Nature trails traverse the park and wind through hardwood forests, pine flat woods, and depression marshes. A sanctuary to big cats and other exotic animal species, the Big Cat Habitat Gulf Coast Sanctuary is dedicated to the animals that call it home. Theres also a gift shop where you can pick up rare collectibles, unique memorabilia and hard-to-find automotive books. It stands as a gift to the people of Florida and a memorial to its founders. Yet, the most interesting history of the place is related to Bertha Palmer, a businesswoman and philanthropist whose role in Sarasotas development was of extreme importance. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. The first 2 hours is complementary parking, $3 for hours 2 and 3 and $1 additional per hour after. Choose from a number of private transfer options, all with your very own driver who will meet you and greet you at the gate and bring you straight to your hotel. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. 2075 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239, USA. Theres much to see and explore at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium! The fiery sun dropping into a watery horizon will take your breath away. Fun Family Things To Do In Sarasota With Kids. CPonies 11. Sarasota is all about show business, and at any moment of the year, you will find a show or a performance to attend in the city. Definitely one of the best free things to do in Sarasota. Adult tickets are $18, with options for children and seniors. Founded by billionaires William and Marie Selby, a constellation of different gardens overlook Sarasota Bay: banyan groves, clumping bamboo, staghorn ferns and local Floridian mangroves. So what does this mean? This museum is jam packed with mementos from when the Ringling circus was at its heyday. Gaze in awe upon the 135,000-gallon shark habitat as these toothy predators prowl its waters. The Water Sports. 6. If you have more time, heres a crazy idea. In 1867, the land was claimed by the Webb family. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. Founded in 1962 with the aim of supporting the local arts community, its success has led to several million dollars in grants and scholarships down the years, and it continues to play a crucial role in the Sarasota area, as well as providing visitors with a quirky retail experience. To help inspire you ahead of your trip, weve picked out 12 of the most unique things you can do here, ranging from the raw and energetic to the intellectually nourishing. Meet fantastic dragons, dare to enter the Monster Garden, or skip down the yellow brick road. Performances during the event range in styles, with everything from long and short form, hip hop musical, genre-based, and more on display. Run Away to the Circus at the Ringling Museum. An alternative to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens is the Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary, home to many lions, tigers, bears, primates, and birds. Buy a ticket for lemur yoga. John Ringling founded the museum to build a legacy and memorial for his beloved wife, Mable, and to present his and his wifes exceptional art collection. Best known for its scrubby flatwoods, the large Oscar Scherer State Park attracts plenty of wildlife, including a large population of Florida scrub-jays as well as more than 200 other bird species, cotton-tail rabbits, bald eagles, and American alligators. Small tours run on low pontoon boats, and children are allowed to board too as long as they dont fall in (! Watching a Broadway musical here is one of the best things you can do on a summer night, and the atmosphere will stay with you forever. And now, we can share more unique things to do in Sarasota with you. One of the largest and oldest parks in Florida, Myakka River State Park is a primeval location that sets back visitors to the time of Spanish explorers and early Native Americans once trekked through. Explore the rest of the sunshine state with these articles: We love a good road trip through America. Take a visit to soak in the friendly atmosphere, be inspired and bring out your creative side. But on this nearby guided dolphin and manatee tour, a local guide takes you through Sarastoas waters and mangroves by kayak or stand-up paddle board. This protected park is a great place for a quiet picnic, a bit of kayaking or a place to quietly spot wildlife. Perhaps one of the best things to do with teens in Sarasota might be dining through Savor Sarasota . You can expect to catch redfish, flounder and mackerel throughout the summer months. Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Paulleon / Shutterstock The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is situated on City Island, in a little spot called Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota, Florida. If youre seeking a truly exhilarating escapade, skydiving could be for you. The Dynasty Club holds social evenings with ballroom dancing. It has 30 acres along Little Sarasota Bay, boasting an impressive collection of native Florida plants along scenic nature trails. Explore at your own pace or take a two-hour guided tour through the mangroves and backwaters. The beautiful building constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style and guarded by mighty palm trees has hosted exceptional performances over the years. It is one of a series of computer-generated sculptures created by American artist Seward Johnson. A Circus legend leaves an unexpected endowment. Dont forget to keep your eyes peeled for curious groups of dolphins and manatees. The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is a luxurious five-star resort settled perfectly in downtown Sarasota near attractions like the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Bayfront Park, Sarasota Opera House, and more. Take on the crystalline ocean waters on a sunset cruise, or dip your toes in the sand while bathing in the sun. Among the famous car brands represented here are Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Cadillac and Ferrari. What makes the Sarasota neighbourhood of Pinecraft unique is not its physical appearance so much as its people. And for those not in the green-fingered know (like me) thats orchids, ferns and bromeliads. Upgrade your instagram captions with these hiking quotes and prompts. Lovers of beautiful automobiles from bygone eras are in for a treat in Sarasota, which is home to its own Classic Car Museum. This is a deep look into the cultural soul of Sarasota. Learn about current animal topics and habitat preservations criticalness as you tour the sanctuary protecting 300+ animals. 