Guidebook for Sarasota
Essentials
Groceries!
Publix Super Market at The Landings
4840 S Tamiami Trail Closest grocery store
Trader Joe's
4101 S Tamiami Trail Trader Joe's is just a mile away
About a 10 minute drive to stock up. Costco is located in Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.
18 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
8201 S Tamiami Trail About a 10 minute drive to stock up. Costco is located in Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.
A smaller version of the family-owned market for produce, seafood, meats, and deli items. Stop in on your way to the Celery Fields and grab a picnic lunch to take with you.
69 locals recommend
Detwiler's Farm Market
6000 Palmer BlvdA smaller version of the family-owned market for produce, seafood, meats, and deli items. Stop in on your way to the Celery Fields and grab a picnic lunch to take with you.
Go to Detwiler's Farm Market for your provisions. A local, family-owned grocery store with fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, and ice cream. (Doesn't sell alcohol. You have to go to Publix or Trader Joe's for beverages!)
51 locals recommend
Detwiler’S Farm Market
2881 Clark RdGo to Detwiler's Farm Market for your provisions. A local, family-owned grocery store with fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, and ice cream. (Doesn't sell alcohol. You have to go to Publix or Trader Joe's for beverages!)
Entertainment & Activities
Regal Hollywood - Sarasota
1993 Main St All shows $6
CinéBistro
3501 S Tamiami Trail Dinner and a movie!
Burns Court Cinemas
506 Burns CtIndependent films in Sarasota's historic district
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson PkwyThe Yoga Shack
514 Central AveFunky yoga studio just north of downtown
Pineapple Yoga Studio
517 S Pineapple AveGorgeous and friendly yoga studio in historic Burns Court
Multiple zip line and aerial obstacle courses make for a fun and challenging morning or afternoon. See a different view of Florida's interior landscape from the trees.
76 locals recommend
TreeUmph! Adventure Course
21805 State Road 70 EMultiple zip line and aerial obstacle courses make for a fun and challenging morning or afternoon. See a different view of Florida's interior landscape from the trees.
Very good bait and supplies to fish. Great pier right next to tackle shop. Boat charters are also available, which you do not need a license for. The pier you do not need a license for also.
7 locals recommend
Hart's Landing
920 John Ringling CausewayVery good bait and supplies to fish. Great pier right next to tackle shop. Boat charters are also available, which you do not need a license for. The pier you do not need a license for also.
Arts & Culture
In addition to its sizable art collection, The Ringling boasts an eccentric Circus Museum and a Skyspace by James Turrell. The former summer home of the circus baron offers a glimpse into a gilded American century, as well as botanical delights and stunning views of the bay.
540 locals recommend
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore RdIn addition to its sizable art collection, The Ringling boasts an eccentric Circus Museum and a Skyspace by James Turrell. The former summer home of the circus baron offers a glimpse into a gilded American century, as well as botanical delights and stunning views of the bay.
Excellent collection of one of the most well-known Surrealist painters. Also hosts traveling exhibits. Afterwards, you can enjoy a bite to eat or a stroll along the St Pete waterfront.
1381 locals recommend
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali Blvd Excellent collection of one of the most well-known Surrealist painters. Also hosts traveling exhibits. Afterwards, you can enjoy a bite to eat or a stroll along the St Pete waterfront.
Ringling College of Art and Design
2700 N Tamiami TrailCheck out what's playing at Asolo and enjoy a performance in this beautiful theater.
62 locals recommend
Asolo Repertory hosts the Mertz Theatre
5555 N Tamiami TrailCheck out what's playing at Asolo and enjoy a performance in this beautiful theater.
Venice Theatre
140 Tampa Ave WA great little theater a short drive south in Venice.
Parks & Nature
Walk, jog, or drive to the slough from the Guest House. Great bird-watching and you might even see a gator in the water!
20 locals recommend
Red Bug Slough Preserve
5200 S Beneva RdWalk, jog, or drive to the slough from the Guest House. Great bird-watching and you might even see a gator in the water!
Beautiful white sand beach, or drive south at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Beach Road to Turtle Beach, another gem
16 locals recommend
Siesta Key Beach Playground
948 Beach RdBeautiful white sand beach, or drive south at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Beach Road to Turtle Beach, another gem
Nearby state park with hiking, bike and canoe rentals, and airboat rides. And more gators!
7 locals recommend
Myakka State Park Road
Myakka State Park RoadNearby state park with hiking, bike and canoe rentals, and airboat rides. And more gators!
Bayfront Park is a lovely little park near downtown, and the starting line for many walkers and runners who follow the Sarasota Trail from there to cross the Ringling Bridge. From Bayfront Park to St. Armands Circle and back is a great 5-mile run, mostly along the water. Extend your run out to Lido or Longboat Keys for longer distances (and beautiful beach scenery).
103 locals recommend
Bayfront Park
5 Bayfront DrBayfront Park is a lovely little park near downtown, and the starting line for many walkers and runners who follow the Sarasota Trail from there to cross the Ringling Bridge. From Bayfront Park to St. Armands Circle and back is a great 5-mile run, mostly along the water. Extend your run out to Lido or Longboat Keys for longer distances (and beautiful beach scenery).
