
Since shopping for our Florida house in 2017, I’ve obtained fairly just a few DMs and emails asking about issues to do in Sarasota. This query appears to be additional standard this time of yr when everyone seems to be flocking to hotter climate. One of many explanation why we love residing right here is that there’s at all times one thing to do. This metropolis is stuffed with enjoyable actions (a lot of that are free!), scrumptious locations to eat, and new areas to discover.
At this time I’m going to spotlight a few of my favourite actions and eating places in Sarasota. And since I do know guests oftentimes prefer to enterprise into the encompassing areas, I’m additionally going to share some native favorites that span from Siesta Key as much as Anna Maria Island. By the tip, you’ll be able to pack your baggage, throw on a snug airport outfit, and plan a visit!
How Badly Did the Hurricanes in 2024 Have an effect on Sarasota?
First I wished to deal with the elephant within the room and focus on how the 2024 hurricane season affected the realm. I’m not going to lie, the Sarasota space obtained hit fairly arduous, struggling by far the worst hurricane season I’ve seen. Between Debbie, Milton, and Helene, we had fairly a little bit of flooding and wind harm. The excellent news is that we’re actually again within the swing of issues. All seashores except North Lido Seashore and South Lido Seashore are open and virtually all eating places are again in operation. The airport is in fact working at totally capability (and increasing!) and all roads are good to go.
So many small companies and household owned eating places wish to make up lots of missed earnings from being closed, in addition to cowl bills from damages. Now’s the time to indicate your help for the locations you’re keen on!
Favourite Issues to Do in Sarasota
There are a ton of various methods to spend a day, or perhaps a week, in Sarasota. Your ideally suited itinerary will rely on your purpose for visiting the town and with whom you’re touring. Do you wish to spend time enjoyable on the seaside? Possibly you’re hoping to do some procuring and eating together with your important different? Or possibly you’re touring with youngsters and searching for enjoyable issues to do in Sarasota as a household? I’m going to the touch on somewhat little bit of every part, as we’ve loved doing it all around the previous few years!
Sarasota Seashores
Probably the most standard causes to go to or stay in Sarasota is for the breathtaking seashores. Personally, my favourite native seaside is Siesta Key. Not solely is the sand and water lovely however the location and facilities at this seaside are nice as nicely. Town paid for a large renovation of Siesta Key in 2016 and the end result was a giant improve! The facilities close by are nice together with the general public bogs, meals choices, and areas of shade. Whereas this seaside is probably the most accessible on the subject of parking, I’ll warn you that the majority spots are snagged by 10 AM through the busy season. So you should definitely plan accordingly!
If testing seashores is on the high of your issues to do in Sarasota listing, then you may also wish to make your strategy to Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. LBK has some lovely public seaside entry factors. The draw back is that the parking is extraordinarily restricted and there aren’t many facilities obtainable. The big public seaside on AMI, Coquina Seashore, does have parking, bogs, and altering areas. Nevertheless, I nonetheless desire Siesta Key!
Native Issues to Do in Sarasota
One thing we’ve loved whereas residing right here is experiencing the distinctive native occasions. There’s at all times one thing occurring! Town hosts First Friday occasions, for which the streets downtown are closed and there are a ton of meals choices, procuring, and free leisure.
One in all my favourite issues to do in Sarasota is to discover the Farmers Market on Saturdays. This market isn’t simply restricted to supply. As a substitute, it really highlights lots of the native retailers and artisans within the space.
And on the subject of occasions to plan round, I at all times examine the schedule on the Van Wezel, which is our native performing arts corridor. Sarasota will get nice musical acts to carry out right here and you’ll usually get actually affordable costs! You possibly can see the present schedule right here.
Town additionally simply accomplished an enormous challenge by Van Wezel branded The Bay. It has fascinating strolling paths, a park for the children, a canoe launch, waterfront sitting and The Nest the place you may seize a drink and simply benefit from the sunshine. Additionally they have films within the park and free yoga. You possibly can see your complete schedule right here!
Child-Pleasant Issues to Do in Sarasota
In case you are searching for kid-friendly issues to do in Sarasota, I’d suggest Selby Backyard and Mote Aquarium. Sarasota has had fairly a growth over the previous 5 years. Subsequently, the town is working to improve lots of the favored sights, together with each of those.
Selby Backyard is an effective way to see a lot of the attractive nature Florida has to supply. I’ll put a disclaimer that this is among the spots nonetheless recovering a from the storms, however nonetheless price a go to. They continually have actions geared towards each kids and adults – You possibly can take a look at their full schedule right here. The ability simply completed a large multi million greenback renovation that incudes an unimaginable restaurant, The Inexperienced Orchid!
