Introduction
Sarasota FL, nestled between Tampa and Miami on Florida’s Gulf Coast, boasts a relaxed ambiance, with its beautiful, lesser-known white-sand beaches. The small city is the proud home of the Ringling Museum complex, located by a scenic bay and displaying works by Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and El Greco, along with a circus museum. For nature enthusiasts, there’s a lot to enjoy: from spotting alligators, manatees, and dolphins, to wandering under majestic banyan trees and kayaking through the lush mangroves. Recent highlights include the growth of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the launch of a house museum from the 1920s in Newtown, Sarasotaâs historic Black neighborhood.
Sarasota FL Itinerary
On Friday, start with a serene walk over a wooden bridge, surrounded by lush greenery in the warm sunshine at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. By 3 p.m., enjoy wandering among the towering banyans and ficus trees, with views of Sarasota Bay as your backdrop. The garden has recently expanded, adding a welcome center designed to reflect the surrounding nature, the Green Orchid restaurant which sources ingredients from a rooftop garden managed by veterans, and a gallery that houses a rich collection of over 35,000 botanical specimens. An interesting feature is the Museum of Botany and the Arts exhibit âYayoi Kusama: A Letter to Georgia OâKeeffe,â showcasing their correspondence, photos, and one of Kusamaâs artworks, open until June 30.
As evening falls around 6 p.m., dive into the local flavors at Meliora, where the decor is as straightforward as the culinary offerings are complex. This spot offers a relaxed setting for enjoying dishes like Gulf of Mexico mackerel, alongside staples such as Japanese milk bread and a uniquely flavored cabbage salad.
Then, at 8 p.m., withdraw to the serenity of Sage restaurantâs rooftop bar, away from the downtown hustle. This retreat is housed in a building from 1926, originally the Sarasota Times newspaper, now transformed into a cozy haven with string lights, a fire pit, and a selection of creatively modified classic cocktails. This spot becomes a sanctuary with live music setting the ambiance, rounding off the day with a peaceful vibe.
Watch wildlife and relax on smooth sand
Enjoy the sun at Siesta Beach on Siesta Key, a long island near Sarasota. The beach has cool, soft sand and views of the Gulf of Mexico. You might see dolphins. For a closer look, try the LeBarge Dolphin and Manatee Watch Cruise for $38. The beach has showers, toilets, volleyball, and free parking. It’s three miles long, with a free trolley from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can rent bikes or scooters from Robin Hood Rentals for $159 a day.
Enjoy a Vegan Brunch at Project Coffee
Project Coffee, a beloved fully vegan cafe, boasts three locations around Sarasota. Its downtown spot is uniquely adorned with hanging plants and a disco ball, creating a minimalist industrial ambiance on concrete floors with light wood tables and counters. The outdoor area, featuring cheerful yellow tables and chairs, invites patrons to dine in the sunshine or shade, under a vibrant red awning. The brunch menu highlights include a delightful frozen açaà bowl, garnished with blueberries, bananas, cornflakes, coconut cream, tajin, and black-sesame crumble. Additionally, for those on the go, the cafe offers a homemade cinnamon brioche bun or a tahini marble coffee cake.
Visit Leonard Reid House
A journey through Sarasota, FL’s historic Black neighborhood becomes enriched with a visit to the Leonard Reid House. Twelve years following Sarasota’s incorporation in 1902, the Newtown neighborhood was established, dedicating 40 acres of land to Black residents. Since 2016, Newtown Alive has been preserving the oral history of this community. Among the notable stories is that of Leonard Reid, a pioneering Black settler whose 1920s residence now serves as a donation-based museum. Newtown Alive’s trolley tours offer an immersive experience into the struggles and achievements of the local Black community, highlighting significant events like the “wade-ins” â organized beach visits during the 1950s to protest segregation, which persisted until the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Explore Sarasota FL’s The Ringling Circus MuseumÂ
The Ringling, once the estate of John Ringling, the mastermind behind the Ringling Brothers Circus, today stands as a testament to Sarasota FL’s rich cultural heritage. This expansive complex includes beautifully landscaped gardens, a captivating Circus Museum, and an art museum housing an extensive collection. A highlight of the Circus Museum is the meticulously crafted 3,800-square-foot model of a 1900s circus, featuring miniature replicas of performers, animals, and spectators. Additionally, visitors can explore the Ringlingsâ private railroad car, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the early 20th century.
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar Dining Experience
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar invites guests to indulge in a seafood feast in a unique setting. A kitschy figure, Captain Billy, greets diners at the entrance, setting the tone for an unforgettable dining adventure. The restaurant’s interior, adorned with boat paintings and life-size shark models, complements the outdoor seating on a spacious dock overlooking Phillippi Creek. Popular among diners is the Kingâs Seafood Boil, a lavish assortment of lobster tails, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and Dungeness crab legs, all seasoned and served in garlic butter. For those daring to try, the fried gator chunks present a novel culinary delight, enhanced with a choice of tartar sauce or the locally made Gator Hammock hot sauce.
Sarasota FL’s Siesta Key Oyster Barâs Evening Delights
As the sun sets in Sarasota FL, Siesta Key Village transforms into a bustling hub of nightlife, welcoming patrons of all ages to Siesta Key Oyster Bar. Known for its laid-back atmosphere, the barâs walls are uniquely decorated with dollar bills, and its menu boasts an extensive selection of rum, flavored vodkas, and the signature oyster shooter. Live music enhances the lively ambiance, making it a favored destination for both locals and visitors. Just across the street, Gilliganâs Island Bar offers a more relaxed setting, perfect for unwinding in its loungey backyard, complete with swings and wooden beach chairs.
Morning Wellness and Farmersâ Market
Sarasotaâs wellness scene comes alive on weekends, offering a plethora of activities for health enthusiasts. A popular choice is Shack, a fitness studio offering a blend of yoga, strength training, and Pilates in a heated environment. Following a rejuvenating session, the Lakewood Ranch Farmersâ Market awaits its array of fresh produce, live music, and artisan crafts, providing a perfect setting for a community gathering.
Influenced by 36 Hours Sarasota, Fla. by Valeriya SafronovaÂ