The Novus Guidebook
Sightseeing
Lido Key is an amazing beach and our personal favorite in Sarasota. We recommend the beach access right as you leave St. Armand's Circle. We also recommend South Lido for scenic views of the bay as well as a great playground.
Local's only tip: If you walk to the very tip of North Lido you will find a great nature trail.
442 locals recommend
Lido Key Beach
400 Benjamin Franklin DrLido Key is an amazing beach and our personal favorite in Sarasota. We recommend the beach access right as you leave St. Armand's Circle. We also recommend South Lido for scenic views of the bay as well as a great playground.
Local's only tip: If you walk to the very tip of North Lido you will find a great nature trail.
Siesta is hands down one of Sarasota's star attractions. With beautiful white sand beaches, you'll be hard-pressed to find more idyllic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
798 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
Siesta is hands down one of Sarasota's star attractions. With beautiful white sand beaches, you'll be hard-pressed to find more idyllic views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Beautiful collection or art and stunning gardens. Great place to go and explore for the day.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdBeautiful collection or art and stunning gardens. Great place to go and explore for the day.
This stunning new contemporary and modern art museum in the heart of Sarasota.
26 locals recommend
Sarasota Art Museum
1001 S Tamiami TrailThis stunning new contemporary and modern art museum in the heart of Sarasota.
A must-see botanical garden in Sarasota, right on the bay. Perfect for the entire family.
433 locals recommend
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
1534 Mound StA must-see botanical garden in Sarasota, right on the bay. Perfect for the entire family.
Arlington Park is an amazing neighborhood with a great park. The park features a walking trail, tennis and racquet ball courts, a playground, and outdoor exercise equipment.
24 locals recommend
Arlington Park
Arlington Park is an amazing neighborhood with a great park. The park features a walking trail, tennis and racquet ball courts, a playground, and outdoor exercise equipment.
Excellent playground at an excellent park! Payne Park is often referred to as "Sarasota's Central Park". Right at the end of our street, we highly recommend taking the Legacy Trail down there to check it out.
Payne Park Playground
Excellent playground at an excellent park! Payne Park is often referred to as "Sarasota's Central Park". Right at the end of our street, we highly recommend taking the Legacy Trail down there to check it out.
A lovely aquarium that plays a crucial role in Gulf Central Florida!
532 locals recommend
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyA lovely aquarium that plays a crucial role in Gulf Central Florida!
Brand new mall with a great selection of stores and eating nearby.
326 locals recommend
The Mall at University Town Center
140 University Town Center DrBrand new mall with a great selection of stores and eating nearby.
One of our favorite things to do on a Saturday morning. We highly recommend you check out the Sarasota Farmers Market.
136 locals recommend
Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueOne of our favorite things to do on a Saturday morning. We highly recommend you check out the Sarasota Farmers Market.
Myakka is a beautiful state park that provides an authentic view of Florida's native scenery.
382 locals recommend
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Rd 72Myakka is a beautiful state park that provides an authentic view of Florida's native scenery.
It doesn't get more classic than doing some window shopping and grabbing a bite to eat on St. Armands.
297 locals recommend
Saint Armands Circle
Saint Armands CircleIt doesn't get more classic than doing some window shopping and grabbing a bite to eat on St. Armands.
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
5500 N Tamiami TrailIf you like cars, you'll like this place.
Legacy Trail
Legacy TrailBig Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary
7101 Palmer BlvdSarasota Jungle Gardens
3701 Bay Shore RdNathan Benderson Park
5851 Nathan Benderson CirSave Our Seabirds
1708 Ken Thompson PkwyThe Children's Garden
1670 10th WayLivingston's Amusements
5947 Clark Center AveTowles Court Artist Colony
1938 Adams LnCrowley Museum and Nature Center
16405 Myakka RdBurns Court Cinemas
506 Burns CtSarasota Springs Trailhead
4012 Webber StreetLegacy Trailhead Ashton Rd
4281 Ashton RoadFood scene
FushiPoke
128 N Orange AveA popular spot in Sarasota for great poke bowls and ramen!
A Sarasota classic! The Main Bar opened in 1958 and has been a staple of the community ever since. We recommend the Mediterranean Sampler and Main Bar Special.
12 locals recommend
Main Bar Sandwich Shop
1944 Main StA Sarasota classic! The Main Bar opened in 1958 and has been a staple of the community ever since. We recommend the Mediterranean Sampler and Main Bar Special.
Come for the coffee, stay for the hip atmosphere. Project Coffee is a vegan coffee shop with great food and drinks. Highly recommended!
21 locals recommend
Project Coffee
538 S Pineapple AveCome for the coffee, stay for the hip atmosphere. Project Coffee is a vegan coffee shop with great food and drinks. Highly recommended!
Another Sarasota coffee shop staple. Great breakfast and donuts, too!
36 locals recommend
Perq Coffee Bar
1821 Hillview StAnother Sarasota coffee shop staple. Great breakfast and donuts, too!
Pho Cali
1578 Main StWonderful Vietnamese and Pho from this Sarasota staple!
Fresh Kitchen
8491 Cooper Creek BlvdTasty and healthy custom bowls at a good price.
Poppo's Taqueria
212C Pine AveSome of the best tacos in Sarasota!
A personal favorite of ours. We recommend getting a Cuban sandwich and a 1905 salad and then heading down to the beach.
118 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
411 St Armands CirA personal favorite of ours. We recommend getting a Cuban sandwich and a 1905 salad and then heading down to the beach.
Simon's Coffee House
5900 South Tamiami TrailGreat lunch spot with loads of options.
Rico's Pizzeria
1902 Bay RdPopular local pizza shop. Great calzone's, too!
Brick's Smoked Meats
1528 State StPricey but good BBQ.
Baker & Wife
2157 Siesta DrA popular restaurant that's perfect for date night!
Spice Station
1438 Boulevard of the ArtsSolid assortment of Thai and sushi.
Mandeville Beer Garden
428 N Lemon AveA popular spot for some good drinks and good food.
World-class food. Likely one of the best meals to be had in Sarasota.
80 locals recommend
Indigenous Restaurant
239 S Links AveWorld-class food. Likely one of the best meals to be had in Sarasota.
A real local's only spot. Come here for a blast from the past and to enjoy a good roadside burger.
8 locals recommend
Hob Nob Drive In Restaurant
1701 N Washington BlvdA real local's only spot. Come here for a blast from the past and to enjoy a good roadside burger.
Owens Fish Camp
516 Burns CtState Street Eating House + Cocktails
1533 State StLibby's Neighborhood Brasserie
1917 S Osprey AveThe Old Salty Dog City island
1601 Ken Thompson Pkwy