Sarasota, Florida 2024

Settled on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Sarasota offers visitors a unique blend of culture, nature, and beauty. This paradise is home to beautiful beaches, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and an array of outdoor activities both on and off the water.

One of the best ways to experience Sarasota is to visit its iconic beaches, including Siesta Beach, which is annually recognized as one of the best beach in America. They offer brilliant white sand, shimmering blue water, and plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming, and recreation. Warm weather and gentle waves also make these beaches perfect for water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and parasailing.

Beyond the coast, explore Sarasota’s Circus heritage at the Circus Arts Museum, The Ringling. Fans of the arts will appreciate the city’s diverse cultural offerings, including a vibrant arts scene, symphony orchestra, and numerous museums. Architecture fans will appriciate Sarasota's signature style, which is a unique blend of Florida style and Bauhaus influences.

Sarasota brings a refined taste of Florida living, thanks to upscale shopping centers like the Mall at the University Town Center and the boutique-lined streets of St. Armand’s Circle. But it’s not all high-end boutiques and five-star resorts. In Sarasota, there's an array of eclectic shops, family-owned restaurants, and classic beach houses.

If you get hungry, there’s no shortage of delicious food options. Local seafood is a staple in Sarasota, as fresh fish, shellfish, and stone crab claws are always on the menu. But you can find more than just seafood in Sarasota. The city’s culinary scene reflects the diversity of the people who live there, with a variety of cuisines and restaurants that represent global cultures.

Sarasota has a long and storied history, from early indigenous inhabitants to later European and African settlers. Today, visitors can experience Sarasota’s past at historic sites, such as the Ringling Museum of Art, Ca’ d’Zan, and the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. Outside of town, visitors can explore the past and culture of the area at the Crowley Museum and Nature Center and the Spanish Point Museum.