The area's only hill and No. 1 birding destination. It's worth the short climb up to follow the pleasant, meandering paths that wrap around the top and dip down along the base of the hill and between the canals.
60 locals recommend
Celery Fields
6893 Palmer BlvdThe area's only hill and No. 1 birding destination. It's worth the short climb up to follow the pleasant, meandering paths that wrap around the top and dip down along the base of the hill and between the canals.
Lovely beach worth the drive just over the bridge to the north of Longboat Key. White sand (like Siesta) ample parking, snack shop, changing rooms and showers.
140 locals recommend
Coquina Beach station
Lovely beach worth the drive just over the bridge to the north of Longboat Key. White sand (like Siesta) ample parking, snack shop, changing rooms and showers.
Getting Around
It might be easier to drive, but Sarasota does have a bus system
29 locals recommend
SCAT Transfer Station
150 N Lemon AveIt might be easier to drive, but Sarasota does have a bus system
Shopping
Well-known outdoor shopping district just past the scenic Ringling Bridge
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirWell-known outdoor shopping district just past the scenic Ringling Bridge
T.J. Maxx
18059 Tamiami TrailIn case you forgot something, this is the nearest TJ Maxx!
Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, Saturdays 7am-1pm.
Several lots and garages available for parking; including:
State Street Garage,
Whole Foods Garage,
City Hall Parking, or park at Bayfront Park and cross 41.
136 locals recommend
Sarasota Farmers Market
North Lemon AvenueDowntown Sarasota Farmers Market, Saturdays 7am-1pm.
Several lots and garages available for parking; including:
State Street Garage,
Whole Foods Garage,
City Hall Parking, or park at Bayfront Park and cross 41.
Food Scene
Restaurants. Coffee. Cocktails.
This nearby restaurant serves a typical seafood menu and you get to sit creekside. Good for a fun, casual meal.
58 locals recommend
Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar
5353 S Tamiami TrailThis nearby restaurant serves a typical seafood menu and you get to sit creekside. Good for a fun, casual meal.
Don't be fooled by the name, Simon's is a family-owned full-service restaurant with an astounding vegetarian and vegan menu. Try the raw lasagne!
52 locals recommend
Simon's Coffee House
5900 South Tamiami TrailDon't be fooled by the name, Simon's is a family-owned full-service restaurant with an astounding vegetarian and vegan menu. Try the raw lasagne!
Make a reservation and enjoy a delicious, romantic meal with your sweetie in historic Burns Court
80 locals recommend
Indigenous Restaurant
239 S Links AveMake a reservation and enjoy a delicious, romantic meal with your sweetie in historic Burns Court
Fresh and tasty, this nearby Thai restaurant is great for lunch or a casual dinner
20 locals recommend
Isan Thai Restaurant
5758 S Tamiami TrailFresh and tasty, this nearby Thai restaurant is great for lunch or a casual dinner
Curry Station B Indian Restaurant and Catering
3550 Clark RdExcellent Indian buffet
Good food and cocktails. It's fun to sit at the bar and chat with the friendly bartenders.
45 locals recommend
State Street Eating House + Cocktails
1533 State StGood food and cocktails. It's fun to sit at the bar and chat with the friendly bartenders.
Sun Garden Cafe
210 Avenida MaderaGreat spot for a big breakfast (or lunch) in Siesta Key Village
Excellent coffee and atmosphere. You can grab a table and get some work done, play a board game, or read a book.
14 locals recommend
The Clever Cup Coffee Shop
6530 Gateway AveExcellent coffee and atmosphere. You can grab a table and get some work done, play a board game, or read a book.
Old Florida at its best. Eat your fish where it came in off the boat.
102 locals recommend
Star Fish Company
12306 46th Ave WOld Florida at its best. Eat your fish where it came in off the boat.
My husband and I went to Baker & Wife for the first time with friends to celebrate the holidays. We were pleasantly surprised by the airy, comfortable atmosphere in the otherwise bustling dining room (reservations required), and deliciously prepared food and cocktails. I particularly liked the fried calamari appetizer (a special that night) and the seared scallop club salad were favorites. Plentiful GF items were clearly marked on the menu.
37 locals recommend
Baker & Wife
2157 Siesta DrMy husband and I went to Baker & Wife for the first time with friends to celebrate the holidays. We were pleasantly surprised by the airy, comfortable atmosphere in the otherwise bustling dining room (reservations required), and deliciously prepared food and cocktails. I particularly liked the fried calamari appetizer (a special that night) and the seared scallop club salad were favorites. Plentiful GF items were clearly marked on the menu.
Best. Tacos. In. Town. GF, Vegan, Veg options, plus lots of delicious meat.
23 locals recommend
Screaming Goat Taqueria
6566 Superior AveBest. Tacos. In. Town. GF, Vegan, Veg options, plus lots of delicious meat.