Sarasota and Siesta Key  Guide

Where to Stay

Sarasota has options for every kind of trip, and I have stayed in a few different spots over the years. Here is what I can tell you from personal experience.

Tropical Breeze Resort

📍 140 Columbus Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

If you want to be right in the middle of the action on Siesta Key, Tropical Breeze Resort is a great pick. The location is unbeatable — you are walking distance to the village and steps from the beach, which means you can go back and forth without worrying about parking or driving. We stayed in a studio, which was perfect for a smaller group. It has that relaxed, laid-back Key energy that makes you feel like you're actually living there and not just passing through.

The Westin Sarasota

📍 100 Marina View Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

The Westin is a solid choice if you want something clean, comfortable, and centrally located downtown. The rooftop is genuinely great — good drinks, good views, and the kind of spot you want to start or end your evening. It's a reliable pick when you want a true hotel experience without any surprises.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

📍 1111 Ritz-Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236

The Ritz has a great the attention to detail from the moment you walk in, and the service sets the tone for your whole stay. What a lot of people don't realize is that the price is sometimes comparable to the Westin, which makes the choice pretty easy. One of the biggest perks is complimentary access to the Ritz Beach Club, a separate waterfront property where you can spend the day eating, relaxing by the pool, or sitting right on the beach. That access alone makes it worth it.

Things To Do

🌅 Sunsets & Sandbars Cruise

If a gorgeous sunset cruise is on your bucket list, look no further than Sunsets n Sandbars. We enjoyed a beautiful evening with Captain Jay and his lovely wife, cruising from Siesta Key along the Intracoastal Waterway, through Sarasota Bay, and watching what might be the most stunning sunset off of Lido Key. It's romantic, relaxing, and honestly unforgettable.

 Tip: Book in advance — these fill up fast, especially in season.

🐠 Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Mote Marine is not your average aquarium. It's an active marine science research institution that does important conservation work worldwide — and visitors get a front-row seat to it all. From shark tanks to manatee exhibits, there's so much to explore.

📍 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236

Tip: This is the perfect rainy day activity. Plan at least 2–3 hours.

🌺 Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Selby Gardens sit right on the Sarasota bayfront and are, in our opinion, one of the most underrated gems in the entire area. The orchid collection alone is worth the visit, and the bayfront views are simply stunning.

📍 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236

Tip: Go on a weekday morning for a quieter, more peaceful experience. Check their website for special exhibitions.

🎨 The Ringling Museum & Ca' d'Zan

The Ringling is a must-do for anyone who appreciates art, history, or just a gorgeous estate. The museum houses an incredible collection of art and circus memorabilia, and you can tour the breathtaking Ca' d'Zan — the Ringling family's stunning bayfront mansion.

📍 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

Tip: Florida residents get discounted admission. Arrive early to tour the mansion before the crowds.

🦈 Shark Tooth Hunting at Manasota Beach

If you love hunting for shark teeth, Manasota Beach is your spot. It's only about 20 minutes south of Siesta Key and is well-known among locals as the best place to find fossilized shark teeth right along the shoreline.

📍 8570 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223

 Tip: Go at low tide and look where the waves wash up — patience pays off! A small mesh scoop or sifter helps.

🐚 Shelling at Turtle Beach

For beautiful shells, Turtle Beach is the place to be. It's quieter than Siesta Key's public beach and the shelling is genuinely impressive. We've brought home some of our prettiest finds from right here.

📍 8918 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242

Tip: This beach also has a boat ramp, picnic area, and is very family-friendly.

🛍️ University Town Center (UTC) Mall

On a rainy day, head to UTC Mall — it has great shopping options AND an indoor playground for the kids, making it a solid go-to when the weather doesn't cooperate.

📍 140 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243

Tip: The mall is adjacent to Nathan Benderson Park, which is beautiful if the sun comes back out.

🌿 Myakka River State Park Canopy Walk

Myakka State Park is home to one of only a handful of elevated canopy walks in the entire world. You'll climb up above the treetops for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the Florida wilderness. It's unlike anything else in the region.