3. A qualified marine biologist scoops animals out of the bay and into glass tanks so that you can watch and learn right in the environment itself. The living room on the first floor, along with all the dining areas, was the heart of the house, and here is where you will start your visit. No need for lengthy training, just come along and enjoy the ride. photo: VisitSarasota.com 6. Or visit the nearby Siesta Key Rum Distillery for a guided tour of the tasting room. Its big and in some opinions tacky, but its certainly a conversation starter. Run in partnership with the Mote, small boats head out onto the Bay in search of dolphins, snappers, puffer fish and more. You can find McCurdys at the intersection of Ringling Boulevard and Washington Avenue in downtown Sarasota. Considered one of the best bike trails in the Sarasota trail system, bikers head to Legacy Trail to take its paved route over land and bridges while reveling in the scenery. The campground at Oscar Scherer State Park is a hit during the winter and an excellent option for an authentic outdoorsy stay in Floridas nature! Whats special about this market is that none of the vendors is a reseller. Get ready for lots of stairs, unique challenges, and some maneuvering to score. Housed within the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is a colossal 27-foot long corpse of a giant squid that grabs the attention of everyone who sees it. People flock to Myakka River State Park to hit the river, from kayaking and fishing to canoeing and boating. Escape Countdown Sarasota 15. 100-plus fun things to do in February in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties February features some of the Sarasota and Bradenton area's biggest annual events, as well as festivals, concerts . Peer at the intriguing differences between European and American cars and how the design of automobiles changed throughout history. More than 120 birds call the living museum home. Next, join a historic walking tour to learn more about downtown Sarasotas impressive architecture and hidden gems. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. If youre looking for fun things to do in Sarasota, FL, the Florida Studio Theatre should be high up on your list. The Jungle Garden is a Sarasota institution. For more sightseeing ideas, read our list of the top things to do in Sarasota. Founded by the head of one of the nations greatest circus empires, John Ringling, this place has it all. This expansive area of wetlands, prairies and forests is the real unspoiled and wild Florida. LOCATION Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue DATES 5-6 July 2019, A performer in full flow during the Sarasota Improv Festival (Photo: Sarasota Improv Festival), Indulge in some retail therapy at The Womens Exchange. Find unique souvenirs to bring home and gift loved ones. 6. Enjoy a two-course meal at lunch for $16 or a three-course meal at dinner, including dessert for $32. The centers living museum offers a chance for visitors to learn through educational displays with live birds that were previously patients deemed unfit to return to the wild. Expect to be well fed and well educated in equal measure with your experienced guides regaling you with anecdotes relating to Sarasotas rich heritage and food tastings. The Marie Selby Gardens are the best of a botanical garden: we all still need to be the change for social justice. A boat tour has to be one of the most fun things to do in Sarasota. Baseball lovers will undoubtedly have the time of their lives at the Ed Smith Stadium! Here goes! two week Florida West coast road trip itinerary here. The property even has an 82-foot-high tower. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Expect to see turtles and of course the watchful eye of an alligator. This time about marine life at the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Fly Drive Florida: A Two Week Itinerary & Adventure. Take a tandem skydive with highly trained instructors over the beaches and glimmering waters of Sarasota, Venice, and Tampa. Top 5 events in Sarasota, Bradenton area this weekend Free events including ones with live music, food, beer, wine and cocktails in Sarasota-Manatee. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. After the fact, it was super fun to laugh about the squirrels at CCoquinaBeach. Parasailing is often thought of as a thrill-seekers sport but it can also be a very peaceful experience, much like gliding. Ever fancied testing your puzzle-solving skills to decipher clues and free yourself from a locked room? Smugglers Cove is a fun mini golf course that you do at . The museum is in an eye-catching pink Renaissance-style palace, which houses 31 galleries. Its a must for nature lovers. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". in Sarasota. Sarasota has something for everyone! Reserve a seat here to taste Sarasotas talent in a historical setting. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Why not take a guided tour around some of its best-loved public art pieces and sculptures. No matter if youre up for a day of outdoor fun or want to grab a drink or taste some local cuisine, youll find something that fits your schedule and your budget in this beautiful coastal city. Whether you are a total beginner or a regular Indiana Jones there is a course here for you. Are you ready for a visit? As the largest subscription theatre in Florida, plus one of the largest in the nation, the Florida Studio Theatre presents a wide variety of programs, from improv and mainstage to cabaret and childrens theatre. One of the things to do in Sarasota that you cannot miss is the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, the opera house is conveniently settled near boutique shops and fine dining restaurants to extend your adventures in Sarasota. Before leaving, make sure to stop by the gift shop and get yourself a miniature car souvenir, a work of art on its own. For a more easy-going night out, why not try the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. But its the Sea Life Encounters cruise that brings the under and overwater world to life. If bikes are your thing, the 600+-acre Robinson Preserve an hour away offers plenty of cycling trails going past mangroves, mud flats, and beautiful waterfront habitats. But it was the variety of unique things to do in Sarasota that made me rethink fly-drive travel in general. You can buy food for them as you enter the gardens or at a small shop on the premises called The Flamingo Caf. Instead of driving from A to B and on to C, stop for a while in Sarasota. The Marie Selby Gardens are the best of a botanical garden: an art gallery, adventure centre, cool caf and meditative retreat all in one. Savor Sarasota is an annual event in June (and in some restaurants longer) that offers prix fixe menus at the area's restaurants. Visit the Ringling Museum One of the most iconic and famous landmarks in Sarasota is the Ringling fine art museum. The brave can then go fishing, canoeing and kayaking, Kiss beneath Unconditional Surrender on Bayfront Park, Surround yourself with flowers at the Marie Selby Gardens, Snuggle up in a romantic beachfront hotel, Check out fellow luxury travel blogger Mrs Os guide to.