Tourist Attractions in Sarasota / Bradenton

Sarasota /Bradenton offers no shortage of activities to residents and visitors from around the world. Whether it is fun and sun on some of "the best beaches in the world", world-class fishing and golf, or opulent nightlife and dining, it is all here. Situated along Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota is a boaters' paradise. The calm, warm waters are teeming with sea life, so activities such as water skiing, fishing, and boating (both power and sail) abound.

Sarasota is also a golfer's dream come true featuring many beautiful golf courses, including the first golf course in Florida. If you are a nature lover, you will enjoy the natural beauty, abundance of birds, and year-round foliage that can only be found in this sub-tropical climate. We have gathered some fun activities for you and your family to enjoy during your stay in Sarasota. Click on the links below or call the available numbers for more information.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Sarasota Film Festival - A glamorous week in January including film screenings, premieres, and parties for both fans and creators of documentary, foreign, domestic, and student films. There is a children's film festival and premiere events throughout the year.
Call 941-364-9514.
Website: http://www.sarasotafilmfest.com

Arts Day - Sarasota Arts Council, the Tourist Development Council, and 50 arts organizations celebrate Sarasota's visual and performing arts with dance and theatrical performances, music, and art exhibitions.
Call 941-365-5118.
Website: http://www.sarasota-arts.org

Suncoast Offshore Gran Prix - Join approximately 50,000-100,000 racing fans and more than 500 spectator boats to watch 45 of the fastest boats in an exciting exhibition of offshore racing on a 13-mile racecourse in the Gulf of Mexico.
Call 941-371-2827.
Website: http://www.suncoastoffshore.org

Sarasota Blues Festival - Thousands of Sarasota music fans gather for the Sarasota Blues Fest at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. This annual November event has included Delbert McClinton, Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughn, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Dr. John, Junior Wells, and more great blues musicians.
Website: http://www.sarasotabluesfest.com

Sarasota Music Festival - This annual event held in March showcases soloist, recitalist and principal musicians from America's leading orchestras and talented students. This 3-week series features some of the best in chamber music concerts.
Call 941-953-4252

Siesta Fiesta - A juried street arts and craft show in April featured by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce that includes fun, entertainment, and food.
Website: http://www.siestakeychamber.com/events.htm

Taste of Sarasota - Taste the delicious food from Sarasota's most popular restaurants and enjoy the live entertainment, attractions, kid's games, crafts, ice carving and much more. Website: http://www.tasteofsarasota.org

St. Armands Circle Association Events - Stroll and shop while you enjoy all of the events on the Circle including the Jag Fest, St. Armands Art Festival, Classic Mercedes Car Show, Ferrari's on St. Armands, Sip 'n Shop, Fourth Fridays, and Holidays on St. Armands.
Website: http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/events

Siesta Key Chamber Events - Celebrate the sand at Sandfest at Siesta Key Beach or enter the Annual Sand Sculpting Contest. Some of the other festivities include Island Fest and Boat Show, Siesta Key Craft Show, and the grand Siesta Key 4th of July Fireworks Exhibit.
Call 888-837-3969.
Website: http://www.siestakeychamber.com/events.htm

BOATING AND FISHING

Flying Fish Fleet - Offers three large vessels for fun trips and deep sea fishing with 4, 6, or 8 hour trips in the Gulf of Mexico.
Call 941-366-3373 or visit them at Marina Jack, Highway 41 Downtown.
Website: http://flyingfishfleet.com

LeBarge Tropical Cruises - Have a ball on this floating tropical island with live entertainment, dancing, and fabulous sunsets over the Gulf. Don't miss their Dolphin Watch cruise where you will see some of the over 100 bottlenosed dolphins that live in Sarasota Bay.
Call for reservations at 941-366-6116 or visit them at Marina Jack Plaza on Highway 41 Downtown.
Website: http://www.lebargetropicalcruises.com

ParaSail and JetSki Rides - Soar over Siesta Key Beach with a seven mile riding area in a colorful parasail. Dry take offs and landings are launched from the boat deck.
For more info call 941-921-2754 or visit 1504 Stickney Point Road in Sarasota.

CB's Saltwater Outfitters - Rent a bike, a boat, a rod and reel, or book a fishing trip. Have fun and see Sarasota from a different angle.
Call 941-349-4400.

Sarasota Bay Explorers - See dolphins, manatees, osprey and other wildlife on an eco-tour boat. Cruise the Sarasota waterways on a guided kayak adventure and enjoy relaxing on a secluded beach.
Call 941-388-4200.
Website: http://www.mote.org/~terri/sarabay.htm

>> Click here for more charter boat options.

