Sports & Outdoors

Why let Sarasota's beautiful weather and sunshine go to waste because of a budget vacation? While fun isn't always wallet-friendly, free vacations aren't impossible. So splurge on the hotel, or even the airfare, because you can experience all of those (not quite) free vacations anytime of year. Also, vacations aren't just for visitors anymore. Yes, even us Sarasotans enjoy a vacation every now and then ... but why break the bank when paradise is right outside our front doors?

Mention polo and most people conjure up images of Prince Charles, wealthy aristocrats and fine-bloodline ponies. The common folk tend to associate polo with the rich jet-setting life played out in the international media. Not here in Sarasota. But for the beauty of the sport, champagne swilling and divot stomping, the atmosphere bears little resemblance to that in the movie Pretty Woman.

Beyond Sarasota County's beautiful beaches, shopping, dining and cultural amenities there is something else to make your visit special. Get a glimpse of Florida's "natural" side and its authentic beauty in our state parks.

Hunting for fossilized shark teeth is a treasured Sarasota County pastime, and the best place to find them is along the coastline of Venice, Florida.

It's a picture-perfect morning on Southwest Florida's Venice beach, as the cloudless royal blue sky meets the far-off horizon. The emerald-green Gulf of Mexico gently laps onto the sandy shoreline, and a few barefooted beachcombers are off in the distance, searching for the discarded teeth of the ocean’s infamous hunters.

Consistently named in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice™ top beaches year after year, come see why this island oasis has remained at the top of the list since 2015.

Sarasota County offers some of Florida's best fishing thanks to the healthy estuary supporting a healthy ecosystem. Learn more about fishing in the area below .

The Florida Gulf Coast is a paradise for fish. Freshwater streams and rivers flow from Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte County into a bay protected by the barrier islands. It’s a perfect-sized estuary teeming with a diverse wildlife ecosystem of birds, fish and mammals.

Sarasota County is well-known as the cradle of golf and a beach-goers paradise. For those who would rather swing a racquet than a club, there are plenty of options for different levels of dedication to the sport.

Perfect your backhand and ace your tennis game in Sarasota County. A variety of venues offer courts for players from novices to experts.

Sometimes the strange, dimly lit bar next to a rustic hotel can be a turn out to be a fun adventure of cheap, strong drinks and peculiar characters serving a tall tale. Check out our list of some of the area's best local hangouts to splash into.

Don't miss a game in Sarasota County, there are a watch parties for several college teams at different locations in the destination.

Sometimes, you want to go where everybody knows your … team. College football season is upon us again, and if you're searching for a spot to cheer on your alma mater, look no further. Wherever your allegiance lies, we've put together a list of official watch parties, sports bars and hangouts that will help you celebrate game day in style.