Issues to Do in Sarasota: The Greatest Actions & Eating places

Since shopping for our Florida house in 2017, I’ve obtained fairly a number of DMs and emails asking about issues to do in Sarasota. This query appears to be further fashionable this time of 12 months when everyone seems to be flocking to hotter climate. One of many the reason why we love dwelling right here is that there’s all the time one thing to do. This metropolis is stuffed with enjoyable actions (lots of that are free!), scrumptious locations to eat, and new areas to discover.

In the present day I’m going to focus on a few of my favourite actions and eating places in Sarasota. And since I do know guests oftentimes prefer to enterprise into the encompassing areas, I’m additionally going to share some native favorites that span from Siesta Key as much as Anna Maria Island. By the top, you’ll be able to pack your luggage, throw on a snug airport outfit, and plan a visit!

How Badly Did the Hurricanes in 2024 Have an effect on Sarasota?

First I needed to handle the elephant within the room and talk about how the 2024 hurricane season affected the world. I’m not going to lie, the Sarasota space acquired hit fairly exhausting, struggling by far the worst hurricane season I’ve seen. Between Debbie, Milton, and Helene, we had fairly a little bit of flooding and wind harm. The excellent news is that we’re actually again within the swing of issues. All seashores apart from North Lido Seaside and South Lido Seaside are open and nearly all eating places are again in operation. The airport is after all working at totally capability (and increasing!) and all roads are good to go.

So many small companies and household owned eating places want to make up a whole lot of missed earnings from being closed, in addition to cowl bills from damages. Now could be the time to indicate your assist for the locations you like!

Favourite Issues to Do in Sarasota

There are a ton of various methods to spend a day, or perhaps a week, in Sarasota. Your supreme itinerary will rely on your purpose for visiting the town and with whom you’re touring. Do you need to spend time stress-free on the seaside? Perhaps you’re hoping to do some purchasing and eating along with your vital different? Or possibly you’re touring with children and on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Sarasota as a household? I’m going to the touch on a bit little bit of every thing, as we’ve loved doing it all around the previous few years!

Sarasota Seashores

Some of the fashionable causes to go to or stay in Sarasota is for the breathtaking seashores. Personally, my favourite native seaside is Siesta Key. Not solely is the sand and water stunning however the location and facilities at this seaside are nice as nicely. The town paid for a large renovation of Siesta Key in 2016 and the end result was an enormous improve! The facilities close by are nice together with the general public loos, meals choices, and areas of shade. Whereas this seaside is probably the most accessible with regards to parking, I’ll warn you that the majority spots are snagged by 10 AM throughout the busy season. So make sure to plan accordingly!

If trying out seashores is on the high of your issues to do in Sarasota checklist, then you may additionally need to make your technique to Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. LBK has some stunning public seaside entry factors. The draw back is that the parking is extraordinarily restricted and there aren’t many facilities accessible. The big public seaside on AMI, Coquina Seaside, does have parking, loos, and altering areas. Nonetheless, I nonetheless desire Siesta Key!

Native Issues to Do in Sarasota

One thing we’ve loved whereas dwelling right here is experiencing the distinctive native occasions. There may be all the time one thing happening! The town hosts First Friday occasions, for which the streets downtown are closed and there are a ton of meals choices, purchasing, and free leisure.

One in every of my favourite issues to do in Sarasota is to discover the Farmers Market on Saturdays. This market isn’t simply restricted to supply. As a substitute, it really highlights most of the native outlets and artisans within the space.

And with regards to occasions to plan round, I all the time examine the schedule on the Van Wezel, which is our native performing arts corridor. Sarasota will get nice musical acts to carry out right here and you may sometimes get actually cheap costs! You’ll be able to see the present schedule right here. 

The town additionally simply accomplished an enormous challenge by Van Wezel branded The Bay. It has attention-grabbing strolling paths, a park for the children, a canoe launch, waterfront sitting and The Nest the place you’ll be able to seize a drink and simply benefit from the sunshine. In addition they have films within the park and free yoga. You’ll be able to see your complete schedule right here!

Child-Pleasant Issues to Do in Sarasota

In case you are on the lookout for kid-friendly issues to do in Sarasota, I might advocate Selby Backyard and Mote Aquarium. Sarasota has had fairly a increase over the previous 5 years. Subsequently, the town is working to improve a whole lot of the favored points of interest, together with each of those.

