Since buying our Florida home in 2017, I’ve received quite a few DMs and emails asking about things to do in Sarasota. This question seems to be extra popular this time of year when everyone is flocking to warmer weather. One of the reasons why we love living here is that there is always something to do. This city is full of fun activities (many of which are free!), delicious places to eat, and new areas to explore.
Today I am going to highlight some of my favorite activities and restaurants in Sarasota. And because I know visitors oftentimes like to venture into the surrounding areas, I’m also going to share some local favorites that span from Siesta Key up to Anna Maria Island. By the end, you’ll be ready to pack your bags, throw on a comfy airport outfit, and plan a trip!
How Badly Did the Hurricanes in 2024 Affect Sarasota?
First I wanted to address the elephant in the room and discuss how the 2024 hurricane season affected the area. I am not going to lie, the Sarasota area got hit pretty hard, suffering by far the worst hurricane season I have seen. Between Debbie, Milton, and Helene, we had quite a bit of flooding and wind damage. The good news is that we are really back in the swing of things. All beaches with the exception of North Lido Beach and South Lido Beach are open and almost all restaurants are back in operation. The airport is of course working at fully capacity (and expanding!) and all roads are good to go.
So many small businesses and family owned restaurants are looking to make up a lot of missed income from being closed, as well as cover expenses from damages. Now is the time to show your support for the places you love!
Favorite Things to Do in Sarasota
There are a ton of different ways to spend a day, or even a week, in Sarasota. Your ideal itinerary will depend upon your reason for visiting the city and with whom you’re traveling. Do you want to spend time relaxing at the beach? Maybe you’re hoping to do some shopping and dining with your significant other? Or maybe you’re traveling with kids and looking for fun things to do in Sarasota as a family? I’m going to touch on a little bit of everything, as we’ve enjoyed doing it all over the past few years!
Sarasota Beaches
One of the most popular reasons to visit or live in Sarasota is for the breathtaking beaches. Personally, my favorite local beach is Siesta Key. Not only is the sand and water beautiful but the location and amenities at this beach are great as well. The city paid for a massive renovation of Siesta Key in 2016 and the outcome was a big upgrade! The amenities nearby are great including the public bathrooms, food options, and areas of shade. While this beach is the most accessible when it comes to parking, I will warn you that most spots are snagged by 10 AM during the busy season. So be sure to plan accordingly!
If checking out beaches is at the top of your things to do in Sarasota list, then you might also want to make your way to Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. LBK has some beautiful public beach access points. The downside is that the parking is extremely limited and there aren’t many amenities available. The large public beach on AMI, Coquina Beach, does have parking, bathrooms, and changing areas. However, I still prefer Siesta Key!
Local Things to Do in Sarasota
Something we’ve enjoyed while living here is experiencing the unique local events. There is always something going on! The city hosts First Friday events, for which the streets downtown are closed and there are a ton of food options, shopping, and free entertainment.
One of my favorite things to do in Sarasota is to explore the Farmers Market on Saturdays. This market isn’t just limited to produce. Instead, it actually highlights many of the local shops and artisans in the area.
And when it comes to events to plan around, I always check the schedule at the Van Wezel, which is our local performing arts hall. Sarasota gets great musical acts to perform here and you can typically get really reasonable prices! You can see the current schedule here.
The city also just completed a huge project by Van Wezel branded The Bay. It has interesting walking paths, a park for the kids, a canoe launch, waterfront sitting and The Nest where you can grab a drink and just enjoy the sunshine. They also have movies in the park and free yoga. You can see the entire schedule here!
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Sarasota
If you are looking for kid-friendly things to do in Sarasota, I would recommend Selby Garden and Mote Aquarium. Sarasota has had quite a boom over the past five years. Therefore, the city is working to upgrade a lot of the popular attractions, including both of these.
Selby Garden is a great way to see so much of the beautiful nature Florida has to offer. I will put a disclaimer that this is one of the spots still recovering a from the storms, but still worth a visit. They constantly have activities geared toward both children and adults – You can check out their full schedule here. The facility just finished a massive multi million dollar renovation that incudes an incredible restaurant, The Green Orchid!
