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

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

At present I’m going to spotlight a few of my favourite actions and eating places in Sarasota. And since I do know guests oftentimes wish 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 deal with the elephant within the room and focus on how the 2024 hurricane season affected the realm. I’m not going to lie, the Sarasota space bought hit fairly onerous, 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 injury. 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 in fact working at absolutely capability (and increasing!) and all roads are good to go.

So many small companies and household owned eating places want to make up lots of missed earnings from being closed, in addition to cowl bills from damages. Now could be the time to point out 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 best itinerary will rely upon your motive for visiting town and with whom you’re touring. Do you wish to spend time enjoyable on the seashore? Possibly you’re hoping to do some buying and eating along with your vital different? Or possibly you’re touring with youngsters and on the lookout for enjoyable issues to do in Sarasota as a household? I’m going to the touch on slightly little bit of every thing, as we’ve loved doing it everywhere in the previous few years!

Sarasota Seashores

Probably the most well-liked causes to go to or reside in Sarasota is for the breathtaking seashores. Personally, my favourite native seashore is Siesta Key. Not solely is the sand and water stunning however the location and facilities at this seashore are nice as properly. 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 bogs, meals choices, and areas of shade. Whereas this seashore is essentially the most accessible in terms of parking, I’ll warn you that the majority spots are snagged by 10 AM in the course of the busy season. So be sure you plan accordingly!

If trying out seashores is on the prime of your issues to do in Sarasota record, then you may additionally wish to make your approach to Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. LBK has some stunning public seashore entry factors. The draw back is that the parking is extraordinarily restricted and there aren’t many facilities obtainable. The big public seashore on AMI, Coquina Seaside, does have parking, bogs, and altering areas. Nevertheless, I nonetheless desire Siesta Key!

Native Issues to Do in Sarasota

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

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

And in terms of occasions to plan round, I at all times verify 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’ll sometimes get actually affordable 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 possibly can seize a drink and simply benefit from the sunshine. In addition they have motion pictures within the park and free yoga. You’ll be able to see your entire schedule right here!

Child-Pleasant Issues to Do in Sarasota

If you’re on the lookout for kid-friendly issues to do in Sarasota, I’d advocate Selby Backyard and Mote Aquarium. Sarasota has had fairly a growth over the previous 5 years. Subsequently, town is working to improve lots of the favored points of interest, together with each of those.

Selby Backyard is a good way to see a lot of the gorgeous nature Florida has to supply. I’ll put a disclaimer that this is likely one of the spots nonetheless recovering a from the storms, however nonetheless value a go to. They always have actions geared towards each kids and adults – You’ll be able to try their full schedule right here. The ability simply completed a large multi million greenback renovation that incudes an unbelievable restaurant, The Inexperienced Orchid!

Mote Aquarium is a extremely candy aquarium that appears like “old fashioned” Florida. They too are getting a MAJOR improve, set to be accomplished in 2025. For now, you possibly can go to the placement 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 ft, the museum feels substantial, however not overwhelming. I additionally love the candy bistro that they’ve on-site. It’s a terrific place to take a seat and seize a espresso. Along with displaying unbelievable artwork, the museum hosts a extremely enjoyable out of doors jazz efficiency as soon as a month. Throughout this occasion, you possibly can loosen up and benefit from the music whereas additionally grabbing a glass of wine and even dinner!

The Ringling Museum will little question pop up when 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 often crowded, particularly in the course of the busy season. So be ready to circle for parking and to come across some strains whereas visiting.

Procuring in Sarasota

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

Talking of St. Armands Circle, spending a day buying, eating, and exploring this space is a favourite factor to do in Sarasota for a lot of guests. It’s a terrific space should you’re seeking to simply get out, seize a chunk to eat, and do a little bit of buying. My favourite eating places in St. Armands are 15 South by Napule, Colombia (a basic that has been round for greater than 100 years), and Crab and Fin. Sadly, Shore in St. Armands is likely one of the eating places that made the heartbreaking choice to completely shut their location after the storms.

