Sarasota
Around Sarasota
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Metro area · Florida · 934k people
Sarasota
Locals say Suncoast · “Suncoast”, “Cultural Coast”, “Circus City”
North Port · Bradenton · Sarasota · Lakewood Ranch · Venice
Where the Gulf meets the arts
coraldark turquoise
Welcome to the Suncoast, where the Gulf breeze meets southern charm. Whether you're here for the beaches, the arts, or just the sunsets, you'll find your spot. Come say hi and share what you love about this slice of paradise.
Clubs for Sarasota
No clubs for Sarasota yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Sarasota. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Sarasota. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Siesta Key Beach Famous for its powdery white quartz sand.
- The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Historic mansion, art museum, and circus galleries.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Bayfront gardens with a renowned orchid collection.
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Marine research center with live exhibits.
- LECOM Park Spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
- Ed Smith Stadium Spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles.
- Outdoors Kayaking in mangrove tunnels
- Outdoors Fishing from the Venice Jetty
- With kids Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- With kids Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Evenings Tiki bars on Siesta Key
- Evenings Downtown Sarasota bars
- Locals love beaches
- Locals love art museums
Through the year
- Sarasota Film Festival April Indie and documentary films screened across downtown venues.
- Venice Sharks Tooth Festival April Fossil hunting, live music, and food on Venice Beach.
- Siesta Key Crystal Classic November International sand sculpting competition on Siesta Beach.
- Bradenton Blues Festival December Blues performances on the Riverwalk.
- Sarasota Chalk Festival November Street painting and chalk art in downtown Sarasota.
Subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The Gulf breeze keeps things comfortable most of the year. Best: Spring and fall are perfect - warm days, low humidity, and fewer crowds.
Talk like a local
- “Suncoast”
- The region's nickname, referring to the Gulf coast.
- “Snowbird”
- Seasonal winter residents from colder states.
- “The Keys”
- The barrier islands like Siesta, Lido, and Longboat.
- “Spring training”
- The baseball exhibition season in February and March.
Getaways
- Punta Gorda Historic waterfront with shops and fishing.
- Arcadia Old Florida charm and the Peace River.
- Cape Coral Canals and waterfront dining.
- Tampa Bay Big-city museums, Ybor City, and riverwalk.
Local flavour
Teams
- Bradenton Marauders MiLB
- Sarasota Orioles MiLB
Also rooting for Tampa Bay Rays (MLB), Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
Eat and drink
- grouper sandwich A local staple, often fried or grilled, served on a bun with lettuce and tomato.
- stone crab claws Seasonal delicacy, typically served chilled with mustard sauce.
- key lime pie Tart and sweet, a Florida classic.
- Cuban sandwich Influenced by Tampa’s Columbia Restaurant, which has a location in Sarasota.
Where people go
- beaches Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key – powdery white sand and turquoise water.
- art museums The Ringling Museum, Sarasota Art Museum, and smaller galleries.
- botanical gardens Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, known for orchids and tropical plants.
- spring training ballparks LECOM Park (Pirates) and Ed Smith Stadium (Orioles) host Grapefruit League games.
- tiki bars Beachside bars with thatched roofs, live music, and sunset views.
- historic downtowns Sarasota’s Main Street and Bradenton’s Old Main Street offer walkable shops and eateries.
Heritage and traditions
The Suncoast is proud of its world-class arts and culture, its championship-level beaches, and its laid-back, sunny lifestyle that draws visitors and residents alike.
This time of year in Sarasota
- Stone Crab Season October-May Locals feast on stone crab claws from October to May.
- Sea Turtle Nesting Season May-October Residents protect nests and watch hatchlings head to sea.
- Venice Italian Festival October Honors Italian heritage with food, music, and processions.
Say it like a local: “Going to the Gulf” — The Gulf of America, often called just 'the Gulf'.
Festivals
- Sarasota Jazz Festival March Annual spring event featuring world-class jazz musicians.
- Sarasota Seafood & Music Festival November Celebrates Gulf seafood with live bands and local chefs.
- Sarasota Chalk Festival November Street painting and chalk art in downtown Sarasota.
- Venice Italian Festival October Honors Italian heritage with food, music, and processions.
- Bradenton Area Hispanic Heritage Festival September Celebrates Latin American culture with music and food.
- Sarasota Film Festival April Acclaimed independent film festival with celebrity guests.
Landmarks with a story
- The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Former circus magnate's estate, now a world-class museum.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Historic bayfront gardens with rare orchids and bromeliads.
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Research institution and aquarium, a local landmark.
- Sarasota County Courthouse Historic building from 1927, a civic landmark.
- Venice Train Depot 1927 Mediterranean-style depot, now a museum.
- Bradenton Carnegie Library One of the oldest libraries in Florida, built 1918.
Food traditions
- Grouper sandwich Fresh Gulf grouper fried or grilled, a local staple.
- Stone crab claws Seasonal delicacy, served chilled with mustard sauce.
- Key lime pie Tart and sweet, a Florida classic made with key limes.
- Cuban sandwich Pork, ham, Swiss, pickles on pressed bread, a Tampa Bay import.
- Shark teeth soup A quirky local dish at some restaurants, novelty for tourists.
Music and arts
- Sarasota Opera Professional opera company with a historic theater.
- Sarasota Ballet Internationally recognized ballet company.
- Sarasota Orchestra Professional orchestra performing classical and pops.
- Art galleries and studios Vibrant visual arts scene, especially in Towles Court.
A little history
- 1842 Sarasota was founded as a farming and fishing community.
- 1927 John Ringling moved his circus winter quarters here.
- 1931 The Ringling Museum opened, a major cultural attraction.
- 1920s Sarasota became a winter home for the Ringling Bros. Circus.
- 1950s The area grew as a retirement and tourism destination.
- Game day Spring Training Baseball
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Kayaking in mangrove tunnels
- Outdoors Fishing from the Venice Jetty
- With kids Collecting shark teeth at Venice Beach
- With kids Watching the circus at The Ringling
A blend of Southern drawl and Northern transplants, with a laid-back beach vibe. Locals say 'y'all' and drop the 'r' in words like 'Sarasota' (Suh-RAH-suh-tuh).
Only here
- The Ringling Museum houses the world's largest circus collection.
- Venice Beach is a fossil hotspot; sharks teeth are everywhere.
- Sarasota is known as the 'Circus Capital of the World'.
- The area has more roundabouts than most US cities.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters; air conditioning is essential.
- Learn to drive defensively; snowbirds and tourists can be unpredictable.
- Try a grouper sandwich at a local seafood shack soon after moving.
- Embrace the 'island time' pace; things move slower here.
- Get a sun hat and sunscreen; the Florida sun is intense year-round.
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Part of Sarasota area
Nearby
Every areaPunta GordaFloridaQuiet waterfront living with a splash of Old Florida.ArcadiaFloridaWhere the Peace River meets the rodeoFort Myers–Cape CoralFloridaSalt breeze, canal sunsets, and a life on the water.WauchulaFloridaWhere the Peace River winds through cattle countrySebringFloridaWhere the race never ends and the lakes are always calm.Tampa BayFloridaWhere the Gulf breeze meets the city lights.NaplesFloridaSunshine, sunsets, and sea breezes.LakelandFloridaWhere lakes and citrus meet.
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.