A Traveler's Guide to Downtown Sarasota

There's so much to do in Downtown Sarasota, you'll probably find yourself thinking of multiple reasons to spend time here. With its vibrant mix of dining, hotels, shopping, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, you'll certainly be well-fed, well-slept and well-entertained!

From waterfront strolls and gallery hopping to rooftop cocktails and boutique finds, here’s how to fully experience the beauty and energy of Sarasota’s walkable downtown.

Food & Dining

If you're on the hunt for breakfast or brunch, C'est La Vie! is a French cafe well-known for its pastries and quiche (there's no extra charge for sitting outside and getting some sun). Or, head over to First Watch Restaurant, our locally-based national chain breakfast/lunch restaurant for dishes like a Sunrise Granola Bowl or Wild Berry Lavender French Toast. Station 400 is located in a former Indiana railroad depot that was taken apart and put back together in Downtown Sarasota. Don't miss the Nutella Waffle!  

For lunch or dinner, you can't go wrong with a few local favorites. From Duval's Fresh Local Seafood, which aptly describes its approachable surf-and-turf, to Boca Sarasota's craft cocktails and trendy interior and Element's modern gastronomic menu and intimate setting, Contemporary American dining runs deep downtown. 

If you're in the mood for Italian, French or Mexican/Latin cuisines, Downtown Sarasota has many options. Make sure to consider Bevardi's Salute! Restaurant or Bavaros Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria for authentic Italian dishes and Marcel for exquisite French cooking. Meanwhile, Circo's artisan tacos and margaritas are worth the hype, and Selva Grill's Peruvian-inspired flair transports you further south. 

For waterfront dining options, Marina Jack offers steaks, seafood and pasta with fabulous sunset views of Sarasota Bay's mooring field and the marina. For tropical drinks and island bites in a more casual setting, visit O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, just a stone's throw away. The local hangout offers barefoot-in-the-sand tiki bar vibes and live nightly music! 

Shopping & Retail

If you want to buy souvenirs, a home decor item or get the perfect gift for a loved one, Downtown Sarasota is at the ready. First, there's our Sarasota Farmers Market, held smack dab in the middle of downtown year-round on Saturday mornings. The market welcomes a mix of produce, prepared food and retail vendors. For a great take-home gift or souvenir, check out Sea Salt Florida or Sarasota Honey Co.

Another must-see retail option is our beautiful independent bookshop, Bookstore1 Sarasota, where you can discover your next great read and catch author signings. 

If you'd like to find your new favorite shirt or accessory, stop by locally-owned women's clothing boutiques like Simply Jo's, Lotus, T. Georgiano's, Surge Style, Pineapple Lain and more. For something a little offbeat, check out Pixie Dust SRQ, a spiritual and metaphysical boutique. We haven't forgotten about your favorite Fido! Wet Noses is a grooming shop but also has a selection of dog-geared products and treats.

Arts & Culture

There's a reason why Sarasota County is known as Florida's Cultural Coast. Our area is filled with theaters, galleries, public art and other options that make Sarasota a leader in the arts. Downtown Sarasota is no exception. Within mere steps of each other, find venues like the Florida Studio Theatre, Urbanite Theatre and the Sarasota Opera House. 

Downtown also has several art galleries, like Milan Art Gallery and MARA Art Studio + Gallery, where you can take in the latest works from local artists or maybe find your next art investment. 

When you walk around downtown, you'll see several sculptures and murals. In fact, you can have a grand time walking around downtown to find these public art fixtures. Find a Public Art Collection Audio Tour here for a personal tour guide through our city. 

For something different, head on over to McCurdy's Comedy Theatre & Humor Institute to see famous comedians and rising stand-up acts nightly.

Fitness

If you're looking to get fit or stay fit, you've got plenty of support in Downtown Sarasota. Take your pick from yoga studios, such as Shack Yoga + Fitness, Bikram Yoga Sarasota, and Rosemary Court Yoga. There are also several gyms, including Jefferson Fit and OrangeTheory Fitness.

Focused on recovery? Purify: The Sweat & Chill Lounge features infrared therapy as well as cold plunges. Or, head over to Blue Aloe Spa for a massage, facial or waxing.  

Want to mix fitness with fun? 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop has a weekly 99 Bottles Run Club, held on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's a free 5K fun run–and you can enjoy a drink when you're done, if you wish!

Outdoor Recreation

One of the many beautiful things about Sarasota is that you have the perks of city living while also enjoying accessible green (and blue) space. Our downtown has several parks where you can walk the dog, have a picnic, hang a hammock and watch the world go by, or take part in recreational activities. 

The Bay Park is a newer and welcome addition to Downtown Sarasota, with its beautiful bayfront walking area (as the name implies) and serves as the site for several free public classes and special events. Think kayaking, yoga, live music, plein air painting and more.

Another popular outdoor destination is Bayfront Park, located right on Sarasota Bay beside Marina Jack and O'Leary's. Yet the park has so much more to offer. The park trails loop around for stunning water views and have benches and swings where you can just sit and read or catch up with a friend. There's also a new playground and splash pad. You'll see plenty of boats for rent, as well as yachts having their moment in the sun, so to speak.

Closer to the heart of downtown is Payne Park, which has a skate park, amphitheater, tennis center and a circus-inspired playground in a nod to Sarasota's circus heritage. Fun fact: Payne Park is on land that was a professional baseball park through 1989 and served as a spring training home for teams like the Boston Red Sox. 

Downtown Hotels

There are some terrific hotels located right in the center of downtown's action. Art Ovation Hotel makes art part of everything it offers, from the artwork on display inside, the piano right in the lobby, the featured artist displays and its art-themed gift shop. If you are passionate about the arts, this is the place for you.

The Westin Sarasota is famous for its rooftop bar, located on the 19th floor. From there, you've got stunning landscape views of downtown's buildings and Sarasota Bay. Enjoy a bite to eat and your fave drink at the bar, or spend time at the adjacent rooftop pool for some R&R. 

The Sarasota Modern is a great boutique hotel choice for Downtown Sarasota in the evolving Rosemary District. As its website describes, it brings together "design, culture and amusement" and seeks to transcend the ordinary hotel experience. Plus, there's a pool party on the last Sunday of every month.

Other terrific hotel choices in downtown include Aloft Sarasota, voco Sarasota and Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota. For a five-star resort option, The Ritz-Carlton sits right at the fringe of downtown's John Ringling Bridge, which leads to the neighboring beaches of Lido Key. 

Transportation

Downtown Sarasota makes it easy to get around car-free. It's a super walkable downtown, so you can always put on your fave comfy shoes and let your feet lead you. If you need to go a little farther, or just need a break from walking, here are a few other options.

Breeze Transit offers buses within Sarasota County to get you to popular destinations, including to and from Downtown Sarasota. There's also the Breeze 76 Flyer, a trolley that transports you from the SRQ Airport to many of the popular hotels in the downtown area. The 76 Flyer only costs $2 and includes air conditioning and luggage racks.

Speaking of trolleys, the Sarasota Bay Runner trolley is a free daily option that can take you from Downtown to St. Armands Circle, Lido Beach and Longboat Key. Breathe in fresh air and the view as the open-air trolley drives you past Sarasota's iconic sites. The Bay Runner is a great way to check out other local destinations nearby while staying downtown.

If you're looking for a faster way to get around Sarasota, consider Veo scooters and bikes. You can find them all around the downtown area, on various streets and corners, where you can use scan the QR code to rent them through the Veo app.