Mote Aquarium is a really sweet aquarium that feels like “old school” Florida. They too are getting a MAJOR upgrade, set to be completed in 2025. For now, you can visit the location they have been at for decades on Longboat Key. They have sea turtles, manatees, rays and so much more! You can follow along here to see when the new Mote will open in the UTC area.
Sarasota Museums
The Sarasota Art Museum, which just opened in 2019, is a wonderful spot to visit. They are constantly bringing in new works of art that feel fresh and relevant. At 15,000 sq feet, the museum feels substantial, but not overwhelming. I also love the sweet bistro that they have on-site. It’s a great place to sit and grab a coffee. In addition to displaying incredible art, the museum hosts a really fun outdoor jazz performance once a month. During this event, you can relax and enjoy the music while also grabbing a glass of wine or even dinner!
The Ringling Museum will no doubt pop up when you are looking for things to do in Sarasota. I find the grounds of the Ringling Museum to be stunning, but the actual exhibits to be underwhelming. Additionally, the Ringling Museum is typically crowded, especially during the busy season. So be prepared to circle for parking and to encounter some lines while visiting.
Shopping in Sarasota
While I wouldn’t say Sarasota is a shopping-centric town, we do have some true gems. Canned Ham Vintage is an incredible vintage shop that you shouldn’t miss. I have bought so many of my favorite items there (the earrings are always top-notch) and they are constantly getting new inventory! Camilyn Beth is a local designer who is as talented as she is kind. Her store is located right on Palm Avenue, with her design studio right above! The Met Fashion House in St. Armands Circle has a great selection of some of my favorite brands such as Veronica Beard, Self-Portrait, and See by Chloe!
Speaking of St. Armands Circle, spending a day shopping, dining, and exploring this area is a favorite thing to do in Sarasota for many visitors. It’s a great area if you’re looking to just get out, grab a bite to eat, and do a bit of shopping. My favorite restaurants in St. Armands are 15 South by Napule, Colombia (a classic that has been around for more than 100 years), and Crab and Fin. Sadly, Shore in St. Armands is one of the restaurants that made the heartbreaking decision to permanently close their location after the storms.
Similarly, if you’re shopping downtown, there are many great places to grab food or cocktails as well. I love Owen’s Fish Camp for dinner (they have a great space out back for kids to run around with live music), State Street for cocktails, Selva for dinner (don’t miss the house chopped salad), and the Fountain for a casual pizza date. There is also the newly opened Beso I love for great tapas.
Favorite Restaurants in Sarasota
Okay, now that I’m thinking about it, dining in Sarasota needs its own section – There are just so many great options! It’s hard to nail down my favorites, but here is a list of some of my favorites. I say this because I know I am going to accidentally leave someone I love off the list!
Seafood Restaurants
- Walt’s: This restaurant is third generation-owned and they catch fish daily. I love the Oscar off the Hook and the fish dip! Wait times can be long, as this is a hugely popular spot for locals and visitors alike.
- Veronica’s: Set in Southside Village, Veronicas is a dark, cozy raw bar. They have an awesome skirt steak, the best Caesar salad, and awesome oysters (obviously!) I love dining at the bar, which is first come first serve, but they do take reservations for the dining room.
- Owen’s Fish Camp: A charming seafood restaurant set in an old cottage – This is such a darling place to dine. There is a huge backyard with a separate bar and they typically have live music. The Low Country Broil is amazing, and if they have Scamp as the local catch get it (trust me)!! Owen’s gets insanely crowded, so you’ll want to arrive early and be prepared to wait, as they do not take reservations.
- Spearfish: Located on Siesta Key, this little casual spot has fast, fresh, easy, and very tasty dishes. The grouper bites and the coconut shrimp are my personal favorites on the menu.
- Whitney’s: One of my absolute favorite things to do in Sarasota is dine at Whitney’s. This casual spot is set in an old gas station, and on most days all the windows and doors are open. The queso is awesome and I also love the LBK Bowl. This menu is great for sharing and they have live music every Friday!
