Best Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida

What are the best things to do in Sarasota, Florida? From world-class attractions and incredible local restaurants to beaches, trails, and life on the water, Sarasota has far more to explore than most visitors realize. After living here for 27 years, these are the places and experiences I think belong on your list.

Looking for the Best Things to Do in Sarasota? Start With a Local’s List

There are plenty of “best things to do in Sarasota” lists online. But here’s the problem: a lot of them are written by people who spent a weekend here.

I’ve lived in Sarasota since the late 1990s. I grew up here, built my life here, and have spent decades exploring the beaches, restaurants, trails, attractions, and waterways that make this place unique.

As a local Realtor, I also talk with people every week who are considering Sarasota as a place to live. They want to know what the area actually feels like—not just what makes a good vacation photo.

So this isn’t meant to be a generic Sarasota travel guide. It’s my personal list of the things I think are worth your time in 2026.

5. Sarasota Attractions That Show There’s More Here Than the Beach

Let’s start with something people often overlook when they think about Sarasota: culture.

Yes, Sarasota has incredible beaches. But there is a depth to the arts, history, and attractions here that deserves just as much attention.

One of my first recommendations is Mote SEA, the Mote Science Education Aquarium. Mote Marine Laboratory has been part of Sarasota for decades, and the new aquarium gives visitors an opportunity to experience that marine science in a completely different way.

It’s interactive, impressive, and genuinely educational without feeling like you’re sitting through a lecture. If you haven’t been yet, put it on your list.

Then there’s The Ringling.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is one of those Sarasota attractions that is easy to overlook if you’re focused only on the beaches. But between the art museum, Ca’ d’Zan mansion, Circus Museum, and beautiful grounds, you can easily spend a substantial part of your day there.

And Sarasota’s connection to the circus runs much deeper than most people realize. This was the winter home of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and that history is still woven into the character of the city.

4. Want to Know Where Locals Actually Eat in Sarasota?

Sarasota’s food scene is another reason I think this city gets undersold.

The best part? Great restaurants aren’t concentrated in just one neighborhood. You’ll find excellent options throughout downtown Sarasota, UTC, Lakewood Ranch, and the islands and keys.

Here are a few of my personal favorites.

Owen’s Fish Camp is one of those Sarasota restaurants I keep coming back to. It has that old-Florida character that’s increasingly difficult to find, and the grouper sandwich is one of my personal favorites.

Baker and Wife is another one worth putting on your list. My wife and I went there for a date night and were genuinely impressed. The food, atmosphere, and service made it an easy addition to my recommendations.

Then there’s MarVista on Longboat Key. It’s right on the water, relaxed, and gives you the kind of Sarasota dining experience where the setting is part of the meal.

And finally, check out Florence and the Spice Boys. What started as a food truck has grown into multiple locations around Sarasota, including UTC. Their Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired menu makes this another spot worth exploring.

If you want to keep up with new restaurants, developments, and other changes around Sarasota, I also put together a monthly newsletter with the local information I think is actually worth knowing.

3. The Sarasota Parks and Trails You Shouldn’t Miss

Here’s one that surprises people: Sarasota has much more than beaches when it comes to outdoor recreation.

Start with The Legacy Trail.

The trail stretches more than 18 miles from Sarasota toward Venice and gives you a completely different way to experience the area. You can bike, walk, or run while moving through parts of Sarasota you simply don’t see from the car.

Then there’s The Bay, right along the Sarasota bayfront.

I’ve watched this park develop from the beginning, and it has quickly become one of the most interesting projects happening in the city. It’s a waterfront park in downtown Sarasota that continues to expand, with additional phases planned.

If you haven’t visited The Bay recently, go see it for yourself. What you see today is only part of what this project is becoming.

And don’t forget Celery Fields.

Sarasota’s “mountain” is actually a hill in the middle of a wetland preserve—but around here, that counts. Climb to the top and you’ll get expansive views across the surrounding area. It’s also a great place to experience Sarasota’s natural landscape.

2. Sarasota Beaches: Siesta Key, Lido Key and the Local Favorites

Of course beaches had to make the list.

Siesta Key is probably the most obvious choice. The beach is famous for its incredibly white quartz sand, and there’s a reason people travel specifically to experience it.

But don’t stop there.

Lido Key offers something different because of its proximity to St. Armands Circle. You can spend time at the beach, then walk over to restaurants and shops without having to get back in the car.

Then there’s my local pick: South Lido.

South Lido has a completely different feel from the Gulf-facing beaches. You get protected bay water, tree cover, and a quieter experience. It’s one of those Sarasota spots that tends to fly under the radar.

And if you want another taste of old Sarasota, head to Nokomis Beach. It has a laid-back, local character that makes it worth experiencing.

1. The Best Thing to Do in Sarasota? Get on the Water

If I had to choose just one category as the best thing to do in Sarasota, it would be water activities.

Because here, the water isn’t just something you look at. For many people who live here, it becomes part of everyday life.

You can go fishing in Sarasota Bay or head out toward the Gulf. You can explore the waterways by boat or spend an afternoon anchored at a sandbar.

There’s also the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, a longtime part of Sarasota’s waterfront community. Whether you already sail or have always wanted to learn, it’s one of the places that gives you a connection to Sarasota’s maritime history and culture.

I once had a relocation buyer from New England ask me a question that I’ll never forget:

“Do people actually get in the water here?”

Yes.

They do.

People anchor their boats in the bay and swim. They pull up to sandbars. They spend Wednesday afternoons on the water. They make the Gulf and the bay part of their lifestyle.

And honestly, that’s something you have to experience for yourself to fully understand.

The Bottom Line: Sarasota Is More Than a Beach Town

I could keep going because there are always new things happening in Sarasota.

That’s one of the things I love about this city. There are new restaurants opening, new developments taking shape, parks evolving, and longtime local favorites that continue to be worth visiting.

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Sarasota, Florida, don’t just check the standard tourist list.

Explore the attractions. Try the restaurants. Get on the trails. Visit the beaches. And most importantly, get out on the water.

That’s when you start experiencing Sarasota the way locals do.

Want to Know What’s New in Sarasota?

If you want to stay ahead of what’s happening around Sarasota, sign up for my monthly newsletter.

I share new restaurants, developments, local changes, and things happening around the area that you may not find on the typical travel blogs.

It’s my way of helping you stay connected to Sarasota from the perspective of someone who has actually lived here for decades.

Sign up for the newsletter and stay in the know about what’s happening in Sarasota.