4 Days in Sarasota, FL | Ultimate Itinerary + Vacationer’s Guide
Four days in Sarasota is the ideal amount of time you need to enjoy a quick getaway to the sunshine state. The gulf coast of Florida rivals the Caribbean with its beautiful beaches and endless activities. Just 60 miles south of Tampa, Sarasota is an hour away from the big city vibes and two hours away from the Disney adults (no Disney hate but lol). There are three easily accessible airports with endless direct flights from major American cities making Sarasota perfect for a long-weekend or an extensive vacay!
Sarasota Vacation: Best Time to Visit
There is no bad time to visit Sarasota or the Gulf Coast of Florida. Sarasota is in the prime location of Florida, but dependent on how you are looking to spend your vacation, you will want to plan your trip around the weather.
The best time to visit Sarasota is from March to May when temperatures average in the low 80s. The high season for snow-birds and tourists alike is directly after the holidays wrap up until around April/May. During the summer, Sarasota will be spicy hot, but ideal if you are going to be spending the majority of your time at the beach and in the water.
The beautiful and predictable weather of Sarasota will allow for an ideal trip any time of the year.
Additional planning tip: Please note that Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak of the season being the first week of September.
Day 1: Arrival, Lido Beach, and St. Armand’s Circle
Arriving in Sarasota
By Air: Sarasota is extremely accessible from any city in the United States. Serviced by three airports including its very-own Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). SRQ has flights from every major American airline company as well as several budget airlines that make a quick and cheap trip to Sarasota an easy last minute vacation spot. They also surprisingly have many direct flights that travel all along the East coast. Another easy option is to fly into Tampa International Airport and drive an hour—and trust me, it’s a beautiful drive. The last option, but also with the fewest amount of flights, is to fly into St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. Also an hour away, this airport has great direct flights from several smaller cities in the US including Peoria IL, Roanoke VA, Cedar Rapids IA, Niagara Falls NY, and more.
By Land: Driving into Sarasota is an option for anyone located in the continental US. Granted Florida is very far from the glooming majority of the states, Sarasota is an easily accessible location from the following spots:
Tampa - 1 hour drive
Naples - 2 hour drive
Orlando - 2.5 hour drive
Miami - 3.5 hour drive
Savannah, GA - 6 hour drive
Where to stay in Sarasota
Budget: Baymont by Wyndham Sarasota
Although this hotel is not in the prime location of Sarasota, you can still drive five minutes and be close to all the main attractions Sarasota has to offer. This spot is nice because it has a pool and does not break the bank if you are looking to save a little on your accommodation visiting Sarasota.
Mid-Range: The Westin Sarasota
Right in the heart of Sarasota, the Westin is one of the few high-rise buildings that provide the city of Sarasota with a mini “cityscape” view. At the top of the Westin, there is a rooftop pool that is absolutely perfect for watching the sunset over the ocean. The rooms are large and are the perfect happy medium for having a luxury vacation, but not going over the top.
Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
I absolutely adore this hotel and contemplated having my wedding here. There is nowhere nicer to stay in Sarasota other than the gorgeous and fabulous Ritz Carlton. It has its own private beach club where a shuttle will take you to another beautiful spot on the beach. One of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota is located at the Ritz—Jack Dusty’s—make sure you get their signature cocktail: The Siren.
Depending on what time you get into Sarasota, you can either B-line it straight to the beach for sunset, or start a fresh day by visiting my favorite spot in Sarasota.
View from the rooftop pool at the Westin hotel.
The Ringling Museum
Located right across from the entrance to the Sarasota airport, the Ringling is the perfect first stop in Sarasota (maybe after the Starbucks in the airport). the Ringling is famous for being the prior training location and home to John and Mable Ringling. One of the most affluent men of his time, John Ringling was one of the five Ringling Brothers who teamed up to create the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The creation of the Ringling Bros World's Greatest Shows led to a monopoly of the modern day circus.
Now, now, you may not be interested in circuses—I certainly am not a fan (save the elephants), but the Ringling is SO much more than that. It is the most instagrammable spot in Sarasota (maybe even the gulf coast) and home to some of the most beautiful Italian architecture and art. Make sure you check out the pink courtyard in front of the art museum for a picture like this. Other must-see’s while visiting the Ringling are the Ca D’Zan, the mini-circus gallery, and the art museum itself.
