Sarasota is famous for being Florida’s Culture Capital. You wouldn’t be exaggerating to say it has something for everyone. To help you discover all that Sarasota has to offer we’ve put together a best-of-the-best list.
Browse through the links below. If this is your first time learning about Sarasota you might find yourself surprised at all it has to offer. Even if you’re a current resident you can rediscover why you fell in love with Sarasota.
Historic Parks
Sarasota boasts a unique history, from early tribes, to explorers, early pioneers and hardworking fishermen clearly Sarasota has a story to tell. Since it’s very early days Sarasota was a desired region. Learn how your future connects to Sarasota’s past by visiting the educational and state parks.
- Spanish Point: Amazing 30-acre historical, archaeological and environmental museum. Overlooks the beautiful Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida.
- Gamble Plantation State Historic Park: Antebellum (Pre-Civil War) mansion was home to Major Robert Gamble and headquarters of an extensive sugar plantation.
- Madira Bickel Mound: Archaeological State Park featuring a flat-topped ceremonial mound-composed of sand, shell, and village debris-measuring 100 by 170 feet at the base and is 20 feet in height. Archaeological excavations have disclosed at least three periods of Native American cultures.
Shopping
We have it all: European style shops, coastal outlets, downtown shopping, and traditional malls. For the passionate shopper it’s perfect: hundreds of shops to visit and near-perfect weather year-round.
- Miramar Outlets: Features outlets from major brands like Perry Ellis, Columbia, Coach, Eddie Bauer, Nine West, Calvin Klien, DKNY and more.
- Westfield Southgate: Premier shopping at over 40 stores, including: Banana Republic, Dillard’s, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Talbots, Williams-Sonoma
- Ellenton Outlets: Luxury brand outlet shopping within a short distance of the Florida Gulf Coast vacation areas like Longboat Key and Siesta Key. Outdoor shopping with a coastal feel. 130 designer and brand-name outlet stores including COACH Factory, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and Dooney & Bourke
- Downtown Sarasota: Visit dozens of shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in downtown Sarasota. Stop by the Bayfront Park to enjoy the views after shopping.
- Westfield Shopping Town: Something for everyone Over 140 stores, including: Dillard’s, Hollister Co., JCPenney, Macy’s, Forever 21, Sears, Victoria’s Secret
- St. Armands Circle: Coastal shopping and dining at its best. Enjoy a casual stroll in St. Amads Circle of shops and restaurants. Visit the many specialty food shops or leisurely dine on cuisine you can brag about from around the globe.
Arts
When it comes to the arts, we have something for everyone. No wonder we are called the cultural coast!
- Van Wezel Performing Arts Center
- Sarasota Opera House
- Sarasota Ballet of Florida
- Sarasota Orchestra/Florida West Coast Symphony
- The Jazz Club of Sarasota
- The Towles Court Art District
- Sarasota Circus
- Sarasota Film Society
- Asolo Theater
- Florida Studio Theater
- La Musica International Chamber Music
- The Golden Apple Dinner Theater
- Lemon Bay Playhouse
- The Players Theater
- Venice Little Theater
Educational
- Jungle Gardens
- Tampa Zoo
- Mote Marine Aquarium
- Big Cat Habitat
- G Whiz Science Museum
- Selby Botanical Gardens
- The Ringling Museum of Art
- Sarasota Classic Car Museum
- Snook Haven
- Crowley Museum and Nature Center
- Sarasota Bay Explorers
- Sarasota Children’s Garden
Theme Parks
- Busch Gardens
- Sun Splash Water Park
- Sea World
- Wildlife & Nature Parks
- Myakka River State Park & Wilderness Preserve
- Oscar Scherer State Recreation Area
Tennis
Many Sarasota communities have neighborhood tennis courts as well as the clubs listed below:
- Serendipity Racquet Club
- Bath & Racquet Fitness Club
- Longwood Athletic Club
- Laurel Oak Country Club
- The Landings Racquet Club - (941) 923-3886
- Longboat Key Public Tennis Center - (941) 316-8367
- The Meadows Country Club - (941) 378-5265
Golf
Come and experience some of the best golfing in Florida on one of our several Golf Courses.
- Semi-Private Golf Courses
- Bobcat Trail Golf Club
- Boca Royale Golf & Country Club
- Calusa Lakes Golf Club
- Deep Creek Golf Club
- Golf Club at Capri Isles
- Heron Creek Golf & Country Club
- Myakka Pines Golf Club
- Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club
- Pinebrook/Ironwood Golf Club
- River Strand Golf & Country Club
- Rolling Green Golf Club
- Rosedale Golf & Country Club
- Rotonda Golf & Country Club - (941) 697-8118
- Sabal Trace - (941) 426-2804
- Seminole Lakes Golf Course
- Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club
- Terra Ceia Bay
- Waterford Golf Club
- Public Courses
- Bobby Jones Golf Club
- Lake Venice Golf Club
- Legacy Golf Club
- Live Oak RV & Golf Course - (863) 993-2221
- Oak Ford Golf Club - (941) 371-3680
- Oyster Creek Golf Club - (941) 475-0334
- Sarasota National Golf Center
- Sorrento Par 3 Golf Course - (941) 966-4884
- Suncoast Golf Center
- Tatum Ridge Golf Links
- The Links at Greenfield Plantation
- Village Green Golf Club
Beaches
From peaceful seclusion to the beat of a drum circle, you are sure to enjoy Sarasota’s public beaches. All these amazing beaches have plenty of sugar sand and sun to go around; as well as features such as public restrooms, picnic/barbecue areas, and, best of all, free parking.
- Siesta Beach
- Caspersan
- Longboat Key Beach
- Ana Maria Island Beach
- Lido Beach
- Venice Beach
- Turtle Beach
- Nokomis Beach
- North Jetty Park
- ...View More