Mote Aquarium is a very candy aquarium that seems like “old fashioned” Florida. They too are getting a MAJOR improve, set to be accomplished in 2025. For now, you may go to the situation they’ve been at for many years on Longboat Key. They’ve sea turtles, manatees, rays and a lot extra! You possibly can comply with alongside right here to see when the brand new Mote will open within the UTC space.
Sarasota Museums
The Sarasota Artwork Museum, which simply opened in 2019, is a superb spot to go to. They’re continually bringing in new artworks that really feel contemporary and related. At 15,000 sq toes, the museum feels substantial, however not overwhelming. I additionally love the candy bistro that they’ve on-site. It’s a terrific place to sit down and seize a espresso. Along with displaying unimaginable artwork, the museum hosts a very enjoyable outside jazz efficiency as soon as a month. Throughout this occasion, you may chill out and benefit from the music whereas additionally grabbing a glass of wine and even dinner!
The Ringling Museum will little doubt pop up when you’re searching for issues to do in Sarasota. I discover the grounds of the Ringling Museum to be beautiful, however the precise displays to be underwhelming. Moreover, the Ringling Museum is usually crowded, particularly through the busy season. So be ready to circle for parking and to come across some traces whereas visiting.
Buying in Sarasota
Whereas I wouldn’t say Sarasota is a shopping-centric city, we do have some true gems. Canned Ham Classic is an unimaginable classic store that you just shouldn’t miss. I’ve purchased so a lot of my favourite objects there (the earrings are at all times top-notch) and they’re continually getting new stock! Camilyn Beth is a neighborhood designer who’s as gifted as she is form. Her retailer is positioned proper on Palm Avenue, along with her design studio proper above! The Met Trend Home in St. Armands Circle has a terrific collection of a few of my favourite manufacturers corresponding to Veronica Beard, Self-Portrait, and See by Chloe!
Talking of St. Armands Circle, spending a day procuring, eating, and exploring this space is a favourite factor to do in Sarasota for a lot of guests. It’s a terrific space for those who’re seeking to simply get out, seize a chew to eat, and do a little bit of procuring. My favourite eating places in St. Armands are 15 South by Napule, Colombia (a basic that has been round for greater than 100 years), and Crab and Fin. Sadly, Shore in St. Armands is among the eating places that made the heartbreaking choice to completely shut their location after the storms.
Equally, for those who’re procuring downtown, there are lots of nice locations to seize meals or cocktails as nicely. I really like Owen’s Fish Camp for dinner (they’ve a terrific area out again for teenagers to run round with stay music), State Road for cocktails, Selva for dinner (don’t miss the home chopped salad), and the Fountain for an off-the-cuff pizza date. There’s additionally the newly opened Beso I really like for nice tapas.
Favourite Eating places in Sarasota
Okay, now that I’m serious about it, eating in Sarasota wants its personal part – There are simply so many nice choices! It’s arduous to nail down my favorites, however here’s a listing of some of my favorites. I say this as a result of I do know I’m going to by chance go away somebody I really like off the listing!
Seafood Eating places
- Walt’s: This restaurant is third generation-owned and so they catch fish every day. I really like the Oscar off the Hook and the fish dip! Wait occasions may be lengthy, as this can be a vastly standard spot for locals and guests alike.
- Veronica’s: Set in Southside Village, Veronicas is a darkish, cozy uncooked bar. They’ve an superior skirt steak, the very best Caesar salad, and superior oysters (clearly!) I really like eating on the bar, which is first come first serve, however they do take reservations for the eating room.
- Owen’s Fish Camp: A captivating seafood restaurant set in an outdated cottage – That is such a darling place to dine. There’s a big yard with a separate bar and so they usually have stay music. The Low Nation Broil is superb, and if they’ve Scamp because the native catch get it (belief me)!! Owen’s will get insanely crowded, so that you’ll wish to arrive early and be ready to attend, as they don’t take reservations.
- Spearfish: Situated on Siesta Key, this little informal spot has quick, contemporary, straightforward, and really tasty dishes. The grouper bites and the coconut shrimp are my private favorites on the menu.
- Whitney’s: One in all my absolute favourite issues to do in Sarasota is dine at Whitney’s. This informal spot is ready in an outdated fuel station, and on most days all of the home windows and doorways are open. The queso is superior and I additionally love the LBK Bowl. This menu is nice for sharing and so they have stay music each Friday!
