These days Florida tourism is most often focused around theme parks and beaches. Although commercial travel is fine for people who enjoy that type of thing, when I want to see the real Florida, I am not thinking about Mouseville or Spring Break.
So, whether you are a Florida resident like me, a road tripper from out of state, or an international traveler, check out these out-of-the-box things to do while you’re in Sarasota Fl.
- Explore the Gardens at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Located on South Palm Avenue bordering Sarasota Bay, spend the morning exploring the breathtaking Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the story is as beautiful as the garden! The botanical garden’s collection numbers more than 20,000 greenhouse plants, plus thousands more in the outdoor gardens. The Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden, opened in November 2013, features interactive stations that allow children and families to explore rainforest plants and habitats.
- Do the Statue Walk at St. Armand’s Circle. As a family, you will love walking around St. Armand’s Circle in Sarasota. Make sure to take in all the Greek-and Roman-style sculptures, they are quite miraculous. You will find more than 20 statues, including sculptures representing Sarasota’s seven virtues: Music, Flora, Aristotle, Sculpture, Asclepius, Bounty, and Amphitrite. It is a fun way to end your day in this beach town!
- See Dolphins in the Wild at New Smyrna Beach. Watching dolphins jump and swim alongside your boat is an amazing feeling. At New Smyrna Beach, there is tons of fun to be had on the gorgeous sandy beaches, walking through the most adorable and sweet town, and enjoying the tranquility of this seaside location.
- See Mermaids Swimming at Weeki Wachee Springs. You can take a boat down the crystal-clear spring where you can look at manatees. There is plenty of playgrounds and of course don’t miss the mermaid show! This enchanted spring is the only one of its kind in the world and one of Florida’s most legendary and unique family destinations.
- The Sarasota Classic Car Museum. This is a car fanatics dream! It is the second oldest, continuously operating antique car museum in the Nation, with a wide variety of beautiful antique cars. Travel back in time and into the future of man’s greatest invention, with the entire family. If you are interested in driving North the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is also an amazing place and very different from any other car museum.
- Explore the Ca d’Zan Mansion. Ca d’Zan Mansion was the winter home of American circus owner, John Ringling and his wife, Mable. The waterfront mansion is five stories high and contains 36,000 square feet. The name of the mansion is Venetian for “House of John.” In addition to serving as a residence, the mansion also houses their large collection of art and artifacts. Docent led tours of the mansion are offered and highly recommended!
- Visit Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a marine research center located on Ken Thompson Parkway on City Island in Sarasota. Founded in 1955. The aquarium is open to the public and is home to over 100 marine species, especially local marine animals. The narrated shark feedings are a popular attraction at the aquarium.
- Siesta Key Village. Not far from downtown Sarasota, the small island of Siesta Key sits on the gleaming Gulf of Mexico and boasts one of the best beaches in the country. In the heart of this quirky, fun island is Siesta Key Village, a colorful, lively village near the beach that is full of restaurants, shops, bars, spas, ice cream parlors, and much more. The village really gets busy during the many festivals it hosts, so if you can, time your visit with one of them. The Siesta Fiesta is one of the more popular events around.
- Put a smile on your face at the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy. Marietta Lee, an artist herself, has been organizing this fun eclectic collection of art from all kinds of media since 2006 to “preserve work of artistic and whimsical importance.” What Marietta is trying to tell us with her colorful and bright collection is to lighten up and not take ourselves so seriously. Admission is free!
- Central Sarasota Farmers Market. There is nothing quite like strolling through a bustling market on a warm sunny Saturday morning, checking out all the juicy, colorful fruits and veggies, and listening to the chatter of vendors and music echo through the streets. Every Saturday, year-round, the Central Sarasota Farmers Market opens to local farmers, bakers, artisans and musicians for a day of festive fun in the sun!
Sarasota Florida is a beautiful location; with it harboring world class beaches, top-shelf arts, and culture it makes day to day life a little sweeter, easier and an aesthetic joy. It is truly a city of surprises. ENJOY!