Location: Sarasota
Top Things to do in Sarasota
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups 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. Kayaking SRQ Tours and Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,626 reviews
Take a Guided or Self-guided tour of beautiful Ted Sperling Park and the World Famous Mangrove Tunnels! Go searching for manatees and dolphins and the incredible sea life in the mangroves. Please call in advance to reserve your spot. Our Guides have over 30 years experience paddling this beautiful park.
2. Sarasota Paddleboard Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 713 reviews
Lido mangrove tunnel kayak tours! Sarasota Paddleboard Company is a company that specializes in Stand up Paddleboarding and sit on top kayaks We provide rentals lessons and excursions 7 days a week. Based on lido key we are authorized for SUP and kayak rentals in the LIDO MANGROVE TUNNELS, and offer a second private location on Longboat Key. We offer delivery of rental equipment to hotels, homes and waterfront locations for multi day rentals. All necessary instruction and safety equipment is provided. We are specialist and carry top of the line equipment including race boards, all around boards, sup surf boards and tour boards. Touring and fishing kayaks. We will provide the correct equipment sized for the user, you will receive professional instruction by the best in the industry and you will be paddling in safe clam conditions.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Paradise Adventures Sarasota
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,236 reviews
Paradise Adventures invites you to explore beautiful Sarasota Bay on our high quality kayaks and standup paddleboards. Every day is different in paradise: One day you may encounter a gentle manatee grazing near your kayak, and the next you may get an aerial display from some playful dolphins breaching out of the Sarasota Bay waters! Let our experienced tour guides help you identify and learn about all the amazing flora and fauna the bay has to offer, or simply rent one of our vessels and take a self guided half day tour at your own pace. Either way, we guarantee you will absolutely love your adventures in our little corner of paradise.
7. 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
8. 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!
9. 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.
10. 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.
