Mote Marine Aquarium
Features touch pools for stingrays and other sea life; a 135,000-gallon shark habitat; dolphin,
Must Do Recommends
Mote Marine Aquarium
Features touch pools for stingrays and other sea life; a 135,000-gallon shark habitat; dolphin, manatee and sea

See Animals in Action
Attend an educational training demo at the Big Cat Habitat Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. Reservations recommended.

Sarasota top10 Attractions

The Sarasota area provides one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore history, arts and culture that can’t be found anywhere else. Sarasota has long been known as the winter home of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, but the Ringling family’s role in Sarasota goes well beyond the circus.

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John Ringling built the first causeway onto Lido Key and helped develop the lush St. Armands Circle into the world class shopping area it is today. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus isn’t the only show under the big top in the Suncoast either. Many circuses call Sarasota home, including the Royal Hanneford Circus, which is often referred to as the oldest name in circus.

From art to classic cars there is a museum for every interest. Nature lovers will enjoy various options for exploring Florida's natural beauty through lush botanical gardens and two local aquariums.

You’ll also find the area rich in history and culture. Discover a region that was once home to mastodons, saber-toothed tigers, Native Americans, Spanish explorers, pirates and early American settlers. There are plenty of chances to take a step back in time to see and learn how Native Americans and the early pioneers paved the way for the area to flourish. Full of extraordinary natural attractions, rich culture and wonderful entertainment, the Suncoast will leave you engaged and enriched.

Mixon Fruit Farms
Visit the fruit groves on Florida’s west coast in Bradenton. Take a ride through the grove on The Orange Blossom Express Tram with a stop at the Wildlife Rescue. Stay for lunch. Deli features delicious salads, sandwiches, soups, ...read more

Gamble Plantation
This antebellum mansion was home to Major Robert Gamble and headquarters of an extensive sugar plantation. It is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. It is believed that Confederate Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin, ...read more

Ringling Museum of Art
Built by John-Ringling to house his personal collection of mersterpieces, the museum features paintings and sculptures by European, American and Asian Old Masters, including Rubens, van Dyck, Gainsborough and more. It is one of the ...read more

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
A 9.5-acre bayfront property in an open-air and under-glass museum featuring more than 20,000 colorful plants. Breathtaking display gardens with more than 6,000 orchids. Includes an indoor rainforest, outdoor butterfly garden, bamboo ...read more

Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
See and learn about exotic and endangered Siberian tigers, African lions, and rare white tigers. Also encounter bears and other animals at this nonprofit safe haven. Be entertained by the individual personalities of the animals during ...read more

Crowley Museum & Nature Center
Travel through Maple Branch Swamp and the Tatum Sawgrass Marsh along a half-mile boardwalk that ends with a two-story observation tower. A pioneer area includes a museum of pioneer history, pioneer cabin, blacksmith shop, working sugar cane ...read more

Sarasota Classic Car Museum
In operation since 1953, the Sarasota Car Museum is one of the oldest car museums in the world. A 60,000-squarefoot facility featuring more than 100 automobiles spanning over 100 years. The museum also has an operational antique game ...read more

Mote Marine Aquarium
Features touch pools for stingrays and other sea life; a 135,000-gallon shark habitat; dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits; and more than 100 species of marine life. Experience the Immersion Cinema that features a 40-foot-wide HD ...read more

Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team
If you’re looking for something different to do, come out to watch the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees Water Ski Show Team perform a themed and spectacular water ski show. Watch in awe as they dazzle you with thrilling jumps and tricks, ...read more

South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium & Parker Manatee Aquarium
Discover Florida’s story from the prehistoric to the present with life-sized casts of Ice Age mammals and fossils. Bishop Planetarium’s all digital full dome theater offers thrilling south and light shows. Parker Manatee Aquarium is home to ...read more