Sarasota is one of those rare Florida cities that has it all — world-class beaches, a legit arts scene, and enough hidden gems to keep locals busy for years. Whether you're new to town, showing off for out-of-towners, or just finally checking things off the list, here are 41 things to do around SRQ that are genuinely, unironically great.
Hit Siesta Key Beach — Consistently ranked the #1 beach in the U.S., this barrier island stunner has powdery white quartz sand that stays cool even in peak summer heat.
Explore The Ringling — John Ringling's massive bayfront estate includes a world-class art museum, circus museum, and the jaw-dropping Ca' d'Zan mansion all in one sprawling complex.
Wander Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — Perched along the bay, Selby is internationally known for its epiphyte collection and hosts some of the most creative immersive art installations in the state.
Spend a morning at The Bay Park — Sarasota's ambitious 53-acre bayfront park is already stunning and still growing — kayak launches, open lawns, and bay breezes, all free.
Visit Mote Science Education Aquarium — The newly rebuilt aquarium on City Island features shark exhibits, sea turtle rehab, and interactive marine science displays that are genuinely impressive.
Hand-feed flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens — This old-Florida attraction has been a local icon since 1939 — free-roaming flamingos, lemurs, and reptile shows included.
Go airboating at Myakka River State Park — One of Florida's oldest and largest state parks, Myakka has gator-packed wetlands, a treetop canopy walk, and some of the best wildlife viewing in the region.
Browse the Sarasota Farmers Market — Every Saturday morning downtown, this beloved open-air market draws local vendors, food artisans, and a crowd that makes it as much a social event as a shopping trip.
Catch a show at Sarasota Opera — One of the most respected regional opera companies in the country, performing in a gorgeous 1926 Mediterranean Revival theater right downtown.
Hike Oscar Scherer State Park — This rare Florida scrub habitat is home to the endangered Florida scrub-jay and offers kayaking, camping, and guided wildlife hikes through a genuinely unique ecosystem.
Shop St. Armands Circle — This open-air shopping district on Lido Key mixes upscale boutiques, galleries, and great restaurants in a walkable, breezy layout that's hard not to love.
See the Sarasota Ballet — Under international artistic direction, this company performs full-length classical and contemporary works at the historic FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
Visit Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary — A nonprofit rescue sanctuary east of town where you can get up close with tigers, lions, bears, and primates — and know your ticket goes toward their care.
Hunt for shark teeth in Venice — Just 20 minutes south, Venice Beach is the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" — the fossilized teeth wash ashore constantly and it's weirdly addictive to look for them.
Bike or run the Legacy Trail — This paved, shaded 18-mile trail follows an old rail corridor south from Sarasota to Venice — it's the best way to see the area on two wheels.
Step back in time at Historic Spanish Point — This 30-acre bayfront site in Osprey holds prehistoric shell middens, a pioneer homestead, and Victorian-era buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Join the Siesta Key Drum Circle — Every Sunday evening at sunset, hundreds of people gather at Siesta Beach for an all-ages, all-comers drum circle that's become one of Sarasota's most beloved traditions.
See the manatees at Bishop Museum of Science and Nature — The Bishop's Snooty the Manatee Memorial Exhibit is a local institution, and the planetarium shows are legitimately great for all ages.
Pop into the Sarasota Art Museum — Housed in the stunning mid-century Sarasota High School building downtown, SAM rotates thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions in a space that's a work of art itself.
Mountain bike Myakkahatchee Creek — Locals know this network of dirt trails through old Florida canopy forest as one of the best mountain biking spots on the Gulf Coast — totally free, totally underrated.
Go parasailing over the Gulf — Getting towed into the sky above crystal-blue water is exactly as good as it sounds — several operators run out of Siesta Key and Marina Jack.
Explore the Main Street arts district — Downtown Sarasota's walkable core is packed with independent galleries, chef-driven restaurants, and a street energy that punches well above the city's size.
Watch sunset from Lido Beach — The west-facing Gulf beach on Lido Key delivers reliably spectacular sunsets, and the adjacent Lido Beach Resort bar is perfectly positioned to enjoy them.
Attend the Sarasota Film Festival — Held every April, this 11-day festival brings independent and foreign films to venues across the city and has screened work that later won major awards.
Meet elephants at Myakka Elephant Ranch — A small private rescue ranch that offers intimate encounters with rescued elephants — one of the most unique experiences in all of Florida.
Take a sunset sailing tour — Several operators offer bay and Gulf sailing trips from Marina Jack — the two-hour sunset sail is one of the most memorable things you can do in Sarasota for under $100.
Kayak the mangrove tunnels at Lido Key — The tidal channels and mangrove forests around Lido and Bird Key offer some of the most serene kayaking in the area, with wildlife around every bend.
See the "Unconditional Surrender" statue at Bayfront Park — This 26-foot-tall sculpture of the iconic V-J Day kiss photograph is one of the most photographed spots in the city — it's bigger than you think.
Hear the Sarasota Orchestra — Founded in 1949, this is one of the oldest orchestras in Florida and performs a full season of classical and pops concerts at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Browse the Siesta Key Village shops — The low-key commercial strip at the north end of Siesta Key is full of beach boutiques, casual bars, and the kind of laid-back energy that makes island life feel real.
Try a circus arts class — With Sarasota's deep circus heritage, it only makes sense that the city has legitimate circus schools where you can try trapeze, acrobatics, and aerial silks.
See a show at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall — The purple shell-shaped building on the bay is an SRQ landmark, hosting Broadway touring productions, comedy acts, and major national performers all year.
Take a cooking class — Several spots around town offer hands-on cooking experiences ranging from Italian technique to Florida-inspired seafood — a surprisingly great date night option.
Grab a drink at a beachside tiki bar — From the Siesta Key Oyster Bar to the Daiquiri Deck, Sarasota's tiki bar scene is strong — ice-cold drinks, Gulf breezes, and no better way to spend an afternoon.
Play a round of golf — Sarasota County has dozens of courses ranging from private clubs to public links — Bobby Jones Golf Club in the city itself is newly renovated and walking distance from downtown.
Book a fishing charter — Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf waters are loaded with snook, redfish, and tarpon — half-day inshore charters are easy to book and a great way to see the water from a new angle.
Do a Longboat Key Turtle Watch — On Saturday mornings in July, guided turtle watches let you witness sea turtles nesting on Gulf-front beaches — a legitimately moving experience you won't forget.
Try a glass-bottom kayak tour at night — Transparent kayaks with LED lighting let you see bioluminescent plankton and marine life below the surface after dark — it's as wild as it sounds.
Walk the Sarasota Art Trail — A self-guided tour connecting public art installations, murals, and sculptures throughout the city — free, walkable, and a great way to discover neighborhoods you might otherwise miss.
Visit the Sarasota History Center — A compact but fascinating local history museum that traces SRQ from its Calusa and Seminole roots through the circus era to the present — great for new residents who want the full story.
Spot dolphins on a boat tour — Sarasota Bay has one of the most studied wild dolphin populations in the world — hop on any of the dolphin-watching tours out of Marina Jack and you're practically guaranteed a sighting.
