Part of our Florida guide.
This page gathers three guides from our Sarasota coverage: outdoor markets, romantic getaways, and photography spots.
Related travel guides: Bradenton Travel Guide, Panama City Travel Guide, and Delray Beach Travel Guide.
5 Outdoor Markets To Shop In Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota’s outdoor markets offer fresh produce, handmade crafts, and a look at local life. The Sarasota Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round at 1 N. Lemon Ave., with over 75 vendors selling seasonal fruits, baked goods, and artisan items. The Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market is the same event. Siesta Key Farmers Market operates Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5250 Ocean Blvd., featuring local honey, seafood, and plants. The Phillippi Creek Farmers Market, held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, specializes in organic produce and fresh flowers. The Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., with live music and prepared foods. The Venice Farmers Market, a short drive south, operates Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 401 W. Venice Ave., offering citrus, crafts, and local art.
12 Romantic Getaways In Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, along the Gulf of Mexico, blends relaxation and culture for couples. Siesta Key Beach has powdery white quartz sand and public access from sunrise to sunset. The Ringling Museum of Art, at 5401 Bay Shore Rd., features the Ca’ d’Zan mansion, formal gardens, and a sculpture garden; admission is $25 per adult as of 2024. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, at 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., offers behind-the-scenes tours for $30 per person. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, at 1534 Mound St., has 15 acres of tropical plants and a bayfront view; entry is $25. St. Armands Circle, on Lido Key, has boutiques and waterfront dining. For sunset sailing, book a two-hour catamaran cruise from Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, starting at $65 per person. The historic Sarasota Opera House, at 61 N. Pineapple Ave., hosts performances from November to April. The Crowley Natural Preserve, at 6800 Midnight Pass Rd., has boardwalk trails through mangroves. The resorts to stay in Sarasota, Florida include the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota and Lido Beach Resort, both with Gulf-view rooms. The John and Mable Ringling Museum’s courtyard is free to walk through daily. The Bayfront Park, at 5 Bayfront Dr., has a playground and picnic tables. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, at 777 N. Tamiami Trail, offers concerts and Broadway shows. The Myakka River State Park, 14 miles east of downtown, has airboat tours for $20 per person.
5 Best Spots For Photography In Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota’s photography spots include sunsets, landscapes, and urban scenes. Siesta Key Beach at sunrise or sunset offers pastel skies over turquoise water; parking at the lot on 5250 Ocean Blvd. costs $5 per hour. The Ringling Museum’s grounds, at 5401 Bay Shore Rd., have the Ca’ d’Zan mansion, rose garden, and bay views; the entrance fee is $25. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, at 1534 Mound St., have a bayfront promenade and banyan trees; admission is $25. The Celery Fields, at 6893 Palmer Blvd., feature wetlands and birdlife; free entry and a 1.5-mile boardwalk. The Venice Pier, at 611 Venice Ave. W., extends 740 feet into the Gulf, with pelicans and sunsets; free parking and open 24 hours.
