The Happenings

Sarasota Attractions

 

So Much to See Here

To put it simply, we love where we live. Our days in Sarasota are bursting with sunshine and our residential community is a short distance to so many wonderful attractions. From Siesta Key Beach to the local botanical gardens, each experience is filled with beauty, culture and memories just waiting to be made.

We invite you to explore a few of our favorite spots around our favorite place. 

Click on any of the attractions below to explore more.

 

 

Sport & Recreation

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Siesta Key Beach (12.7 miles) 
Siesta Beach has been chosen the #1 beach in the U.S. three times since 2015 on the Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice awards. 

 

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Lido Beach (17 miles) 
The 15-acre Lido Beach is a year-round spot for beautiful beach days and nights. It's 3,000 feet of white sand which meets with refreshing gulf waters, ultimately extending all the way into mangrove bays along the nature preserves on Lido Key. It's known for being less generally crowded than neighboring Siesta Beach. 

 

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Sarasota Bay and Marina
(12.4 miles)

Beautiful park and marina in the heart of Sarasota

 

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Nathan Benderson Park (10.1 miles)
Home of the 2021 Club Crew National Championships and the 2022 Club Crew World Championships. Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddle boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating, and 3.4 miles of paved and shell trails to run, jog, or walk around the competition lake.

 

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Myakka River State Park(7.7 miles)
Take a wildlife boat and tram tour to experience the essence of this park.  Alligators and birds abound, but there are also opportunities to hike, fish, and bike.

 

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Oscar Scherer State Park
(17 miles)

A hidden nature preserve for imperiled species surrounded by busy urban areas 

 

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Ed Smith Stadium
(Orioles Spring Home) (11.8 miles)

Home to the Baltimore Orioles Spring Training.

 

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Golf in Sarasota
There are 32 golf courses in the Sarasota area and almost 20 more if you include the surrounding cities of Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton and Venice.  You
will find one for every level of ability.

 

 

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Legacy Trail - Biking (9.5 miles)
The Legacy Trail provides a safe recreational trail for walking, bicycling, and running.  It is currently being extended from 10 miles within Sarasota, south to North Port.

 

 

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Polo(9.3 miles)
The Sarasota Polo Club is one of the largest and most enthusiastic polo communities in the world.  An estimated 50,000 spectators enjoy the game each season.

 

 

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Sarasota International Cricket Club
(10 miles)

The mission of the Sarasota International Cricket Club is to promote and educate people of all ages to play and enjoy the world's second most popular sport. 

 

Culture & Tourism

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Ringling Museum of Art (17.2 miles)
Culture at its best.  The Museum of Art, Circus Museum and the Ca' d'Zan are the main features found here.  The Historic Asolo Theater is home to many plays, musicals, and other live performances.

 

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Ringling Mansion
(CA' D'ZAN) (17.2 miles)

The last of the guilded mansions, modeled after palazzos in Venice, Italy.

 

 

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Circus Museum (17.2 miles)
Discover the history of the American circus through special exhibitions, displays and interactive galleries.

 

 

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Sarasota Opera House (12.9 miles)
The Opera House is a beautifully renovated 1,100 seat historic theater close to the heart of down- town.  Enjoy dinner at one of the nearby fine dining restaurants and then take in a performance of the opera for an elegant evening.

 

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Florida Studio Theatre (13.1 miles)
FST is a village of five theatres in downtown Sarasota offering contemporary theatre, cabaret, improv, children's theatre, and a school for students of all ages to try out their theatrical skills. 

 

 

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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens(11.7 miles)
The Gardens in downtown Sarasota are the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, ferns and other tropical plants. 

 

 

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Historic Spanish Point(13.2 miles)
Part of the Selby Gardens, the historic Spanish Point Campus is located 10 miles south along Little Sarasota Bay.  It is one of the largest preserves showcasing native Florida plants.  It celebrates an archaeological history that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida history.

 

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Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (16.1 miles)
Explore the secrets of the sea through touch pools, viewable working labs, and high-tech interactive exhibits that showcase the research at the adjoining Mote Marine Laboratory.  See more than 100 marine species, most found in Florida waters.

 

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Sarasota National Cemetery
(3.5 miles)

This is a US military cemetery, and is the final resting place of more than 25,000 veterans and their spouses.  Patriot Plaza is a ceremonial amphitheater which features commissioned art that honors veterans, inspires patriotism, and embraces freedom.

 

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Sarasota Orchestra (13.3 miles)
An American symphony orchestra which performs concerts at several venues in Sarasota

 

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Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
(13.7 miles)

The Van Wezel hosts a variety of Broadway, orchestra, classical music, dance, theater and comedy shows.  It is one of Sarasota's architectural landmarks.

 

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Asolo Repertory Theatre (17.4 miles)
A professional theatre, the Asolo is the largest Repertory theater in the Southeastern United States.  Asolo Rep is a resident regional theatre which also invites guest artists.

 

Shopping & Dining

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St Armands Circle (14.9 miles)
Famed as a shopping destination with a continental flavor, St. Armands blends the charm and romance of 'Old Florida' with the fashions today's shoppers demand.  Shops, restaurants, and relaxing on a park bench is what makes St. Armands Circle so special.

 

 

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Mall at University Town Center
(11.1 miles)

Sarasota's premier shopping and dining destination with over 140 stores and restaurants

 

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Downtown Sarasota (12.1 miles)
Dozens of shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, bars and nightclubs are found in downtown Sarasota, mostly along Main Street which stretches from the marina at one end to the east end near the movie theaters

 

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Sarasota Originals Restaurants
A group of 60 locally owned restaurants in the Sarasota area whose owners share a passion for offering the flavors of Florida's Suncoast to locals and visitors alike.

 

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Downtown Venice (18 miles)
Historic downtown Venice dates back to the 1920s and captures the charm of old Florida.  Explore the boutiques, restaurants, bars, and sweet treats found in this beautiful town