Prices: Adult $25 | Senior (65+) $23 | Child (6-17) $5 | Child 5 and under are Free | Members are Free
Discounted Museum Admissions require a current ID and must be purchased in person: Active US Military $15 | Florida Teacher $10 | College Student $5 | FSU, USF, SCF, NCF, RCAD students are free | Personal Care Attendants are free | Museums for All* participants are free.
For a taste of Italy in Florida, make sure you add the Ringling museum to your list of things to do in Sarasota!
Lido Beach
After visiting the beauty of the Ringling museum, I recommend you head to one of my favorite beaches in the area: Lido Beach. This is a great spot to watch the sunset and then walk to St. Armands after for a nice dinner. Parking is free, so you can either find a spot closer to the beach, or park anywhere in St. Armands to take a stroll through the lovely circle. Lido Beach is perfect for watching the sunset, collecting shells and sand dollars, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the gulf coast. You definitely do not want to miss this beach on your trip to Sarasota!
One of the many beautiful sunsets we watched on Lido Beach.
St. Armand’s Circle
After soaking up some sunshine, head on over to St. Armand’s Circle. The hustle and bustle of this area is always prime for people watching, grabbing the perfect souvenir, and finding a bite to eat. Several spots you don’t want to miss include:
Daiquiri Deck
Arcade Monsters Lido Beach
Meany’s Mini Donuts
Definitely do a lap around the circle before dinner to enjoy the aroma of St. Armands—everyone here is happy, there are musicians playing music, and the smells of yummy food fill the air. After doing some shopping, you are probably hungry, so I recommend the following for dinner:
Venezia - This is everyone in our family’s FAVORITE restaurant in Sarasota. I am a sucker for any Italian restaurant that has gnocchi on the menu, but more than that, the ambiance is fantastic. They do not take reservations and there is usually a little wait, but definitely worth it for a table outside at Venezia.
Columbia Restaurant - Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, this chain of restaurants claim to be Florida’s oldest restaurant. This restaurant has more awards than you can count, and you will see why when you eat here, because it is awesome!
Day 2: Myakka State Park, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, and Sunset Dinner
Today is an adventure day—full of nature, wildlife fun, and more.
Start your day with some bagels to go from Lox' n Egg Bread Company. As a native Jersey girl, I can attest to these bagels being the real deal so grab some everything ‘flagel’ breakfast sandwiches to take on a little drive out to Myakka State Park.
Myakka River State Park
People who are scared of heights might not love the Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk, but fear not as there are plenty of other activities in the park to enjoy.
Your first stop in the park should be the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which is a treehouse and suspension bridge in the sky at twenty-five feet in the air. At the top of the tower (which sits at 75 feet in the air), you will have amazing views of the wetlands of Myakka. You may even spot some wildlife including eagles and other birds of prey. After you climb down from the tower, definitely check out the other amenities Myakka River State Park has to offer.
There are miles of hiking trails, a visitor’s center, and you can even take a boat cruise to spot some alligators.
Wicked Cantina
For lunch, we recommend stopping at Wicked Cantina. This spot is super fun and usually has live music for the tables dining al fresca. If you are in the mood for some Mexican, margs, and music, absolutely make this your lunch destination for the day.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens
After you are stuffed from lunch, drive just another minute or two down the road to visit my favorite touristy thing to do in Sarasota—Sarasota Jungle Gardens. This spot may be advertised as super family-friendly, but this place has something for everyone and kids and adults alike will love it. Famed for its super instagrammable flamingos that live there, you will not be able to stop snapping pictures of the gorgeous plants and animals that live there.
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a flamingo lover’s dream! They are my favorite bird and I couldn’t even count them all. You can purchase special food to feed all the animals in the park and these guys will ‘flock’ to you.
The wildlife at Sarasota Jungle Gardens are so plentiful and well-kept. Knowing that the animals are loved makes this place even more special to visit. Also, look at this little guys hands—they’re so cute.
Sunset Dinner at the Point
After an afternoon full of cute critters, make your way to The Point in Osprey, FL for sunset drinks and dinner. This is the perfect date night spot and the views of the sunset are just immaculate. Make sure you make reservations at the top floor for the perfect view. This is the absolute best way to end your adventure day in Sarasota.
