You will never lack things to do in Sarasota.
This is just a small sampling of the many area attractions:
Beaches
- Lido Beach is closest to downtown. A nice wide beach with plenty of free public parking.
- Siesta Key Beach is world famous for it's sugar white sand. Also plenty of parking. This is where the volleyball enthusiasts hang.
- The southern most tip of Lido Key has a nice beach, plus picnic tables and barbeque grills under the canopy of trees. A nice place to spend the day.
- Turtle Beach is a public beach towards the southern end of Siesta Key.
Golf
With over 50 golf courses, Sarasota is the place to be if golf is your thing. There are many communities that are built around golf courses. For more detailed information on Golf Course Communities, see >>more Golf Course Communities
- Bobby Jones Public Course, 18 holes, public, 941-365-4653
- Gulf Gate Executive Golf Course, 18 holes, public, 941-921-5515
- Lagacy at Lakewood Ranch, 18 holes, public, 941-351-6514
- Longboat Key Club Harborside, 18 holes, private, 941-387-1631
- Longboat Key Club Islandside, 18 holes, private, 941-383-8821
- University Park Country Club, 18 holes, public, 941-359-9999
Boating
- Sarasota Boat Rental is located at Sarasota Island Park and Marina right at the base of Main Street. www.sarasotaboatrental.com/
- CBS Outfitters offer boat and jet ski rentals on Siesta Key. www.cbsoutfitters.com/rentals.htm
- Marina Jack II is a dinner boat that does evening tours through Sarasota Bay for those that don't want to be at the helm of their own rental. www.marinajacks.com/dinner_boat.htm
Baseball
The Gulf Coast of Florida is home of spring training of several major league baseball teams. Unfortunately, Sarasota has recently lost the Cincinatti Reds' to Arizona. However, we are hopeful that the Baltimore Orioles will come to Sarasota shortly. And in the meantime, it's only a short drive to see several other teams.
- Devil Rays, play in Tampa during season do spring training in Port Charlotte about an hour from Sarasota
- Boston Red Sox have spring training in Fort Myers, about an hour and a half from Sarasota
- Pittsburgh Pirates have spring training in Bradenton, less than 30 minutes from Sarasota
- Philadelphia Phillies have spring training in Clearwater, about 2 hours north of Sarasot
Entertainment
- Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, www.vanwezel.org/
- Golden Apple Dinner Theater, www.thegoldenapple.com/
- Florida Studio Theatre, www.floridastudiotheatre.org/
- Asolo Theatre, www.asolo.org/
- The Sarasota Film Festival runs every spring, www.sarasotafilmfestival.com/
Art
- John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, www.ringling.org/
- Ringling College of Art and Design, www.rcad.edu/
Educational
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are in downtown Sarasota right on the bayfront. They have a wonderful collection of tropical plants. http://www.selby.org
- G. Wiz is a hands-on science museum, www.gwiz.org
- Mote Marine Aquarium, www.mote.org