Discover Sarasota’s
Must-See Attractions..
Dive into a handpicked selection of photos capturing Sarasota’s cultural landmarks and natural splendor near our vacation rentals.
Explore Sarasota’s Premier Attractions Near Our Rentals
Uncover the vibrant cultural landmarks, botanical gardens, and family-friendly destinations that make Sarasota a top vacation spot, all just steps from our luxury rentals.
Discover Sarasota’s Premier Attractions
Uncover the must-visit sites around our luxury vacation homes, from art museums to lush gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Stroll through exquisite tropical plants and unique orchid collections in this serene garden oasis.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history. Established by forward thinking women of their time, Selby Gardens is composed of the 15-acre Downtown Sarasota campus and the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus in the Osprey area of Sarasota County, Florida. The Downtown Campus on Sarasota Bay is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, and other tropical plants. There is a significant focus on botany, horticulture, education, historical preservation, and the environment. The Historic Spanish Point (HSP) Campus is located less than 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay. The HSP Campus, one of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants that is interpreted for and open to the public, celebrates an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history.
The Ringling Museum of Art
Here, in an extraordinary place is an extraordinary collection of art. From the Rubens Galleries to Joseph’s Coat: a skyspace by James Turrell, view the permanent collection’s treasures, the fascinating exhibitions from around the world and the classical sculptures that fill the grand courtyard. The State Art Museum of Florida, this awe-inspiring museum was originally built by famed circus impresario John Ringling as a legacy to the citizens of Florida. This is a place of beauty and wonder.
In 1925, circus impresario John Ringling (1866–1936) decided to build an art museum, both as a legacy meant to outlast his business interests and as a memorial to his wife Mable and himself. By sharing the arts of Europe with the people of Florida, Ringling sought to educate and encourage curiosity for the wider world.
John H. Phillips designed the Museum—a pink, Renaissance-style palace with 21 galleries enclosing a courtyard graced with copies of iconic sculptures. First opened in 1930, Ringling filled the Museum with European paintings, paneled rooms from the Gilded Age Astor mansion in New York, and ancient and medieval objects purchased from distinguished collections. Upon his death in 1936, Ringling bequeathed the Museum to the people of Florida..
Ringling Circus Museum
Walk the wire. Squeeze into a clown car. Snap photos with a ferocious (faux) tiger. Thrill to it all: the parade wagons, the posters, the glittering costumes, and the cannon that shot daring performers through the air. Wonder at the must-be-seen-to-be-believed 44,000-piece Howard Bros. Circus Model and the Greatest Show on Earth Mural celebrating the entertainment that has delighted packed houses in great cities and small towns across America for generations. Step right this way…
The Ringling Archives are located in the Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center. The Archives includes the Ringling Collection, John Ringling’s Papers and the Circus Collection. The Circus Collection contains records, manuscripts and papers of the American circus.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals including birds of prey, many different species of parrots and macaws, primates, small mammals, dozens of snakes, lizards, iguanas, alligators, crocodiles and other reptiles – many of them rescued or donated – including Florida’s noted pink flamingos. All nestled within 10 acres of lush tropical landscaping connected by winding jungle trails.
The fascinating flamingos are a favorite among visitors who travel from all over the world to see the long-legged, pink-hued wading birds. The flamingos are not shy and often greet guests personally, sometimes face to face. You might catch them splashing, flapping and strutting around. One may hand-feed them or just view them strolling by. Other times one might see the joy and thrill in a child’s first wide-eyed encounter as they interact with the flamingos, egrets, ducks, swans, pelicans and other wildlife just passing through.
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Discover a Sarasota Gem
Visit McCurdy’s Comedy Theater while you are in town. Les and Pam bring in some big acts! This makes for a great evening activity.
