imagination

• John and Mable Ringling Museum Terrific museum filled with classic works of art. Plan to spend several hours reviewing the art and walking the grounds. Has beautiful rose gardens and views of the bay. THIS MUSEUM HAS FREE ADMISSION ON MONDAYS!!
  • Ringling Circus Museum , separate museum inside Ringling devoted entirely to the circus.
  • Ca 'd' Zan , Historic home inside Ringling Museum
  • Mable Ringling's Rose Garden (free) which was supposedly her favorite part of the Ringling's 66-acre estate. The garden was completed in 1913 and is filled with roses of all colors and types.
• Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall , Great place for cultural entertainment. Theater; Opera; Symphony
• Sarasota Classic Car Museum , The SCCM has over 100 antique, classic, vintage, collectible and rare cars on display.
• Asolo Theatre for the Performing Arts , This theatre's rotating schedule allows for five different plays to be performed on the same weekend.
• Florida Studio Theater
• Museum of Asian Art , (640 S. Washington Blvd., 952-0666) The Museum is dedicated to enhancing awareness and understanding of the arts and cultures of Asia through exhibition, education and research programs. Since its opening in April 2000, MAART has presented three major exhibitions and in addition, rotates works from its permanent collection which includes works of art from China, Thailand, Khmer (Cambodia), Nepal, Vietnam and Myanmar (Burma).

Day trips

• Sanibel and Captiva Islands The fun never stops on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Having a sub-tropical climate, visitors and residents enjoy the outdoors and sunshine all year long. Whether you choose to be boating, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing or fishing from one of the favorite spots, play a round of golf on the challenging scenic courses, there are over 70 of them, the perfect place to tee off and test your mettle on the green, a set of tennis, bike riding on the miles of bike paths, or explore the waterways by boat where you will see an abundance of wildlife from frolicsome dolphins, graceful blue herons, inquisitive raccoons and colorful birds of all species, you will enjoy a memorable experience to cherish for all time.
• Pine Island The largest island (17 miles long and 2 miles wide) on the west coast of Florida, 2 hours and 15 minutes from Sarasota. Pine Island's secluded, quaint and "country waterfront" atmosphere is a huge part of its charm. Fringed with mangroves rather than white sand beaches, Pine Island has escaped the concrete, blacktop and skyscrapers found in the more touristy, beachy communities. Enjoy an invigorating trip on one of the many water-taxis, or cruise/tourboats to the islands of Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa. Stop for luncheon at the islands of Cabbage Key, Captiva, Sanibel or Upper Captiva. On Pine Island, check out the local shops, dine and relax at a number of local, waterfront or off-water eateries and restaurants, specializing in fresh seafood, served up with a casual, low-key, islandish atmospher
• Snook Haven Especially Thursday and Sunday afternoons!Forsake the luxuries of civilization for the luxury of Old Florida for a day at Snook Haven, hidden in a subtropical forest of oak and pine well-creped with Spanish moss. This getaway is a 30-minute drive from downtown Sarasota. The Snook Haven Restaurant and Fish Camp, a veritable institution that has endured more than 50 rustic seasons, is located off River Road at the intersection with East Venice Avenue. Spare riverfront cabins house bass and snook fishermen by the day, week or month, and the intrepid trekker can rent a canoe, kayak, pontoon or powerboat to explore the Myakka River. Alligators, otters, wild boar and bobcats share the banks with softshell turtles, (made 'famous' in the 1947 horror movie "Revenge of the Killer Turtles"), osprey and herons and you. The riverside restaurant accompanies a Florida menu of alligator bites, barbecue and -- of course -- snook along with live entertainment. Thursday is banjo day; there is live music nightly -- and band and BBQ outside on Sunday afternoons.
• Explore Anna Maria Island Anna Maria Island, which extends seven miles from southern Tampa Bay to Longboat Key, hosts three small cities, each with a distinctive flavor -- Anna Maria to the north, Holmes Beach at the center and Bradenton Beach to the south. You'll find quaint beachside inns and pastel-colored cottages on this Old Florida slice of sand. Visitors can rent bicycles to explore historic buildings, waterfront parks and picturesque beaches. Shop for novelties and dine at eclectic restaurants on Historic Bridge Street. This is also a Mecca for fishing, sailing or just hanging out with laid-back, friendly locals. Head onto the mainland in Manatee County for more adventures like top-rated golf courses, Historic Cortez Fishing Village and quirky art galleries at Village of the Arts in Bradenton.

Nite spots and eateries

• Pizza Chef Best pizza in town. In the shopping center at Fruitville and Honore.
• Francesca'sGood pizza, salads. The corner of Weber and Beneva roads.
• Dry Dock Restaurant Elegant and relatively affordable fresh seafaood restaurant on Longboat Key (412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, 383-0102)
• Linger Lodge Resort Located on the beautiful Braden River this area remains untouched by time and is the habitat for all kinds of critters. At the restaurant you can order alligators nuggets, watch the alligators on the river, or hear tales of alligators. The critters are everywhere. Not many left like this one. Directions. Photos.
• Old Packinghouse Cafe , inexpensive eats, free music nightly.
• SKOB on Siesta Key, lotsa entertainment and excitement for young people.
• Old Salty Dog on Siesta Key, hot dogs, etc. Bring the dog, eat outdoors inexpensively.
• Beach House a little bit of a drive but it's relatively inexpensive, the food's good and (best of all) you're right on the beach. The kids can run around, you can savor your cocktail and watch the sunset, all at once.
• Chutney's , one of our favorites. The portions and small and inexpensive, so order three or four and share them. Pick from among Indian, Moroccan and Mediterranean. The atmosphere is casual and the owner, Ash, serves you himself. Opens at 5:30 pm.
• Columbia Restaurant , St. Armand's Circle--best Cuban restaurant south of Ybor City in Tampa.

Parks

• Myakka State Park 29,000-acre state park, the area's largest and finest. See alligators, ride the tour boat ($10/) or take the really interesting tram tour ($10/, 10 am, 11:30 am and 1 pm during the summer months). Climb the canopy. Rent bikes, canoes, kayaks.
• Oscar Scherer State Park Oscar Scherer State Park is located on U.S.41, six miles south of Sarasota. Open every day. $4 per car.
• Manatee Viewing Center Manatees are attracted to the warm water discharge of electric power plants. At the Tampa one you can see manatees in the water, but we also saw dramatic dolphins chasing schools of fish, manta rays, and other species. All is free. Directions .
• DeSoto National Memorial , in nearby Bradenton. Place where Hernando DeSoto supposedly landed.
• South Lido Park and Beach , Beach; Nature trail; and 100 acres of Park. Directions are here
• Peace River Nature Tours (some info on this page. ) Two-hour narrated eco-tour of the Peace River on a 44-passenger vessel covers the history, wildlife and ecological qualities of the Peace River estuary as it winds its way through cypress and saw grass toward Charlotte Harbor. See alligators, manatees, eagles, ospreys and other Florida wildlife. Tour runs from 1-3 pm; arrive 11:15 for lunch. $21 for cruise; add $3 for lunch. For more info call 1-800-308-7506. (9700 S.W. Riverview Circle, Arcadia)
• Bobby Jones Golf Complex , Large public facility offering 35 holes of championship golf: American Course, British Course and Gillespie Executive Course.