Visit Sarasota County/Jessi Smith
Turtle Beach Campgrounds
Visit Sarasota County
Beyond Sarasota County’s 64 km (40 mi) of Gulf Coast beaches lies a haven of arts and culture, eclectic events and exquisite dining. With eight new airlines offering more than 25 new direct flights into SRQ Airport, and nearly 1,000 new hotel rooms, visiting has never been easier. Plus, when you consider the recent growth in areas such as Sarasota’s Rosemary District, Newtown, and the southern city of North Port – there’s a variety of new ways to experience the destination whether for the first time or the tenth.
Culture Hound
Known as Florida's Cultural Coast®, Sarasota has the only professional ballet, professional opera and professional orchestra on Florida’s West Coast, alongside more than ten theatres, 13 stages, and the State's Art Museum, The Ringling. In 2019, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens will continue to integrate the arts throughout the grounds and gardens with the Gauguin: Voyage to Paradise will explore the botanical world the artist encountered throughout his life in the 19th Century and feature original artwork by the artist along with exotic horticultural displays.
Discover Natural Sarasota County
Hike, paddle, bike, fish or sit back in a natural paradise. Wetlands, lakes and a river interconnect throughout Myakka River State Park, one of the state’s oldest and largest parks, and Oscar Scherer State Park offers concierge camping packages and access to the Legacy Trail. The Celery Fields offers exceptional opportunities to observe more than 300 species of birds nesting and foraging in their natural habitat. On the west coast of the county, there are beautiful sunsets, including mangrove tunnels and our world-renowned soft, white sand.
The Circus Came to Town
Famously renowned as the historical winter home for the Ringling Bros. Circus, visitors can check out The Ringling Circus Museum, and for live circus entertainment, they can head to the Circus Sarasota and Sailor Circus performances at select times throughout the year. The Circus Arts Conservatory now offers weekly adult and youth classes where visitors can try circus arts themselves.
Wine, Dine, and Enjoy
Home to award-winning and legendary restaurants, Sarasota County is brimming with culinary experiences. From outdoor dining, fresh, local seafood to authentic Amish cuisine and new restaurants popping up monthly, Sarasota hosts the most restaurants per capita for small cities.
Shopping and Strolling
Enjoy a walk around St. Armands Circle and delight in more than 100 shops and restaurants set just steps from the sandy white shores of Lido Beach or stroll Dearborn Street in Englewood, Venice Main Street in Venice or the five districts around Downtown Sarasota. The Mall at University Town Center opened just steps from Nathan Benderson Park with Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Dillard’s as anchor stores. The mall joins Westfield Southgate Mall, Westfield Sarasota Square and Ellenton Prime Outlets to offer numerous choices for shoppers.
Animal Encounters
With attractions such as Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, home to more than 100 marine species and features touch pools, working labs, and interactive exhibits, and Sarasota Jungle Gardens, featuring 150 native and exotic animals on display from parrots and iguanas to alligators and primates, Sarasota County offers various opportunities to get up close with wild animals. It doesn’t stop with marine and jungle creatures though. Be sure to look up Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary and Sarasota Sea Lion Preserve as well!
Jessi Smith/Visit Sarasota
About Sarasota County
Visit Sarasota County leads and supports the tourism industry in Sarasota County by providing the highest quality, and most innovative, marketing programs and promotions to ensure the continued growth of tourism and travel from visitors around the world. It is the mission of VSC is to make Sarasota County the must experience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com.