Lifeguard station at sunset.
Sarasota is one of the most beautiful and sophisticated cities in Florida.
The giant recreation of the famous WWII photo of the Kiss.
It's all about the sun, sand, water and surf.
Ringling Art Gallery
Fourth of July
Downtown Sarasota
Whether your taste in art leans more toward Ringling Bros. circus memorabilia, seashell creations and sand sculptures to works by Old Masters like Rubens and Poussin, you’ll find it all right here. Home to the Foreign Film Festival, there is plenty of theater in and around Sarasota too, and if you want to add music to your itinerary, the Sarasota Orchestra, Key Chorale and Sarasota Ballet are just a few of the many groups who have stage performances throughout the season. Revered as one of the “Best Food Cities” in the US, there’s no shortage of great spots to eat in Sarasota which attracts some of the best culinary talent in the industry. There’s also plenty of fine shopping, as well, including St. Armand’s Circle close to the coast and the Mall at University Town Center which has many distinctive retailers not found anywhere else in the area.
EVENTS
Weekly
Sarasota Farmer’s Market
Shop more than 80 vendors offering fresh and prepared meats, cheeses, organic veggies, flowers, coffee, cigars unique handcrafted items in a year-round downtown marketplace. Live music and entertainment, international foods and more! Free. 7am-1pm. 1 N Lemon Ave. Info: www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org
Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch (Sundays)
Lakewood Ranch: Home to more than 90 curated vendors offering organic produce, meat, poultry, seafood, bread, pasta, juices and prepared foods as well as unique, artisan-inspired gifts. 10am-2pm. 1561 Lakefront Dr. Info: https://lakewoodranch.com/
Monthly
Second Sundays at SAM
Bring your friends and family to explore new art and participate in fun activities for the whole family, including live music, storytelling, hands-on art, figure drawing, digital art and more! Free. 11 am-5 pm. 1001 S. Tamiami Trail. www.sarasotaartmuseum.org
Exhibitions
Through December 31
Avenue of Art
Explore the artistic side of Sarasota history with a series of street paintings created by local artists, students and children commemorating Sarasota County’s centennial. Free. S. Pineapple Ave, Burns District.
Info: https://chalkfestival.org/
Through August 7
Sharks
Come face to face with the world’s most amazing predators through large-scale photos and videos award-winning photographer Brian Skerry, swim alongside tiger sharks, great whites and other sharks, learn about their habitat and enemies. Tickets. 9:30-5 pm. 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. Info: https://mote.org/
June 11-August 13
Summer Circus Spectacular
Relive the good old days under the Big Top as some of the finest circus artists from around the world bring thrills and fun for audiences of all ages. Tickets. Shows 11 am and 2 pm. 5401 Bay Shore Rd. Info: www.ringling.org/
June 11
World Ocean Day at Mote
Dive into an annual celebration of oceans with ocean-themed games, face painting, educational displays, children’s authors, photo ops with Mote Marine mascots and more. Tickets. 9:30 am-5pm. 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy. Info: https://mote.org/
June 11-12
St. Armands Craft Festival
https://starmandscircleassoc.com/
June 17
Friday Fest activity blooms in this annual event as more than 175 artisans display their works, including paintings, jewelry, ceramics, pottery and more around St. Armands Circle’s famous drive. Free. 10 am-4 pm. 431 St Armands Circle. Info: https://starmandscircleassoc.com/
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor concert series featuring some of the best local bands, food trucks and drink stations on the lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. Free. 5-9 pm. 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Info: www.vanwezel.org/
July 3
Farmers Market Independence Day Celebration
Kick off your holiday weekend with fresh strawberries, blueberries, prepared foods, fresh flowers and more accompanied by live music from the Sarasota Jazz Project. Free. 7am-1pm. 1 N Lemon Ave. Info: www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org
July 4
Sarasota Bay July 4th Fireworks
Get the best seat in the house for this annual patriotic Independence Day celebration. Viewing is free from downtown Sarasota, Bayfront Park and Island Park. Free. Dusk to 9pm. 5 Bayfront Dr. Info: visitsarasota.com/events-festivals
July 9
Suncoast Summerfest Waves and Wheels Party
Enjoy casino-style gaming tables, raffles, food stations, open bar with live music from the Hurricane Shane Band. All proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Tickets. 6-10pm. 3000 Ringling Blvd. Info: www.suncoastsummerfest.org
July 15
Friday Fest
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor concert series featuring some of the best local bands, food trucks and drink stations on the lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. Free. 5-9 pm. 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Info: www.vanwezel.org/
July 16
Lotus Cars on the Circle
Indulge your fantasies as Lotus and other British cars find prime parking on the Circle for a static display of the good life. Free. 9 am-3 pm. 431 St Armands Circle. Info: https://starmandscircleassoc.com/
August 12
Friday Fest
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor concert series featuring some of the best local bands, food trucks and drink stations on the lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. Free. 5-9 pm. 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Info: www.vanwezel.org/ September 3 & 4
