Interesting Places to See in Sarasota, Florida

Located south of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is a city with many interesting places to see. It is a major seaport and has a number of cultural institutes. The city is home to the Ringling Museum of Art, which exhibits old masters as well as modern art.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Located in Sarasota, Florida, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a great place to explore. It’s not only a great place to learn about tropical plants, but it also offers a variety of activities.

This garden is home to over 20000 plants, including orchids, bromeliads, and more. The Tropical Conservatory features flora that changes seasonally. There is an outdoor butterfly garden and a mangrove walkway.

The garden also has a family-friendly Children’s Rainforest Garden. Kids can explore an Amazon village, climb on the roots of tropical trees, and ride a rope bridge. It’s like stepping into The Jungle Book. It also has an amphitheater and caves.

Visitors can also check out the library. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, but you can only browse books if you have an appointment. You can also check out journals, but you won’t be able to borrow anything.

The garden’s Education team is working to increase diversity among students and visitors. This includes creating opportunities for underserved populations to find careers in horticulture and botany.

The Selby Gardens compound covers fifteen acres. It’s a good idea to plan on spending a full day there. You’ll need to walk a lot.

The garden has two main campuses. The Downtown Sarasota campus is 15 acres along Sarasota Bay. The Historic Spanish Point campus is 30 acres of land along Little Sarasota Bay.

Siesta Key Beach

Located on the coast of Florida, Siesta Key is a tropical paradise. Its 8-mile long coastline is lined with powdery white quartz sand. The turquoise waters are perfect for swimming and water sports. The beaches are perfect for a laid-back family vacation or romantic getaway.

There are dozens of activities and attractions to enjoy on the island. One of the most popular is the Point of Rocks. It’s home to a variety of marine life, including manatees and dolphins. The limestone formations and warm shallow waters make it the perfect spot for snorkeling.

The Mote Aquarium in Sarasota is also an educational and entertaining venue. It’s home to manatees and sharks. The dolphins are a highlight.

Getting to Siesta Key Beach from downtown Sarasota is easy. There are several rental companies offering a range of services. These include beach chairs, strollers, and even wheelchairs.

There are also many restaurants and shopping opportunities on the island. The best way to get around is to walk or bike. There are many art galleries, boutique stores, and local markets. You can also get a taste of the local culture with the Siesta Key Drum Circle. This tradition occurs 52 times a year.

The Siesta Key Drum Circle is a fun activity to do. The circle, which consists of artists from the region, begins with a siren and pitter-patter of instruments. Then, hula hoops are passed out to the onlookers.

Asolo Repertory Theatre

Located on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Asolo Repertory Theatre is one of the largest not-for-profit theaters in the U.S. and is known as one of the most important cultural forces in the Southeastern United States.

This theatre company is dedicated to the performance of classical and contemporary works of literature. In addition to offering a wide variety of performances, the Asolo Repertory Theatre also offers audience development programs and outreach opportunities. The theatre’s resident artists have decades of experience working with regional theatres throughout the country.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre is a 501 not-for-profit organization. The theater is home to a wide variety of scenic artists and technical craftsmen. This group of professionals has worked for the Sarasota Ballet and other regional theaters, as well as Broadway shows.

The Asolo Repertory Company produces up to 15 productions a season. They stage a rotating repertory of classics and provocative new theater experiences. This includes 45-minute modern adaptations of classic literary works. These productions are performed from November to June. The company also offers a unique and dynamic education program.

The Asolo Repertory theatre has a unique location that is perfect for both touring and local productions. Its historic site was built in 1798 by a popular architect. This historic venue was originally a castle. It was purchased by the Ringling Brothers Museum of Art in 1949. The theatre then went into disrepair in the 20th century. However, in 1957 a new building was built and the theatre opened to the public.

Ca d’Zan mansion

Located in Sarasota, Florida, Ca’ d’Zan is a Mediterranean revival style mansion. It was built by circus mogul John Ringling in the 1920s. It is constructed of brick and terra cotta “T” blocks. It is 22,000 square feet in size.

When it was built, Ca’ d’Zan was considered the grandest mansion on the Suncoast. However, by the late 1990s, the structure was in disrepair. In the early 2000s, it was completely restored. Its $15 million renovation was completed by Florida State University.

The interiors of the mansion feature murals by artist Willy Pogany. His depictions of the “Dancers of Nations” are found throughout the home. The first floor includes principal rooms for entertaining. The second floor has five guest suites.

The first floor also includes the museum. It houses artifacts from the Ringling Brothers Circus. The museum is connected to the Ca’ d’Zan. There are paintings by Flemish/Dutch, Spanish, Italian, and French artists. The museum features a model of the travelling circus.

The exterior of the building is beautiful. It features a bay front terrace. The bay side gardens and Banyan trees look as if they were part of a fairytale. The entrance to the museum is through a gatehouse.

In the late 1950s, the Ringling Museum was used for theater purposes. It was not properly maintained for years. When the Ringlings passed away, their estate was donated to the State of Florida. The building was renovated and eventually became a museum.

Bayfront Park

Located on the bay in downtown Sarasota, Bayfront Park offers a variety of experiences. It is a fun place for the whole family to visit. It is also a popular spot to watch the sunset.

There are plenty of activities to choose from, including biking and kayaking. There is also a picnic area and playground. There is a great view of the Ringling Bridge and the city marina. You will also find several sculptures and statues. It is a perfect place to relax and have a good time.

You will also find numerous restaurants and shops. You can buy clothing, jewelry, and other accessories at St. Armand’s Circle, which is a small island with shops and cafes. It is a great shopping and dining experience.

Another interesting place to see in Sarasota is the Circus Museum. It has 44,000 piece model circus, cannons, and an impressive life-size tiger statue. You can also check out the clown cars.

If you like the outdoors, you can enjoy fishing, hiking, and swimming at Celery Fields. This 400-acre wetlands is home to breeding bird populations. It is also a large stormwater collection area for the city.

Other places to see in Sarasota include the Food Truck Festival, which is held on Saturday, July 2nd. You will have a chance to try food from different trucks, including gourmet barbecue and burgers. The event is free, and ends on Sunday, July 3rd.

Sarasota Art Museum

Located on the Ringling College campus, the Sarasota Art Museum is a great place to visit when you’re in the area. In addition to rotating exhibits, the museum offers educational programs and workshops.

The museum is also part of the Blue Star Museums program, which is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Department of Defense. The program includes free admission for military members, veterans, and their families.

The Sarasota Art Museum’s main building was designed in 1926 as a high school. A low-slung modernist addition was built in the 1960s. In addition to its museum galleries, the building is home to classrooms and a ceramic studio.

The museum features over 15,000 square feet of gallery space. The building is also home to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The institute is a part of the Ringling College Continuing Studies program and offers classes for adults in all forms of visual arts.

The Sarasota Art Center hosts four galleries, all of which focus on local and regional art. These exhibitions are a combination of regional and contemporary art. Besides paintings, photography, and digital pieces, the museum also exhibits wooden jewelry and ceramics. The museum also hosts several youth educational programs.

In the future, the museum will present exhibitions that highlight the town’s role in avant-garde art, the influence of Sarasota’s school of architecture on projects outside the county, and public programming. The museum will also weave oral histories into future exhibitions.