Location: Sarasota
Top Things to do in Sarasota
10 Things to do Good for Couples in Sarasota That You Shouldn't Miss
What kind of beachgoer are you? Chances are, you’ll find something in the Sarasota area that appeals to you. Soft sand, fishing piers, shells—you can find it around here. Just don’t go looking for a nude beach—that’s the one thing they don’t have.
Restaurants in Sarasota
1. Sarasota Opera
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 243 reviews
The excitement is palpable during the Sarasota Opera season. As you arrive at your seats, you'll see the familiar faces of opera lovers just like you, and also meet new people. Our intimate 1119-seat theater—with the perfect acoustics for live opera—gives a sense of intimacy to our performances while enhancing your overall experience. Now in its 59th Season, Sarasota Opera is the only opera company in the world to have performed all of Verdi's works. People from all corners of the world come to see our world-class productions, which range from early Italian Bel Canto to contemporary American opera. This Winter, we are bringing to you Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, Bizet’s Carmen, Bellini’s Norma, and d’Albert’s Tiefland. All performances have simultaneous English translations above the stage and opera goers are encouraged to dress as they feel comfortable: suits and ties mix with khaki and jeans. Tickets start at only $19!! Come and experience the magic that is Sarasota Opera!
Reviewed By WarmWeatherPlease013
We made our first visit for a Friday evening performance in March 2020. We were delighted by the lovely venue, the wonderful pit orchestra, the beautifully created sets, and the well executed performances by the singers. Our seats were excellent (AA 10 & 11) in the front row of the 1st mezzanine. One note is that they do not allow you to bring anything purchased from their two bars into the theater. We will definitely return.
2. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By arlene123
Seeing WBTT’s production of “Caroline, or Change” was a highlight of our visit to Sarasota. The ensemble was top notch, and the recently renovated theater is comfortable and attractive, with excellent sound and lighting. There was a full house the night we went, so buy your tickets well in advance. Also, arrive early at the theater because the parking lot is not large enough to accommodate a full house and picking up tickets at Will Call takes longer than at other theaters.
3. Siesta Key Rum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 831 reviews
At our Sarasota, Florida distillery our spirits are hand-crafted from start to finish in small batches using only the finest ingredients and hands-on distillation in a copper pot still. Our distillery is open for free tours and tastings. You must pre-register on our website or by phone to attend tours. Our gift shop/tasting room is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 5.
Reviewed By chrisbangs2019
Daniel from XO took us to Siesta Key Rum Distillery and various points of interest around Sarasota. The distillery is a very friendly, informative and well-run tour with a great tasting room and loads of funny anecdotes and stories. Daniel took us through town to a number of historical buildings and had wonderful stories to share of the people and times that built Sarasota.
4. Ted Sperling Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
This park provide unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy natural Florida beaches. They are contiguous sections of a 100-acre property that interacts with four bodies of water; the Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass, Sarasota Bay and Brushy Bayou. Because of their convergence, currents run swift in some areas of the shoreline.
Reviewed By SharonP875 - New York City, United States
We did a three hour self guided kayaking among the mangrove channels. Saw a dolphin, many birds, clams and crabs. Very nice day, relaxing and quiet in nature
5. Urbanite Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Urbanite Theatre produces daring theater in the most intimate venue in Sarasota. Urbanite Theatre committed to creating visceral, shared experiences by fearlessly lifting up the boldest new voices in theatre. We believe in inclusive, artist-first storytelling, daring honesty, and the powerful connectivity of an intimate space.
Reviewed By MarkWBoca - Boca Raton, United States
Within an intimate space, Urbanite Theater stages quality acting and directing of plays which most other theaters would not present. The Urbanite is so small that every seat features great sight lines and acoustical clarity. Prices are inexpensive and parking is plentiful on the second floor of the Whole Foods parking garage a block away.
6. AlexArt International Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
AlexArt International Art Gallery is an iconic gallery downtown Sarasota, next to the Opera House. It opened in May 2016 as Massimo Meda personal art gallery, exhibiting only his 3d-fluorescent paintings on aluminum. During the second season, it introduced new Italian artists showcasing the hyperrealist fine art photography on aluminum of Fabio Dal Boni, the oil on canvas of Guido Borelli and his wife Danka Weitzen, the oil and acrylic on wood of Paolo Passoni. This third season will see local and American artists and Venetian glass art, too. It will also host monthly exhibitions and will continue its successful tradition of poetry readings, private dinners, and participation in music and film events.