Equally, should you’re buying downtown, there are lots of nice locations to seize meals or cocktails as properly. I like Owen’s Fish Camp for dinner (they’ve a terrific area out again for youths to run round with reside music), State Avenue for cocktails, Selva for dinner (don’t miss the home chopped salad), and the Fountain for an informal pizza date. There may be additionally the newly opened Beso I like for excellent tapas.

Favourite Eating places in Sarasota

Okay, now that I’m fascinated about it, eating in Sarasota wants its personal part – There are simply so many nice choices! It’s onerous to nail down my favorites, however here’s a record of some of my favorites. I say this as a result of I do know I’m going to by accident depart somebody I like off the record!

Seafood Eating places

1. Walt’s: This restaurant is third generation-owned and so they catch fish each day. I like the Oscar off the Hook and the fish dip! Wait instances might be lengthy, as it is a massively well-liked 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 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 outdated cottage – That is such a darling place to dine. There’s a enormous yard with a separate bar and so they sometimes have reside music. The Low Nation Broil is wonderful, and if they’ve Scamp because the native catch get it (belief me)!! Owen’s will get insanely crowded, so that you’ll wish to arrive early and be ready to attend, as they don’t take reservations. 
4. Spearfish: Situated 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: Certainly one of my absolute favourite issues to do in Sarasota is dine at Whitney’s. This informal spot is ready in an outdated 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 reside music each Friday! 
6. Jack Dusty’s – In order for you a pleasant, enjoyable brunch with a view, I’d try Jack Dusty’s within the Ritz. I like sitting outdoors and catching up with girlfriends on a reasonably Sarasota day! The Ritz additionally simply opened a brand new spot Rufa that has wonderful cocktails!

American Eating places

1. Indigenous: Situated downtown in an cute cottage, this restaurant is regionally sourced with an ever-changing menu. The whole lot I’ve had right here is mouth-watering, even the only dishes. That is the right spot for a pleasant date evening or to rejoice a special day.
2. Adeline: Perviously Meloria, this restaurant in South Aspect village has rebranded to Adeline. It has a brand new and up to date menu that’s simply as tasty and now presents a really cool lunch menu beneath the identify 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 totally 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 well-liked meals truck opened their first everlasting location this 12 months and the area is as wonderful because the meals. They utterly remodeled the restaurant that they took over and added so many private touches. The menu is at all times attention-grabbing! A few of my favorites embrace the turmeric fried rooster 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 at all times order my pie skinny and additional 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” record. For that reason, 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 principally a cheese store (and a rattling nice one!) you may also pop in for lunch or to order a cheese board and glass of wine to remain. The lunch menu is often 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 everywhere in the world, and the very best cheese choice in Sarasota. 
5. State Avenue: In case you love a cocktail, that is your home. Situated within the coronary heart of downtown, this darkish, romantic bar is inside strolling distance to so many eating places. I like grabbing a martini right here earlier than heading off to Selva, Owens, or one of many different nice spots on Essential 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, trendy restaurant with indoor and out of doors eating that’s such a terrific addition to Sarasota. They assist artists and have a wonderful menu.
2. Spice: That is my favourite Indian spot on the town. This the sister restaurant to Tikki, named the most effective Indian eating places in Florida. A wonderful selection for take out on a comfy 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 good friend 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 like the sushi, noodles and every thing in between. In order for you a extra upscale eating expertise pop into Kojo however if you need extra of a enjoyable, bar setting to eat and let unfastened, 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 great and the workers is so variety. The fried rooster and Bibimbap had been my private favorites.
6. Ocean Prime: Probably the most upscale eating places to open in a while, this place has obtained lots of buzz. They only opened the final week in December and I’ve but to go. Associates have raved concerning the meals, service, and views…however it is going to value you a reasonably 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 record of issues to do in Sarasota appears to be, I really feel like I’ve solely scratched the floor! I shared just a few extra Sarasota favorites in this put up as properly. And should you occur to be touring right here (or anyplace!) this winter, you might wish to try my journey must-haves, airport outfit concepts, and my favourite journey magnificence merchandise.