📍 13207 SR-72, Sarasota, FL 34241

Tip: Visit early morning for the best wildlife sightings and cooler temperatures. Bring bug spray.

🍹 Siesta Key Village

After a long day on the beach, Siesta Key Village is the perfect place to wind down. It's walkable, charming, and full of casual bars, restaurants, and boutique shops. The vibe is laid-back and fun — exactly what a beach vacation should feel like.

📍 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 34242

Tip: Most spots are within easy walking distance of each other. Great for a sunset cocktail.

🥂 St. Armands Circle

Near Lido Beach and Longboat Key, St. Armands Circle is a beautifully landscaped shopping and dining district that's perfect for an evening out. Our favorite move? Grabbing a table at the Columbia Restaurant, ordering sangria and their famous warm Cuban bread, and just watching the world go by.

📍 St Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236

Tip: Parking fills up fast on weekends. Arrive before 6pm or be prepared to walk a few blocks.

Whether you're spending one day or one week in the Sarasota area, this list will keep you busy, fed, and fully in love with Florida's Gulf Coast. Save this post and share it with anyone planning a trip — they'll thank you for it. 🌊

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Our Top Three Places to Stay in Sarasota:

1.  If you are on a budget, this is the place for you!  There is a fantastic Sarasota County campground on the south end of the key where we have stayed.  You can have an RV delivered to the Turtle Beach Campground and the campground is directly on the beach.  It's a very natural beach with a ton of shells and there is even a playground for the little ones.  You can find out more about this campground here: https://www.sarasotacountyparks.com/parks-and-facilities/discover-a-park/destination-parks/turtle-beach-campground 

2.  Another one of our favorite places to stay when we are not on the budget is the Ritz Carlton Sarasota.  We stayed here for the first time when we were debating whether we should move here and we fell in love with this property.  It's centrally located in Sarasota and has a complimentary shuttle that takes you to the Ritz Beach Club. The Ritz has one of our favorite restaurants Jack Dusty's.  The bread comes in a can and is deliciously sweet.  The ceviche is always good and the steaks there are perfectly prepared!

3.  I spent a girls weekend at these adorable bungalows on Siesta Key that were both walking distance to the beach and to the strip.  The Tropical Breeze resort had studios, one, two and three bedroom units and a pool.  It was not fancy but it was super clean and convenient to places to eat, bars and to the beach.  

Our Top  Places to Eat in Sarasota

We love to eat out.  When we first moved to Sarasota we made it a point to get to know local places to eat.  Picking just five is going to be tough but I will include other places we enjoy as well.  Sarasota has a great food scene even though its a relatively small town.

1.  Hands down my favorite place to eat at the bar or a table is Connor's.  My husband and I will often go there for a bit of a fancier dinner.  It's a great place for a date night.  When it's just us, we eat at the bar and chit-chat with the staff.  They also have what we call "fancy lunch".  It's a pretty reasonably priced lunch menu and our girls have enjoyed the couple of times we have taken them for "fancy lunch" here.  Try the Old Fashioned if you drink and the steaks are always fabulous.

2. Owens Fish Camp - This is a local favorite!! The wait is always terrible and they do not take reservations but the food makes it worth the wait.  I highly recommend going at least once to Owens Fish Camp.  The original Sarasota location has a ton of character and you can eat any of the seafood.  You will not be disappointed.

3. For a casual bite, Geckos are a family favorite!! They have a monthly menu that the chefs put together and I have tried a few of them that have been amazing.  My favorite thing here is the Poke Tuna Bowl and my husband enjoys their burgers.

4. My favorite Indian food is Tandoor.  They are located near UTC.  I love their Butter Paneer with veggies but I have had several of their dishes and they are the best.

5. Food+Beer has several locations in town and is great bar food.  We typically go to Gulf Gate Food+Beer and enjoy their yummy brussell sprout appetizer with parmesan and bacon, their chicken nuggets are freshly breaded and delicious, we also love their burgers.  You really cannot go wrong with this place, their drinks are amazing too!

Honorable Mention:  For great views the Old Salty Dog, Marina Jack's (Walking Distance from the Ritz), Michael's on East, and so many others.