Inspiring Attractions In Sarasota Florida

Ringling Museum

The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the Museum of Art an awe-inspiring retreat. The Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. Cà d’Zan has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings, with Sarasota Bay serving as its Grand Canal. The Circus Museum celebrates the American circus, its history and unique relationship to Sarasota. Established in 1948, the museum was the first in the county to document the rich history of the circus. See memorabilia and artifacts documenting the history of The Ringling family circus, John Ringling as the Circus King, and the greatest circus movie, The Greatest Show on Earth, which was filmed in Sarasota. The beauty of the Ringling Museum is not confined to the galleries. The grounds and gardens are also treated and cherished as works of art and they have never looked better. Stroll the grounds and enjoy the Rose Garden, Mable’s Secret Garden, the Dwarf Garden, Millennium Tree Trail and other delights of our estate by the bay.

 

Historic Asolo Theatre

It has come across the sea to become one of the most important exhibits in a museum noted especially for its dramatic and spectacular collection of Baroque painting, and to serve as a brilliant setting for plays, concerts, lectures, and motion picture programs that are part of the cultural advantages the Ringling Museum offers to students of the fine arts, and to the public. The Historic Asolo Theater functions as a performing arts venue, presenting a diverse roster of theater, music, dance, film, and lectures.

 

Selby Gardens

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida is a not-for-profit institution fostering understanding and appreciation of tropical plants, especially epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants), through programs of research, conservation, education and display. Selby Gardens is perhaps best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. The 9.5-acre bayfront property is an open-air and under-glass museum of more than 20,000 colorful plants, many collected in the wild on over 150 scientific expeditions to tropical rain forests by Selby Gardens research staff. Seven greenhouses are the heart of botanical research and plant identification, for which Selby Gardens is internationally recognized. Throughout the grounds of the historic Selby estate are many distinct garden areas, including the Tropical Display House with its lush rain forest atmosphere, the towering Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Cycad Collection. Also on the grounds is the former Christy Payne Mansion, a unique example of eclectic Southern Colonial architecture. The Mansion, on the National Register of Historic Places, is the home to ever-changing botanical art and photography exhibits.

 

Mote Marine Aquarium

At Mote, you can explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable-working labs and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the world-renowned research of Mote Marine Laboratory. See sharks, dolphins, manatees and sea turtles, along with more than 100 other species of marine life. Mote Aquarium is proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has met rigorous, professional standards for animal management, veterinary care, wildlife conservation and research, education, safety, staffing and more.

 

Sarasota Opera House

The Sarasota Opera House plays host to everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to film festivals, popular music concerts, comedy shows and clowns. In addition to the theater, the Opera Complex includes a Pavilion with a spacious, multi-purpose banquet/performance facility; the Peterson Great Room, which can seat up to 390 people. Private meeting space, as well as private rehearsal rooms are part of the pavilion. The William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre seats 1,122.

 

Golden Apple Dinner Theatre

The Golden Apple Dinner Theatre opened its doors on December 11, 1971 and is celebrating its 38th anniversary Season. We have produced more than 300 plays and musicals in that time. We have presented 5 original plays - one of which went to Broadway. We have also been active producing shows for other theatres around the country and the globe. What we have accomplished and hope to continue to accomplish is our mission of presenting first-class Broadway entertainment after a delicious and tasty dining experience in a comfortable candlelit setting. We pride ourselves on our two mottoes: Always a Good Dinner, Always a Good Show! and Broadway on the Suncoast!

 

Player’s Theatre

Although The Players Theatre is a non-professional community theatre, being located on the "Cultural Coast" gives us an incredible talent pool to work with. From our Artistic Director to our stage hands, literally half of the volunteers working on a production have at one time been professionally paid performers. Many professional performers retire and are drawn to the area thanks to all of Sarasota's arts offerings. These professionals bring their experience, training, their families and often extensive resumes with them to our stage.

 

Sarasota Orchestra

Come as you are. Leave different. For more than 60 years, the Sarasota Orchestra has been entertaining music lovers from around the region, and visitors from around the world. With Artistic Director Leif Bjaland and President and CEO Joseph McKenna at the helm, the 80-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops and family concerts each year, and thrives as the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida. In 2008 the organization unveiled a new name and logo with a package that offers new series, new concerts and a whole new way to experience live music, along with the timeless classics.

 

Sarasota Ballet

Sarasota Ballet is the Gulf Coast of Florida’s first and only professional ballet company. Under the Direction of Iain Webb, Sarasota Ballet has expanded its repertoire to include works by world renowned choreographers such as Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Ninette de Valois, Antony Tudor, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Robert North, John Cranko, Hans van Manen, Andre Prokovsky, Matthew Bourne and Dominic Walsh. Recently, dance and theatre critic for the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay, noted “Now, however, the Sarasota Ballet (in its 18th year, and directed since 2007 by Iain Webb) has suddenly become America’s foremost exponent of Ashton ballets”.

