Florida fun at its finest is on offer in Sarasota, a city on the Gulf Coast that's known for white sand beaches, outdoor adventures, and artistic attractions. Located south of Tampa, it was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus and is today home to cultural landmarks such as the Ringling Museum of Art. Many of the other things to do in Sarasota are connected to the sand and surf, though, including kayaking excursions, fishing charters, parasailing adventures, and dolphin-spotting tours. Cycling along Siesta Key or kayaking around Lido Beach at sunset is a must.
Late autumn is a wonderful time to visit, as the period between mid-October and mid-November offers the right balance of sunshine and pleasant temperatures for beach days. The Ringling International Arts Festival and Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition (both held during these months) really capture the spirit of the city. Late spring is also a great time to visit, as there are fewer snowbirds and vacationing tourists. The Sarasota Film Festival is another favorite local event that takes place every April.
Here, SCAT isn’t a dirty word. The Sarasota County Area Transit has two bus systems connecting the north and south areas of the county. There’s also the Siesta Key Breeze Trolley which runs north and south on the island. The county is very bike-friendly with the Legacy Trail’s 20 miles (32 kilometers) of terrain running through the city. Cabs and rideshares are available, but nothing beats the freedom and flexibility of renting your own car.
Sarasota may be the major city in its county, but don’t assume it’s the only place to have a good time. The highway US-41 will take you to a number of great beach towns within minutes. The secret’s out on Nokomis Beach and the amazing sunset dining at Pop’s Sunset Grill. A visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Osprey is also worth a quick trip just outside of the city proper.
