Things to Do in Sarasota

The once winter estate of wealthy circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable is today a museum complex showcasing Ringling’s vast private art collection alongside the state of Florida’s art collection. There’s also a circus museum, the Ringling Bayfront Gardens, the historic Asolo Theater and Ca'd'Zan, the Ringling’s opulent Prohibition-era mansion, built in the in the Venetian Gothic style, complete with ceiling frescos and abundant marble.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, situated on the breezy shores of the bay, are an ideal destination for gardeners, nature lovers, and travelers looking for a calm, nature-focused outing in Sarasota. Stroll through the gardens, visit the conservatory, and browse the Museum of Botany and Arts at this 15-acre oasis.

Founded by famed marine scientist Eugenie Clark in 1955 to study sharks, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota has broadened its scope to a range of marine life. At the heart of the facility is an aquarium with more than 100 species of marine life and a massive 130,000-gallon (490,000-liter) shark habitat.