Set on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and sheltered by several barrier islands, Florida’s Sarasota entertains her
visitors with pristine beaches, rich history and a passion for performance. Before European settlers first
rolled their wagons into Sarasota, many native tribes, including the
Calusa, Tocobaga, and Timucuan people thrived off the bounty of
this land and its waters. The city of Sarasota was established
when a band of Scottish pioneers made this bayside area of the
Sunshine State their home in 1886. As the colony thrived it caught the eye of one of the brothers behind the Ringling
Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, otherwise known as “the greatest show on earth”. After making his fortune in the circus business and becoming one of the wealthiest
men in America, John Ringling, and his wife Mable made Sarasota their
winter home in the early 20th century. Their influence in real estate
and tourism was the catalyst that caused the sleepy bayside town to grow
into a dazzling vacation destination. The eccentric millionaires purchased
a 66-acre estate in North Sarasota on which to build their dream home. Spend a day or two exploring the vast complex, now known as “the Ringling” to discover
the impact this family had on the city. Step into the “Circus King’s” bay-front
mansion. The Ca’d’Zan, or House of John, is a magnificent ode to
Gothic Venetian architecture, and stands as a shining example
of the unbridled extravagance of the roaring twenties. As if their palatial mansion wasn’t
enough, the Ringlings also raised an immense art museum to house
their considerable collection. Wander the 21 galleries, whose walls are adorned with
pieces spanning culture and time. The estate is a carnival of art,
architecture and of course, performance! In the Circus Museum, be ushered
into a nostalgic world of theatrics, with countless exhibits showcasing
all the magic of the big top. The celebration of spectacle is
taken to even greater heights at the Asolo Repertory Theatre,
also on the Ringling estate. Besides their spectacular property, the
Ringling’s always travelled in style. From the estate, make your way to
the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, where the family’s collection
of Rolls Royce autos, pack a thrilling performance under the bonnet. John and Mable’s legacy had a lasting
impact on the culture of this city. Head downtown and take a tour of the
city’s many performing arts centers, which prove that in Sarasota,
the show must always go on.
Sarasota’s natural gifts have
long played center stage too. Explore a colorful pageant
of lush tropical rainforest, desert cacti and everything in-between
at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Sarasota’s big skies, natural
splendor and bayside breezes provide the perfect backdrop for
the city’s never-ending parade of innovative shops, bars and restaurants. Call into Drum Circle Distillery where daring distillers walk the high
wire between tradition and new flavors.
Follow the John Ringling Causeway
across the bay to St Armands Key, one of the fabulous barrier islands
that shelters the shoreline of Sarasota. Spend a morning shopping, dining and relaxing in the
cosmopolitan St Armands Circle, then continue exploring the keys of Sarasota Bay. Mosey over to Lido Key’s aquarium and
enjoy the show put on by cheeky otters, hypnotizing schools of fish, and
blooms of dancing sea jellies. After being entertained by some
of the ocean’s best performers, follow the warm briny breezes to Lido Beach. Grab a front row seat to some
of America’s clearest waters and spend an afternoon relaxing to
the non-stop rhythms of the sea. Make your way south to Siesta Key, to witness one of mother
nature’s finest magic acts. Here, on the public beach, the white
quartz sand stays cool and comfy underfoot, even on the most scorching days! The magic continues in the many
restaurants of Siesta Key Village, where mountains of seafood will appear,
and disappear, before your very eyes. Sunning herself on Florida’s sparkling gulf coast, Sarasota has been enthralling
visitors since the early 20th century, and now she’s calling you. So roll up, roll up, to the Circus City, where generations of performers
and the greatest performer of all, Mother Nature, come together in a vacation
double act like no other on Earth!