Day 3: Beach day on Siesta Key
Shell shopping on any of the Siesta Key beaches is a fun activity to do. Right after sunrise is the best time to find all the sand dollars.
If you missed the beach yesterday, you are in luck! Today we are headed to the #1 beach in the United States on the beautiful island of Siesta Key. Famous for its gorgeous beaches, Siesta Key is also home to the national sensation reality TV show—Siesta Key.
Breakfast at Original Word of Mouth
To start the day off, join the locals by grabbing some breakfast or brunch at Original Word of Mouth. This tiny joint has some of the best breakfast food you can find in Sarasota, and we haven’t had a bad meal here yet.
Siesta Key Beach
Ranked the #1 beach in the United States by TripAdvisor and Dr. Beach, Siesta Key beach is not to be missed!
The beach is huge and has so much going on at all times. If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota on a Sunday evening, there is a drum circle that happens every week. Here you can dance the night away on the beach or enjoy the views of all the eclectic people the drum circle attracts.
The sand itself is so soft and the water is as clear as the Caribbean. You can spend an entire day just lounging by the ocean, which is why this spot is so crowded every day. Despite this, there is plenty of free parking, concession stands, and restrooms available for public use.
Turtle Beach
If Siesta Key beach is packed, you can head to either Turtle Beach or Crescent Beach for a little bit of a different vibe. Turtle Beach is a family favorite for watching the sunset. Just a couple minutes drive past Siesta Key beach, you can reach several other beach spots to enjoy for the day. Turtle Beach is great because you can park for free right next to the beach and not have to carry all your beach items very far. The sand is so soft and a very popular spot with the locals.
Crescent Beach
Another option for Siesta Key beaches is the beautiful Crescent Beach. Parking here is a little bit trickier than the others, but if you find a spot, this beach is a fantastic place to spend the day or stop at to watch the sunset. Make sure you stop at the always packed Captain Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar across the street from the beach for a daiquiri from their to-go stand.
Point of Rocks
If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota/Siesta Key in the summer when the water is warm, you must stop at Point of Rocks. Point of Rocks is known by locals for being one of the only snorkeling spots in the area. Getting here is not as easy as our other spots on this itinerary, but easily accessible from Crescent Beach. From Crescent Beach, walk to the southern-most tip of the beach until you hit a rock sea wall. From there, climb along the sea wall and look for the steps to get into the water. This spot is perfect for snorkeling and wading in the tide pools. This is also a perfect spot to take your bikini instagram you have been trying to capture all week.
Captain Curt’s
Head back to Captain Curt’s for lunch! Here you can take a quick break from the sunshine (and heat) to enjoy some delicious seafood and drinks right across from Crescent Beach. In the evening, they usually have a band playing, making the atmosphere here unbeatable. After lunch, check out another one of the beaches I listed and soak up some more rays or ride on a jetski from one of the various rental companies they have in the area.
Siesta Key Village
After you have had your fill of the sunshine, Siesta Key Village is another super fun shopping and dining spot in the Sarasota area. A little bit smaller than St. Armand’s, but also a different vibe, this place is perfect for finding a “Siesta Key” souvenir and having some amazing food. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are located in the village, so here are some of my favorites:
Siesta Key Oyster Bar - Literally always packed, but for good reasons. Arguably the best seafood and vibes in the Sarasota area, definitely try to score a table at the Siesta Key Oyster Bar. They also surprisingly have an amazing brunch (and you get a free drink with any entree).
Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill - I absolutely adore this spot! This place makes you feel like you are in a tiki bar in Hawaii. The food here is mainly bar food, but the experience is so worth it, so definitely prioritize a visit to this spot for either dinner or a quick cocktail.
Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key Village - I know I keep listing all the Daiquiri Deck locations (there are five), but you must stop at one of these spots at least once. The drinks are so yummy and the bartenders are all so nice and fun. This is a great spot to watch a sporting event or to spend a night out drinking.
Cafe Gabbiano - For an enjoyable fine-dining experience, check out Cafe Gabbiano. Their wine selection is extensive and everything on the menu is fantastic. We celebrated my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday here and we all were raving how perfect the evening was.
Day 4: Downtown Sarasota, Mote Aquarium, & Marie Selby Gardens
Brunch at Sunnyside Cafe
At Mote Aquarium, you can find Nemo and Dory look-a-likes like these guys.