Selby Backyard is an effective way to see a lot of the attractive nature Florida has to supply. I’ll put a disclaimer that this is among the spots nonetheless recovering a from the storms, however nonetheless value a go to. They always have actions geared towards each youngsters and adults – You’ll be able to take a look at their full schedule right here. The power simply completed a large multi million greenback renovation that incudes an unimaginable restaurant, The Inexperienced Orchid!

Mote Aquarium is a extremely candy aquarium that looks like “old fashioned” Florida. They too are getting a MAJOR improve, set to be accomplished in 2025. For now, you’ll be able to go to the situation they’ve been at for many years on Longboat Key. They’ve sea turtles, manatees, rays and a lot extra! You’ll be able to comply with alongside right here to see when the brand new Mote will open within the UTC space.

Sarasota Museums

The Sarasota Artwork Museum, which simply opened in 2019, is an excellent spot to go to. They’re always bringing in new artworks that really feel recent and related. At 15,000 sq toes, the museum feels substantial, however not overwhelming. I additionally love the candy bistro that they’ve on-site. It’s an important place to sit down and seize a espresso. Along with displaying unimaginable artwork, the museum hosts a extremely enjoyable outside jazz efficiency as soon as a month. Throughout this occasion, you’ll be able to chill out and benefit from the music whereas additionally grabbing a glass of wine and even dinner!

The Ringling Museum will little doubt pop up if you find yourself on the lookout for issues to do in Sarasota. I discover the grounds of the Ringling Museum to be gorgeous, however the precise reveals to be underwhelming. Moreover, the Ringling Museum is usually crowded, particularly throughout the busy season. So be ready to circle for parking and to come across some traces whereas visiting.

Buying in Sarasota

Whereas I wouldn’t say Sarasota is a shopping-centric city, we do have some true gems. Canned Ham Classic is an unimaginable classic store that you simply shouldn’t miss. I’ve purchased so lots of my favourite objects there (the earrings are all the time top-notch) and they’re always getting new stock! Camilyn Beth is an area designer who’s as proficient as she is sort. Her retailer is positioned proper on Palm Avenue, together with her design studio proper above! The Met Style Home in St. Armands Circle has an important choice of a few of my favourite manufacturers equivalent to Veronica Beard, Self-Portrait, and See by Chloe! 

Talking of St. Armands Circle, spending a day purchasing, eating, and exploring this space is a favourite factor to do in Sarasota for a lot of guests. It’s an important space when you’re trying to simply get out, seize a chew to eat, and do a little bit of purchasing. My favourite eating places in St. Armands are 15 South by Napule, Colombia (a traditional that has been round for greater than 100 years), and Crab and Fin. Sadly, Shore in St. Armands is among the eating places that made the heartbreaking determination to completely shut their location after the storms.

Equally, when you’re purchasing downtown, there are lots of nice locations to seize meals or cocktails as nicely. I really like Owen’s Fish Camp for dinner (they’ve an important area out again for youths to run round with stay music), State Avenue for cocktails, Selva for dinner (don’t miss the home chopped salad), and the Fountain for an off-the-cuff pizza date. There may be additionally the newly opened Beso I really like for nice tapas.

Favourite Eating places in Sarasota

Okay, now that I’m occupied with it, eating in Sarasota wants its personal part – There are simply so many nice choices! It’s exhausting to nail down my favorites, however here’s a checklist of some of my favorites. I say this as a result of I do know I’m going to unintentionally go away somebody I really like off the checklist!

Seafood Eating places

1. Walt’s: This restaurant is third generation-owned and so they catch fish day by day. I really like the Oscar off the Hook and the fish dip! Wait instances may be lengthy, as it is a vastly fashionable spot for locals and guests alike. 
2. Veronica’s: Set in Southside Village, Veronicas is a darkish, cozy uncooked bar. They’ve an superior skirt steak, the very best Caesar salad, and superior oysters (clearly!) I really like eating on the bar, which is first come first serve, however they do take reservations for the eating room.
3. Owen’s Fish Camp: A captivating seafood restaurant set in an previous cottage – That is such a darling place to dine. There’s a large yard with a separate bar and so they sometimes have stay music. The Low Nation Broil is superb, and if they’ve Scamp because the native catch get it (belief me)!! Owen’s will get insanely crowded, so that you’ll need to arrive early and be ready to attend, as they don’t take reservations. 
4. Spearfish: Positioned on Siesta Key, this little informal spot has quick, recent, straightforward, and really tasty dishes. The grouper bites and the coconut shrimp are my private favorites on the menu. 
5. Whitney’s: One in every of my absolute favourite issues to do in Sarasota is dine at Whitney’s. This informal spot is about in an previous gasoline station, and on most days all of the home windows and doorways are open. The queso is superior and I additionally love the LBK Bowl. This menu is nice for sharing and so they have stay music each Friday! 
6. Jack Dusty’s – If you would like a pleasant, stress-free brunch with a view, I might take a look at Jack Dusty’s within the Ritz. I really like sitting outdoors and catching up with girlfriends on a fairly Sarasota day! The Ritz additionally simply opened a brand new spot Rufa that has glorious cocktails!

