Travel Lens
Powdery quartz beaches, Venetian-style mansions and Gulf Coast wildlife make Sarasota a favorite on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Sink your toes into powder-soft quartz sand and enjoy gentle waves, plus resorts, restaurants and ocean activities nearby.
A quieter alternative with quartz sand, blue-green water, plenty of shells for kids to find and a swimming pool.
See sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and manatees, many of them rescues, at a nonprofit research aquarium with hands-on exhibits.
Explore 21 galleries and the Circus Museum at this landmark that dates back to 1927 and honors the circus pioneer John Ringling.
The Ringlings’ 36,000-square-foot waterfront home was inspired by Venetian palaces and feels like a slice of Italy.
Catch a performance or tour this beautifully restored 1926 Mediterranean Revival theater with a three-story atrium.
Wander 45 bayfront acres of orchids, bromeliads, shady paths and a butterfly house.
Hike, paddle and watch for birds and alligators across 37,000 acres of wetlands, forests, rivers and lakes.
Browse stalls of fresh produce, plants, seafood and food in the heart of downtown, with vendors happy to explain local specialties.
Swipe up for all 16 things to do in Sarasota in our full guide.