![Boat parking at The Crow’s Nest in Venice [Photo: Lauren Jackson]](/sites/default/files/styles/popular_stories_teaser/public/2023-import/The-Crow%2527s-Nest-cropped__OPT.jpg.webp?itok=ycs37M-O)
Depending on how much time you have here, hitting Sarasota County's 35+ miles of coastline can be as leisurely or swiftly as you make it. Fortunately, the Sarasota Beach Pass guides you from north to south and allows you to track your stops and check in on your own time, all while collecting points to earn exclusive prizes from yours truly!
We know Sarasota as both a relaxing resort town and a sparkling cultural center. Below, take a look at Sarasota’s humble beginnings and the people that helped make it the shining star it is today.
After an arduous voyage to what they thought was a thriving community, the Scottish colonists arrived at Sarasota Bay, in a spot close to where Marina Jack is now located.
From the beachside resorts to sidewalk cafes, dozens of hotels and restaurants in the Sarasota destination offer a first-class experience to travelers and their four-legged friends.
We believe that the best vacations are the ones that you can take with your best friend—so pet lovers may be thrilled to learn that wet noses and sandy paws are always welcome in Sarasota.
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.
You can get to know North Port in so many adventurous and challenging ways, but here are just a few options to get you started.
For those who enjoy exploring a new, up-and-coming Florida community, the city of North Port is located in Sarasota County between Tampa and Fort Myers. The Southwest Florida city is tucked beneath a thick oak and pine canopy and is rich with archaeological history, beautiful natural springs and more than 95 miles of freshwater canals.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, people of all ages, welcome to the home of John Ringling, owner of the ‘greatest show on earth.' From traditional to modern, indoor to out, somber to whimsical, The Ringling – with its Art Museum, Circus Museum, Ca' d'Zan, and Bayfront Gardens – has plenty for anyone to ooh and aah over.
If the waves are big enough to surf, wakeboard can be a fun alternative. Learn more about the sport and where to rent and ride wakeboards in Sarasota County.
Whether visiting for the first time or the tenth, there’s plenty to do in this American coastal destination. Enjoy five sun-soaked suggested activities while vacationing in Sarasota County:
We began planning our Sarasota wedding from New York City. We did our research and we considered everything from luxurious, all-inclusive spots to warm, sand-in-your-toes beach weddings. But we imagined a one-of-a-kind place that we could dress up with meaningful touches--bowls of oranges in honor of our citrus hometowns, books as favors--and that recalled the jazzy literary elegance of Fitzgerald. We realized early on that our greatest challenge would be choosing which of the many romantic and historic sites with stunning Gulf and bay views we wanted.