Reviewed By 490irinag - Illinois, United States
AlexArt International Art Gallery is located at N Pineapple Avenue in downtown Sarasota. It is not a large gallery, but the art works exhibited there are fascinating. The talented artists whose works are currently displayed in this gallery, create unforgettable images of nature, people, landscapes, objects of reality, objects of artists imagination, etc. These images are created superbly by using unbelievably and strikingly enhanced colors, and modern painting/fine art photography techniques (like 3D fluorescent paintings), as well as by more traditional techniques. When I visited the gallery in May, there were fantastic works there by contemporary Italian artists. I was mesmerized by all their paintings. Especially memorable for me were 'Marylin Diamonds', 'Audrey Saphhires', 'Call Me a Dreamer', 'Pink Beauty' by Fabio Dal Boni, 'Wave' and 'Sunflowers' by Massimo Meda, and beautiful oil on canvas paintings depicting unforgettable views of Venice by Guido Borelli ('Venezia, Grand Canal' and 'Vernazza'). In my view, the owner of the gallery Alexa Scanziani is doing an invaluable job, by bringing ultra-modern art to the view and admiration of people - to those who know art, to those who love and appreciate art, to those who want to learn more about the ever-lasting, timeless beauty of art and about world cultures. Totalmente affascinante. Grazie mille!
7. Lido Key Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By joewens3 - Jacksonville, United States
Great park area, nice restrooms and beautiful beach! We didn’t go swimming, but enjoyed the beach to walk and find shells. It was windy, but beautiful and a must see!
8. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,219 reviews
Bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history.
Reviewed By PatH840 - Asheboro, United States
We spent a delightful morning in the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens during a recent visit to Sarasota. Our stroll through the garden began with a fascinating display of epiphytes, which we learned are plants that grow on other plants without harming them. Some favorite epiphytes were the orchids and bromeliads. The fern garden was a place of tranquility, filled with quite an extensive variety of ferns. The koi pond was very popular with visitors. We really enjoyed watching these fascinating fish in their lovely surroundings. During our stroll we discovered absolutely gorgeous views of Sarasota Bay, requiring time to take in the perfect blue sky, shimmering water and the colorful boats - what a treat! Our favorite part was the native butterfly garden. We saw many colorful butterflies, including numerous Monarch butterflies. We learned that these local Monarchs remain all year long and do not participate in the well-known Monarch migration. Who could blame them for remaining in this fantastic place? We loved our visit to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Sarasota area.
9. Myakka River State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,342 reviews
One of the original Civilian Conservation Corps parks.
Reviewed By SeaSab - Grand Rapids, United States
We had a very pleasant day exploring Myakka State Park. We started at the bridge looking for alligators and birds. Be sure to bring your binoculars! A short way down the road is the trail to the Canopy walk. Climb the steps to reach a 76 foot observation platform where you view the tree tops and Myakka River basin. Our next stop was the gift shop. They have lots of interesting souvenirs for you to spend your money on. There is also a snack bar with food and drinks. Once we had shopped and used the restrooms, we ventured over to the weir looking for more alligators and birds. Our favorite siting was the roseate spoonbill! Our last stop was the bird walk where we saw birds, a wild boar, and more birds, incuding an eagle perched in the flatlands next to the river! The park is beautiful and a great spot for birdwatching. Also available are a boat cruise and a tram ride tour which we did not do.
10. St. Armands Circle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,665 reviews
Shop. Dine. Relax. The St. Armands Circle Association represents the over 130 merchants of St Armands Circle in Sarasota Florida. Nestled between the sparkling waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Armands is truly unique in concept, history and ambience. It’s easy to relax, unwind, and let your cares fade away.
Reviewed By 0915R - Kure Beach, United States
Anytime we're in the Sarasota area we always make the point to go over to St. Armands Circle...public parking garage within 1/2 block (inexpensive too), lots of shops, unique shops, and great restaurants