- Jack Dusty’s – If you want a nice, relaxing brunch with a view, I would check out Jack Dusty’s in the Ritz. I love sitting outside and catching up with girlfriends on a pretty Sarasota day! The Ritz also just opened a new spot Rufa that has excellent cocktails!
American Restaurants
- Indigenous: Located downtown in an adorable cottage, this restaurant is locally sourced with an ever-changing menu. Everything I’ve had here is mouth-watering, even the simplest dishes. This is the perfect spot for a nice date night or to celebrate a special occasion.
- Adeline: Perviously Meloria, this restaurant in South Side village has rebranded to Adeline. It has a new and updated menu that is just as tasty and now offers a very cool lunch menu under the name Little A!
- Shore: There were two Shore locations, one in St. Armands and one on LBK. Sadly the St. Armands location closed, but LBK is still open! Try to snag a table at the Shore LBK with a water view. I get something different every time I dine here and I have never been disappointed.
Other Types of Cuisine
- Florence and the Spice Boys: This super popular food truck opened their first permanent location this year and the space is as amazing as the food. They completely transformed the restaurant that they took over and added so many personal touches. The menu is always interesting! Some of my favorites include the turmeric fried chicken sandwich and the fried brussel sprouts.
- Origins Pizza: Origins is my go-to when ordering pizza. They have multiple locations now, which makes dining in super easy. The newly opened spot at The Landings is great. I always order my pie thin and extra crispy!
- Columbia: The oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia is a full-on attraction. Dinner can be a bit of a zoo, since this is on so many visitors’ “must eat” list. For this reason, I typically like to do a late lunch here and I get the 1905 salad with the original Cuban.
- Artisan Cheese Company: While this is mostly a cheese shop (and a damn great one!) you can also pop in for lunch or to order a cheese board and glass of wine to stay. The lunch menu is typically small, but mighty, and the space has a very cool industrial, yet welcoming, feel. The shop also has great sourdough, organic wines, spreads imported from all over the world, and the best cheese selection in Sarasota.
- State Street: If you love a cocktail, this is your place. Located in the heart of downtown, this dark, romantic bar is within walking distance to so many restaurants. I love grabbing a martini here before heading off to Selva, Owens, or one of the other great spots on Main Street.
New Sarasota Restaurants
- Arts and Central Cafe: It is no secret I LOVE the Rosemary district. Arts and Central is a large, modern restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining that is such a great addition to Sarasota. They support artists and have an excellent menu.
- Spice: This is my favorite Indian spot in town. This the sister restaurant to Tikki, named one of the best Indian restaurants in Florida. An excellent choice for take out on a cozy night or a large get together.
- Malmosto: Talk about a wonderful, small Italian spot with one of the most interesting wine lists. I was introduced to this hidden spot by a friend and it has been a go to for both date night and girls night.
- Kojo and Bar Hana: A modern Asian spot that has a bit of everything. I love the sushi, noodles and everything in between. If you want a more upscale dining experience pop into Kojo but if you want more of a fun, bar setting to eat and let loose, head to Bar Hana next door!
- J’s Korean: I just ate here for the first time this week and will be returning ASAP. Dining in is slightly more casual, but still wonderful and the staff is so kind. The fried chicken and Bibimbap were my personal favorites.
- Ocean Prime: One of the most upscale restaurants to open in some time, this place has received a lot of buzz. They just opened the last week in December and I have yet to go. Friends have raved about the food, service, and views…but it will cost you a pretty penny!
- Lefty’s Oyster Bar: Okay I haven’t been here yet either…but because it opened less than 24 hours ago! I have watched them do the build out and been following here for updates and plan on heading there this weekend to check it out.
Sarasota Favorites
Phew, as long as this list of things to do in Sarasota seems to be, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface! I shared a few additional Sarasota favorites in this post as well. And if you happen to be traveling here (or anywhere!) this winter, you may want to check out my travel must-haves, airport outfit ideas, and my favorite travel beauty products.
