Sarasota is a beautiful little slice of Florida located on the Gulf of Mexico. For those of us in the states, it is a very affordable beach vacation destination. From museums, to stunning nature and tons of beach and water activities, Sarasota has plenty to offer. Having family in the area, I have spent weeks here over the past few years. Over time, we have carved out our “must do’s” when my fiancé and I visit.
Siesta Key in Sarasota
Looking for a place to stay that is near great restaurants and you want a very beach heavy experience? This the location for you. Siesta Key is the epitome of small beach town vibes. Rent a bike or walk along the street and pop into all of the kitschy shops.
Mini donuts are a must here, particularly the cinnamon sugar. Warm, pop-in-your-mouth donuts that practically melt in your mouth. Reminiscent of my favorite donut place on pier 39 in San Francisco, these mini donuts can’t be missed. I demand you eat them fresh! Once you smell them, you won’t think twice about saving them for later.
Want to shop for cute kitschy items? Visit Gidget’s Coastal Provisions for the best souvenirs. They always have the cutest items from ornaments, housewares, clothes, home décor and soaps. The list goes on of what they have but they hit hard with kitsch beach style better than anyone else on Siesta Key.
When you get hungry for a delicious meal, visit SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar). Be sure to check on the happy hour times because that is your chance to get delicious fresh oysters for half price. If you’re not an oyster fan, the menu has plenty to offer and everything we have ever tried is delicious. This is a no-frills place. You can come straight from the beach in your coverup and flipflops and no one will bat an eye. Dollar bills litter the walls and are gathered and donated to a local charity every year. Ask to donate and you can sign and put up your dollar!
A white sand beach awaits you at the end of the street. Mainly comprised of crushed quartz. this soft, cool sand will assist you on your walk down to the warm water of the gulf. Walk along the water, swim, play and lay on this beautiful beach and enjoy your day! If you are lucky enough to be in the area for the sand sculpting competition, be sure to visit and watch the incredible talent sculpt and put their art on display.
The Ringling Museum
Sarasota’s claim to fame in the early 1900’s is the circus. You will notice around town street names referring to it. For instance, one community on Circus Rd is built around the watering holes where the elephants would bathe. There is even a circus training school and the Ringling Museum.
The Ringling museum is fun for the whole family. Try fitting into the clown car, test your tightrope skills, and check out the 44,000-piece model of the old circus grounds. Sarasota was the location of Ringling’s and Barnum & Bailey’s winter grounds. Without a doubt, this 3,800 square foot model is a must see. This impeccable model will show you how huge the circus used to be in town and how they ran and operated.
In addition to the museum, just outside you will see one of the most gorgeous estates you will ever lay eyes on in the United States. The Ca’ D’Zan is an opulent mansion that looks like a European palace. Formally the home of John and Mable Ringling, this mansion is inspired by Venetian architecture. Afterall, they were dubbed the king and queen of the circus, obviously they would commission a palace. At that time, the Ringlings were one of the richest families in the country. This 36,000 square foot home took 2 years to build, 1924-1926, and was the whopping sum of 1.5 million dollars which would roughly cost 26 million today.
Walk the grounds and marvel at the architecture. Sit on the back terrace and enjoy the views of the bay. Marvel at the old trees and beautiful gardens! Or take a guided tour to see the interiors of the mansion.
Myakka State Park
Myakka State Park is going to bring you the tropical vegetation of your dreams and plenty of opportunities to spot Florida’s famous alligators. Don’t worry, you will be able to spot them safely from a distance.
Myakka State Park is one of Florida’s oldest, largest, and diverse state parks. The Myakka River flows through the 58 square mile area bringing plenty of biodiversity to the park. Great for bird watching, hiking, gator spotting, canoeing, bike rides or a scenic drive. 
Kayaks, canoes, and bike rentals are all available. Hiking is my preferred method of seeing this gorgeous park. Be sure to visit the Canopy Walkway and Nature Trail. You can climb to the very top of the canopy’s observation tower and see miles upon miles of uninterrupted nature. Climb above the canopy of palm trees that extend as far as the eye can see. It is a breathtaking view.
During your visit you will see loads of cars parked on the side of the road near bridges. Generally, this will be a great location to spot alligators from a safe distance. If you hang around long enough, you are bound to see at least one. More than likely, at least five. Be on the lookout! They tend to congregate near the banks of this bridge. 
Selby Gardens Sarasota Campus
When traveling, one of my favorite stops in cities is a botanical garden. Nestled by Sarasota Bay and Hudson Bayou, Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus has plenty to offer. There are several biomes you can experience over the 42-acre campus, including plants of the rainforest, desert, and native Floridian botanicals. Display gardens are amongst my favorites with bromeliads, an edible garden, a fragrance garden and even a butterfly garden!
Ready to have an indoor experience to escape the Florida heat? Pop into the Payne Mansion for the Museum of Botany & Arts. 
There is something for every price point and person. If you want to wander the gorgeous campus filled with marvelous plant life, you can with just the entrance fee. For additional fees, you can take a guided tour with a docent. Audio tour? You bet! You can even take an educational boat ride and sail from their Downtown Sarasota campus to their Historic Spanish Point campus and that will include lunch!
If you find yourself in the area around the holidays, you cannot miss their Christmas lights! They go all out with incredible lighted displays. We spent hours marveling at all the variety they had to offer and had tons of fun with our entire family.
Kayaking Through Mangroves
Take advantage of the gorgeous local Sarasota marine life by taking to the water! Kayaking is always one of my favorite excursions. Kayaking through the lush mangrove tunnels is very special. Kayak rentals through Surf It Usa are fantastic. They have single and tandem kayaks as well as paddle boards. You will be supplied with all safety equipment and a map.
Whatever floats your fancy, literally, you will enjoy this serene locale. You can be in the large open waters or go down the plethora of waterways and mangrove tunnels. Some are tricky to navigate as passageways can get narrow but your paddles will be your best friend and will get you through.
For those wanting a more enriching experience and to learn about the local wildlife, guided tours are also available. Personally, I love setting off in the kayak and going wherever I choose. Another great option is pulling up onto the quiet beach and eating a packed lunch. No need to worry about Florida alligators, this is all calm ocean water.
This is by far the most memorable and unique experience that Sarasota has to offer. Every single time I am in town, I go kayaking here. Oftentimes, I find myself wishing I could go while I’m home in California.
Sarasota Overview and Tips
Here are some extra tips and bonus activities for your visit:
- If at all possible, rent a boat or take a ride around Lido Key, you will love it! I know this activity is not as easily accessible, but it is a blast.
- Pack a ton of sunscreen and a hat no matter what time of year you go. Florida is known for its heat and humidity for a reason. That being said, I highly recommend visiting in the winter and spring months to enjoy cooler weather, less humidity and less crowds while still having glorious sunshine.
- In addition to better weather, airline tickets tend to be cheaper in the spring and winter months as well.
- If you are visiting in the summer, I would recommend buying a sun shirt as well to give yourself extra sun protection if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors.
- Eat the local seafood. Grouper, Red Snapper and Oysters are plentiful in Sarasota. Try a grouper sandwich or tacos, you won’t be disappointed. It is a meatier, less “fishy” tasting fish. You’ll see it on many menus in the area.
- When visiting Myakka, I recommend wearing close-toed shoes. Traversing the terrain will be better in a sturdy shoe.
I hope you enjoy these locations and activities on your visit to Sarasota. Hopefully they bring you the lasting memories that they brought me. Safe travels my friends.
