Sarasota, Florida: A Gulf Coast Gem

Sarasota Is a Great Getaway for Active Vacations or Relaxation

Jul 28, 2008 Teresa Daly

Sarasota's breathtaking beauty is only the beginning of what the town has to offer. Along with world-class beaches, the cultural scene is one of the best in the country.

So Much to Do In Sarasota

It’s hard to say what Sarasota is best known for. Is it the Ringling Museum? Siesta Key and its white-sand beaches? The Sarasota Film Festival? Stephen_King’s Florida home on nearby Casey Key? The phenomenal shopping and activities on beautiful St. Armand’s Circle? The_Mote_Marine_Laboratory? Alligator spotting at Myakka State Park?

For those who don’t wish to travel far from their destination of Sarasota, the following are some must-see attractions. Excursions to these Sarasota landmarks can be as action-packed or laid-back as you wish.

The Ringling Museum

One of the oldest cultural presences in Sarasota is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Sarasota was established as the winter home of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1927.

The 66-acre museum complex sits on Sarasota Bay, and includes the art museum, the Circus Museum, and the Ringlings’ extraordinary mansion, Cá d’Zan. The Museum of Art was founded in 1927 and is recognized as the official State Art Museum of Florida. The Circus Museum was added in 1948 as a tribute to the Ringlings and their accomplishments in the circus world.

Cá d’Zan was designed to emulate the European architecture the Ringlings admired during their extensive travels. The mansion was built in 1926, and is open for tours after undergoing a restoration in 2002.

The Ringling Museum is an essential stop for any visitor to Sarasota.

Siesta Key

Along the Gulf of Mexico on Siesta Key is world-famous Siesta Beach. The silky white sand and warm, shallow, blue-green water attract visitors from all over the world. The beach offers a large parking area, picnic tables and grills, a snack bar and gift shop, volleyball nets, bathrooms, lockers, and shower facilities—and best of all, it’s free.

At the other end of the key lies Turtle Beach, a more secluded spot. At Turtle Beach the sand is coarser and the drop into the water a bit steeper. Turtle Beach also offers picnic areas, including a large pavilion that can be rented in advance.

Between and around the two beaches are a variety of hotels and beachfront condos. Information about lodging and reservations can be found at SiestaKey.net. For vacationers whose main goal is relaxation, Siesta Key is ideal. An abundance of restaurants, bars, ice cream parlors, convenience stores, and gift shops are within a short walk or bike ride from the beaches and condos. All this can be enjoyed without ever leaving the key for the “mainland.”

St. Armand’s Circle

Located on tiny St. Armand’s Key is St. Armand’s Circle. From the Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, travel across the bay on Ringling Causeway, and head straight into the circle with its beautiful storefronts, elegant lights, and strolling pedestrians. Circle Park sits in the middle, and the shopping and dining venues are divided into quadrants surrounding the circle. Packed into this relatively tiny area are close to a hundred exclusive shops and eateries. Those whose ideal vacations include fine shopping and dining should be sure to visit St. Armand’s.

The City of Sarasota

All this splendor is situated around a city—and the City of Sarasota, too, is a delight. Main Street boasts an eclectic mix of bars, restaurants, pubs, galleries, and shops. Within walking distance, visitors can catch a show at the Florida Studio Theatre or the Hollywood 21 multiplex. The Sarasota Public Library is nearby as well. Continue down Main Street and across Tamiami Trail, and stroll along scenic Sarasota Bay. A number of parks and marinas line the bay, and the boats bobbing in the sunset look like a painting waiting to be created.

For a short trip or an extended stay, Sarasota is guaranteed to keep all its visitors entertained.

The copyright of the article Sarasota, Florida: A Gulf Coast Gem in SE U.S. Travel is owned by Teresa Daly. Permission to republish Sarasota, Florida: A Gulf Coast Gem in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The bird of paradise is a native Sarasota plant.	Shop, eat, relax on beautiful St. Armand's Circle.	The beach at Lido Key near St. Armand's.
The sun sets over Sarasota Bay.