2021

Located on the Bay in Downtown Sarasota, Bayfront Park features everything a person could want in Florida. 

There is a place, a place in Sarasota, where you can do everything at once. Pretty much anything a person can think of doing – from the casual, do nothing day to the adventurous night – is in this one place. Not a place where coordinating schedules and driving directions are needed; nay, this delightful place has it all within walking distance. Lazy walking distance, not New York City walking distance. Half a mile from farthest point to farthest point.

There is quite the wide variety of attractions in Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast, and we've drawn up a shortlist of some our favorites.

Whether it is an afternoon on the mini golf course or an evening on a sunset cruise, there is an entertainment option for every taste, age and pace in Sarasota County.

Arts and Gardens

Art lovers will enjoy The Ringling: a 66-acre bayfront oasis that was once the estate of John Ringling and his wife Mable.

Sarasota is known as Florida’s Cultural Coast® because of its abundance of performances, galleries and more packed into a relatively small geographic area. Learn about all the cultural offerings in this beautiful beach community

Discover your artistic side with a trip to one of Sarasota’s many performing arts venues or art galleries.  There is something new to see every week in the arts and culture world of this Gulf Coast destination.

Part laidback beach paradise, and part eclectic arts and culture destination: Sarasota is a fun and welcoming destination for LGBTQ travelers, couples, and families. Explore our guide to our diverse community—and be our guest!

Serving as the country's oldest continuously running BMX track, Sarasota has been a favorite spot for racers to return year after year.

Established in 1974, Sarasota BMX is the oldest continuously running BMX track in America. Over those many years it has hosted countless state, regional and national races. A cornerstone of Florida BMX racing it has worked with the former National Bicycle League, the current Sunshine State Association and USA BMX. In 2016, the track was upgraded. 

From the scientist to the artist, the comedian to the adventurer, Sarasota has something for kids of all ages and interests.

In every city, there are those tucked-away tidbits of awesomeness that the locals know to do. Perhaps not the most obvious or Trip Advisor-advertised, but the places and activities the people who live there learn about as the years pass. For those who don’t have years to spend learning them, here you go - 20 great local Mom-approved hidden gems for kids in Sarasota.

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.

Less money may mean less spending, but it doesn’t have to equal less fun. Sarasota has many ways for visitors to explore and make long-lasting memories, even without a lot of padding in their pockets.

Let’s count the ways to have fun for free or nearly free in Sarasota County. Here are 20 things you can do with $5 or less.

1. Spend the day at the beach.