Top Things to See in Sarasota, Florida

Whether you’re visiting Sarasota for a vacation or just a temporary visit, you’ll find plenty of things to do, see and experience while you’re here. Among these are the beaches, shopping, restaurants, attractions and parks that make Sarasota so popular.

Longboat Key

Located in the Gulf of Mexico, Longboat Key is a barrier island. It’s an area with great weather year round, a wide variety of water sports, and excellent shopping and dining.

Aside from the beaches, Longboat Key is also home to many golf courses, which attract vacationers from all over the world. In addition to golf, there are several dolphin sighting trips, kayak adventures, and other activities to enjoy.

The history of Longboat Key can be traced back to early Spanish and Cuban fishermen. In the 1840s, squatters occupied the island, and there was a trading post on the northern end. A hurricane in 1921 destroyed much of the building on the key.

The first post office was established in 1907, and Byron Corey served as the first postmaster. Before that, the area was called Sarasota Bay.

The Town Commission of Longboat Key has seven members. The mayor is elected to a two-year term. The commission works in partnership with neighboring communities.

The city of Sarasota is just a short drive away, and there is an extensive bus service serving the islands from there. The University of South Florida is also located in the town.

The Town of Longboat Key has a commission-manager form of government. It is located on a beautiful barrier island, which is surrounded by turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The island is a popular destination for Europeans in the winter months, and offers a temperate climate.

Myakka River State Park

Located in Sarasota County, Florida, Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest parks in Florida. Originally delineated by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this 58 square mile park is surrounded by wetlands and prairies.

Myakka River State Park offers a variety of activities. You can hike, canoe, and kayak, as well as visit the Myakka Wildlife Preserve. There are five Palm Log Cabins available for rental. The Pink Gator Cafe, which is concessionaire operated, is a popular restaurant with craft beers and free Wi-Fi. You can also take a guided tram tour.

The Myakka River flows through the park, and is a designated Florida Wild and Scenic River. It is home to many different species of water creatures. You can view them from the boardwalk. There are also flat-bottom boat tours available on Upper Myakka Lake. You can also rent canoes or kayaks at the Myakka Outpost.

The Myakka Wildlife Preserve features two campgrounds along with hiking trails. Visitors can also learn about the habitats and wildlife at the Myakka Wildlife Center. There are also displays and movies about the Myakka area.

Myakka River State Park is open from eight in the morning until sunset. The park is a popular spot for backwoods backpackers. There are also several primitive campgrounds for campers.

Art Center Sarasota

Located in the Bayfront in Sarasota, Florida, Art Center Sarasota is a nonprofit organization that provides educational programs and cultural experiences. Its galleries exhibit contemporary art works from both local and international artists. Its community engagement initiatives include outreach initiatives, workshops, and rental facilities.

The Center also hosts live concerts and performances, as well as educational and cultural programs for local residents and visitors. Its atrium gallery hosts exhibitions of talented artists in juried competitions. The Center also features a small sculpture garden.

The Center’s 2022-23 exhibition season will kick off on October 20, with a full slate of shows. These include an upcoming exhibit showcasing documentary photographs by Karen Arango. The exhibit also includes a solo show by Osa Atoe, a ceramic vessel inspired by the Gulf of Mexico.

Another exhibit will feature multi-layered ceramic work by Eugene Ofori Agyei. The artist is originally from Ghana and has received numerous awards. He is currently a resident of Gainesville, FL.

The center will also feature a juried group show, The Figure, curated by Erin Wilson. It will showcase work by members of the Center and its various programs.

The Community Gallery will display works of community groups, including puppetry and circus arts. It will also include the latest in time-based art.

Ringling Brothers Circus Arts Conservatory

Located in Sarasota, Florida, the Ringling Brothers Circus Arts Conservatory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization that provides education and outreach programs to the community. Several joint ventures are also part of the organization’s mission. This includes the professional performance sector of the Circus Arts Conservatory and The Sailor Circus Academy, which is an after-school training program for students ages eight to 18.

