Beaches & Parks

Family at Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Only in town for the afternoon? Time to kill before your dinner reservation? Uncover things to do in Sarasota when you only have a few hours to spare.

Whether you’re here on vacation, for a sporting event or a business trip, or just passing through, you can find something to do every time of day on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Here are 50 of our favorites:

IMG_20170201_181649__OPT.jpg

Traveling with a pet? Get prepared with our guide on this critter-friendly destination offering plenty of options for accommodations.

When it's time for a vacation, plenty of people like to plan trips the entire family can enjoy—and for lots of us, family includes our furry four-legged friends. If you wouldn't dream of leaving Fido at home during your trip to the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida, we've got the dish for you on traveling with pets in Sarasota County.

BlindPassPark081915_062NEW_rgb_hd_2.jpg

In town for an Atlanta Braves spring training game or another event at CoolToday Park? You’ll want to make time to visit Sarasota’s famous beaches during your stay.

When you’re looking for some sun and surf after an exciting spring training game, here’s how to maximize your afternoon by cruising straight to one of Sarasota County's six keys from CoolToday Park in North Port.

RS2008_WarmMineralSprings(1)__2017Opt.jpg

Nestled along the Gulf Coast of Florida, southwest of Orlando, south of Tampa and north of Naples, Sarasota County boasts 40 miles of coastline and eight barrier islands. There are numerous beaches and state parks, two Audubon societies, the Legacy Trail, a world-renowned rowing facility, historic archeological sites and numerous attractions that showcase wildlife, nature and opportunities for fun.

Tropical Breeze-Siesta.jpg

If mom-and-pop beach bungalows are more your style, settle in to the quieter side of Sarasota County and embrace our beaches at these coastal lodgings

The call of a four star resort is a strong one, but sometimes you can get lost in the shuffle. With big crowds and busy amenities you may find it hard to find some quiet time to reconnect and refresh.

These smaller hotels and motels offer a more intimate and sometimes affordable stay in our beautiful destination and are all within walking distance from our main attraction: the beach!

Alpine Steakhouse Exterior.jpg

Find the best ingredients for the grill from the best specialty markets in town

It’s summertime in Sarasota, and instead of trying to beat the heat, we recommend you embrace it by setting up the grill, inviting your friends over and having the perfect great American BBQ. We’ve assembled a list of top spots to enhance your grilling game in Sarasota complete with prime meats, savory sausages and local seafood.