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Sarasota FL Area Attractions

Sarasota, Florida is home to some of the best attractions, shopping and dining in the world! The Siesta Key Palms Hotel is minutes to downtown Sarasota, St. Armand's Circle and Venice Main Street shopping and dining.

Attractions

The blue-ribbon winner in the area, Siesta Beach earned its bragging rights in from its 99% pure-quartz sand in 2011 when Dr. Beach ranked it No. 1 on his annual list of America's Best Beaches! Siesta earned additional accolades in May of this year when National Geographic ranked the beach No. 6 on its list of Top U.S. Family Beaches. You'll find more of this famous sand at Siesta Key's Crescent Beach, rated #10 on Travelocity's 2011 Top 25 Beaches in the United States. Once you dig your toes into the powdery soft sand you'll understand why folks come from all over the world to relax and play on these shores. Siesta Beach earned TripAdvisor's 2016 Traveler's Choice Award.

Dining Options

Sarasota's award-winning restaurants overlook beaches, skylines and downtowns. Click the link a for a list of great restaurants throughout the Sarasota area. Bon Appetit!

Sarasota Area Shopping

Whether shopping at upscale St. Armand's Circle, the new University Town Center Mall or on historic Venice Main Street, you're sure to find what you're looking for.

Popular Attractions:

The Ringling Museum of Art / Sarasota

One of the highlights of Sarasota attractions, for art lovers the Ringling Art Museum should be on top of your to do list when visiting Sarasota

The Ringling Circus Museum / Sarasota

It's one of the Crown Jewels of Sarasota Attractions and also reveals the unique relationship between John Ringling, The Ringling Brothers Circus and the Sarasota and Venice, Florida areas

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens / Sarasota

From forests of Bamboo, to a Butterfly Garden, Mangroves and Banyan Groves to Palm Tree Gardens and from more than 6,000 Orchids to over 3,600 Bromeliads on display in living color.

The Asolo Theater / Sarasota

One of the few true repertory companies in the nation, Asolo Theater Sarasota presents a diverse repertoire of newly commissioned plays, bold reinterpretations of contemporary and classical.

Myakka River State Park / Sarasota County

Myakka River State Park is a spectacular nature preserve that, if you're a nature lover, is well worth spending a day at in and among the Hammocks, Cabbage Palms, tall grasses, nature trails and the Myakka River.

Mote Marine Aquarium / Sarasota

Mote Aquarium is open 365 days a year and that makes it pretty convenient when trying to plan a vacation schedule.

Historic Downtown Venice, Florida

With a touch of "Old Florida" style shops to roam through, you'll be browsing for hours.

Big Cat Habit & Gulf Coast Sanctuary / Sarasota

Lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, birds and much more can be found at this safe haven for animals that was started in 1987.

See Visit Sarasota's Attraction Guide