The Summer Circus Spectacular features renowned performers from around the country, as well as local Sarasota favorites. In addition to the circus, the show features hand-balancing, a crossbow, and comedy. It’s all included with a $5 admission to the Circus Museum.

The Sailor Circus Academy, which is also part of the Circus Arts Conservatory, teaches young people life skills, self-discipline, athletic training, and more. It’s America’s longest-running youth circus.

The Sailor Circus Academy has been a fixture in the Sarasota community for over 70 years. Today, it is one of the most celebrated and prestigious circus arts training organizations in the world. Previously known as the “Greatest Little Show on Earth,” the organization has a long history of preparing a new generation of circus performers.

The Circus Arts Conservatory is also home to the Sailor Circus, which has been running for seven decades. As one of the oldest youth circuses in the United States, the Sailor Circus trains young people in the various disciplines of the circus. This includes juggling, gymnastics, and trapeze.

Sprouts farmers market

Sprouts is not known for its small town mentality, so it should come as no surprise that this grocer is a bit of a high-flier. In fact, Sprouts has plans to open a whopping 27,000 square foot store in Pelican Plaza on South Tamiami Trail, a.k.a., the most upscale shopping district in the county. And just to be sure, Sprouts will offer 100 full-time, permanent jobs to go along with its upscale wares. Among its many perks, the store will also offer a no-haggle coupon scheme for the savvy shopper.

Sprouts specializes in organic and healthy foods, and their upscale offerings are on par with their larger kin, Walmart and Target. The chain’s nascent Florida venture will be the second Sprouts store in the state after a debut in Boca Raton in early 2014. The grand prize of the two stores is located in Pelican Plaza, just south of the Gulf Coast Highway and east of the Tamiami Trail. The Sprouts of Sarasota will be a bit on the smaller side, with only a modest beer and wine selection tucked away in the corner. However, in a pinch, the small town shopper will find plenty to fill their shopping carts.

State of the Arts Gallery

Located on State Street in downtown Sarasota, the State of the Arts Gallery showcases a wide variety of artists and art works. Whether you are a beginner looking for inspiration or an experienced collector looking for the next big acquisition, you will find something at the gallery.

The State of the Arts Gallery is a great place to find art from local and regional artists. The space is vibrant and engaging, with black gloss floors and a lounge area.

The gallery also hosts events and new exhibits, showcasing the best of what the area has to offer. The upcoming “Constructs” exhibition is an exciting new display of contemporary art from American artists.

The First Friday Artwalk is a great opportunity to experience live music, refreshments, and other special events in downtown Sarasota. The museum-quality artwork that you see at the gallery is created by local artists.

The Museum of Craft and Design is hosting a nationwide juried artist marketplace. In addition, a special mural will be commissioned to celebrate the city’s 100th birthday. The Boys and Girls Club will be working with the Art Center to create a collaborative mural to promote community engagement.

The gallery has a lounge area with 15′ cream draperies and black gloss floors. The space is welcoming and comfortable for both students and seasoned collectors.

Age-Friendly Sarasota

Located in the southwest Florida region, Sarasota is home to a unique mix of people. One third of the population is under 35 years old, and nearly one-third is 65 or older. These demographics make Sarasota County a prime candidate for an age-friendly community.

Since 2006, Sarasota has been exploring ways to leverage the aging population. The community has been recognized by AARP and the World Health Organization for being an age-friendly community.

The initiative has brought together a group of local, state, national, and international organizations. These organizations collaborate to create a pathway for a more prosperous future for all residents.

Age-Friendly Sarasota is the first community in Florida to join the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. The network includes more than 500 jurisdictions worldwide. The program focuses on key indicators of well-being in old age. The initiative promotes active, healthy, and engaged living.

The initiative will begin with a survey of county residents. The results will be used to develop an Age-Friendly Action Plan. The plan will serve as a blueprint for the community to become an Age-Friendly County by October 2021.

Sarasota’s 10 public libraries are all equipped with assistive technology equipment, including low-vision computer stations with braille displays. There are also text-to-speech devices and magnification software.