Sarasota is a fun destination with lots of art and culture, and of course, incredible beaches. Here are a few places we’d recommend visiting while you’re in town for our wedding. Scroll to the bottom for a Google map that includes the addresses for each of these places!

Beaches

Siesta Key

Lido Key

Coquina Beach

Anna Maria Island

Places to Eat and Drink

St. Armand’s Circle – A bustling roundabout with lots of restaurants, bars and shopping that’s walking distance from the public beach access on Lido Key. We recommend getting several drinks at Daiquiri Deck.

Siesta Key – Not far from the beaches, there are quite a few fun bars, restaurants and locally-owned shops, like a donut stand that is open late. You can take a break from the sun to grab a drink or go out at night on Siesta Key. You might run into Dick Vitale at Another Broken Egg if you go for breakfast.

Downtown Sarasota – This is a great area to visit at night for restaurants, bars and live music.

Unique to Sarasota

The Ringling Museum – The family that started the Ringling Bros. Circus has had a huge impact on Sarasota and curated a large, impressive art collection now housed on the grounds of their estate. The estate itself is beautiful and worth a visit, and the art collection is truly special. It’s something you can only see in Sarasota.

Jungle Gardens – Known for their large collection of colorful birds, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a fun place to visit and interact with animals. Their collection includes alligators, flamingos, and the famous cockatoo from the Ed Sullivan Show who can ride a unicycle! Many of the birds and other animals are rescues that are are saved and cared for by Jungle Gardens.

Big Cat Habitat – Similar to Jungle Gardens, the Sarasota Big Cat Habitat gives you an up-close and personal experience with tigers, lions and other exotic, large cats. The cats will perform regular shows, and all admission fees and donations fund the non-profit organization that rescues these animals. Many of the big cats are former circus performers or rescued from owners who could not care for them.

Favorite Restaurants

Daiquiri Deck

Mar Vista

Mattison’s

Hob-Nob Drive In

Duval’s

Indigenous Restaurant

The Beach Club on Lido Key

Everything on One Map