February

The Sarasota Baseball Classic is a tournament on the sunny shores of Sarasota County held in March 2017. For 32 years teams from the state of Florida and beyond hit the field for a tournament recognized by Baseball America as one of the premier prep tournaments in America.

Continuously named one of the best beaches to visit year after year, there isn't a better place to go than the white sands of Siesta Beach for spring break.

Spring break is the perfect time to escape the snowy cold and embrace the warm southern sun – and not much beats the crystal-quartz sand, which – get this – was carried down by ancient rivers from the Appalachian Mountains over millions of years. The quartz flowed down to west coast Florida and over time, the sand accumulated on the shores of Siesta Key.

Adventure-seeking visitors to Siesta Key don't have to look far beyond the beach for an adrenaline rush

If soaking up sun, surf and sand aren't your idea of spending a visit to the best beach in the U.S., don't worry. You can hop on a jet ski, go parasailing, wrangle a boogie board, and even bring the whole family out on a boat. It's time to get a different view of Siesta Key – from the water!

With a variety of local cafes and craft roasteries, it's up to you to pick your favorite caffeine fix in Sarasota!

Although the aroma of freshly brewed coffee speaks a universal language that is recognizable to most people, true coffee connoisseurs know that the difference between a good cup of coffee and a great cup of coffee is a vast one. Luckily for java fiends, Sarasota has a variety of independent establishments—from cozy, casual coffee shops and local cafes to sophisticated espresso bars.

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?

Siesta Beach is regularly named a top beach in the U.S. and the world for good reason. The renovated beach has a new expanded parking lot, a pedestrian esplanade, updated concessions, and of course, the some of the whitest sand in the world. The beach isn’t the only highlight of Siesta Key, however, the shops and bars at Siesta Village and the nearby one-of-a-kind rental properties make a vacation at Siesta Key an unforgettable experience

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.

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.

This guide serves as the ideal itinerary for beach enthusiasts, mapping out sun-fueled moments along our 35 miles of pristine coastline.

If you’re the type of traveler who believes a vacation isn’t complete without salt on your skin and a sunrise-to-sunset coastal agenda, this guide was built for you. We’ve curated four distinct itineraries across Sarasota County’s distinctive keys—designed to help you maximize every hour of your island stay.