Fun things to do in Sarasota

Kid's have fun in a room with frogs exhibit,they can clime on a tree-house full of plush animals & put butterflies & bugs puzzles together! next to this small house there is a Butterfly garden where they can watch them

This house was the winter home to John and Mabel Ringling. Built in the 1920s, it was recently restored and opened to the public. Mrs. Ringling was very active in the design and patterned it after her favorite Venetian hotels (hence the Venetian name, C' d'Zan). The house is mega-impressive and full of history and art. Also, the view from the back of the house onto the bay is unforgettable.
The public is not allowed to roam freely through the house, though. You must be part of a very long guided tour. In my opinion, this is not a suitable activity for children.

More than an attraction, the Mote Marine Aquarium is also a very important shark and sea turtle research center. Here, visitors can come face to face with injured sea turtles that are in various stages of recovery. In addition, the Mote features numerous aquariums including a fabulous jellyfish tank and a petting pool filled with many small marine creatures. The turtles are the big attraction however (see my travelogue). Don't forget to pickup a cool souvenir at the gift shop on your way out!

Poor De Soto! All those years spent looking for gold and riches, with so little success, and so much bloodshed in his wake. Like so many of those 16th century conqueror-explorers, he wasn't a very salutary individual, to say the least.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a “must see” for the art lovers. Take a trip back in time as you stroll through 22 galleries of this world-class museum. Housed in a pink Italian Renaissance villa, Ringling Museum www.ringling.org is filled with more than 500 years of European and American art, including one of the world’s most important collection of grand 17th –century baroque paintings. The old master collection also includes five world-renowned tapestry cartoons by Peter Paul Rubens. The museum contains amazing collections of decorative arts. See more about the Museum in my travelogue.

When in Sarasota you must visit the Mote Marine Laboratory. On display are sharks,manatees,fish and turtles. It features the marine life found off Florida's coast and shows the Laboratory's marine science research.

When in Sarasota you must visit the Ringling Museum of Art. John Ringling of circus fame was a great lover of fine art. In his world travels he procured many fine paintings and other objects of art. He decided to build a museum on the estate grounds. When he died he left his collection to the state of Florida. The collection includes the world's largest private collection of works by Peter Paul Rubens.
When visiting the complex you must also see the Museum of the Circus. See the rare handbills,posters,sequined costumes,minature circuses and elaborately carved wagons.
Also visit the restoration of the Ringling's glittering bayfront mansion 'Ca d' Zan'.

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This monument is on one of the possible sites of De Soto landing in his early exploration of the Southeast.