose from 15 area marinas from which to rent a boat and 12 public boat ramps if you trail your own. Or try your hand at fishing the fertile waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf. Baseball fans can attend the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium or watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play their spring training games at McKechnie Field in nearby Bradenton. And, if NASCAR is your thing, visit the DeSoto Super Speedway for Saturday night stock car racing.
Sarasota’s beaches are close and very accessible. Luxurious Longboat Key's manicured beaches have limited public access. Laid-back Siesta Key has the feel of a tropical island, with a sugar white sand beach which consistently ranks among the world’s best. Anna Maria Island’s three towns, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria City, all offer good public beach access.
Round out your vacation with a day trip to the Tampa Bay area to the north or the Fort Myers area to the south.
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