Updated November 3, 2026
South of the Bay, Sarasota pairs some of Florida's best-known beaches (Siesta, Lido) with an arts scene anchored by the Ringling and Selby Gardens. St. Armands Circle and Longboat Key sit on the keys just west of downtown.
Anna Maria Island, just north across Longboat Pass, is the low-key option: three small towns (Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach), a free island trolley and no high-rises.
Jump to: Things to do · Beaches · Restaurants · Bars & nightlife · Hotels
Things to do in Sarasota & Anna Maria
Longboat Supply Co.
Authorized dealer of eFoils and electric surfboards (Awake, SeaNXT) plus marine electronics, just off St. Armands Circle.
The Ringling
John Ringling's bayfront estate combines a major art museum, the Circus Museum, Ca' d'Zan mansion and gardens.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Downtown Sarasota Campus
Bayfront botanical garden in downtown Sarasota known for its orchids, bromeliads and tropical plant collections.
Selby Gardens - Historic Spanish Point Campus
A 30-acre bayside site in Osprey with prehistoric shell middens, pioneer homes, a chapel, butterfly house and native plants.
Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)
Mote Marine Laboratory's new science aquarium, showcasing marine research, sharks and Gulf ecosystems; open daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Myakka River State Park
One of Florida's largest state parks, with wetlands, prairie, alligator-filled lakes, wildlife tours and a treetop canopy walkway.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Bradenton science and natural history museum with a planetarium and a manatee rehabilitation habitat included in admission.
Robinson Preserve
Free 600-plus-acre coastal preserve with mangrove paddling trails, observation towers, bike paths and a nature playground.
St. Armands Circle
Landscaped traffic circle near Lido Beach ringed by boutiques, galleries, ice cream shops and sidewalk restaurants.
Siesta Key Village
Walkable beach village with shops, casual restaurants and bars a short walk from Siesta Beach.
Sarasota Bay Explorers
Eco boat tours on Sarasota Bay, including sea life encounter cruises, sunset cruises and private charters.
Anna Maria Island Dolphin Tours
Island-based boat tours focused on dolphin and wildlife viewing around Anna Maria Island waters.
Gulf Islands Ferry
Water shuttle linking downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk with Bridge Street Pier on Anna Maria Island; the Anna Maria City Pier stop is closed for repairs.
Historic Bridge Street & Bradenton Beach City Pier
Shopping and dining street ending at a fishing pier with a day dock, bait shop and Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
Sarasota Farmers Market
Saturday morning market (7 a.m.-1 p.m.) at Main Street and Lemon Avenue with produce, plants, food and crafts, rain or shine.
Shark tooth hunting in Venice
Venice calls itself the shark tooth capital; Caspersen Beach and the Brohard Park pier area are top spots to sift for fossil teeth.
Kayaking SRQ
Sarasota outfitter offering kayak and paddleboard rentals plus guided paddling tours.
Beaches in Sarasota & Anna Maria
Siesta Beach
Famous powdery quartz-sand beach with lifeguards, a pavilion, playground, concessions and beach wheelchairs.
Lido Beach
Wide public beach on Lido Key, steps from St. Armands Circle, with picnic areas, restrooms and nearby paddling trails.
Venice Beach
Lifeguarded public beach at the end of Venice Avenue with shelling, picnic areas and an offshore reef for divers.
Coquina Beach
Lifeguarded south-end Anna Maria Island beach known for colorful shells, with parking and restrooms near Bridge Street.
Manatee Beach
Central Anna Maria Island beach park with lifeguards, a cafe, picnic areas, volleyball courts and a playground.
Bean Point
Quiet beach at the island's northern tip where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf, popular for sunsets.
Restaurants in Sarasota & Anna Maria
Columbia Restaurant (St. Armands)
Sarasota outpost of Florida's long-running Spanish-Cuban restaurant family, serving classics on St. Armands Circle.
Crab & Fin
Seafood restaurant serving St. Armands Circle since 1978, with outdoor seating and locally and globally sourced fish.
Cafe L'Europe
Long-standing European-style restaurant on St. Armands Circle, a classic choice for an upscale dinner.
