The Official Website For Everything Sarasota, Florida

If you are looking for diversity in every aspect of your life, Sarasota is the perfect place to be.

Living in or visiting Sarasota you will find that there is so much to do and see. It will take more than just a few days - or even years - in Sarasota to explore and discover everything this town has to offer. Sarasota is home so many different and wonderful attractions; including museums, galleries, shopping, fine dining, fishing, beaches, theaters, and so much more. While many towns in Florida offer great beaches, and others have famous attractions, Sarasota is a rare, privileged location that enjoys the best of all worlds in one place.

Sarasota was founded in 1885 by the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company, based in Scotland. Many Scottish families came to Sarasota to start a new life. However, when they arrived, the area wasn't what they had believed it to be, so they returned home. One of the key people who stayed was a man named John Gillespie. In 1905, Mr. Gillespie created America's first nine-hole golf course in what is now Downtown Sarasota. The golf course no longer exists, but Mr. Gillespie legacy lives on in Sarasota. He has parks named for him in the downtown area, and the Sarasota County Historical Commission has dedicated October 24th - October 30th as John Hamilton Gillespie Week.

Rich in artistic heritage, Sarasota will keep you enthralled in exploring its artistic treasures - paintings, sculptures and gorgeous photography - for years to come. One of Sarasota's most famous families is largely responsible for the growth of the arts community in Sarasota. John and Mable Ringling, from Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus fame, considered Sarasota their home. Mr. and Mrs. Ringling designed the beautiful Venetian style mansion known as Ca'd'Zan which was their personal residence. They had many fine collectible pieces and art that they didn't have room to store in their home; this was the genesis of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Their tradition continues with the Ringling School of Art and Design, a prestigious art school located in Sarasota.

John Ringling was instrumental in other areas of growth in Sarasota and is part of a colorful legacy. He helped build the first bridge going from Sarasota to St. Armand's Circle, with the help of his circus elephants; developed the first residences on Bird Key, and was the original idea man behind St. Armand's Circle. His name is prevalent throughout our city, as is the circus history he brought to the town.

Countless other galleries and districts dedicated to art and the artistic lifestyle can be found in Sarasota. Towles Court, Burns Court, Palm Avenue and Pineapple Square all showcase galleries and boutiques which are rich in opportunities to explore and find treasures. If art is not your ideal endeavor in Sarasota then perhaps visiting one of our world famous beaches may be.

Sarasota is beautifully located in central west Florida, about an hour drive south of Tampa. Sarasota is comprised of a large mainland area, and several islands off the coast, known as her keys. These keys include Casey Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key.

Sarasota is home to the number one beach in the United States, world renowned Siesta Key Beach. Of course there are many other great beaches in Sarasota, notably Lido Beach. If you are willing to travel a little bit north of Sarasota, you will find Bradenton Beach and Anna Marie Island, both a bit more natural and rugged, with a charm all their own. Travel just south of Sarasota, and you will find Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach, known as the Sharks Tooth Capital of the World.

Ready for some culture? The Van Wezel Performing Arts Center is located near downtown Sarasota, and is a must-see when visiting our city. The Van Wezel, locally referred as the "Purple Cow" is known as one of the best places in the country to see a variety of performing arts, from Broadway shows to symphony performances to comedic acts. They have shows year round, and have something for every artistic taste. There are many other theaters in Sarasota, such as the Banyan Theater Company. The Asolo, the Golden Apple Dinner Theater and Florida Studio Theater, but be careful when planning - some are only during the summer months. If you prefer shopping, Sarasota will certainly not let you down. St. Armand's Circle, a short drive from downtown Sarasota, offers world class shopping and dining. St. Armand's is home to hundreds of unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. After you are done shopping, you can get yourself a gelato and take a nice relaxing walk on Lido Beach, just a few blocks west of St Armand's. Downtown Sarasota also offers some of the best dining and shopping one could find anywhere else on earth, with cuisine ranging from Thai to Mexican to Greek to Spanish, all on a few city blocks.

You can't live on all this water and not love to fish. Fishing is a very popular past time for Sarasotans as well. Options for the avid angler include fishing on the pier at downtown Hart's Landing, off the broken piers on Siesta Key, or chartering a boat out into the gulf for some deep sea fishing. If you really want to get up close with the beaches while fishing then Sarasota offers some of the best "surf" fishing in the state. Just don't forget your fishing license.

As you would expect with all this sun, many of our attractions are outdoors. The Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary is a very exciting attraction you wouldn't expect in a world class beach town. The habitat is home to some of the world's most exotic animals. Brutus, a rare Liger, is one of its most famous residents. (A liger is a mix between a tiger and lion) The Big Cat Habitat and Sanctuary is a great place to take your family for a day of fun and education.

If you are a sports fan, especially baseball, might we recommend going to see the Baltimore Orioles during their Spring Training in Sarasota? If you are true to your team there is a good chance you can see them playing at one of the other Grapefruit League venues within an hour of Sarasota , including Pirates stadium in Bradenton and popular Legends Field, home of the Yankees, only an hour away. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is an excellent place to visit if you are into landscaping, beautiful gardens and home botany. The Botanical Gardens house a variety of plant life from both local to the region and from around the globe, and houses the world's rarest collection of orchids. The Gardens were home to one of our most beloved residents, Marie Selby, who left her estate on the Bay to the city upon her death. She would be pleased to see the extravagant gardens, gorgeous light exhibits, and event venues, including weddings that her home now hosts. If you are trying to find something more exciting for the kids to do, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is an excellent place to entertain them. An eclectic mix of local flora and exotic animals make for a great day of fun and education, with several shows each day that allow kids to interact with the animals.

If you love the outdoors, but want some more seclusion, try camping in one of Sarasota's National Parks. Oscar Scherer and Myakka State Park offer full park amenities from camping to airboat rides, hiking, kayaking, fishing, picnic tables and so much more. The parks offer the opportunity to see "Old Florida" at its finest, with undisturbed old growth oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, birds and local wildlife.

If you can't wait to see Sarasota, view our webcams live year round to check in on the amazing weather, picturesque sunsets and fun! Visiting Sarasota is well worth the trip and living here is so much better. You will never be bored unless you choose to be - welcome to our paradise.