Location: Sarasota
Top Things to do in Sarasota
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Sarasota, Florida (FL)
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 National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 451 reviews
Reviewed By XKeysCrusader - Virginia Beach, United States
My wife and I had the honor of visiting this beautiful cemetery while on vacation in Sarasota. Since I am retired from the United States Navy, we always ensure that a portion of our travels involves spending time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces. The cemetery was very clean and organized, and it had a really spectacular Pavillion with cement seating and granite signs that surround the back side with historical pictures and descriptions, really fascinating. The people that we encountered during our visit were overall very kind and thankful for the wonderful VA and private partnership that constructed this valuable tribute to our wonderful Veterans. I would highly recommend a visit to this cemetery even if you don't have a previously deceased relative resting here.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. The Cat Depot
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By 413julietm - Saint Paul, United States
Cat Depot is an amazing experience. The environment is incredible, the cats are housed in secure but open and airy pods, with the little "catios" where the cats can go sit outside and enjoy the Florida tropic climate. The staff consider every adoption on a personal basis and I send the best of all wishes to everyone who has been engaged at Cat Depot and who will be in the future. Thank you for the little kitty heaven you provide.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The Ringling
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,113 reviews
The Ringling is located in Sarasota, Florida and preserves the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. It is home to the State Art Museum of Florida, the historic Ca' d'Zan Mansion, Bayfront Gardens, the Art Library, two Circus Museums, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The grounds and gardens are free to visit, and the Museum of Art offers free admission on Mondays.
Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States
The Circus Museum is closed for renovations as are an art gallery. The new Kotter-Koville Glass Museum is at the entrance to Ringling and is free to view. It has beautiful and diverse glass pieces; worth a visit. Admission--free with NARM, MARP, and ROAM memberships--provides admission to the fantastic Tibbals Learning Center, the grounds around Ca'd'Zen, and the truly outstanding and extensive art museum. Additional fees are charged to view Ca'd'Zen for the first floor or other floors. It used to be free to do a self-guiding of first floor and a fairly reasonable charge for two other floors. Now there is a high price, which is understandable when considering the very costly upkeep of the property. Still such high prices exclude this family. Ringling is for all ages and necessitates hours to enjoy.
8. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,257 reviews
Located at the Mote Marine Laboratory, this is home to a 135,000 gallon outdoor shark tank and many other marine species.
Reviewed By AtypicalTraverlers - Durham, United States
We went with our 8 and 11 yr olds on a quiet Friday and were very impressed . Lots of content for the pre-tween crowd. Highlights were the boat tour, preserved Giant squid (!), baby shark touch tank and (like many of the otter reviewers) the otters. I loved that the exhibits were very focused on the local ecosystem - not a grab bag of random cool aquatic creatures like some other aquariums we'd visited. Its a legit research lab and it was great seeing real science in action. We added the boat tour which was well worth it - our guide (Martha I think?) was a working biologist with great knowledge and light-hearted funny presentation . Saw some manatees, blue herons, dwarf sea horse (awww), pufferfish, sea squirts. All around fascinating and worthwhile. The volunteers/staff stood out to me as well. We came away learning additional cool facts and details from quite a few of the staff.
9. Ca d'Zan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,144 reviews
Ca' d'Zan is a venue of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Visit ringling.org to purchase a tour. The home of the circus king and his wife, a couple from humble mid-western origins, Ca’ d’Zan stands as a testament to the American Dream of the Roaring Twenties. Inspired by the Venetian Gothic style of the palazzos that ring the Venice canals, this dazzling palatial mansion perfectly captures the splendor and romance of the Italy the Ringlings so loved. For tour information please visit ringling.org
Reviewed By stephencoo - Bradenton, United States
Beautiful bayfront gardens, banyon trees walking trails, sidewalk along the Sarasota bay, park benches to relax and take in the view, amazing art museum, restaurants and gift shop with coffee bar upstairs ...and the Ca’D’Zan mansion on the bay is incredible!
10. Myakka Canopy Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By 982elwync
Just a short walk from the parking lot through the trees to the tower. We started at the smaller tower and walked across the bridge to the larger tower. Up, up, up to 75 feet. You look out over the landscape and are above the tree line.
