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Sarasota

The first things people notice about Sarasota are the pristine beaches and the incredible weather. But when they look a little closer, they find a city ripe with shopping, excellent restaurants, and a thriving arts and culture scene, replete with an opera and an internationally known ballet. Home to circus magnate John Ringling, and once known as “The Circus Capital of the World,” Sarasota is as unexpectedly unique as the Keys that surround it. Here, it’s not so much a sense of adventure that you’ll need, but a sense of wonderment. Prepare to be amazed as Hyatt pulls back the curtain and reveals Sarasota’s hidden grandeur.

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Explore Sarasota Florida
ARTS/CULTURE
Asolo Repertory Theater

5555 North Tamiami Trial

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 351 8000

Operating in classic repertory form, the Asolo puts on five performances in one weekend, each of which would make James Lipton proud.

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

5401 Bay Shore Road

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 351 1660

With an art museum, a circus museum and John Ringling’s mansion, you should plan to spend most of the day here.

Sarasota Ballet

5555 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 359 0099

After a 2008 performance of “The Two Pigeons” and a glowing review in the New York Times, this company’s national reputation has only continued to grow.

Sarasota Opera

5555 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 366 8450

Sorry, fellas: there’s no excuse not to go. The performance is translated into English and the program explains the plot in detail. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Center

777 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 953 3368

This giant purple structure sits seaside and hosts symphony and theater, from Kathy Griffin to Cirque de Soliel.

Places to see in Sarasota.
PLACES
Historic Spanish Point

337 North Tamiami Trail

Osprey, FL

+1 941 966 5214

Learning how the pioneers lived in the 19th century is captivating. Seeing the actual flora and fauna in which they lived is illuminating.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

811 South Palm Avenue

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 366 5731

More than 200 visits to tropical rain forests were needed to fill the garden’s 14 acres with exotic plants. But you only need one visit to see them all.

Sarasota Polo Club

8201 Polo Club Lane

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 907 0000

Watching a polo match is like watching an exciting game of soccer, except that each period is called a chukka and, well, there are horses.

Siesta Key Beach

Sarasota, FL

This Sarasota beach is world-renowned for cool, sugary white sand beneath your feet.  Test your snorkeling skills it its shallow waters.

St. Armands Circle

Sarasota, FL

Off Lido Key, the only things that beat the striking beach views are the fudge shops, boutiques, and alluring architecture.

Places to eat, drink and play in Sarasota.
EAT/DRINK/PLAY
Bistro Du Monde

5119 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 355 1114

Everything on the menu, from the scrambled egg sandwich to the blueberry muffins, comes with a side of French jazz and impressionist paintings.

Broken Egg

4031 Clark Road

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 922 2868

Mouthwatering pancakes with endless toppings are hard to pass up.  But if you do, try the Siesta Key omelette, which comes with fresh blue crab.

Kilwin’s Chocolates of Saint Armonds

312 John Ringling Boulevard

Sarasota, FL

+1 914 388 3200

No matter how wonderful or awful your day has been, a sweet treat always makes it better. And Kilwin’s has the best sweets in Sarasota.

Lelu Coffee Lounge

5251 Ocean Boulevard

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 346 5358

From coffee and smoothies to margaritas, martinis and wine, if you can drink it, Lelu’s serves it.

Mozaic

1377 Main Street

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 951 6272

From the Moroccan-style mussel soup to the pan-seared diver scallops with crispy potato cakes, the fusion of Mediterranean and French influences makes for innovative cuisine.

Old Salty Dog

1601 Ken Thompson Parkway

Sarasota, FL

Whether you’re here for the golden fried Loaded Salty Dog or a plate piled high with steamed oysters, this restaurant is the Gulf’s ultimate place to kick back and eat.

Selva Grill

1345 Main Street

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 362 4427

The Nuevo Latino cuisine gets a boost from a hint of Asian influence, from the wok-fried sirloin with yucca to the sea bass served with bok choy.

Places to go shopping in Sarasota.
SHOPPING
Fantasea Seashells

378 Saint Armands Circle

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 388 3031

With ocean-inspired home décor, from seashells to fragrant candles, you’ll be able to hear the waves gently lapping against the shore, even if you’re somewhere in the Midwest.

Fruitville Antique District

Fruitville Road, between Central Avenue and Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL

Most visitors would never think to look for antiques on Fruitville Road. Then again, maybe that’s why the locals put antique row there: to keep the best finds to themselves.

Juno and Jove

1425 First Street

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 225 9256

You can’t spend every day at the beach. Go downtown and mingle, because everything is local at this market: the produce, the arts and crafts and camaraderie.

Sarasota Farmers Market

Main Street and Lemon Avenue

Sarasota, FL

+1 941 225 9256

You can’t spend every day at the beach. Go downtown and mingle, because everything is local at this market: the produce, the arts and crafts and camaraderie.

Sea Hagg

12304 Cortez Road West

Bradenton, FL

+1 941 795 5756

It doesn’t matter if you’re a pirate who needs a telescope, a sailor who needs a sextant or someone who wants a mermaid statue in your living room. You can find it here.

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