Labor Day Weekend Craft Festival
Venice: This annual downtown festival returns with some of the most skilled artists and crafters in the US, including decorative, functional and unique pieces, perfect for your collection or for gifts. Free. 10 am-4 pm. 200 W Miami Ave. Info: www.visitvenicefl.org/
September 16
Friday Fest
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor concert series featuring some of the best local bands, food trucks and drink stations on the lawn overlooking Sarasota Bay. Free. 5-9 pm. 777 N. Tamiami Trail. Info: www.vanwezel.org/
October 1
Jaguar Festival d’Elegance
Savor the elegance as antique, current classics and modified prototypes find prime parking on the Circle, along with live music, food, wine and beer and more! Free. 9 am-5pm. 431 St. Armands Circle. Info: https://starmandscircleassoc.com/
October 1 & 2
Downtown Sarasota Crafts Festival
Discover a variety of fine crafts, including jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting and more then shop for plants, flowers, handmade soaps and gourmet spices from the Green Market. Free. 10 am-5 pm. Info: www.sarasotafl.gov/home
October 15-17
Sarasota Rocktoberfest
Rock into fall with authentic German food – smoked sausages, sauerkraut and hot pretzels – pints of beer, German music, dancing and a festival marketplace! Free. Fri: 4-10pm; Sat: 11am-10pm; Sun: 11am-6pm. 199 Bayfront Dr. Info: paragonartevents.com
October 28-31
Spirit’ed Chalk & Pavement Music Festival
Venice: Enjoy ‘spirited’ live music, oversized and 3-D chalk masterpieces, dancing, shopping, festive treats, seasonal drinks, pumpkin carving contests, mask making, interactive chalk areas and more! Tickets. 10 am-6 pm. 610 Airport Avenue E. Info: https://chalkfestival.org/
October 31
Fright Night
Spooky storefronts, wandering spirits and frightening characters set the stage for trick or treating for children of all ages. “Scare” you there! Free. 6-8:30pm. 431 St. Armands Circle. Info: https://starmandscircleassoc.com/
November 11-14
Crystal Classic Int’l Sand Sculpting Festival
Siesta Key: Experience the beauty of larger-than-life sand masterpieces hand-carved by international sand artists along beautiful Siesta Key Beach. Enjoy sculpting demos, contests, live music, food and more. Admission. 10a-5pm. 948 Beach Road. Info: www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com/
LODGING
Bungalow Beach
2000 Gulf Drive North, Anna Maria Island, FL 34217
800-779-3601
This beautiful place has bungalows that range from one room studio to three-bedrooms, and feature white wicker furniture, and the original architectural design of hardwood floors, bead-board walls and wood-beamed cathedral ceilings. Stepping inside one differs from most hotels. The white and beige interiors convince you immediately that the place is impeccably clean and fresh.
Siesta Key Bungalows
8212 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242941-349-9025
The 10 airy, 1-bedroom bungalows have living rooms with white wicker furniture and dining tables, full kitchens with microwaves, and cable TV. Some units have front or rear porches. Some overlook a leafy central courtyard, while others overlook Heron Lagoon. The hotel offers a heated swimming pool, and 2 kayaks are available for use on the lagoon.
RECOMMENDED
1811 S Palm Ave
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-5731| Daily 10am - 5pm
A Quiet & Spectacular Oasis
Nestled on the shores of beautiful Sarasota Bay, this tropical, urban oasis showcases unparalleled horticulture displays and is a world-class center for education, research and education. There is just so much to see here including a Conservatory that looks and feels like a tropical forest, Fern Garden, Bamboo
Garden, Banyan Grove, Mangroves and Baywalk, Bromeliad Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Rainforest and more.
5401 Bayshore Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-5700 | Daily 10am — 5pm
The Greatest Show On Earth
The Ringling Circus may be gone but it is certainly not forgotten. This State Art Museum is home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the US which John Ringling, in the spirit of America’s wealthiest Gilded Age,
began acquiring in the 1920s. The museum now houses a treasure trove of paintings and art objects as well as a Circus Gallery which showcases performers wardrobes, beautifully carved parade wagons, lithographic circus posters, a cannon which shot fearless performers across the big top and so much more. FYI: Check out the interactive Tibbals Learning Center where you can experience the excitement of a day at the circus.
941-995-9856
1924 Osprey Avenue | Sarasota, Fl 34239
Monday -Saturday 11am - 8pm | Bakery 7am
Sunday 10am - 7pm | Bakery 8am
Morton's Market has been Sarasota's epicenter of great food for over 50 years. Be prepared for the overwhelming experience of being in a foodie's heaven.
Featuring an on-site bakery, deli, gourmet to-go meals, fresh produce, sushi, prime meats, seafood, fine wines, and a full service catering department.
Siesta Key Market
941-349-1474
205 Canal Road | Siesta Key, Fl 34242
Sunday -Thursday 7:30am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday 7:30am - 11pm
siestamarket.com
We offer groceries, provisions, fresh produce & floral, beer, fine wines & cigars, cheeses, fresh meat & seafood, and plenty of prepared foods including a full service deli, hot meals & soups, rotisserie chicken, desserts and more!
We have shore fishing supplies and hardware!
Our customer service representatives will shop your grocery orders and deliver them to your door. Call our store at 941-349-1474.”
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