Things to Do in Sarasota Florida and Siesta Key

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If you are planning a trip to Sarasota and Siesta Key Florida and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Sarasota Florida has 35 miles of coastline with six barrier islands and Siesta Key has been named one of America’s best beaches many times. They are on Florida’s Gulf Coast one hour south of Tampa Bay and are not to be missed during a Florida road trip. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Sarasota – Siesta Key Florida bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Sarasota trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

Read How to Spend One Week in Tampa Bay Florida

Ringling Ca' d'Zan mansion courtyard in Sarasota Florida
Ringling Ca’ d’Zan mansion

Sarasota Florida

Sarasota Florida is one of my favorite Florida cities for a long weekend getaway. You will find six barrier islands, beautiful white sand beaches, palm trees, Amish pies, circus history, flamingos, an amazing botanical garden, daiquiri bars, and a relaxed vibe. There is the perfect place to destress and still do some sightseeing. And, Travel and Leisure placed Sarasota on the Top Ten Best US Beach Towns to Live In.

Plant in frame exhibit at Selby Gardens Living Museum Sarasota Florida
Selby Gardens Living Museum

Things to Do in Sarasota Florida

Tour the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and Ca’d’Zan mansion, allow 3 hours

Hand feed the flamingos at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens

See the current exhibits at the Selby Gardens Living Museum

Visit the MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium

Take a morning walk through Bayfront Park and photograph the Never Surrender

Tour the Siesta Key rum distillery

Search out the painted bicycles around the city

Catch an Atlanta Braves or Baltimore Orioles Spring training game (Feb-Mar)

Learn about sea turtles on a turtle walk (Jun-Jul)

Attend the Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpture competition (mid-Nov)

Browse the Saturday Sarasota Farmer’s Market

Eat a beer-battered hot dog at the Old Salty Dog

Check out the Circus Ring of Fame on St Armand’s Circle

Grab a frozen daiquiri and coconut shrimp and listen to live music at the Daiquiri Deck

Enjoy a Cuban sandwich and 1905 salad at the Columbia Restaurant

Pink flamingo at Sarasota Jungle Gardens Sarasota Florida
Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Spend a night out at The Gator Club

Take the Circus Secrets or Amish Experience city tour

Check the Amish community of Pinecraft and have lunch at Yoder’s Restaurant

Watch the Half Stitched Musical at the Carlisle Inn in Pinecraft

Eat an Amish pie at Der Dutchman

Enjoy a rooftop cocktail at the Westin or Art Ovation Hotel

Play a game of minigolf with alligators at Smuggler’s Cove

Check out the antique cars at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum

Take a walk around the Burns Court neighborhood

Cuddle a two-toed sloth, silver fox, or cougar cub at Big Cat Habitat

Zipline the Tree Umph adventure course

Stop at the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy for great selfie opportunities

Big Top Display at The Ringling Circus Museum

Siesta Key Florida

Siesta Key Florida is a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico 15 minutes from Sarasota. On Siesta Key you will find white sand beaches made of 90% quartz, warm shallow water, pretty lifeguard towers, manatees, and bottlenose dolphin. Trip Advisor named Siesta Key a top beach in 2015, 2017, and 2020. The area gained popularity in 2017 when MTV’s reality show Siesta Key began filming there. Popular activities are jet skiing, boating, fishing, and parasailing.

Blue life guard stand on Siesta Beach in Siesta Key Florida
Siesta Beach

Things to Do in Siesta Key Florida

Ride the free trolley around town

Photograph the colorful lifeguard stands on Siesta Beach

Attend the free Sunday sunset drum circle near the Siesta Beach Pavilion

Snorkel at Point of the Rocks on the south end of Crescent Beach

Attend the manatee feeding at the MOTE Marine Laboratory

Take an intercoastal boat cruise past mansions

Take a selfie with the Siesta Beach sign

Browse the Sunday morning Siesta Farmer’s Market

Watch the sunset at Sunset Point on the north end of Siesta Kay Beach

Shop for souvenirs and have dinner in Siesta Key Village

Eat a lobster roll at the Lobster Pot

Play beach volleyball

Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in Siesta Key

Things to Do Near Sarasota and Siesta Key Florida

Big Pass Sandbar

Kayal or SUP the Lido Key mangrove tunnels

Watch the Amish fish from the shore at Lido Key

Search for shark teeth on Venice Beach

Take an airboat cruise on Upper Myakka Lake

Walk the treetops at the Myakka Canopy Walkway and Observation Tower

Fly through the air at Tito Gaona’s Trapeze Academy

Be sure to check the Sarasota Tourism Board for current events

Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in Sarasota Florida

Plan Your Trip to Sarasota Florida

Sarasota Florida Travel Guide

Pick up a Florida Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.

Book Your Accommodation in Sarasota Florida Now

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Sarasota Florida Attractions and Day Tours

The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.

Travel Essentials

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Have a great vacation!