- Jack Dusty’s – If you need a pleasant, enjoyable brunch with a view, I’d take a look at Jack Dusty’s within the Ritz. I really like sitting exterior and catching up with girlfriends on a fairly Sarasota day! The Ritz additionally simply opened a brand new spot Rufa that has wonderful cocktails!
American Eating places
- Indigenous: Situated downtown in an lovable cottage, this restaurant is domestically sourced with an ever-changing menu. Every little thing I’ve had right here is mouth-watering, even the best dishes. That is the proper spot for a pleasant date evening or to rejoice an important day.
- Adeline: Perviously Meloria, this restaurant in South Facet village has rebranded to Adeline. It has a brand new and up to date menu that’s simply as tasty and now presents a really cool lunch menu below the identify Little A!
- Shore: There have been two Shore places, one in St. Armands and one on LBK. Sadly the St. Armands location closed, however LBK remains to be open! Attempt to snag a desk on the Shore LBK with a water view. I get one thing completely different each time I dine right here and I’ve by no means been upset.
Different Kinds of Delicacies
- Florence and the Spice Boys: This tremendous standard meals truck opened their first everlasting location this yr and the area is as superb because the meals. They fully reworked the restaurant that they took over and added so many private touches. The menu is at all times fascinating! A few of my favorites embrace the turmeric fried hen sandwich and the fried brussel sprouts.
- Origins Pizza: Origins is my go-to when ordering pizza. They’ve a number of places now, which makes eating in tremendous straightforward. The newly opened spot at The Landings is nice. I at all times order my pie skinny and further crispy!
- Columbia: The oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia is a full-on attraction. Dinner could be a little bit of a zoo, since that is on so many guests’ “should eat” listing. For that reason, I usually love to do a late lunch right here and I get the 1905 salad with the unique Cuban.
- Artisan Cheese Firm: Whereas that is largely a cheese store (and a rattling nice one!) it’s also possible to pop in for lunch or to order a cheese board and glass of wine to remain. The lunch menu is usually small, however mighty, and the area has a really cool industrial, but welcoming, really feel. The store additionally has nice sourdough, natural wines, spreads imported from all around the world, and the very best cheese choice in Sarasota.
- State Road: Should you love a cocktail, that is your house. Situated within the coronary heart of downtown, this darkish, romantic bar is inside strolling distance to so many eating places. I really like grabbing a martini right here earlier than heading off to Selva, Owens, or one of many different nice spots on Foremost Road.
New Sarasota Eating places
- Arts and Central Cafe: It’s no secret I LOVE the Rosemary district. Arts and Central is a big, fashionable restaurant with indoor and outside eating that’s such a terrific addition to Sarasota. They help artists and have a wonderful menu.
- Spice: That is my favourite Indian spot on the town. This the sister restaurant to Tikki, named top-of-the-line Indian eating places in Florida. A superb selection for take out on a comfortable evening or a big get collectively.
- Malmosto: Discuss a beautiful, small Italian spot with probably the most fascinating wine lists. I used to be launched to this hidden spot by a buddy and it has been a go to for each date evening and women evening.
- Kojo and Bar Hana: A contemporary Asian spot that has a little bit of every part. I really like the sushi, noodles and every part in between. If you need a extra upscale eating expertise pop into Kojo however if you would like extra of a enjoyable, bar setting to eat and let unfastened, head to Bar Hana subsequent door!
- J’s Korean: I simply ate right here for the primary time this week and will probably be returning ASAP. Eating in is barely extra informal, however nonetheless great and the workers is so form. The fried hen and Bibimbap had been my private favorites.
- Ocean Prime: Probably the most upscale eating places to open in a while, this place has obtained lots of buzz. They simply opened the final week in December and I’ve but to go. Pals have raved concerning the meals, service, and views…however it’s going to price you a fairly penny!
- Lefty’s Oyster Bar: Okay I haven’t been right here but both…however as a result of it opened lower than 24 hours in the past! I’ve watched them do the construct out and been following right here for updates and plan on heading there this weekend to test it out.
Sarasota Favorites
Phew, so long as this listing of issues to do in Sarasota appears to be, I really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor! I shared just a few extra Sarasota favorites in this publish as nicely. And for those who occur to be touring right here (or anyplace!) this winter, you could wish to take a look at my journey must-haves, airport outfit concepts, and my favourite journey magnificence merchandise.