Sarasota Travel Guide

For a beach getaway, head to the vacation destination of Sarasota in the Sunshine State. This city in Florida boasts the beauty of the southwestern coast, with soft white sand and turquoise blue sea. In fact, some of the beaches here are known as the best in the country. In addition to relaxation, there is the opportunity to enjoy recreation, golf, fishing and sailing. There is also a vibrant arts scene in Sarasota and a diverse choice of dining options. Whether you are looking for a casual beach café or a fine dining experience, visitors will find it in this vacation city!

Things to Do in Sarasota

One of the beaches in the United States is Siesta Key and it is found in Sarasota. This picturesque beach is unforgettable and sunbathers and shell collectors will love it here. At Lido Key, visitors can relax and enjoy the sunshine, with a snack pavilion and picnic tables. There are also trails here for exploring. In addition, Longboat Key is another beach to experience in Sarasota. It is quiet and beautiful and lets visitors appreciate Florida in all of its glory. For animal lovers, head to the Mote Marine Laboratory. Here visitors can see dolphins, manatees and sharks, as well as other native marine life. To go on an adventure and enjoy some hiking, head to Myakka River State Park. This is one of the biggest in Florida and visitors can explore the wetlands and pinelands or take a tour on an airboat.

Best Time to Visit Sarasota

A good time to vacation in Sarasota is during the spring months. In particular March to May is the best time, as well as fall. This is when accommodation is more affordable and there are less crowds.

A Local's Guide to Sarasota Vacation Rentals

The winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus, Sarasota sits on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Home of museums and cultural organizations, the resort is also the gateway to miles of beautiful beaches with white sand and shallow water.

Vacationers flock to this resort in the Sunshine State every year to enjoy some of the best beaches in the country as well as enjoying golf, fishing, sailing and other water sports.

There’s plenty to do in Sarasota and finding a vacation home located in the heart of this busy destination allows guests to explore everything it has to offer.

As well as heading to the beach and enjoying the white sands in areas like Longboat Key, Lido Beach, Crescent Beach and Siesta Key Beach. This destination near the Gulf of Mexico also has lots of other outdoor activities.

Head to the Selby Botanical Gardens for a walk around the luscious grounds and tropical plants. Sarasota Jungle Gardens is also a great place to spend a day amongst nature and for a slightly further trip, take a drive nine miles east of Interstate 75 to Myakka River State Park. This 27,000 acre park is one of the largest and oldest parks in the state.

Sarasota is one of the most culturally-rich areas with many art galleries.

The best-known of these is the Ringling Museum of Art which pays tribute to the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. There is an extraordinary collection of art which was created by circus owner John Ringling in 1925. The Renaissance-style palace has 21 galleries enclosed in a courtyard and was opened in 1930 after it was filled with European paintings and artworks. After John Ringling died in 1936, the museum was left to the people of Florida.

For a more modern adventure, take a trip to Armands Circle for luxury dining, and shopping.

With 10,216 places to stay in Sarasota, Florida, there are lots of different vacation rentals to choose from. Studios, cottages and deluxe apartments are all on offer to suit whatever size groups there are. Visitors can choose a vacation rental with a pool but most of the places to stay are just minutes from the beach.

Most cottages or villas have full kitchens and vacation homes come with wifi for tourists that need to stay connected while traveling. And for four-legged friends, there are 884 pet-friendly places to stay in Sarasota. Check out unusual places to stay like a vintage Airstream trailer, RV rental or a mid-century terrace property. Being so close to the water, visitors to Sarasota can also stay in suites with views over the coastline.

January is the coldest time of year and avoid the rainy season in August when around 21 inches of rain falls. Low season is in September when accommodation is cheapest and most available, the good news is the weather is still good at this time of year with highs of 94 degrees F. Arrive midweek for the best deals as weekends, mainly Saturdays, are the most expensive nights for accommodation.