American Eating places

1. Indigenous: Positioned downtown in an lovely cottage, this restaurant is domestically sourced with an ever-changing menu. All the things I’ve had right here is mouth-watering, even the only dishes. That is the right spot for a pleasant date evening or to have a good time an important day.
2. Adeline: Perviously Meloria, this restaurant in South Facet village has rebranded to Adeline. It has a brand new and up to date menu that’s simply as tasty and now affords a really cool lunch menu beneath the title Little A!
3. Shore: There have been two Shore areas, one in St. Armands and one on LBK. Sadly the St. Armands location closed, however LBK continues to be open! Attempt to snag a desk on the Shore LBK with a water view. I get one thing completely different each time I dine right here and I’ve by no means been dissatisfied. 

Different Sorts of Delicacies

1. Florence and the Spice Boys: This tremendous fashionable meals truck opened their first everlasting location this 12 months and the area is as superb because the meals. They fully reworked the restaurant that they took over and added so many private touches. The menu is all the time attention-grabbing! A few of my favorites embrace the turmeric fried hen sandwich and the fried brussel sprouts.
2. Origins Pizza: Origins is my go-to when ordering pizza. They’ve a number of areas now, which makes eating in tremendous straightforward. The newly opened spot at The Landings is nice. I all the time order my pie skinny and further crispy! 
3. Columbia: The oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia is a full-on attraction. Dinner generally is a little bit of a zoo, since that is on so many guests’ “should eat” checklist. Because of this, I sometimes love to do a late lunch right here and I get the 1905 salad with the unique Cuban.
4. Artisan Cheese Firm: Whereas that is largely a cheese store (and a rattling nice one!) you can too pop in for lunch or to order a cheese board and glass of wine to remain. The lunch menu is usually small, however mighty, and the area has a really cool industrial, but welcoming, really feel. The store additionally has nice sourdough, natural wines, spreads imported from all around the world, and the very best cheese choice in Sarasota. 
5. State Avenue: In case you love a cocktail, that is your house. Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown, this darkish, romantic bar is inside strolling distance to so many eating places. I really like grabbing a martini right here earlier than heading off to Selva, Owens, or one of many different nice spots on Primary Avenue.

New Sarasota Eating places

1. Arts and Central Cafe: It’s no secret I LOVE the Rosemary district. Arts and Central is a big, fashionable restaurant with indoor and outside eating that’s such an important addition to Sarasota. They assist artists and have a superb menu.
2. Spice: That is my favourite Indian spot on the town. This the sister restaurant to Tikki, named probably the greatest Indian eating places in Florida. A superb selection for take out on a comfortable evening or a big get collectively.
3. Malmosto: Discuss a beautiful, small Italian spot with probably the most attention-grabbing wine lists. I used to be launched to this hidden spot by a pal and it has been a go to for each date evening and women evening.
4. Kojo and Bar Hana: A contemporary Asian spot that has a little bit of every thing. I really like the sushi, noodles and every thing in between. If you would like a extra upscale eating expertise pop into Kojo however if you’d like extra of a enjoyable, bar setting to eat and let free, head to Bar Hana subsequent door!
5. J’s Korean: I simply ate right here for the primary time this week and will probably be returning ASAP. Eating in is barely extra informal, however nonetheless fantastic and the workers is so sort. The fried hen and Bibimbap have been my private favorites.
6. Ocean Prime: Some of the upscale eating places to open in a while, this place has obtained a whole lot of buzz. They simply opened the final week in December and I’ve but to go. Mates have raved concerning the meals, service, and views…however it’ll price you a fairly penny!
7. Lefty’s Oyster Bar: Okay I haven’t been right here but both…however as a result of it opened lower than 24 hours in the past! I’ve watched them do the construct out and been following right here for updates and plan on heading there this weekend to test it out.

Sarasota Favorites

Phew, so long as this checklist of issues to do in Sarasota appears to be, I really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor! I shared a number of extra Sarasota favorites in this submit as nicely. And when you occur to be touring right here (or wherever!) this winter, it’s possible you’ll need to take a look at my journey must-haves, airport outfit concepts, and my favourite journey magnificence merchandise.