Must Do Sarasota Visitor Guide Winter/Spring 2018
Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Winter/Spring 2018 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
Must Do Visitor Guides we believe the best experiences in life are better when shared, and so we do. Inside this Sarasota Winter/Spring 2018 issue, you will find over one hundred well-researched and carefully curated standout things to do so you can make the most of your visit. Everything from major attractions to awe-inspiring tours or family activities conveniently arranged in our Top 10 directories. Our dining and nightlife recommendations take the guesswork out of where to find a great meal or drink. You can make your experience here even more spectacular with our valuable deals and savings.
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ATTRACTIONS<br />
top<br />
Experience the<br />
10<br />
NITA ETTINGER JENNIFER BRINKMAN<br />
Places we<br />
Love<br />
Coupon<br />
Lively arts, extraordinary history, and<br />
interactive exhibits and shows provide<br />
one-of-a-kind opportunities to explore,<br />
learn, and be entertained at area<br />
attractions. Gardens, museums, an<br />
aquarium, zoo, and animal sanctuary<br />
provide hours of fun the entire family<br />
will enjoy.<br />
History enthusiasts will be fascinated to learn the region was once home to<br />
Mastodons, Saber-Toothed tigers, Native Americans, Spanish explorers, pirates,<br />
and early American settlers. Did you know that <strong>Sarasota</strong> was also the winter home<br />
of the famed Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus? In fact, many circuses<br />
and circus performers have called <strong>Sarasota</strong> home, including renowned Niagara<br />
Falls and Grand Canyon tightrope walker Nik Wallenda of the famous Flying<br />
Wallenda family.<br />
In addition to the area’s historical attractions, you’ll find a diverse array of culture<br />
and arts. The Suncoast features top-ranked art festivals and a strong performing<br />
arts community with resident orchestra, ballet, and opera companies. Theater<br />
productions range from intimate to Broadway shows. With a unique blend of<br />
history, entertainment, and interactive learning fun, there is something to<br />
entertain the entire family.<br />
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary<br />
7101 Palmer Blvd., <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.371.6377 • BigCatHabitat.org<br />
See and learn about exotic and<br />
endangered Siberian tigers, African lions,<br />
and rare white tigers at this nonprofit safe<br />
haven. Also encounter bears, primates,<br />
birds, and other animals. Adults and<br />
children will enjoy being entertained by<br />
the animals during educational training<br />
demonstrations. Also features a petting<br />
zoo and koi pond. Reservations are not<br />
required. Special events throughout the<br />
year, call for schedule.<br />
Florida Studio Theatre<br />
1241 N. Palm Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.366.9000 • FloridaStudioTheatre.org<br />
Their three theatres provide an intimate<br />
and engaging setting for professional,<br />
high-quality performances. FST’s Mainstage<br />
series features productions that draw from<br />
new works, regionally produced works, and<br />
the latest Off-Broadway and Broadway plays.<br />
The Cabaret series presents entertaining<br />
musical and improvisation performances<br />
in the intimate Cabaret Theatre.<br />
Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions<br />
32755 Singletary Road, Myakka City<br />
941.322.1501 • HLipizzans.com<br />
Take the rare opportunity to witness the<br />
beauty and grace of the magnificent<br />
Lipizzan Stallions performing their classical<br />
equestrian moves at their winter training<br />
home. Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria<br />
are the most rare and aristocratic breed<br />
of horses in the world. See ad on page<br />
7 for training session schedule.<br />
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens<br />
900 S. Palm Avenue, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.366.5731 • Selby.org<br />
An 11-acre botanical garden featuring more<br />
than 20,000 colorful and exotic plants including<br />
