Discover the Unique Sights of Sarasota

Sarasota, Florida is known for its performing arts, creative-minded locals, dining, and shopping. But it’s also home to mysteries and unique attractions. 

Explore Sarasota on a Unique Narrated Trolley or Van Tour

One of the best ways to see the city’s unique corners is with the locally-owned Discover Sarasota Tours. Their enclosed, air-conditioned trolleys and vans keep guests cool and comfortable, no matter the weather or intense Florida heat. In addition to tours exploring the city’s circus history, public art, and the Amish, Discover Sarasota Tours also delivers on classic city sights and favorite tourist stops.

Fun, Entertaining & Informative Narrated Sightseeing Tours with Discover Sarasota Tours.
Photo credit Nita Ettinger and Discover Sarasota Tours

Start your vacation by learning more about Sarasota’s circus roots at The Ringling Circus Museum. It’s a must-see to learn more about John Ringling, Sarasota’s circus roots, costumes, memorabilia, and intricately carved and colorful wagons. You can also see the Venetian-Gothic style Cà d’Zan, which John and Mable Ringling called their winter home. 

You may know Sarasota is filled with art galleries, but it’s also home to over 500-year-round Amish and Mennonite families. Another 5,000 arrive from Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each year to vacation and enjoy warmer weather. The area welcomes visitors to its quilt shops and crafts and a restaurant serving traditional pies and dishes. 

Of course, art lovers also have plenty of opportunities to soak up the culture around Sarasota. Stroll downtown to see vibrant murals, public art sculptures, and statuary. Even if you’re a long-time visitor or resident of Sarasota, you’ll see its public art with fresh eyes in the Rosemary Design District, where recently installed murals pepper the storefronts, walls, and buildings. 

For something that brushes up against the metaphysical, join Discover Sarasota Tours’ “Psychic Sundays” for a journey through “the Sedona by the Sea.” The city is known as a psychic and spiritual energy center where you’ll find healers, psychics, and intuitive. Tour guests also experience a Sound Immersion Healing and Spirit Gallery Reading.

You can also blend fantasy and mystery with a Murder Mystery Trolley Tour to solve the Circus Queen’s murder. The faux investigation takes guests to different circus locations in Sarasota, complete with unexpected guests, props, costumes, and scripts. You’ll see the city, learn more about its circus history, and have fun during this interactive experience.

Beyond unique stops and specialized tours, Sarasota is a playground for world-class attractions. For performing arts, see the Sarasota Ballet or Sarasota Opera take the stage. Visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to see antiques to modern works or the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a green oasis along Sarasota Bay. 

Of course, a trip to Florida isn’t complete without a stop along the waterfront. Siesta Key Beach features fine white sand that stays cool to the touch. The sand is mostly quartz, as opposed to pulverized coral, and creates a comfortable place to enjoy the sand. 

Ready to make the most of Sarasota? Book one of the many fun, entertaining, and informative tours with Discover Sarasota Tours.

Written by: Susan Finch | Author Website

Susan Finch is a travel writer and content marketer for the tourism industry who spends her time obsessing over the latest travel trends, wrangling her small kids, and planning her family's next big adventure.