Sarasota is one of Florida’s main Gulf Coast cities. It is known for its beautiful beaches, great shopping, restaurants, and more.
If you’re planning to visit Sarasota, keep reading as I recently visited and have compiled an itinerary you can use for your trip. I have included where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more!
How to Get to Sarasota
Drive: If you live in Florida, driving is definitely the most affordable and sometimes the quickest way to get to Sarasota. We decided to drive from Miami, which took approximately 3 hours.
Fly: There are two airports to choose from, Tampa and Sarasota.
The drive from Tampa Airport to Sarasota is about an hour and crosses the beautiful and scenic Sky Bridge en route. There are pull-offs along the highway with gorgeous views of the bays and intercoastal waterways. Since Tampa Airport is larger, flights are cheaper, but the drive is a little lengthier.
If you fly into Sarasota, this is a much smaller airport and flights maybe more expensive, however you’re within 15-20 minutes from your accommodation. The best option for you just depends on where you’re traveling from and if your priority is time or money!
How to Get Around Sarasota
The best way to get around Sarasota is a car. It is also the easiest way to get around during vacation. Things in Florida are generally very spread out, so walking everywhere isn’t realistic, especially if you visit in the Summer. The Florida heat and humidity make walking around unbearable sometimes.
Since we drove up from Miami, we had our own vehicle, which made it really easy to get around to see and do things. If renting a car is not an option, there are Lyft’s and Uber. We did use Uber at night if were went out for drinks.
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Where to Stay
It is important to note that the location of where you plan to stay is important for your trip to Sarasota. If your plan is to visit the beach while you are here, then staying on one of the keys near the beaches is best as you will normally be within walking distance of the beach and can avoid the fight for a parking space on busy days. Be aware that accommodations on the keys can be more pricey, however, if you stay somewhere on the mainland you will not be that far away from the beach (about 15 – 20 minutes).
If you want to take in more of the sights and activities Sarasota has to offer, I would recommend staying on the mainland. You will be more centrally located and can avoid having to constantly battle the traffic coming on and off the keys.
We personally decided to stay at The Westin Sarasota, which is located in downtown Sarasota and overlooks Sarasota Bay. The hotel is situated minutes from top destinations such as St. Armands Circle, Mote Marine Aquarium, Siesta Key Beach and Lido Key Beach. We loved the fact that the hotel has a rooftop pool with food and cocktail service. We really enjoyed relaxing poolside and being waited on. There are several restaurants within the hotel as well if you don’t feel like leaving the property.
Although, we did not stay at The Ritz Carlton Sarasota, I would also recommend staying here while visiting Sarasota as we visited twice during our trip. The Ritz Carlton Sarasota is located behind the Westin Sarasota and you can walk there within 5 minutes. It’s a beautiful location to watch the sunset and have cocktails and dinner. I recommend making reservations if you plan to do this. When you stay at the Ritz Carlton Sarasota, you even have access to their exclusive Beach Club located three miles away on the white sands of Lido Key. If you’re not a budget, this is definitely the place to stay.
What to Do
Visit the Beaches – There are several gorgeous beaches in the Sarasota area, and each has features that make it worth visiting. The most well-known beach is Siesta Key Beach, which has become world-famous due to its white, sugar-fine sand. Another lovely beach on the keys, however, is Lido Beachon Lido Key.
The John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art – is a world-class art museum featuring the artwork that John Ringling had accumulated during his lifetime. At the museum there is also a gallery of modern artwork and a space set aside for the exhibition of special collections that are on tour throughout the country.
Shopping – The downtown district of Sarasota has many excellent shops for you to explore while in town. Main Street and the Burns Court area have some of the best places, though there are other streets worth strolling down as well. Don’t miss St. Armand’s Circle for shopping too!
St. Armand’s Circle – This area is perfect for taking a stroll, getting a bite to eat or shopping. St. Armand’s is a collection of boutiques, restaurants, and stores that offers an experience all its own. I definitely suggest visiting for lunch or dinner and then walking around.
Where to Eat
Sarasota and the surrounding area has dozens of restaurants from which to choose. There are some excellent locally-owned choices and below are some of my favorites from my recent trip.
- Shore – Modern American cuisine
- Blu Kouzina – Greek cuisine in St. Armand’s Circle
- Owen’s Fish Camp – Local seafood cuisine with a southern style hospitality
- Jacky Dusty – Upscale seafood cuisine located in the Ritz Carlton
- The Overton – Cute café for breakfast and coffee.
- EVOQ – Casually delicious American cuisine located in the Westin hotel
- Westin Sarasota Rooftop – The rooftop bar offers panoramic views of Sarasota and a poolside menu with masterfully crafted cocktails and gourmet snacks. Perfect spot to have a pool day or to visit to view the sunset.
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Have you ever been to Sarasota or is it on your bucket list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or any questions.
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