 

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Set along Sarasota's beautiful bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall has been entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater and comedy for more than 35 years. With its renovation in 2000, the Hall contains 25,000 more square feet than before, meaning larger lobbies and Grand Foyer, more restrooms, a new stagehouse, the latest in sound and lighting systems, and an Education Center. The 1,736-seat Hall is completely compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and is owned and operated by the City of Sarasota.

 

Mc Curdy’s Comedy Club

Established 16 years ago, McCurdy's is located in a 4,000 sq. ft. showroom, surrounded by a gated courtyard. The theatre - with no obstructed views - is the perfect size and shape for today's Stand-up and Improvisation performances. Even at the very back of the room, seats are no more than 40 feet away from the stage. With a sound system second to none, each customer is provided the same brilliant auditory experience. In addition, we are excited to feature a brand new, state-of-the-art, digital projection system.

 

Classis Car Museum

The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is recognized as the second oldest continuously operating antique car museum in the Nation! As you stroll through the museum, travel back in time and into the future of man’s greatest invention, the automobile! Antique, exotic, European and one-of-a-kind classics are featured in our rotating exhibits throughout the museum, seven days a week. Bring the family to explore the history of the “car”. See one-of-a-kind autos, and enjoy the magnificent workmanship and ingenuity of one of man’s greatest accomplishments!

 

Jungle Gardens

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is one of the oldest continuously operating attractions in the State of Florida. Open to the public in December of 1940, the “Gardens” has retained its old Florida charm. A visit to the Gardens will bring back the memories of Florida days gone by. Many of the animals that you will see at our attraction came to us through many sources. Some were rescued from adverse or inhumane conditions and some were donated by pet owners who could no longer care for their charges. Many of the rare and endangered exotic birds were given to us by various rescue organizations nationwide. Our native Florida Crocodiles, which are a “species of concern”, are on loan to us from the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm and a local breeder to use for educational and conservation purposes.

 

G-Wiz

Gulf coast Wonder & Imagination Zone - began as the Gulf Coast World of Science (GCWS) in December 1990. In October 1991, the GCWS opened to the public with only 1,000 square feet and just ten hands-on exhibits. The $3.5 million 33,000 sq. ft. facility located downtown on Sarasota’s bay front was the perfect place for GCWS to be transformed into a world-class science and technology center. Whether you’re here with your classroom, community organization or any group, there are fun and unique hands-on opportunities available at great group rates or G.WIZ will come to you directly with customized outreach programs to fit your assembly or classroom experience!

Big Cat Habitat

We are a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and other animals in need. The Big Cat Habitat was founded by Kay Rosaire who has more than 30 years of experience working with and caring for exotic animals. Our goal is to educate the public by fostering appreciation for animals and stressing the importance of habitat preservation. You can come visit us and learn more about the animals we take in. More importantly you will be able to see all the beautiful animals and see what truly caring for these amazing creatures means.

 

Myakka State Park

Myakka River State Park is one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. The "Florida Wild and Scenic Myakka River" flows through 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies and woodlands. Myakka is popular for hiking, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.

 

Siesta Key Village

There are two main shopping districts right on Siesta Key, each with a wide variety of shops that carry merchandise ranging from gifts and T-shirts to the finest haute couture to ice cream. Siesta Key Village is located on the northwest side of the Key about one block from the Gulf. The Siesta South Shopping area begins at the Stickney Point Bridge and goes south along Midnight Pass Road. From November to September our own Siesta Key Trolley will take you from the southern-most part of the island to the north end. The community drum circle at Siesta Key Beach plays every Sunday in Sarasota, about 1 hour before sunset, just south of the main pavilion between lifeguard stands 3 and 4 on Siesta Public Beach. Just follow your ears. This is not a commercial event but local phenomenon that began spontaneously and now has a life of its own.

 

St. Armands Circle

Let our epicurean delights tantalize your taste buds with award-winning cuisine. Lounge in the atmosphere, savor the delicacies created by master chefs, indulge in the vintage wines and libations. Enjoy casual fare from the many specialty food shops or dine leisurely on superb cuisine from around the world. Experience the ambiance of exotic lands and far away places. Fulfill your shopping passions with fashion elegance, fine collectables, antiques, crystal, china and precious gems. Whatever your heart desires. You don't have to travel far to find the world's treasures, they're all here on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, Florida

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