Cafe on St. Armands
Casual cafe with a Mediterranean-leaning menu of small plates blending Southern European and Middle Eastern flavors.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
Island-themed restaurant and store known for coconut shrimp, cocktails, brunch and a daily happy hour.
Cha Cha Coconuts
Laid-back tropical spot on the Circle serving seafood and sandwiches, with live music most nights.
The Old Salty Dog (City Island)
Casual waterfront pub with British-meets-Keys fare and outdoor seating; other locations on Siesta Key and Venice.
Drift Kitchen & Bar
Eighth-floor restaurant atop Lido Beach Resort serving seafood-focused modern American food with Gulf views.
Sandbar Seafood & Spirits
Beachfront Anna Maria favorite for sunset dinners, with tables set right in the sand.
The Waterfront Restaurant
Family-run seafood restaurant on the island's north end, built around a 1922 cottage, with Tampa Bay views.
Anna Maria Oyster Bar on the Pier
Seafood restaurant at the end of the Historic Bridge Street Pier, reachable by car or boat.
Swordfish Grill
Waterfront seafood grill in the historic fishing village of Cortez, listed by the Bradenton Area visitors bureau.
Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub
Bayside Longboat Key restaurant and pub at the island's north end, with dockside tables.
Fins at Sharky's
Beachfront steak and seafood restaurant overlooking the Venice Fishing Pier and the Gulf.
Bars & nightlife in Sarasota & Anna Maria
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB)
Siesta Key Village institution known for live music, oysters and dollar bills stapled across the walls.
Daiquiri Deck - Siesta Key Village
Open-air bar famous for frozen daiquiris and live music; sister spots on St. Armands, South Siesta, Venice and Bradenton Beach.
Daiquiri Deck - Bradenton Beach
Bridge Street location of the daiquiri bar chain with a rooftop bar over Anna Maria Island.
Lynches Pub
Irish-style pub on St. Armands Circle, a relaxed stop for a pint after shopping.
Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar
Bridge Street sports bar and grille with a tiki bar and bayside dockside bar that boaters can pull up to.
The Doctor's Office
Craft cocktail bar and restaurant drawing on historic drink recipes, paired with steaks and Gulf seafood.
Gulf Drive Cafe & Kokonut Hut
Beachside cafe with a tiki bar on Anna Maria Island's Gulf Drive.
Oak & Stone - Downtown Bradenton
Modern tavern on Old Main Street pouring craft beer alongside scratch-made pizzas and pub fare.
3 Keys Brewing and Eatery
Local craft brewery and eatery in Bradenton, listed by the area visitors bureau.
Gecko's Grill & Pub
Local sports pub and grill chain with locations across the Sarasota-Bradenton area.
Hotels in Sarasota & Anna Maria
Lido Beach Resort
Pet-friendly Gulf-front resort with balcony rooms, kitchen suites and the eighth-floor Drift restaurant.
Cirque St. Armands Beachside
Circus-themed 135-room Opal hotel near Lido Beach and St. Armands Circle with a heated pool.
Hotel Venezia (Ramada by Wyndham)
146-room Venice hotel near the beaches and Main Street, with a heated pool, restaurant and free parking.
SpringHill Suites Bradenton Downtown/Riverfront
Pet-friendly riverfront Marriott hotel by the Bradenton Riverwalk and Gulf Islands Ferry, with a pool.
The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Beachfront resort on Longboat Key with golf, tennis, a spa, Gulf views and dining.
Zota Beach Resort
Beachfront Longboat Key resort with 187 rooms and suites, many with Gulf views.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota resort with 276 rooms and suites, a spa, an 18-hole golf course and access to a Lido Key beach club.
Hyatt Regency Sarasota
Bayfront downtown Sarasota hotel with 294 rooms and a private marina.
Siesta Key Beach Resort & Suites
Siesta Key resort offering studios and one- and two-bedroom suites around a pool area.
Good to know
- Siesta Beach parking fills early on weekends. Arrive before 10 a.m. or use a rideshare.
- Some piers and attractions are still being rebuilt after the 2024 hurricanes. Confirm hours on the official site before you drive out.
- Venice, about 30 minutes south of Sarasota, is known for shark-tooth hunting at Caspersen and Venice beaches.