NATURE AND SCIENCE

Mote Marine Science Aquarium - Located at the Mote Marine Laboratory, it includes a 135,000 gallon outdoor tank for sharks and other marine species. Touch stingrays, learn about sea turtles, see the interactive multimedia, "Shark Attack," and take Eco boat tours.
Call 941-388-4441.
Website: http://www.mote.org

Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary - A home to care for permanently disabled birds and a rehabilitation center for 55 different species of Florida birds and other wildlife. They are rehabilitated and returned to the wild. There is an educational tour of Sarasota Bay.
Call (941) 388-4444.
Website: http://www.pelicanman.org

Sarasota Jungle Gardens - With acres of beautiful gardens and nature trails, this is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll. Showcasing exotic plants and animals from around the world, Jungle Gardens features daily bird and reptile shows and a petting zoo.
Call 941-355-5305 or visit at 3701 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota.
Website: http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Explore the world's most spectacular display of rare orchids and bromeliads in this 8.5 acre tropical oasis on the shores of Sarasota Bay. See a living collection of more than 20,000 colorful plants collected mostly in the wild on more than 150 scientific expeditions to tropical rainforests.
Call 941-366-5731 or visit at 811 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota.
Website: http://www.selby.org

Myakka River State Park - A 28,000 acre park with wildlife and nature tours by canoe, boat, air boat, train, or along the treetops in a walkway that reaches as high as 74' high.
For campsight reservations call 800-326-3521.
Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver/default.asp

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Sarasota Classic Car Museum - Surrounded by 100 cars representing 100 years, the museum has a 4,000 square foot garden atrium for dining and dancing at night. Have fun in the Antique Game Arcade and gift shop.
Call 941-355-6228.
Website: http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - Affilliated with Florida State University, it is the state art museum and includes 66 acres with 21 galleries of American and European art. The Museum contains over 10,000 pieces of art and the library has a reference collection of more than 60,000 volumes covering all art periods.
Call 941-354-1660.
Website: http://www.ringling.org

Ringling Circus Museum - A large collection depicting the history of the circus including beautifully carved parade wagons, elaborate costumes, and circus memorabilia.
Call 941-359-5744.
Website: http://www.ringling.org

Cà d'Zan - Translating to "House of John", Cà d'Zan is a restored 32-room 1920's era Venetian Gothic Mansion with a rose garden and lavish lawns overlooking Sarasota Bay. John and Mable Ringling's home was designed to feature architectural elements from her favorite Venetian hotels.
Call 941-359-5700
Website: http://www.ringling.org

Historic Spanish Point - Explore Florida's past with archaeology exhibits, pioneer homestead, formal gardens and lawns created by Mrs. Potter Palmer for her winter estate on 30 acres on Little Sarasota Bay.
Call 941-966-5214.
Website: http://www.historicspanishpoint.org

South Florida Museum - Discover Florida's prehistoric past with full-sized casts of Ice Age mammals that lived in Southwest Florida over 12,000 years ago, realistic dioramas, and archaeological collections that explain how Florida was formed. Exhibits include over 15,000 diverse and unique objects that are rotated throughout the year.
For current exhibits, call 941-746-4131.
Website: http://www.southfloridamuseum.org

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Asolo Theater Company - A professional theater company that performs at the Asolo and in the 500-seat Mertz Theater.
Office 800-361-8388.
Website: http://www.asolo.org

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall - A purple, seashell-shaped building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This unique performing arts hall presents Broadway musicals, national and international performers, world renowned symphony orchestras and classical, modern and ethnic dance. Some of the entertainers have included Luciano Pavarotti, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Dylan, The Boston Pops, The Chicago Symphony, Willie Nelson, and The Temptations.
Call 941-953-3368.
Website: http://www.vanwezel.org

Player's Theater - A 70-year-old community theater featuring musical theater, concerts, and other programs.
Call 941-365-2494.
Website: http://www.theplayers.org

Sarasota Opera House - Over 40 years of grand performances of Strauss, Verdi, Bizet, and many others.
Call 941-366-8450.
Website: http://www.sarasotaopera.org

Sarasota Public Library - Call 941-861-1180
Website: http://suncat.co.sarasota.fl.us

G. Wiz (The Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone) - G.WIZ strives to make science relevant, technology understandable, and learning an interactive adventure for people of all ages.
Call 941-365-6404.
Website: http://www.gwiz.org