Sarasota: Art, Theater, and Botanical Gardens

A stay in Sarasota can focus on a range of themes: contemporary art, circus arts, stage performances, and botanical gardens. The venues differ in both their offerings and their history. When planning your trip, you can start by choosing which of these themes interest you most.

Art, History, and Architecture

The downtown campus of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens covers 15 acres along Sarasota Bay. Another cultural campus in Sarasota is operated by The Ringling and covers 66 acres. The Ringling Museum of Art is Florida’s official state art museum; the Circus Museum presents historical and contemporary circus arts. The Ringling’s offerings therefore highlight different ways to explore art and circus. At 66 acres, the Ringling campus is more than four times the size of the downtown campus of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Sarasota Art Museum takes a different approach: it is dedicated to contemporary art and was created by transforming the historic Sarasota High School into an art museum and educational center for the visual arts. Its role as a museum is thus connected to the history of a school building. If you are interested in contemporary art or the adaptive reuse of historic buildings, this story offers a distinct thematic perspective.

Stages and Events

Sarasota Opera House is a historic theater dating from 1926. Its program includes operas, symphony concerts, classical ballet, film festivals, popular music concerts, and comedy shows. Its offerings therefore extend beyond opera. Sarasota Opera also provides performances for local schools.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall was built in 1968 and 1969 and is located on Sarasota Bay. It is the only theater in the world shaped like a purple seashell. Every summer, the hall hosts free outdoor concerts on its lawn as part of Friday Fest. Individual event schedules may vary, so check the dates for your travel period. This offers a different focus from the wide range of stage performances at Sarasota Opera House.

Gardens and Practical Information

At Sarasota Jungle Gardens, visitors can hand-feed free-roaming flamingos; specific opportunities to participate may vary. The attraction is one of Florida’s oldest continuously operating attractions. Mote Science Education Aquarium is located at 225 University Town Center Drive in Sarasota, Florida.

There is a SCAT bus stop in front of Sarasota Art Museum on South Tamiami Trail. If you plan to use the bus to get around, check current routes in advance.

Discover more destinations: Osprey, Bee Ridge, The Meadows, Vamo, Englewood, Siesta Key, Venice, Nokomis.

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