Best Things To Do in Sarasota

John Ringling was the marketing force behind the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. He and his wife, Mable, built their dream home in Sarasota in 1925 and named it Ca d’Zan (the House of John in the Venetian dialect). It was modeled after the homes and palaces they’d seen in Venice during their extensive travels in Europe. The home is nothing short of spectacular, its terra cotta and glazed tile facade punctuated by an 81-foot belvedere tower. Inside, you’ll find room after room paneled in hand-carved oak with marble floors, stained glass windows and filled with priceless works of art. Out back there’s a nearly 30,000-square-foot rose garden. Like the homes in Newport, Rhode Island, the word “mansion” hardly does it justice; this is a palace. John and Mable were passionate art collectors and they built a museum on the scale of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, on the grounds of the Ca d’Zan. The museum alone would be a star attraction in any city in the U.S.; its collection includes numerous Old Masters (Rubens, Titian, Tintoretto, van Dyck, El Greco) along with ancient Etruscan and Greek antiquities and a growing collection of Asian art. It even has a cast of Michelangelo’s David and a replica of the Fountain of Tortoises from the Piazza Mattei in Rome. The grounds also include the Circus Museum filled with circus wagons, posters and photographs—Sarasota was the winter headquarters for the Ringling Brothers circus—along with the Tibbals Learning Center, named for master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. He spent 50 years producing the world's largest miniature circus—The Howard Bros. Circus—in exact, to-scale replicas of the 1920s and '30s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

This is one of the oldest attractions in the state, having opened 70 years ago. Approximately 85 percent of the animals that reside here are a mix of rescues and donations from pet owners who couldn’t keep them, all living on 10 acres heavily forested with tropical plants. Bird and reptile shows take place throughout the day, and if you’ve got little ones, they can play in the Kiddie Jungle, with its tree house, haunted tree, swings and wooden train. This is a good place to get a look at an alligator—and even hold one if you have the nerve. If you’re interested, there are three shows that run throughout the day—Birds of Prey & Critters & things, Reptile Encounter and Birds of the Rainforests. There is a cafe serving hot dogs and light snacks, but you can see most of this in a morning or afternoon, so eat lunch before or after. Open 10AM-5PM every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (60 and up), $10 for kids aged 3-12; children 2 and under get in free.

While southwest Florida isn’t the Keys, the water is warm and calm, perfect for getting wet, snorkeling or diving. For snorkelers there are some ledges close to shore that attract small fish, and if you’re in the mood for a full scuba experience, the artificial reefs and especially the wreck of the freighter Bayronto make enjoyable excursions. Florida Underwater Sports can set you up with everything—gear, instructions and guided tours—for a nice day on (and under) the water.

Sure, they look goofy, but Segways are a lot of fun. The staff here will get you on one and riding confidently in no time, get you through a quick orientation and let you practice before setting off on one of three tour routes: The Historic/Scenic Tour through downtown Sarasota and Sarasota Bayfront at Island Park, which is 5 miles and 2.5 hours long ($68); the Cultural & Arts tour, which is 7 miles and 2.5 hours ($78), and the Deluxe Bay & Beaches Tour, which covers 12 miles and lasts 3 hours ($88). You can save if you book online in advance.