We love this brunch spot because it is reasonably priced and always has great food. In peak season, you may have to wait for a table, but we say it’s worth it for a fun brunch at Sunnyside Cafe.
Mote Aquarium
Mote Aquarium is amazing! This is the perfect place to take a family of animal lovers of all ages. We spent an entire day here when we were here. There is so much to do and see and the aquarium is broken into sections focusing on different parts of the eco-system of Florida. The aquarium is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays. Prices for Mote Aquarium below:
Adults (13 & older): $24
Youth (ages 3-12): $18
Children (ages 0-2): Free
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Located in pretty much the most iconic area of Sarasota, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are a beautiful stop for plant lovers and those looking for the perfect instagram. They have rotating art and floral exhibits as well as beautiful views of the ocean as you walk through the grounds of the gardens. They have the most spectacular tropical flowers and plants due to Florida’s tropical climate. This 15-acre botanical garden is home to more than 20,000 plants including 5,500 beautiful orchids. The gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday except Christmas. Ticket prices go for:
Adults: $25
Ages 5-17: $10
Age 4 and under: Free
Dinner and Shopping in Downtown Sarasota
Downtown Sarasota is the best place to spend your final night in Sarasota. There are an endless supply of places to eat, shops to explore, and places to go dancing. I recommend having a special dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota at Jack Dorsey’s restaurant. The food here is top-notch and the experience will having you feeling luxurious and fancy as you sip on fine wine and specialty cocktails (again, the “Siren” is a Sarasota must). If you are looking for a more budget-friendly dinner, these restaurants are also super tasty and fun:
Owen’s Fish Camp - I personally have not been here yet, but it is always ranked as one of the best restaurants in Sarasota, so definitely check it out if you are a fan of seafood. I am a vegetarian, so all the ‘seafood recs’ are from my trusted sources.
O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill - This place is always packed. During the day it is a wonderful spot to have a refreshing drink along the ocean. There are some food options to order (mainly bar food), so I do not recommend a meal here, but it is tons of fun to spend some time meeting friends. The tiki bar is seated on top of a bunch of sand, so you really feel like you are on a beach.
Marina Jack - There are multiple restaurants located in the marina area (including O’Leary’s). I have surprisingly been to all of them and had great meals at each spot. “The Marina Jack Dining Room” is the fanciest of them all and provides a fine-dining experience overlooking the water. This is the perfect spot for a business meeting or a date night. “Blue Sunshine Patio” is the more casual dining option and their food is so good, especially with a view of the boats cruising into the marina. Speaking of boat cruises, Marina Jack offers a sunset dinner boat cruise that is so much fun. This cruise provided us with the most beautiful sunset of our entire trip (and the golden hour pics we got were bomb).
Mattison’s City Grille - We had dinner here on our first ever night in Sarasota. The food here is super tasty and they have live music almost every night of the week. As we were leaving, the place kind of turned into a party, so it definitely is a fun restaurant to eat at and to catch up with friends.
C’est La Vie - This place is known for a fantastic brunch experience. On Saturdays during the Farmer’s Market (see below for more info on that), there is always a wait to eat here. Combining breakfast food with a French twist, this place is an ideal weekend brunch spot.
Grand Cru Wine Bar - I had to include this spot because our family simultaneously agrees that one of our best nights in Sarasota was here. They combine technology with wine by giving you bracelets to scan wine fountains (think soda fountain but for wine). The experience is super fun and if they have live music, you will have an even better time as the crowd gets rowdier.
I haven’t tried all the restaurants down on Main Street, but there are so many options to choose from. If none of the above sound appetizing, I am sure you will find something else to your liking (and let me know in the comments so I can try it the next time I am in Sarasota!). If you like to party, there surprisingly are a lot of options to go out drinking along main street. If you’re feeling crazy, end your trip with a fun night out in the bars along Main Street. To name a few of the happening spots:
The Gator Club
Smokin’ Joe’s Pub
Brewster’s Tavern
Note: Sarasota Farmer’s Market
If you are lucky enough to be in Sarasota on a Saturday, the Sarasota Farmer’s Market is the best! I have never been to a better farmer’s market; it is basically a giant fair from 10 am to 1 pm. I always enjoy our time here and come home bearing many yummy treats.