more than 6,000 orchids displayed in the<br />
Tropical Conservatory. Breathtaking display<br />
gardens include a butterfly garden, bonsai<br />
garden, banyan trees, and <strong>Sarasota</strong> Bayfront<br />
mangrove walkway. Onsite gift shop and<br />
restaurant. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<br />
Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy<br />
2121 N. Tamiami Trail, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.364.3399 • WhimsyMuseum.org<br />
Dedicated to raising the importance of<br />
positive and Whimsical Art, the Museum<br />
exhibits light-hearted paintings, sculptures,<br />
and stained glass by approximately 250<br />
artists. Linger under the Museum’s oak<br />
canopied gardens, and visit the sculpture<br />
garden to encounter a colorful menagerie<br />
among exotic trees. Admission is free, with<br />
a suggested $5 donation. Open Thursday,<br />
Friday, and Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. through<br />
May 26, <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Mixon Fruit Farms<br />
2525 27th Street East, Bradenton<br />
941.748.5829 • Mixon.com<br />
Take a ride through the grove on The<br />
Orange Blossom Express with a stop at<br />
the Wildlife Rescue for a truly Floridian<br />
experience. Gift Shoppe is filled with<br />
unique Florida gifts and gourmet specialties<br />
including homemade fudge, marmalades,<br />
and Orange Blossom honey. Enjoy fresh<br />
squeezed Mixon juices or their famous<br />
orange swirl ice cream. Open Monday<br />
through Saturday.<br />
Mote Marine Aquarium<br />
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.388.4441 • Mote.org<br />
Features more than 100 species of marine<br />
life, touch pools, a 135,000-gallon shark<br />
habitat, dolphin, manatee, and sea turtle<br />
exhibits that are sure to please the entire<br />
family. View working labs and interactive<br />
exhibits at the world-renowned marine<br />
research and conservation facility: Mote<br />
Marine Laboratory. Open daily.<br />
The Ringling<br />
5401 Bay Shore Road, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.359.5700 • Ringling.org<br />
Admission is free on Mondays to the<br />
Ringling Museum of Art, which is home to<br />
one of the finest collections of art in Florida.<br />
Offers self-guided or docent-led tours of<br />
Ca d’Zan, the Ringling’s waterfront mansion.<br />
The beautiful grounds, gardens, and<br />
Circus Museum that showcases circus<br />
history and includes the world’s largest<br />
miniature circus are enjoyable for all ages.<br />
<strong>Sarasota</strong> Classic Car Museum<br />
5500 N. Tamiami Trail, <strong>Sarasota</strong><br />
941.355.6228 • <strong>Sarasota</strong>CarMuseum.org<br />
See rotating exhibits featuring more than<br />
85 antique, exotic, European, and one-of-akind<br />
classic automobiles spanning over<br />
100 years at one of the oldest antique car<br />
museums in the world. Also features an<br />
operational antique game arcade and<br />
exhibits of antique cameras and photography.<br />
Comedy nights, musical tribute, and variety<br />
shows are presented in the cabaret-style<br />
theater, see website for details. Open daily.<br />
South Florida Museum<br />
201 10th Street West, Bradenton<br />
941.746.4131 • SouthFloridaMuseum.org<br />
Discover Florida’s story from the<br />
prehistoric, to the present with life-sized<br />
casts of Ice Age mammals and fossils at<br />
the largest natural and cultural history<br />
museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bishop<br />
Planetarium’s all digital full dome theater<br />
offers thrilling astronomy and light shows<br />
with unidirectional stadium style seating.<br />
Parker Manatee Aquarium is home to<br />
rehabilitating sick or injured manatees.<br />
Over 85<br />
Vintage, Exotic<br />
& Classic Cars<br />
Open Daily • Car Shows • Tribute Shows • Special Events<br />
$1 Off aDMiSSiON<br />
wiT h COupON iN baC k<br />
More than a car MuseuM<br />
5500 N. Tamiami Trail, <strong>Sarasota</strong> • 941-355-6228 • <strong>Sarasota</strong>CarMuseum.org<br />
20 WINTER | SPRING <strong>2018</strong> <strong>Must</strong><strong>Do</strong>.com
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