The 15 Best Things To Do In Sarasota, Florida

For a nostalgia-stirring vacation with friends, Sarasota—a fanciful town on Florida’s scenic Suncoast—has easy appeal for everyone. The Suncoast encompasses about 150 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, and this stretch of shore offers unmatched terrain, with crystal waters as aqua blue and bright as a chlorinated pool, sand as soft as powdered sugar, and almost constant sunshine. The town of around 55,000 is positioned at the prime place for active outdoor enjoyment, whether you’re interested in beachcombing, kayaking, boating, or sipping a frozen cocktail at a sand-floored tiki bar.

Here are the 15 best things to do in Sarasota, Florida, on your next trip.

Things To Do

Go to Bayfront Park

Take a morning ​​bike ride or stroll along Bayfront Park, which juts out towards the water and borders a marina of yachts and power boats. You’ll likely catch a yachtie emerging barefoot from below deck. Thanks to amiable year-round weather apart from the heat, some choose to live part-time (or full-time) on their boats.

letsplaysarasota.com, 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

Head Out onto the Water

To see the best of Sarasota, boating is second-to-none. Key Sailing offers sailing lessons, along with private charters aboard their 41-foot Morgan yacht, complete with refreshments, chocolates, and music. Choose a morning sail to look for dolphins and other wildlife, or book an evening cruise to catch sunset at its peak. Sarasota native Jan Soloman runs the local charter business with her husband Tim. The couple met in high school when they were both in sailing classes.

keysailing.com, 400 Quietwater Beach Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561

Enjoy the Gorgeous Public Beaches

For land dwellers, Sarasota has plenty of shoreline to go around—35 miles of it, to be exact—spread across the mainland and its six barrier islands. Lido Beach is just a quick jaunt from the popular shopping district St. Armands Circle, South Lido Beach is a quiet stretch best known for manatee spotting on kayaks, and famed Siesta Beach on nearby Siesta Key has been named best beach in America by Tripadvisor.

Go Shopping in St. Armands Circle

With over 100 stores, St. Armands Circle is a walkable district where you can find souvenirs, trinkets, gourmet snacks, and anything else that might tickle your fancy. Explore the shops, dine in the sidewalk cafes, and relax in the lush tropical gardens.

starmandscircleassoc.com, 300 Madison Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

Go Manatee Spotting on Kayaks

As we've mentioned, South Lido Beach is best known for manatee spotting on kayaks or paddleboards, and you can check with Paradise Adventures Sarasota for tours and rentals. The tours provide direction for those who want to learn more about the area and be led to the best parks and beaches for spotting wildlife, but rentals let you enjoy at your own pace.

paradiseadventuresfl.com, 190 Taft Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

Spend the Day in Siesta Key

Take a car to Siesta Key for shopping, and see its unique sand composed of almost 100% pure quartz crystal, a rarity even among the world’s most beautiful beaches—making it worth the short drive. Head to Sunset Point, a Siesta Key favorite for sunset viewing, which is located at the north end of Siesta Public Beach.

Visit the Ringling Museum

Sarasota is home to the official state art museum of Florida: the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable Burton Ringling and John Ringling, it offers impressive collections of art (organized in different complexes to be explored), as well as beautiful architecture, tropical grounds, and views of Sarasota Bay. The Museum of Art, Bayfront Gardens, and Glass Pavilion are free to the public on Mondays. 

ringling.org, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

Head to the Myakka River State Park

One of the best ways to see your fill of the region's flora and fauna is at this state park located a short drive outside of Sarasota. It is home to cranes, alligators, gopher tortoises, the elusive Florida panther, and hundreds of other species, many of which are threatened or endangered. It’s the oldest state park in Florida and contains a 12-mile stretch of untouchable protected Myakka River. Hikers dip into shady trails lined with thick brush, a favorite path being the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which offers a rare peek into the ecosystems—both minuscule and massive—within the swampy marshland.

floridastateparks.org/myakka-river-state-park, 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241

Bring Your Pup to a Dog Beach

For those with a furry friend who wants to get in on the fun, Brohard Paw Park features a fenced dog play yard that leads to the only beach area in Sarasota County where dogs are allowed. Nearby is South Brohard Park, providing beach access for humans only, including boardwalks, benches and showers.

venicegov.com, 1850 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL 34285

Where To Eat (and Drink)

Take Advantage of the Local Seafood

A tasty perk that comes with Sarasota’s location near world-class deep-sea fishing is that you’re never far from fresh seafood. No need to gussy up for old-school joints like Walt’s Fish Market Restaurant & Tiki Bar and Owen’s Fish Camp, where you can mingle like a local and hear live music. 

Have Dinner in Downtown Sarasota

In downtown Sarasota, explore a distinct and locally sourced scene. The owner and chef of Indigenous, Steve Phelps, uses his own fine-dining restaurant to help advocate for more sustainably minded aquaculture and makes his case with seasonally focused dishes like Green Curry Fish Dip. Nearby, Selva serves up coastal Peruvian cuisine, while farm-to-table staple Boca always features a lively atmosphere.

Grab a Rooftop Cocktail (and Views)

Sarasota also happens to have quite the appreciation for breezy rooftops that let you drink in every last drop of the salt air and sunset vistas. At the Art Ovation Hotel, the rooftop pool and bar offer easy access to scenery, but Sage, with its 360-degree views, is hands down the best spot in town for a proper dusk happy hour. The revolving door of craft drink concoctions, including zero-proof options for guests who do not wish to partake, showcases creative ingredients such as house-made poppy limoncello, hibiscus spheres, and smoked cinnamon. 

Where To Stay

Stay at a Amenities-Filled Resort

If you're looking for a true escape to unplug and unwind, the Resort at Longboat Key Club has its own private tract of pristine sand and surf, where it offers visitors a more full-service experience that includes chairs, umbrellas, and striped cabanas.

opalcollection.com/longboat-key-club, 220 Sands Point Rd, Longboat Key, FL 34228

Stay Conveniently Close to Downtown

The Art Ovation Hotel, located walkable to many downtown delights including restaurants and Bayfront Park, provides lounge chairs and bicycles for guests who want to explore the public beaches. It also features a rooftop pool and bar for enjoying the surrounding scenery.

artovationhotel.com, 1255 N Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

Stay at a Trendy Boutique Hotel

Located in the heart of the artistic Rosemary District of downtown Sarasota, The Sarasota Modern offers 89 stylish rooms, as well as a charming (and very aesthetically pleasing) pool deck for enjoying between jaunts to town and beaches.

thesarasotamodern.com, 1290 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236