Things to do in Sarasota Florida
If you're new to Sarasota, you may be surprised to find that there are so many fun and interesting things to do in one of the top Florida retirement cities. The Gulf Coast has America's best beaches, but there is a lot more to do here away from the sea. We've put together a list of things for you to do that are both educational and entertaining, and we hope you will love this area as much as we do.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING - Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 Phone: 941-893-6300
The Spring Training facility is a popular Sarasota attraction. The stadium has numerous attractive amenities, including Café 54, just inside the Home Plate entrance to the ballpark, which was named for the year Major League Baseball returned to Baltimore (1954).
Hours of Operation: Office is open Sunday 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS - 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-366-5731
Named for its original owners, William and Marie Selby, the gardens are a refreshing place to spend the day. Located within a residential neighborhood, on Sarasota Bay in downtown Sarasota, the Selbys lovingly designed their home to be a retreat from the outside world. Rare plants are everywhere you look here, and include bromeliads, ferns, gesneriads and orchids. The property is now twice its original size, with nearly 15 acres of land and a dozen buidings - including seven greenhouses - connected by a brick path.
Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 7 days a week, closed on Christmas Day.
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK - 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 Phone: 941-361-6511
This 7,500-acre Wilderness Preserve is loaded with alligators and wading birds year-round, and in the winter you can enjoy ducks and shorebirds as well as bald eagles, ospreys, and Sandhill cranes. Huge, beautiful live oaks full of lovely spanish moss alternate with huge sabal palm trees. This area is great for canoeing, and there is a mangrove island with a nesting colony of endangered wood storks – but watch the birds from a distance because it is illegal to disturb them.
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
SARASOTA FARMER'S MARKET - 1420 State Street, Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-225-9256
Over 5000 square feet of space and more than 70 vendors make this farmers market a popular destination for the past three decades and counting. Local farmers, businesses, musicians and artisans come together to provide a festive environment and the "town square" atmosphere lends a social aspect to this downtown open-air shopping experience at Lemon & Main.
Hours of Operation: Every Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
SARASOTA ORCHESTRA - 709 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL Phone: 941-953-3434
Also for over half a century, the 80-member Sarasota Orchestra has been performing for music lovers from around the region, and even from around the world. With more than 100 classical, pops and family concerts every year, they hold the distinction of being the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida.
Hours of Operation: Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
SARASOTA OPERA - 61 North Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-366-8450
For more than half a century, Sarasota's Opera has been delighting fans with stellar performances including those for local schools as well as the unique Sarasota Youth Opera program. The opera house has its own splendor and beauty, worthy of note, providing posh surroundings to enhance enjoyment of this cultural pleasure.
Hours of Operation: Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
SIESTA KEY BEACH - Beach Road, Siesta Key
Come see why this enchanting strip of land is known worldwide for having the finest sand in the world - as white as snow, rated time and again as America's #1 best beach not only in the US, but in the entire world. The secret behind this beach's dazzlingly pristine appearance is the makeup of its sand, which is 99% quartz. Because it is so reflective, it always feels cool underfoot no matter how hot the sun gets. Scientists believe that the sand here is millions of years old, and oritinated in the Appalachians, flowing down the rivers to be deposited where it currently lies. The water is shallow and there is year round lifeguard protection, so this is considered one of Florida's safest beaches for small children.
ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE - 300 Madison Dr #201, Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-388-1554
This island shopping center is separated from the mainland by two bridges across Sarasota Bay. A circle of more than 130 shops and restaurants in a tropical garden setting with courtyards and patios everywhere, it is named for Charles St. Amand, a Frenchman and first resident of the island, who purchased and homesteaded the land. His name was misspelled "St. Armand" and this spelling has was never corrected.
Hours of Operation: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
THE RINGLING MUSEUM - 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243 Phone: 941-359-5700
This is the State Art Museum of Florida, and its story begins nearly a century ago, due to the love of John Ringling and his beloved wife Mable for Sarasota, Italy and art. Traveling with the circus afforded them rare opportunities to see and purchase the fantastic art pieces which fill this 21-gallery museum.
Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
VAN WENZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL - 777 North Tamiami Trail (US 41), Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone: 941-955-7676
Sitting on Sarasota's gorgeous bayfront, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been providing a venue for music, dance, theater and comedy for more than four decades. Named for philanthropists Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel whose bequest paid for its construction, the Hall has seen a wide range of performers and shows, from world-class symphonies, classical and modern dance companies, to jazz artists, pop legends, Comedy and Broadway shows.
Hours of Operation: Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., closed Sunday.
Thanks for checking out our list of things to do in Sarasota, and we hope you'll enjoy your time exploring one of the top Florida retirement cities. If you bookmark this page, you’ll always have some terrific entertainment and recreational ideas handy.
